One of the bodyguards stepped into the boutique and bowed slightly.“It’s time to go, ma,” he said.Arraya’s fingers tightened on the shopping bag she held, the paper crinkling softly under her grip. She gave a small nod, her expression unreadable, and walked past Ryan without another word. The faint scent of her perfume—jasmine with something sharper beneath—brushed by him as she moved.Ryan’s gaze followed her, lingering on the curve of her shoulders as she carried herself with quiet confidence toward the waiting SUV.Marcus was already there, leaning against the black vehicle like he owned the whole street. His silver ring caught the sun as he opened the door for her with a sly grin. Arraya slipped inside, her face calm, almost cold. The leather seat creaked faintly when she sat. Marcus climbed in beside her, and the car pulled away with a low growl of the engine, tires crunching against the cobbled road.Ryan exhaled a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. His chest felt heavy,
“I will never drink someone’s blood. Never. I will never become like her—never!” Agatha’s voice cracked as she clung to Fenrik, her fingers digging into the fabric of his shirt like claws trying to anchor herself to the only solid thing left in her world. Fenrik bent his head low, his arms wrapped around her trembling body. He pressed his cheek to her hair as if he could shield her from Marcus’s words, his body a wall between her and the accusations that cut deeper than any blade. “She is not a lycan,” he said firmly, his voice steady but laced with desperation. “She’s a werewolf. Just like us.” Marcus’s eyes narrowed, his smirk curling into something darker. He tilted his head slightly, like a predator humoring prey before striking. “Oh really? Have you ever heard of a werewolf craving blood?” His tone sliced through the air, sharp and merciless. “No, brother. You haven’t. Because it doesn’t happen. She is hungry, and nothing—no food, no drink—will ever satisfy her. Not unless sh
Marcus lifted his hand, a sharp flick of his fingers, and the two guards at the boutique door shifted their stance. Their guns lowered, but their eyes stayed cold, unreadable masks.One of them spoke, voice flat, almost rehearsed. “The Alpha wants only you.” His gaze landed squarely on Fenrik.Fenrik’s brow furrowed. “Only me?” His voice carried suspicion, a low growl beneath his words.The guard didn’t blink. “Orders.”Fenrik’s jaw tightened. A muscle ticked in his cheek, but he gave a small nod. He turned his head toward Ryan, voice firm, laced with authority that allowed no argument. “You wait here. Don’t do a thing, understood?”Ryan’s chest was heaving, his gaze fixed on Arraya through the glass window. She stood inside the boutique, small and fragile compared to the two alphas facing off. His whole body screamed to run in, to smash the glass, to drag her out before anything else could happen. But Fenrik’s order held him back like chains.“Yes, boss,” Ryan muttered, his throat ti
Fenrik’s fingers drummed against the steering wheel as the car rolled along the unfamiliar street. The hum of the engine filled the silence, too heavy for a group that usually couldn’t go three minutes without snapping at each other. The quiet pressed on his chest like a weight. Even Lya, who always had something sharp to say, kept her mouth shut longer than usual. “Why the shades, Agatha?” he finally asked, glancing at her through the rearview mirror. Her head was turned to the window, her face hidden behind dark lenses. “Something happened?” She didn’t answer. She barely even moved, just sat there like the world outside the glass was the only thing worth paying attention to. Fenrik tightened his grip on the wheel until his knuckles whitened. “Agatha?” Her only response was a slow, steady breath fogging the window beside her, the faintest tremor in the exhale betraying what she wanted to hide. “Isn’t it obvious?” Lya muttered, leaning forward between the seats. Her tone was sha
The next morning, the air in the dining hall was heavy. Plates clinked, spoons scraped against bowls, but no one truly seemed to taste what they were eating. The gang sat together around the long wooden table, faces drawn tight with exhaustion. Lya’s eyes lingered on Ryan, who sat stiffly in his chair, staring down at the untouched food in front of him. He hadn’t lifted his fork once. His jaw was tight, his shoulders rigid, like he was locked inside a prison of his own thoughts. “Ryan,” Lya said softly, leaning closer to him. “You have to eat. Please.” He didn’t move. His lips pressed into a hard line, his gaze fixed on the steam curling up from his plate. “Eat,” she tried again, this time more insistent, pushing the dish a little closer to him. Ryan finally lifted his head. His eyes were hollow, and whatever words Lya expected from him never came. He simply pushed his chair back and stood up. For a moment, he just looked at her, silent, before walking away from the table. Lya f
The next morning, the air in the dining room was heavy. Plates clinked, spoons scraped against bowls, but no one truly seemed to taste what they were eating. The gang sat together around the long wooden table, faces drawn tight with exhaustion. Lya’s eyes lingered on Ryan, who sat stiffly in his chair, staring down at the untouched food in front of him. He hadn’t lifted his fork once. His jaw was tight, his shoulders rigid, like he was locked inside a prison of his own thoughts. “Ryan,” Lya said softly, leaning closer to him. “You have to eat.” He didn’t move. His lips pressed into a hard line, his gaze fixed on the steam curling up from his plate. “Eat,” she tried again, this time more insistent, pushing the dish a little closer to him. Ryan finally lifted his head. His eyes were hollow, and whatever words Lya expected from him never came. He simply pushed his chair back and stood up. For a moment, he just looked at her, silent, before walking away from the table. Lya froze, th