Chapter 4: No Way Out, No Way Back

His voice was mocking, but there was a hint of concern buried underneath. My body was betraying me, and there was nothing I could do.

“So what if my thoughts are messed up? You’ll need me, physically. I can’t wait for your heat to hit. When it does, don’t beg me in tears, my dear brother.” The way he said “my dear brother” sent a chill down my spine.

Jackson actually wants to trap me here in Montana! Unbelievable.

The realization hit me like a slap. I was stuck—alone, vulnerable, and completely at his mercy.

I was fuming.

Rage burned through the fog of pain and pleasure. Determined not to give in.

“You want me to get kicked out of the Army?”

My voice was sharp, accusing. Fraternization, especially like this, was a career-ender.

He was setting up a makeshift shelter, his wrinkled jacket tossed over a folding chair, his white shirt streaked with mud. He made it look like home.

That uniform was like a second skin—now that he’d shed it, his wild side was on full display. He was just a man—dangerous, unpredictable, and all too real.

My eyes drifted to his bare forearms... For the first time, I really understood what it meant to be an S-tier alpha. I swallowed hard, refusing to let him see how much it affected me.

Looking at the whole country, there are only a handful of S-tier alphas. Caught in the crosshairs.

No wonder Dad threw a three-day barbecue.

It made sense now—the pride, the celebration. The kind of people who changed the world.

Some people are just born to rule. They don’t have to fight for it; they stand at the top of the pyramid without even trying.

It was infuriating. I’d spent my whole life clawing for scraps, and he’d been handed the world on a silver platter.

It’s infuriating.

I clenched my jaw, refusing to let him see how much it hurt.

“I want to go home.”

My tone was calm.

I forced the words out, steady and even. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break.

He stopped and tilted his head at me, a little surprised. For a moment, he looked almost human—confused, maybe even concerned.

After a moment, Jackson half-squinted at me and said, "Bro, your adaptability is something else."

He sounded almost impressed, but I could hear the challenge in his voice. Daring him to push me further.

I was annoyed.

Annoyed didn’t even begin to cover it. But I held it together, because that’s what Crowes do.

But I knew blowing up now was pointless.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. Losing my temper would only give him more power.

Time, place, people—none of them were on my side.

I looked around, weighing my options. I was stuck.

Jackson’s scent was everywhere.

It clung to my skin, filled my lungs. No matter how hard I tried.

Even if he stood two steps away, his scent was overwhelming.

It was like being trapped in a cage, the bars made of pheromones and old grudges.

His intense, aggressive alpha pheromones mixed with my own, which smelled like sweet summer oranges. The two scents clashed, mingled, and filled the air. It was intoxicating.

I felt lightheaded, my thoughts slipping away. I hated how much I wanted to breathe him in.

My blood raced, and I had to stop a few steps from him.

I steadied myself, refusing to let him see how much he affected me. Pride was all I had left.

The bite on my neck still burned. With Jackson’s eyes on me, the heat only got worse.

I pressed my hand to the mark, willing the pain to fade. His gaze was heavy, hot, and impossible to ignore.

I held my breath and turned my head, hiding my nerves behind a cold stare.

I met his eyes, daring him to look away. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me flinch.

“I don’t have time to waste here with you. I’ve got plenty to do.”

My words were clipped, businesslike. I hoped he’d take the hint and back off.

He looked amused, raising his eyebrows to meet my gaze. He smirked, like he knew exactly what I was trying to do.

“Far as I know, Army cadets get vacation, too. Bro, you must have a ton of days saved up, right?”

His tone was casual, but there was a challenge in it. Like he was daring me to argue.

“What’s that got to do with you?” I shot back.

I crossed my arms, glaring. I wasn’t about to let him control this conversation.

“I cashed in your vacation days for you. With mine added, we’ve got over two weeks to spend here.”

My jaw dropped. He’d gone behind my back, again. The anger bubbled up, hot and sharp.

That was two years’ worth of vacation, and this jerk burned it all at once!

I could barely breathe, I was so mad. All those days I’d saved—gone, just like that.

I was furious!

I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to scream. He was always one step ahead, always pulling the strings.

“What right do you have to screw with my life!”

The words came out loud and raw. I didn’t care if the whole damn base heard me.

Something in my words seemed to get to him. Jackson paused a second. For the first time, he looked uncertain.

He put down what he was holding and walked toward me. The way he moved was deliberate, predatory.

The pressure from his S-tier pheromones hit me like a freight train.

It was suffocating. I gasped, struggling to stay upright. My knees wobbled, but I locked them tight.

My legs went weak—I almost lost my balance.

I caught myself on the back of a chair, cursing under my breath. He was doing this on purpose, and we both knew it.

He was doing it on purpose!

I glared at him, daring him to deny it. He just smiled, slow and wicked.

He knew I was vulnerable, but he still let his S-tier pheromones loose. He was testing me, pushing me to the edge.

My blood boiled, my heart pounded.

I clenched my jaw, riding out the wave of sensation. I wouldn’t let him win.

Stubborn pride made me stand tall, even as he closed in.

I straightened my spine, meeting his gaze head-on. I wasn’t going to let him see me flinch.

One more step, and I could feel his breath on me. It was hot, heavy, and full of promise.

“What are you doing?”

My voice was tight, wary. Every muscle tensed to run.

I instinctively backed up.

My feet tangled, and I stumbled. He reached out, steadying me with a touch that lingered too long.

My heel caught on a chair leg, and I stumbled, landing awkwardly in the chair. The impact jarred my teeth, but I managed to keep my dignity—barely.

Under me was the uniform jacket he’d just tossed there—the five stripes and one star marking a Major General were impossible to miss, making me even more uncomfortable. The insignia dug into my thigh, a reminder of just how outmatched I was.

“Bro,” he said. The darkness in his eyes was like a black hole, all pressure and heat. His voice was low, almost hypnotic.

“You know after a secondary shift, heats come on fast and rough. I’m doing this for your own good. If you don’t want to get jumped by a bunch of rabid alphas, just stay here and listen to me, alright? I’ll help you, trust me.”

His words sounded reasonable, but I knew better. Trusting Jackson was like playing Russian roulette—eventually, you’re going to lose.

Help? With him?

I snorted, rolling my eyes. If this was help, I’d hate to see what he did to his enemies.

After the way he bit me, nearly tearing out my neck?

I touched the mark, wincing. The pain was a reminder of just how far he was willing to go.

Does he really think I’m that dumb?

I glared at him, daring him to try and convince me. He just smiled, infuriatingly calm.

Sure, there aren’t a ton of alphas in the country, but they’re not that rare. None of them had ever made me feel like this—cornered, desperate, and alive all at once.

I’m not picky.

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. I wasn’t looking for fireworks—just someone who wouldn’t ruin my life.

As long as they’re mild-mannered and decent, that’s enough.

I just wanted normal. Quiet. Safe. Jackson was none of those things.

“I can find a normal partner. I don’t need you hovering over me.”

My words were sharp, meant to wound. I hoped he’d take the hint and back off.

Jackson cupped my face, his tone gentle but his eyes burning. “You’ll let someone else have you, but not your own brother?”

His hands were warm, his touch surprisingly soft, even as I tried to pull away.

“What the hell is wrong with you!”

I finally lost it and shoved him away. But he just pressed me back into the chair! He held me there, his gaze never leaving mine.

His hands were everywhere, restless.

He touched me like he owned me, like he’d been waiting years for this moment. I wanted to fight, but my body wouldn’t listen.

The man in front of me, like a starved wolf, indulged his hunger, sliding his hand under my not-so-neatly tucked shirt. His fingers were cold, sending goosebumps racing across my skin.

His fingertips were cold, but his palm was burning hot.

I shivered, caught between pleasure and fear. I hated how much I wanted more.

I couldn’t help but tremble, then heard him murmur, “Bro.” His voice was low, almost reverent.

This “bro” sounded different than before.

It was softer, almost a plea. I wondered if he even knew what he was asking for.

There was a long-buried hostility, mixed with other unspoken wants, in the way he kept repeating it. His voice was thick with longing, with pain.

“Bro, your face is all red.”

He grinned, teasing. I glared, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me blush.

“With that look, you want me to kiss you till you can’t breathe?”

His words were a challenge, a dare. I bit my lip, refusing to answer.

“You trying to tempt me, bro?”

His voice was a growl, hungry and wild. I shivered, caught between fear and something dangerously close to want.