Melting pot...

Arabella's POV

“Challenge accepted!”

Moana’s perfectly arched brows shot up, her painted lips curling into a smug smirk. Before I could even process her words, she lunged at me, her freshly manicured nails extended like claws.

The speed of her attack caught me off guard, and I barely managed to dodge.

I felt the sharp sting as her nails grazed my neck. “Did you just try to scratch me?” I yelped, my fingers instinctively touching the spot. I could feel the faint sting where she’d left her mark. “What are you, a sly little kitten?”

“You wish!” She snapped, her annoyance flashing in her eyes. Then, with a sickly sweet grin, she added, “But since you brought it up…” She made an exaggerated purring sound that sent a chill of irritation down my spine before lunging at me again, this time aiming for my hair.

“Ouch! What the hell?!” I screeched as her nails caught a fistful of my hair. I clawed at her hand, trying to free myself. “Let go of my hair! You fight like a middle schooler!”

“And you look like one!” she shot back triumphantly, clearly proud of her childish insult. My face burned with anger. I was not about to let her get away with this.

With a quick move, I shoved her hard, causing her to stumble and lose her grip on my hair. “How is that for middle school?” I spat before delivering a solid slap that echoed down the hallway.

The shock on her face quickly turned to fury. “You are going to regret that,” she hissed, her eyes narrowing. She grabbed at me again, catching the strap of my dress and my shoulder this time.

“That’s it,” I muttered, losing my patience. With a swift knee to her stomach, I forced her to let go. She doubled over but was back on her feet in seconds, snarling like some rabid animal.

“Oh, you little...” she began, but before she could finish, I shoved her again.

Moana reeled backward, her heels skidding on the polished floor, until she crashed into a table. The vase on it wobbled as if it was jelly, before toppling over and shattering into a million pieces.

The sound of breaking glass was enough to draw attention. A crowd began to form, their curious faces turned toward us. “Oops,” I said mockingly, feigning innocence as I looked at the mess she’d caused. “Guess your aim needs some work, huh?”

The drama queen that the bitch was , she suddenly dropped to the floor, clutching her stomach like she had been mortally wounded. I stared at her in disbelief.

“Oh, come on! Are you serious right now?” I threw up my hands. “You are really pulling the ‘damsel in distress’ card?”

She tried to seize the opportunity, wailing loudly for the crowd. “Help! Someone, please! Arabella’s gone crazy!” she cried, her voice high-pitched and grating.

She pointed at me with a shaking finger, playing the victim so convincingly that I almost wanted to applaud.

“She is fucking lying!” I yelled, but my voice was shaking with anger. “She started it!”

“What the hell is going on here?” A familiar, commanding voice cut through the chaos.

The crowd parted, revealing Alpha Asher, his expression a mixture of annoyance and disbelief. His presence sent a hush over the gathering as he surveyed the mess.

Moana was quick to act, her tone turning sugary sweet. “Asher...I mean, Alpha...I was just minding my own business when Arabella attacked me out of nowhere!” She even tried to grab his arm for emphasis, but Ash’s glare froze her in place.

“Seriously?” I said, my voice dripping with exasperation as I pointed at her. “Are you actually buying this crap?”

Ash’s sharp gaze flicked back to me, softening just a fraction as he noticed the scratch on my cheek. “Shut it, Moana,” he barked, his voice firm. He stepped closer to me, his eyes burning with an intensity that made my pulse quicken. “Are you okay?”

I nodded quickly, though my heart was racing for entirely different reasons now. His attention lingered on my neck, his expression darkening as he noticed the faint marks.

“Everyone, clear out,” he ordered, his tone brooking no argument. The crowd dispersed reluctantly, and soon it was just the three of us.

He turned to her, his voice ice-cold. “Get out. Now.”

Moana’s face twisted in rage, her composure cracking. “Alpha, I...” she started, but his sharp snarl silenced her. She stomped away, her heels clicking angrily against the floor.

As she disappeared, Ash stepped closer to me. His expression was unreadable, a mix of concern and something deeper. “Did she hurt you?” His voice was softer now, yet it held an edge that made me shiver.

“I am fine,” I replied, though my voice faltered slightly. I couldn’t ignore the electric tension flowing between the two of us.

“Come with me,” he said, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. He took my hand and led me towards his office. His touch was firm, but gentle enough to make my heart flutter.

Once inside, he switched on the lights and turned to face me. “Let me see,” he murmured, tilting my chin up to examine the scratch on my cheek. His fingers brushed my skin lightly, and I felt heat flood my cheeks.

“You should not have to deal with this,” he said, his voice low and steady. “Let me help.”

Ash grabbed some wipes and an ointment, tending to the scratches with a gentleness that caught me off guard. His touch lingered longer than necessary, his fingers grazing my neck as he worked.

“Ash, what are you doing?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

His gaze met mine, raw and unguarded this time. “I could not sleep last night,” he confessed, his voice thick with emotion. “I have missed you so damn much, Arabella.”

Before I could respond, his lips were on mine. The world seemed to stop as I melted into his kiss.