CHAPTER 2: Long Time No See

DAPHNE’S POV

"Daphne Leandros?"

His voice was terrifyingly deep and warm. His ocean-blue eyes traced my body, assessing it with possessiveness. He wore a white shirt unbuttoned three buttons down, revealing glimpses of his toned chest. Over it, he wore a luxurious black coat.

Based solely on appearances, he looked like a desirable CEO cornering a janitor in the toilet. Comparing the two was painful. He must have been gloating to see me in such a state.

What was he doing here?

"Speak!" Theron prompted again, making me jump.

"Daphne Callistos," I replied, my voice trembling. My gaze dropped to his chest, and I tried to push him away, but he didn't allow it.

A hand grabbed my chin, forcing my face up. Theron growled again, "Still Leandros. My Leandros."

I may be Leandros, but I am certainly not 'his.' I could not let this man continue to wallow in such delusions.

"I'm not yours. I have a husband now, Theron," I said, pretending to be in control of the situation when I clearly wasn't.

There was something about the way Theron spoke that stirred me. His gaze convinced me that I was attractive and worthy of being cherished.

The muscle between his eyebrows twitched. His lips pressed into a thin, straight line. His jaw clenched rigidly.

"It’s Alpha Theron, Leandros," he corrected.

I was stunned, my eyes widening. "You’re already an Alpha?"

His lips quirked up with amusement, offering no clear answer. I continued, "What happened to your father?"

"My parents were killed."

"Was it... Beastgrowl?"

Beastgrowl and Junglerage were always at odds over everything. It was a pack as large as Junglerage, headed by a terrifying woman, much like Theron’s mother. Theron frowned, his attitude clearly unpleasant at the mention of the past.

"Why are you here?" He pulled my body closer, his brows arched, and his voice went thick and husky, making me melt again. "To have fun?"

"Something like that." I took a deep breath, images of Lyssander flooding my mind. My face was burning, and I looked past him to avoid meeting his probing gaze. "What are you doing here, Alpha Theron?"

"Owning it. Inspecting it. Getting lucky." Theron leaned in close to me. He inhaled deeply, satisfied. "You still smell as sweet as that day."

"Theron, I have a husband."

I was reminding him, and in doing so, I was also reminding myself. Lyssander’s loss of moral integrity did not mean I had permission to let myself degenerate like him. It was shameful to be married to Lyssander, but it would be even more shameful if I were to emulate his actions.

"And you came here to have fun?" Theron laughed. His hand moved along my back, stroking it gently. "Can't your husband perform?"

His tone always carried a hint of mockery, something that made my stomach churn with discomfort.

My entire body stiffened, burning from the inside out.. My legs clamped together in intense desire. My breath caught in my throat. "Yes, he can, but not like this. You should let me go, Theron."

"I don't want to."

"So you came here to play, too? If so, why don't you go grab that bitch writhing on the pole?" I spoke bitterly. I didn't know why the thought of Theron being with another woman made my mouth taste bitter.

Theron’s eyes widened for a split second before he flashed a contemptuous smile. "Callistos is a familiar surname here. He always likes to put on a show for the crowd."

"I can see that. And what are you doing, Theron? Go ahead and laugh at me if you want. I’m a failure. I rejected you for a bastard. So... just laugh at me." To my own surprise, and Theron’s, I burst into tears.

I rested my head on Theron’s chest, the familiar sensation rushing back instantly. My tears ran cold against my cheeks, soaking his shirt.

For a moment, a large hand hovered hesitantly over my hair. He was clearly wondering what to do with this stifling outpouring of emotion.

His heart beat faster in that moment, too. His body was so warm. It was as if I knew, deep down, that he would provide safety for me.

It wasn't anyone else; it could only be Theron.

"I’m such a fool, Theron. I gave him all my assets. I’ll have nothing if I leave him."

I couldn't stop; my chest was tightening until it ached.

"Damn it, Theron. He licked a bitch’s vagina right in the middle of the room. Why would he do that? Does he love putting on a show for the world to see how much of a bastard he is?"

"Daphne." Theron tasted my name on his tongue. "I can give you what you need."

"What the hell do I need?" I asked him in a fit of rage.

Then, realizing what I had said, I pushed him away. Theron wiped the tears from my cheeks slowly. His handsome face still displayed a terrifyingly cold composure.

He spoke slowly, his voice heavy with all the power and strength I never thought I had the right to own. "Be with me, and I will give you everything you need."

"What do I need?" I became lost in his eyes.

"Think about it, Daphne."

I wanted Lyssander destroyed. I wanted my money back. And more importantly, I wanted to take care of my family and be by their side until I grew old.

"I rejected you; you should hate me. Why are you helping me? Don't you want to take revenge on me?"

"My sweet Daphne," Theron cupped my face in his hands. His breath was hot and overwhelming against my skin. "...that is exactly what I am doing."

The Alpha’s intentions were now clearer than ever. He wanted me by his side so he could torment me for that rejection. He wanted me to owe him, unable to run from him no matter how much I might want to.

However, as a werewolf beta, with the responsibility of being an assistant to an Alpha, his offer was tempting.

Alphas, in some way, always attracted creatures like me. A group of weak beings who loved to be enveloped in power and safety.

What decision should I make? Suddenly, the memory of that day rushed back, leaving me no way to escape.