Chapter 7: I Slashed the Lycan Alpha

Irene’s Point of View

It was hard to look up at him.

Arnold was too tall, and we were standing too close. My neck already ached, but I still couldn’t look away.

His presence filled the space.

Heavy. Dominant.

And his scent…

Strong. Warm.

Strangely intoxicating.

I hated that I noticed it.

“Be my woman at the party.”

He said it like it meant nothing.

Like he was asking about the weather.

For a moment, I just stared at him.

Then the words sank in.

“What?” I let out a short, disbelieving laugh. “Are you serious?”

My brows pulled together as I studied his face, searching for any sign that he was joking.

There was none.

“Do you even know who I am?” I asked, sharper this time.

Not because I thought I mattered.

But because I knew he had heard the rumors.

More than that…

he knew exactly what I was to Eugene.

So why me?

“I know you,” Arnold said calmly.

Too calmly.

“You’re the Alpha’s son’s mate. The future Luna of this pack.” He paused, then added lightly, “Or… was.”

The word hit harder than I expected.

I felt it in my chest.

Sharp.

Unwelcome.

“I heard the rumors,” he continued. “People like to talk.”

I held his gaze this time.

At least he didn’t pretend.

No fake sympathy.

No soft lies.

Just the truth.

Blunt. Direct.

This whole festival was built on appearances anyway.

Peace between packs.

Celebration after war.

Everything looked perfect on the surface.

But underneath…

everyone was watching.

Me included.

There was no way Arnold didn’t have a reason for this.

“In that case,” I said, keeping my voice steady, “you’re wasting your time.”

I crossed my arms, more to steady myself than anything.

“Whatever plan you have won’t work on me.”

A bitter taste rose in my throat, but I ignored it.

“If you’re trying to provoke Eugene, go find someone else.” I exhaled slowly. “He already has someone… more important.”

The words hurt more than I let show.

Arnold tilted his head slightly, studying me.

“I don’t think Eugene cares as much as you think,” he said.

His tone stayed casual.

But his eyes didn’t.

They were sharp.

Watching. Measuring.

“He won’t come near you in public if he truly cares about her,” he added. “Not if it risks upsetting the woman carrying his child.”

I frowned.

That didn’t make sense.

Or maybe…

it did.

And I didn’t like either answer.

“What exactly do you want from me?” I asked, more direct this time.

Arnold shrugged, a slow grin forming on his lips.

“I’m offering you help.”

“Help?” I echoed, flat.

“To get your revenge.”

The word settled between us.

Sharp.

Tempting.

Dangerous.

“I never said I wanted revenge,” I shot back.

Too fast.

His grin widened.

Like he already knew.

I stiffened.

Luna Lorraine’s voice echoed in my head,

Don’t show your emotions. Not in front of someone who’s watching you.

Being a Luna was never simple.

And right now…

I had a feeling this was no longer just a conversation.

People thought being a Luna meant power.

Respect.

But it didn’t.

It meant control.

Awareness.

Knowing when to speak… and when to stay silent.

I had trained for this.

Spent nights learning.

Watching.

Fixing every mistake.

All for a future that no longer existed.

All because of him.

“I know you do,” Arnold said, quieter now.

More certain.

I tried to pull my wrist away.

His grip didn’t move.

Strong. Unyielding.

I stopped struggling.

There was no point.

“I don’t,” I muttered.

But even to my own ears…

it didn’t sound convincing anymore.

“At this point, you have nothing to lose by coming with me,” Arnold said.

His tone stayed calm.

Too calm.

Like he had already decided for both of us.

I stared at him.

Was he serious?

He was still trying to convince me?

“Are you worried about what your pack will think?” he went on.

“Or are you trying not to cause trouble for the man who left you?”

The words hit harder than I expected.

Because they were true.

Both of them.

But I wasn’t going to admit that.

“Don’t try to use that against me,” I snapped, my voice steady now.

“It won’t work.”

I pulled at my hand again.

Harder this time.

But instead of letting go,

he pulled me forward.

Everything happened too fast.

My back hit the wall.

A dull thud.

And suddenly,

I was trapped.

His arms braced on either side of me.

Close.

Too close.

“What are you doing?” I demanded.

My voice rose.

Sharp.

But the fear slipped through.

My anger vanished in an instant.

Replaced by something colder.

Real fear.

He didn’t move.

Didn’t react to my tone.

“I know it’s you…” he muttered.

Low.

Almost to himself.

I didn’t understand.

And I didn’t care.

“Get off me,” I said, pushing against him.

“I’ll scream if you don’t move.”

“You already are,” he replied.

Like it didn’t matter.

Like nothing I did mattered.

Something inside me snapped.

Before I could think,

I shifted.

My claws slid out.

Sharp. Fast.

And I struck.

The sound cut through the air.

A clean slash across his face.

For a second,

everything went still.

Blood appeared.

Dark.

Slowly trailing down his skin.

Even I froze.

I hadn’t planned it.

And suddenly…

I wasn’t sure what would happen next.

I hadn’t meant to go that far.

Arnold stepped back.

Surprised.

Actually surprised.

And that scared me more.

Because I realized what I had done.

This wasn’t just anyone.

This was the Lycan Alpha.

If this went wrong,

it wouldn’t just be about me.

It could turn into something bigger.

Something dangerous.

Another conflict.

My chest tightened.

I shifted back quickly.

My hands felt cold.

My body went still.

I didn’t move closer.

But I didn’t run either.

I just stood there.

Watching.

Waiting.

His wounds…

healed.

Slowly.

But clearly.

The cuts closed before my eyes.

Within minutes, they were gone.

Only the blood remained,

staining his skin,

his shirt.

“I didn’t expect that,” Arnold said.

His voice was low.

Darker now.

Almost amused.

“You’re more dangerous than you look… little wolf.”

A chill ran down my spine.

I didn’t know what he would do next.

Didn’t know how he would react.

And for the first time since meeting him…

I felt something new.

Not just fear.

But uncertainty.

Because I had no idea,

if I had just made an enemy…

or something far worse.