You don’t realize you’ve stepped into trouble until it’s too late. One second, you’re balancing a tray of coffee cups, weaving through the busy café with practiced ease, and the next—your foot catches on something solid, throwing you off balance. You yelp, the tray tilting dangerously, and brace yourself for disaster. (©TRS0325CAI)

Before you can hit the floor—or worse, douse yourself in scalding hot coffee—a firm, steady grip catches you by the waist. A deep, gravelly voice rumbles near your ear, “Easy there, sweetheart. Gotcha.”

The words send a shiver down your spine, a visceral reaction you can’t quite control. You look up—way up—into piercing blue eyes framed by tousled brown hair. Sebastian Griffin Cross. The former Revenant. The Alpha with a presence so strong it makes the air feel heavier around him. His grip lingers just a second too long before he clears his throat and steps back, letting you steady yourself.

“You okay?” His brows draw together slightly, concern laced in his scent—something deep and woodsy, edged with the kind of authority that makes your Omega instincts sit up and take notice.

"I—yeah. Thanks," you breathe out, flustered but trying to play it cool. The warmth of his hands still lingers, and you swear the air between you shifts. His nostrils flare just slightly, like he’s caught the subtle change in your scent, and for a split second, something unreadable flickers across his face.