Chapter 10

“You should… change your clothes first,” Kane said, his voice thick and low, like he was fighting something primal.

I looked down. My soaked shirt clung to my skin like a second layer, see-through and shameless. My cheeks burned. Werewolves were hypersensitive to their mate’s scent—mine was probably driving him mad right now.

“It’ll dry soon,” I mumbled. “Better just get this done.”

Before he could argue, I covered his eyes with my palm. “No peeking!”

Kane didn’t fight me. He just let out a slow breath, eyelids fluttering shut under my touch.

After adjusting the water temperature—not too hot, not too cold, just enough to avoid triggering his werewolf glands; I gently rinsed the back of his head.

“The front’s off-limits for now,” I murmured. “The wound needs a few more days.”

He hummed in acknowledgment, his jaw relaxed.

My fingers worked in silence, massaging his scalp, slow and careful. But each time I grazed his skin, his chest rose a little too fast. I pretended not to notice—but I did.

This man, hardened by trauma and silence, was falling asleep under my hands.

By the time I finished drying his hair, he was out cold in his wheelchair.

Too easy.

I wheeled him to his room, draped a blanket over him, and padded out.

But the second the door clicked shut, Kane’s eyes snapped open—sharp, alert, calculating.

He texted Zack: “Find out who brought Mia home tonight.”

The memory of her stepping out of that man’s car made his stomach twist. He trusted her—of course he did—but his possessiveness? That wasn’t so easily controlled.

---

Downstairs, I was starving.

On my way to the kitchen, I ran into a sharply dressed man in a gray suit, pushing a dinner cart like he owned the building. Slicked-back hair, gold-rimmed glasses—he looked more like a CEO than someone delivering soup.

“Good evening, Luna. I’m Zack.”

“Wait… Deliveryman Zack?”

He didn’t flinch. “I’m the Beta of Golden Claw Pack. Delivering meals is just… one of my many duties.”

Beta? I blinked. “Kane’s asleep. You here for dinner or gossip?”

Zack adjusted his glasses, very serious. “Both. I need to have a heart-to-heart with His Highness.”

A heart-to-heart? That sounded like code for “spy mission.” But I didn’t pry. Just waved him upstairs.

---

Upstairs, Zack entered silently, then handed over a tablet.

“Sean, the man who brought Mia back, is the Alpha heir of Moon Pack. Mia’s treating Norman’s migraines… and Sean’s condition.”

Kane’s gaze darkened. “What condition?”

Zack hesitated. “He’s… um, impotent.”

A beat of silence.

“How is she treating it?”

Zack winced. “Herbal medicine. So far.”

Kane’s hands tightened into fists. She was too kind, too trusting—and now she was curing other men’s… problems?

“Keep eyes on Sean. All the time.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

---

When Kane returned downstairs, Zack vanished like a shadow. I watched him go, curiosity gnawing at me.

For someone so talented, it surprised me that he was still loyal to Kane.

Kane caught my gaze and frowned. “Let’s eat.”

The food was simple but incredible—light, healing meals with perfect seasoning. I wanted something bolder—with black pepper—but I couldn’t eat spicy while Kane was on patient food.

“I’ll eat light food with you,” I said with a shrug.

His lips twitched. “Tell Zack if you want something else.”

Was that… a smile? My heart did a little backflip.

---

“I’ll give you acupuncture,” I said. “If you’re sleepy, go ahead and sleep.”

He didn’t argue, but he didn’t look tired, either.

So I “accidentally” hit a pressure point to knock him out. I thought I was being slick.

What I didn’t know was—Kane saw everything. He recognized the exact motions, even if he didn’t know the names. He just closed his eyes and let it happen.

Because deep down… he trusted me.

After he dozed off, I smiled to myself.

Separate rooms? Not happening.

I finished washing up and sneaked into his bed like it was the most natural thing in the world.

---

I woke up before sunrise, heart pounding from last night’s crime. If Kane found me curled up beside him again… things might spiral fast.

So, I slipped out like a thief and rushed to school.

Big mistake.

The moment I walked onto campus, I knew something was off. Eyes followed me. Whispers spread like wildfire.

It hit me hardest in the cafeteria—every time I tried to sit down, someone beat me to the chair. Like they were blocking me on purpose.

Familiar.

Exactly like last life—when Anna led a silent war against me. Isolation, petty bullying, gaslighting.

And there she was.

Draped in designer clothes, perfume that reeked of Lilith’s brand, scratch marks still raw on her face—Anna strutted toward me like a predator.

“Mia. You are a manipulative bitch,” she sneered. “You used AI to fake that video, didn’t you? I already called the cops. You are going to get expelled for this.”

Her confidence was back—and then I saw why.

She was wearing Lilith’s jewelry.

Pearl earrings. Velvet lipstick. That exact perfume.

They’d reconciled.

Lilith had covered for her, probably blaming the video on deep fakes. I, the outsider, the unwanted one, had no Pack backing, no family protection.

Anna leaned in, voice venomous. “Lilith might forgive you, but I won’t. You turned her against me. You made her slap me. Now I’m going to ruin you.”

The cafeteria fell silent. Eavesdropping students were now openly gawking.

“Wait, who is she?” one whispered.

“She’s prettier than Lilith. Why doesn’t she cheer captain?”

“Pretty, but she’s a snake. Lilith is kind.”

“Mia’s Lilith’s sister, right?”

“Half-sister. The Pack just found her. She grew up poor, outside the family.”

“Oh, that’s why she’s bitter. She wants revenge.”

My hands curled into fists under the table. I kept my head high—but inside, a storm was brewing.

Let them watch. Let them talk.

They didn’t know who they were messing with.