1 One

Rhea. 

The pool of desire for Alpha Damien swirls within me, making my heart race with uncertainty. Discovering I am his mate adds a layer of complexity to my emotions. Anxiety knots in my stomach, but I push it aside, focusing on the task at hand. Scrubbing the last section of the toilet, I step back to admire my work, muttering, "This should do the trick."

Cleaning has always been a skill of mine, though I resent it as a potential life sentence. The notion of being Alpha Damien's chosen mate by the Moon Goddess feels like a surreal shift. My working days should be over, but he hasn't acknowledged our connection. Did the Moon Goddess reveal it to him last night? I ponder this as I scratch my palm nervously.

Finished with his bathroom, a surge of anticipation propels me out, but the fear of being caught lingers. I risk staying longer, yearning for a glimpse of him. Thoughts of Alpha Damien consume my days – a mix of a crush and an undeniable sexual desire. As an ordinary omega, I can't escape the reality of our societal differences, yet hope persists.

Stepping into the hallway, I release a sigh just as Alpha Damien's bedroom door swings open, revealing his presence.

Gasping, I instinctively hide in his closet as he storms in, slamming the door behind him, sending shivers of fear down my spine. Unsure of his anger's source, I know it's best to remain concealed; facing his wrath is not on my to-do list. Despite the risk, I decide it's worth it.

Peering cautiously from my hiding spot, I witness him collapsing onto his bed with a heavy sigh. His weariness and frustration are evident, visible even from my covert vantage point. For about five minutes, I silently observe, marveling at his physique. Strong and relaxed under the soft bedroom light, his jet-black hair tousles in a casually appealing way. Alpha Damien exudes both strength and ease, creating an enchanting presence in the room. 

My thoughts wander to a desire to be close to him, under him – an intense longing that has grown since my family and I were taken in by his father, long before he assumed the role of Alpha. He never seems to notice my existence, following the strict rule that he despises cleaners in his room, yet demands it to be pristine upon his return. The clock ticks to 7 in the evening, and he shouldn't be back until later, giving me hope of an escape.

Having cleaned his room earlier, I find myself stuck, uncertain of his plans. He sits up abruptly, reaching for a ringing phone. "Speak," he commands, his deep, booming voice sending a mix of fear and desire through me. Suppressing a sigh, I listen as he responds, "Yes, I am aware of that. I will be out shortly," before tossing the phone aside and exhaling sharply, resuming his reclined position.

Peeking at him from my hiding spot again, he suddenly rises, prompting a gasp as I hastily retreat into the safety of his closet. Closing my eyes, I hope he didn't notice me, heart racing at the thought of what might happen if he discovered me. Remaining still and silent, I anticipate the sound of his departure, planning my escape afterwards. But instead, a strong grip seizes my wrist, and I'm yanked out with a gasp of fear. It's Alpha Damien.

Meeting his intense gaze, I feel a dryness in my mouth. His serious expression unsettles, excites, and unnerves me simultaneously. A blush creeps up my neck, and I quickly avert my eyes. 

"You have forgotten my policy or you just believe that you have the audacity to go above my rules?" He questions, his voice traveling through my whole body. 

I stood there, frozen in his closet, as his voice echoed through me, weakening my knees. I tried to speak, but his intense brown eyes silenced me. His lips moved, a silent threat hanging in the air. My gaze lingered on his lips, tempted by the proximity, his cologne enveloping me in a pleasant daze.

"Speak! This instant!" he demanded, his not so soft tone sending my heart into a wild frenzy. "I wasn't spying... I just came to clean your room. And I was about to step out when you came in," my words stumbled out. His eyes burned with anger, his grip on my wrist tightening. 

"You hid in my closet to spy on me?" he questioned. Anxiety and fear washed over me, almost making me faint. But if I did, I knew he'd catch me, and strangely, I wanted to be in his arms.

He moved closer, pressing me against the closet door. I pretended not to like it, though secretly, I yearned for his attention. 

"Who are you?" his voice resonated deep within me. I swallowed hard, looking up at him. His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me in. Damien's tall figure enveloped me, and I relished it. His face hovered over mine, and I looked away, pretending indifference.

"What's your name again?" he asked, surprising me. He knew my name; he knew who I was. "Rhea," I mumbled. "Oh?" he breathed out, his warm breath against my neck. I wanted him to kiss me desperately.

"So, you're my chosen mate?" I nodded slowly, searching his eyes for any emotion, but they remained relaxed, with sleepy brown eyes. He broke the gaze, looking down at my lips. 

Just kiss me already, I echoed in my mind. We are so close, I could feel the heat of his body warm mine. His hand stroked my back, igniting desire. His fingers tangled in my hair, forcing me to look up at him. His lips met mine with strength and purpose, as if giving every missed kiss from the past and the future all at once.

His hands dropped to my back, pulling me closer. I clung to him, every part of me numb except my mouth. His kiss consumed my awareness, and in that moment, it was all I knew.