Chapter 4

Kylie's POV

"Ding dong, ding dong."

I woke up with a frown, the chiming of my phone vibrating somewhere beneath the pillow.

Groaning, I reached out blindly, my fingers fumbling until I found the device.

The bright screen stung my eyes. Once they adjusted, I saw tons of unread messages from my best friend.

[Are you okay?] 8:12 PM

[Where did you run off to?] 8:12 PM

[I can't find you anywhere. You're not at home either?] 8:30 PM

[Just respond, will you?] 8:30 PM

[Ky, it's okay. That man doesn't deserve you, so don't let him weigh you down. Thank the goddess you saw his true character early.] 8:31 PM

[Come back, will you?] 8:31 PM

[Good morning, Ky. Are you coming back? Training will start soon.] 11:00 AM

There were also several missed calls from her.

I sighed, staring at the ceiling.

Memories from the day before rushed back, my head pounding like a drumline: the proposal, the rejection, my wolf, the bar, the whiskey, the hotel room, Cole's dad... the kiss...

What next?

I couldn't remember.

But first… where was Elijah?

My gaze darted around the room, disoriented at first. The lighting was softer now, filtered through sheer curtains. The king-sized bed I was on was far too comfortable for my liking, especially considering I had no memory of crawling under the sheets.

Then I noticed something else.

My clothes.

Gone.

Well, not entirely gone. I still had on my underwear and… someone else's oversized black shirt?

I couldn’t help but take a sniff, closing my eyes. Then I smiled.

It smelled like him.

The door opened, and he was standing there with a bowl of something, gazing at me with a smile in those warm blue eyes.

I felt my heart pound in my chest.

"You're awake."

He approached, handing me the bowl.

“Hangover soup. I figured you might get one since you lost your wolf.”

A rush of warmth spread through me, and I reached out to take the bowl.

It was warm.

I took a sip, and my eyes met his.

I couldn’t help but ask, “It must’ve been difficult to get?”

Most of us here are werewolves, and generally, we don’t suffer hangovers even when we’re wasted the day before.

“Someone here knew how to make one.”

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

I smiled into the bowl, drinking everything.

Leaving a bit in the bowl, I set it down and finally asked the most important question. “Did we—?”

I didn’t think we did, but who knows... I couldn’t explain how my clothes came off either.

He reached out and gently wiped the remnants from my lips with his thumb. His hand was rough with callouses, yet his touch was gentle.

“You passed out while we were kissing,” he said simply, like it was the most casual thing in the world. “One second you were clinging to me like your life depended on it, and the next? Asleep.”

My eyes widened in horror. “No way…”

He chuckled, dragging a chair beside the bed and sitting with relaxed ease. “It was kind of impressive, honestly.”

“And my clothes?” I asked hesitantly.

He tilted his head. “I had one of the waitresses put my shirt on for you. You looked uncomfortable sleeping in that dress. Figured it’d be tough sleeping in it.”

My cheeks flushed. “You… didn’t look?”

His eyes locked with mine, serious now. “I didn’t touch you, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Was I shocked? Yes.

But mostly disappointed.

Everything went silent, not the awkward kind, but a peaceful one.

I hesitated… Should I tell him we were from the same pack?

He should’ve already known, but maybe he didn’t?

After all, he only made appearances once or twice, and honestly, I’d nearly forgotten he existed, until now.

In the end, the urge to come clean won, and I told him.

“I… actually know you.”

“You know me?” He raised a brow, intrigued.

I hummed. “I’ve heard about you…”

“Oh, really?” There was a spark of interest in his eyes as he leaned forward slightly. “What did you hear about me?”

Elijah King.

Who hasn’t heard about him?

He was the reason our pack was one of the greatest. Under his leadership, we were like rockets, unstoppable.

Apart from tales of his strength and leadership, there were rumors about his looks. Before now, I hadn’t paid much attention. But now? People weren’t lying when they said he was hot.

I wondered if any of them had seen him naked. He looked like a Greek god.

“I’m from your pack…”

He chuckled. “I smelled that already,”

Then he murmured softly, twirling my hair gently. “I just wonder why I never noticed you until now.”

Something shifted in me. I was about to drop the bombshell when my phone rang again.

I glanced at the screen, Mia was calling.

I sighed, swiping to answer.

Her worried voice filled my ears. After gently responding to all her questions, she mentioned, “The trainer requested to see you. You missed the last one too. He’s quite insistent and even wanted to go to your house.”

“Uh, what? Hell no.” I instantly stood up from the bed.

Our trainer is very strict. I accidentally missed one session because I was out of town. I couldn’t miss another or I’d be punished.

I shuddered at the thought of that punishment. It wasn't meant for werewolves.

My eyes landed on the gown I wore the day before, and I slipped right back into it.

“I think I gotta leave now.” I glanced at the man who had been watching me quietly the whole time. He stood up.

“Did something happen?”

“Mmm, no. Not much. But I really gotta go.” I had pure fear of that big bearded man.

“Do you want me to drop you off?”

“Mmm, no.” I shook my head as I slipped on my heels. I brought my car, so he wouldn’t be needed, though I really wished I could spend more time with him.

“Then… we’ll meet again?”

I paused for a moment, turning to look at him with a soft smile.

Would we?