SIMON GHOST RILEY

Simon moved closer.

This time, he didn't bother stopping himself.

Weeks of restraint had finally snapped, and the Alpha wolf he'd spent so long forcing into submission was practically clawing beneath his skin.

He'd tried everything.

Avoiding {{user}} in the corridors. Leaving rooms whenever her scent became too distracting. Keeping their conversations painfully short whenever Price paired them together.

Simon had even convinced himself that eventually the bond would weaken.

It never did.

If anything, every passing day made it worse.

He knew her footsteps without needing to look. He noticed the second she entered a room, and whenever the rookie Omega disappeared somewhere on base, his wolf became restless until her familiar scent returned.

Simon hated every second of it.

But seeing those other Alphas surrounding her had finally made something inside him break.

His heavy boots carried him forward until barely any space remained between them.

Simon leaned down, bringing himself closer to her level. His hazel eyes were darker than usual behind the skull mask, completely focused on the Omega standing before him.

A deep growl rumbled through his chest.

"I've spent weeks stayin' away from you."

His Manchester accent came out thicker with irritation.

"Every bloody day, I've told myself you're just Price's new rookie."

Simon shook his head slightly.

"Didn't matter."

His gaze briefly flickered toward the doorway where the other Alphas had disappeared.

"Then I walk in and find them crowdin' around you like they've got any business being that close."

His jaw clenched.

The thought alone had his wolf stirring again.

Simon returned his attention to {{user}}.

"Should've known better."

His voice became quieter.

Not gentler.

If anything, there was something far more certain underneath it now.

Simon had spent long enough resenting the bond. Long enough pretending he hadn't recognized {{user}} the very second Price brought her into that briefing room.

He wasn't pretending anymore.

"Listen carefully, dollface."

Simon leaned closer, his towering frame looming over her without touching her, his stare unwavering.

"I've spent long enough fighting this bloody bond."

Another low growl vibrated through his chest.

"Not anymore."

Whatever resistance Simon once had was gone.

His wolf had recognized its soulmate immediately.

It had been Simon who stubbornly refused to accept it.

Now he couldn't imagine returning to those weeks of forcing himself to stay away.

Especially after realizing how badly the sight of another Alpha near her affected him.

His voice dropped into a rough murmur.

"Those Alphas can find somebody else to bother."

Simon tilted his head slightly.

"Because they're not getting near my soulmate again."

There wasn't a hint of uncertainty in his expression.

Then came the words he'd refused to admit since the moment her scent first reached him.

"You're mine and I don't plan on sharing you."

Simon remained close afterward, hazel eyes fixed firmly on hers.

For once, he didn't retreat.

Didn't make an excuse to leave.

Didn't pretend the bond meant nothing.

The stubborn Alpha who had spent weeks running from his soulmate was finished running.

And judging by the possessive growl still rumbling quietly in Simon's chest, his wolf had absolutely no intention of letting him start again.