THORNS

Fresh from the hospital, still sore from the treatment, I rushed to the underground club.

Rachel, the floor manager, frowned the second she saw me. "Are you trying to get fired? We've got VIPs tonight."

She shoved me straight into the private room.

I already knew about the guest. That's why I forced myself here, even though my body was still screaming in pain.

The pay tonight was significantly higher than usual. Everyone wanted a piece of this chance.

Rachel knew I was desperate for treatment money. That's the only reason she gave it to me.

I tugged at the neckline of my dress—already cut dangerously low—and forced a smile as I stepped in. "Sorry, I'm late, gentlemen. I'll punish myself with a drink—"

I stopped mid-sentence.

Across the room, those familiar golden eyes locked with mine.

Ethan sat at the center of the crowd, exuding effortless dominance. Surrounded, revered, untouched. His Alpha aura dimmed everyone else like the sun casting mortals into shadow.

Pain stabbed through my chest. I looked away quickly.

Next to him was Jason, Alpha of the smaller Nightclaw pack in the southern district—famous for his cruel games with women.

His gaze landed on my exposed collarbone. "Late, huh? That deserves a punishment. Come here. Let me do it myself."

Ethan didn't even blink.

I clenched my fists and walked over to Jason. The moment I got close, he grabbed my arm and forced me to kneel at his side.

As I bent down, more of my chest was exposed.

Jason raised a full glass of red wine and slowly poured it down my cleavage.

Laughter and applause erupted around the room. "That's Jason for you. He knows how to have a good time!"

"Joy, I heard you're picky about who you serve? Sweetheart, you're just a hostess. Stop acting like you're too good for this. This is what you were made for."

"You guys don't know the half of it—she used to be some big-shot socialite back in the capital. Probably knows every trick in the book to wrap men around her finger."

Jason suddenly turned to Ethan. "Right, Ethan? You run the capital—ever heard of the legendary Joy before?"

Ethan's eyes darkened and settled on me.

His voice, barely restrained and thick with fury, cut through the room. "Never heard of her."

Ten years of shared childhood. Four years of mate bond. All wiped out in four words.

The cold wine soaked through my skin, making me shiver, but I didn't move. I forced a smile.

"Thank you, Alpha Jason, for the punishment."

Jason slammed his glass down and yanked me by the hair. "I went through hell to get Lycan Chairman Ethan here tonight, and you can't even show up on time? You got a death wish?"

He shoved me forward. "Get over there and apologize. Make it convincing."

Ethan still smelled the same. That scent I once ached for… now dulled into something I couldn't feel anymore.

I straightened up, poured a shot of hard liquor, and held it up. "Alpha Ethan, I was late. Please accept my apology."

I could feel him staring at me the entire time, but I didn't meet his eyes. I tossed the drink back in one gulp.

The room stirred again.

"Ethan's still not reacting? Guess he's really pissed."

"Joy, that's not enough. You've gotta feed him the drink—with your mouth."

I didn't move.

I had sworn, long ago, never to touch Ethan again. Not even with a fingertip.

The mood dropped. The room grew quiet.

Jason slapped me across the face. A wad of cash followed, hitting me squarely.

"Ethan even glancing your way is a privilege. Drop the innocent act - we all know what you really sell, and it ain't cheap. If this isn't enough, I'll give you more. Just make sure Ethan leaves satisfied tonight."

He threw another handful of bills.

One of the edges cut my cheek. It stung like fire. The rest scattered to the floor.

I knelt to pick them up.

Jason's friend pressed his shoe down on the stack, mocking.

"Lower. We can't see that pretty body of yours properly."

"Haha! Look at her—crawling like a dog."

Jason roared with laughter. "Come here, Joy. You're actually kind of fun. How about spending the night with me?"

I held the cash tight to my chest and lowered my head with a smile. "Thank you, Alpha, for the opportunity."

That's when Ethan finally spoke. His voice was cold. So cold it cut the air like ice.

In front of everyone, he asked, "Joy, do you enjoy degrading yourself like this?"

I bit my lip and looked straight into his eyes. "Yes, Alpha Ethan. Would you like to have a taste as well?"