Chapter 497 Mating Mark *Selena*

I had planned everything down to the smallest detail to make sure no one would ever suspect me. Playing the part of a humble omega made it easy to carry out my plan without raising eyebrows.

I only needed one day to complete the job, and then I'd be gone, leaving no trace behind. The clock bell rang, drawing my attention to the time.

It was the moment the security guards were about to switch shifts, and that was my opening. With my laptop in hand, I moved through the hallways quietly, keeping an eye on the clock. I had a mere fifteen-minute window, but for someone with my skills, it was more than enough. Hacking into their security system would be as easy as snapping my fingers.

The packhouse was mostly quiet at this hour. Most people had already retreated to their rooms for the night. The usual guard patrols were absent from the hallways, giving me the perfect chance. I moved silently, stepping into shadows and ducking whenever I heard footsteps coming my way. My destination: the basement, where the security control room was located.

I found a secluded corner and slipped behind a pillar, staying out of sight. The door to the security control room was fortified with high-tech locks that only Zander's biometric scan could open. Inside, the pack's entire security network, along with sensitive information about the North, was stored on the main computer. The room was built to withstand anything-soundproof, bulletproof, blastproof, and fireproof.

I quickly opened my laptop and began trying to crack the passcode for the security room door. My first attempt failed. Undeterred, I kept going. The locking system was more difficult to hack than I had anticipated. After ten failed attempts, frustration boiled over, and I angrily slammed my laptop shut. The sound echoed in the silence, and I quickly looked around, relieved that no one was there to notice.

Shit, I had wasted so much time. The guards would be returning to their posts soon, and I had to leave before they caught me. One day at the Moonglow Pack down the drain. I cautiously made my way back to my room, the eerie calmness of the packhouse sending a chill down my spine. Pushing those unsettling feelings aside, I hurried inside my room and locked the door behind me.

Now, what?

I couldn't waste my remaining days in this pack just trying to crack the code for the entry door of the security room. I had to complete the job before the cruel Alpha King could sense my motive for staying here.

But how?!

Lying on my small bed with a worn-out mattress beneath me, I couldn't sleep. It wasn't because of the uncomfortable mattress but rather the thoughts that kept me awake. My first worry was how I would gain access to the security room. Maybe I should try again tomorrow.

No, I couldn't waste another day. I had to do it as soon as possible and leave this palace. But how could I get inside the security room? How to get inside the...

Closing my eyes, I kept chanting in my head, trying to find a solution. Suddenly, my eyes snapped open as an idea glinted in my mind.

The key!

Yes, I remembered seeing the key to the security room with Zander once. He had it made as a precaution for the future after the biometric bar was destroyed. It would be in his room, and I knew where he used to hide all the important things.

With this new hope, I quickly got up and decided to head to the second floor, where Zander's room was located. It was a risky move, but luck seemed to be on my side tonight. Zander wouldn't be coming back until morning, which meant the entire floor would be vacant. In a swift and stealthy manner, I reached the second floor, staying hidden from the watchful eyes of the guards. Thanks to my small size and a spray that masked my scent, I managed to remain undetected.

With a pounding heart, I gripped the doorknob and carefully twisted it. The door opened with a faint click. The room was pitch dark, and I had to find the key without turning on the lights to avoid drawing attention. I used the flashlight on my mobile phone to begin my search.

To begin with, I searched high and low in his wardrobe, among his clothes, under clothes, and even on top of clothes, but the key was nowhere to be found. I checked the bedside table, beneath the mattress, and under the bed, but the key remained elusive. Exhausted and disappointed, I slumped down on the bed.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of running water coming from the bathroom. But Zander wasn't supposed to be back, and no one else was supposed to be in his room. As far as I knew, he never let anyone in, and Avery was staying on a different floor of the pack house. You know what they say - curiosity kills the cat.

Before I could even think twice, I found myself turning the bathroom door knob and slipping inside.

Before I could see the face of the intruder, I was pinned on the shower wall in a snap, a large hand tightly wrapped around my waist and a big hand on my neck, squeezing the life out of me. My breathing stopped as the air left my lungs when a huge, hard, naked, dripping- wet body pressed firmly against my petite figure, pushing me hard to the shower wall. I struggled, twisting my body, trying to wriggle out. My hands tried to push him with all my strength.

Then, I looked up. My terror-filled eyes met the scariest blue ones burning with anger and the world seemed to stop spinning. The overpowering scent of forest and earth after rain engulfed me, making me forget to breathe.

His touch felt like fire against my skin, causing my heart to race at double speed.

His strong jaw clenched tightly before he growled, "Selena?!"

His confused blue eyes pierced into mine, making my head spin and my breathing stop. Zander?! Oh goddess, when had he returned? But that wasn't the thought that consumed me in that moment. The spark of his touch, the heat of his breath, ignited something inside me, a forbidden temptation. Every fiber of my body became alive by his proximity and I hated myself for that.noveldrama

He was naked, dripping wet in the shower, holding me onto him. His hard, sculpted body flushed with mine, making me remember all our hot and passionate moments. It would be better if I died because the feeling made me feel so embarrassed, despite not wanting to feel like that.

The cold water pouring over me

didn't do anything to cool the heat his body pressed against mine ignited. My gaze instinctively

traveled over his firm, et

sculpted body, and my mouth felt dry feeling the sudden, undeniable heat building between my legs.

But what the hell was it, actually?

Was I feeling like this because I had not been this close to a man in those four years?

The thought he could smell my arousal made me so nervous. I didn't want to give his already inflated giant ego a boost, but I couldn't help it when the arousal burned my core, making me clench my thighs tightly together.

Ah! Now I wanted the earth to split open and swallow me whole. But then, eventually, I came to my senses, wriggling and trying to escape.

Zander's face suddenly turned murderous and cold.

"Selena, what are you doing in my room?" He growled, not letting me get away.

"I was here to clean it!" I blurted out nervously, the first excuse coming to mind as I struggled to free myself.

"This time of night?" His grip tightened.

My heart thudded loudly in my chest, and my mind seemed to shut down, overwhelmed by the intoxicating scent and the touch of my ex-mate Alpha. I didn't respond, but I tried to push him away again. However, his mountain-like frame didn't budge. "What happened? Why are you not answering me? Cat got your tongue?! Last time I remember, you were yelling at me, and it was loud and clear enough to tell everyone how you hated me," he scowled.

"Ah! If... if you leave me, uh... then only I can give you an answer," I whimpered, closing my eyes. I still didn't understand why my body continued to react so strongly to his touch.

His face was so close that I saw Lyon peeking through his eyes. His heavy breathing touching my face made me lose my senses, and I was about to faint at any moment.

He didn't release me, but instead leaned in closer, his breath hot against my neck as he inhaled deeply.

"Why don't you just admit it?" he murmured, his voice rough. "You want me. You're here because you can't stay away."

I snapped out of my daze, my eyes widening.

"No," I said firmly, disgust in my voice as I glared up at him. "I don't want you."

He chuckled darkly. "Liar," he shot back, his gaze locking onto mine with a wicked gleam. "Your body says otherwise."

My breath hitched, a gasp escaping

me as his tongue traced the length of my neck before he sucked hard on the spot where he had marked me on our wedding day. The remnants of the mating mark

burned, sending a strange sol net

through me-one I shouldn't be

feeling after we'd rejected each other. I bit my lip, struggling to suppress the sound threatening to escape, but it slipped out, a soft

moan escaping my lips.

"See?" His voice was low and smug as he ground his body against mine, his hardness pressing into my thigh. "You want me. Don't pretend you don't."

"Leave me, you asshole!" I cried

when I felt his hands tracing the curves of my butt, gripping them tightly before pulling me even closer, pressing his hard member as he ground himself slowly, making it impossible to ignore the sparks of

unwanted heat that flared between us.

His expression turned deadly, and I realized my mistake-cursing the Alpha King. The punishment for insulting him like that was a death sentence. I shivered at the thought. "So, what else brings you to my room?" To my shock, he released me and, instead of confronting me about my audacious words, he taunted me further. "Were you here to steal money?" I was disgusted by his accusations, but what else could I expect from my asshole ex-mate?

"I don't need you or your money," I shot back.

"Yet, here you are," he said with a smug smile on his arrogant face. "I have an offer," he added, and I narrowed my eyes. "Sleep with me tonight, and I'll pay you ten grand." What?! My jaw dropped to the floor, almost touching it.

"Excuse me?" I gasped. "I never knew the Alpha King lacked women," I mocked.

But his arrogant smirk didn't falter. "Trust me, I don't lack women. But I'm giving you a chance to earn more money since you seem so desperate for it."

His insult was too much for me to bear. I turned to leave, but his voice rang out behind me. "Last offer-I'll pay you fifty grand for one night."

I snickered. Now who seemed desperate, Alpha King.

But I didn't reply. Yanking the bathroom door open, I left as fast as I could, without giving a glance back at my jerk of an ex-alpha mate.