Seduction

Arya turned to Luciano. “Do you have a phone?”

Daxiel didn’t respond. He was already thinking about the nearest ocean where he could drop her off.

“I do,” Luciano said.

Arya turned to him. “Can I borrow it?”

“Here.” Luciano handed her the phone.

Arya quickly dialed a number. Once the call connected, she placed it to her ear excitedly.

“Crystal?”

Crystal was her only friend. When Arya had started throwing tantrums about going outside, her father brought Crystal over, introducing her as a friend’s daughter. Since then, Crystal visited often and told Arya about the outside world.

“Who is this?” the voice on the other end asked.

“Ari,” she replied.

“Ari?” Crystal sounded surprised.

“Yes! I’m outside,” Arya said proudly.

“Really?” Crystal asked, then added suspiciously, “Does Uncle know?”

Arya shook her head. “No.”

There was a pause.

“Where are you now?” Crystal asked.

Arya looked around. “I don’t know.”

“…Of course you don’t,” Crystal muttered. “Tell whoever owns that phone to drop you at the bus station near your house.”

“Okay,” Arya nodded.

“Wait—I want to tell you something.”

“What?”

“I met a very handsome man and asked him to be my boyfriend, but he’s not saying anything,” Arya complained.

Luciano’s jaw dropped. She asked Daxiel out?

He glanced at the rearview mirror, trying to catch Daxiel’s reaction.

But there was none.

“Seduce him,” Crystal said casually.

Arya frowned. “How?”

“Just kiss him,” Crystal replied.

“Okay,” Arya said, and ended the call.

She looked at Daxiel, hesitation flickering in her eyes.

But she leaned in anyway.

If this would make him her boyfriend—

She would do it.

Her lips met his.

Daxiel’s eyes widened.

For a brief second, he froze.

Then something inside him snapped.

His hand shot up, gripping the back of her head, pulling her closer.

The kiss deepened instantly—rough, overwhelming.

Arya’s body stiffened in surprise, but she didn’t pull away.

She didn’t know how.

Daxiel’s control slipped.

His grip tightened as if he wanted to keep her there, as if letting go wasn’t an option.

Luciano and the chauffeur stared in complete shock.

Did Daxiel just… kiss someone?

The air in the car grew heavy.

Daxiel’s wolf stirred violently, reacting in a way it never had before.

His eyes darkened.

In the next second, he broke the kiss—but didn’t move away.

Instead, he buried his face into the side of her neck.

A gentle scent of white lilies infuriated his nose. It was intoxicating. 

His breath was hot against her skin.

His teeth brushed lightly against her neck—

And Arya shivered.

Just as his teeth were about to sink in—

“Daxiel!”

Luciano’s voice cut through sharply, filled with urgency.

But Daxiel didn’t respond.

His grip tightened around Arya.

She winced. “It hurts…”

Her voice was small.

Fragile.

That was what brought him back.

Daxiel froze.

Slowly, he pulled away.

By the time he lifted his head, his expression had returned to its usual cold indifference.

“Stop the car.”

The chauffeur immediately obeyed.

The car came to a halt.

Without hesitation, Daxiel pushed the door open—and shoved Arya out.

Caught off guard, she stumbled.

“What are you doing?” she asked, confused.

“Go back inside,” he said coldly. “The next time I see you… I will kill you.”

The threat in his voice was real.

He meant every word.

Then he shut the door.

The car drove off.

Luciano turned toward him, stunned. “Did you just try to mark a human?”

Daxiel remained silent.

Marking human was a forbidden thing. A wolf can only mark his mate.

Luciano thought of something and frowned. “Could she be your—”

Daxiel’s cold glare shut him up instantly.

Meanwhile, Arya stood there, watching the car disappear.

Confusion filled her eyes.

Why did he push her away?

What did she do wrong?

Her face fell, and tears gathered in her eyes.

She quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand.

She hated crying.

Looking around, she noticed the lively street—lights glowing, people moving, cars passing.

Slowly, a smile returned to her face.

Then—

“Arya!”

She turned toward the voice, her face lighting up.

“Crystal!” she called, waving excitedly as she ran over.

Crystal sat on a bike.

As Arya moved to hug her, Crystal placed a hand on her chest, stopping her.

“How did you get out?” Crystal asked, narrowing her eyes.

“There was a hole in the wall,” Arya replied.

Crystal frowned and inspected her carefully. “Are you hurt?”

Arya shook her head.

“Good,” Crystal said, pulling her into a hug. “I’m so happy you’re out.”

“I thought you weren’t happy to see me,” Arya pouted.

“Nonsense. Of course I am,” Crystal said, patting her back.

They both smiled.

“Get on,” Crystal said, handing her a helmet. “Let me take you somewhere.”

Arya climbed onto the bike with some difficulty.

Crystal sped off.

Minutes later, they arrived at a bar.

Crystal led her to a spot with a clear view of the stage.

Arya looked around in awe, like she had stepped into another world.

Colored lights flashed across the room.

Everything felt loud and chaotic.

Crystal ordered drinks—vodka for herself and apple juice for Arya.

Arya stared at the drink in Crystal’s hand. “Can I have that too?”

“It’s not for you,” Crystal said, sipping casually.

Arya sighed.

The lights suddenly dimmed.

Arya flinched. “What’s happening?”

“The show is about to start,” Crystal said.

“What show?”

Before she could finish, several male performers stepped onto the stage.

They moved confidently, showing off their physiques.

Arya watched.

They were handsome.

But not like Daxiel.

Her expression slowly dropped.

She thought escaping would end her longing.

But it hadn’t.

Now—

She missed him.

Her lips curved into a small pout.