LIKE A PUNCH

VELORA

I don't answer. Not because I don't want to… My throat feels too tight for words. My heart is pounding so violently I'm afraid he can hear it.

I don't even know what he means. But what unsettles me the most is the way he's looking at me. So intensely. Like… Like he wants me.

No. That doesn't make any sense. Eryx Nightbane could never want someone like me. Not even if a witch cursed him. Not when girls like Aveline exist — beautiful, confident, everything I’m not.

I swallow hard. "I..." The word catches in my throat. I force another breath.. "I have to go."

Barely above a whisper, I add, "Please."

His eyes roam over my face again, searching for something I don't understand. The longer he looks at me, the more certain I become. I can't stay here another second.

Eryx and I have only met once eye to eye. I was eight and he was ten. Then, a group of children cornered me during one of our family dinners, and he'd stepped in without a second thought. He'd actually assumed I was the maid's daughter. I doubt he even remembers that quiet, overweight little girl who couldn’t stop staring at him afterward.

So… Why do his eyes keep telling me otherwise?

"I asked you a question." His voice is still calm, but quieter now. He closes the small gap between us again, and my heart stumbles painfully against my ribs. "...But you keep looking at me like that."

I blink. "Because I'm confused." The words leave my mouth before I can stop them. "What exactly do you want from me?"

To my surprise, my voice doesn't shake. "There are plenty of girls who deserve your attention." I force myself to meet his eyes again, even though it feels dangerous "So I don't know if this is just another joke..." I hesitate, heat crawling up my neck.. "...or if you're only keeping me here because everyone knows you can."

For a moment… He just stares. Then… He smiles. Not the arrogant sharp smile everyone at Ravenwood whispers about. A small one. Almost amused. Almost… soft.

He rubs his jaw, looking almost irritated with himself. "Yeah..." His eyes never fully leave mine. "That's… I'm sorry." He glances away for the first time as if the words cost him something. "I don't know what's gotten into me.”

ERYX

And that's the truth. I have no idea what I'm doing. Magnus is unbearably silent. Usually, he'd be barking orders, cursing me for standing this close to a girl who isn't my mate.

Now… Nothing. Not a single word. The silence unnerves me more than his anger ever could. 

I should let Velora go. I know I should. Instead, something keeps pulling me back toward her. 

I hate that she already thinks I'm trying to intimidate her. I hate it even more because she's wrong… And somehow right. Her scent settles something restless inside me. It quiets the chaos.

For the first time in years… I feel... calm. I shouldn't want that. 

Yet I do. Before I can stop myself, I lean closer and drag in one deep breath. The warm sweetness of wild honey and aloe vera rushes through my senses.

Fuck. My wolf stirs beneath my skin. How have I never smelled her before? How have I gone all these years without even noticing her?

Velora flinches. Instinct takes over before thinking, making me slip my arm around her waist to steady her.

"What are you doing?" she whispers, both palms pressing against my chest. She tries to push me away.

"Don't..." The word leaves my mouth before I think. "Please."

My voice comes out quieter than I expect. "Don't move."

She freezes. So do I. What the hell am I doing? The realization crashes into me all at once.

I step back immediately. "I'm..." I drag a hand over my face. "...Sorry."

Her eyes stay fixed on me, wide with confusion. "Eryx..."

Fuck. My name. The way she says it… Soft. Careful. It sends something sharp through my chest.

I stare at her. "Say it again."

She blinks. "I... don't understand."

I don't either. I take one slow step forward. This time, she doesn't retreat. My fingers rise almost on their own, gently lifting her chin until our eyes meet again.

Her breathing catches. Mine does too. My gaze drifts to her lips. Just for a second. Much too long.

No. Fucking get yourself together. I told myself before forcing myself to look back into her eyes. "Velora..." My voice leaves my mouth quietly. "Has anyone ever told you..." I stop. Because I don't even know what I was about to say. 

The words leaves my mouth before I can stop them. "You're beautiful." I complete it.

Her lips part slightly, but nothing comes out. For one brief second, she just stares at me. Then… "No!" The word bursts out of her so suddenly I actually flinch.

She starts blinking far too quickly, shaking her head like she's trying to wake herself from a dream. Her palms slam against my chest.

"Hey—"

She pushes harder than she probably intends. The next thing I know, she's losing her balance. I catch her wrist instinctively.

Wrong move. The force jerks her forward instead.

"Oh, shi—"

She crashes straight into me. My back hits the floor with a loud thud. The air leaves my lungs. "Fuck..." I groan, still holding onto her before she can tumble off completely. For one damn minute… I almost thought I broke my skull. I look up at her. She looks down at me. Her hair has fallen around her face, hiding half of it.

"You okay?" I ask, rubbing the back of my head with the other hand.

Instead of answering… A tiny snort escapes her.

I blink. She's trying so hard not to laugh. I raise an eyebrow. "...Don't tell me you actually think this is funny."

She clamps a hand over her mouth, but it doesn't help. A quiet giggle slips through her fingers. "It..." She bites her lip, trying to stop smiling. "It kind of is.”

"You really say everything that comes to your mind, don't you?"

Before she can answer… The library door swings open.

"ERYX!"

My body instantly stiffens like a rock.

"You in here, man?" I hear again.

My eyes widen. "Shit." I glance at Velora. "That's Vesper. My friend."

Her eyes grow just as wide. "Your friend?" she whispers. "Oh, Goddess."

In the blink of an eye, she scrambles to her feet. I barely have time to stand before Vesper appears around the bookshelf.

His eyes land on Velora first. Then on me. He doesn't say a word, but I take it from his look that something's wrong.

"We have a problem." His gaze flicks toward Velora again.

"I..." Velora hugs her books closer to her chest. "I'll leave." 

Before I can stop her, she's already gone. The library door clicks shut behind her. Only then does Vesper speak again.

"Your father wants you at his office."

I frown. "Now? What happened?"

He runs a frustrated hand through his hair. "No clue. But Alpha Kevin from Hollowfang is with him." He pauses. "I'm guessing it has something to do with the alliance."

I exhale slowly. The last thing I want right now is another conversation about politics. Or Aveline.

"Fine." I shove both hands into my pockets. "Let's go."

***

The entire drive passes in silence. At least on the outside. Inside… My mind never leaves the library. Velora. Her eyes. Her laugh. Her scent. Even now, it lingers in my head like something I can't shake.

Magnus hasn't said a word since we left. That should make me feel better. Instead… It worries me.

About thirty minutes later, my car rolls to a stop in front of THONS Holdings. "I'll be back," I tell Vesper before climbing out.

"Hey." I stop and glance over my shoulder. He studies me for a second. "Whatever this is… don't lose your temper."

I know exactly what he means. So, I just nod once.

The lobby greets me with polished marble, glass walls, and enough money to build a city. Employees straighten the moment they notice me.

"Young Alpha."

"Good afternoon, Young Alpha." I acknowledge them with a brief nod as I head toward the private elevator.

By the time I reach Father's office… I already know something unusual is happening. Alpha Kevin of Hollowfang sits comfortably across from him. An expensive bottle of whiskey rests open between them.

Father almost never drinks. Not unless the matter on the table is worth celebrating… Or worth killing over.

The moment I step inside, both men look up. "There he is." Father's smile is almost unsettling. "My son."

Kevin lets out a booming laugh. "And my future son-in-law." His grin stretches wider. "More handsome every time I see you."

I frown. “What exactly is going on?”

Father leans back in his chair, looking far too pleased with himself. “I was just explaining to Alpha Kevin how proud I am of you.”

That alone is enough to put me on edge. Father isn't the type to hand out compliments. Not without wanting something in return. 

“The mining partnership we signed with Hollowfang yesterday has exceeded every projection.” He lifts his own glass, swirling the amber liquid lazily. “Our shares climbed fourteen percent before the market even closed.”

Kevin laugh proudly. “The investors are eating it up.”

Father nod once. “And we intend to keep that momentum going.”

Something tighten in my chest. “What does that have to do with me?”

He set his glass down with a quiet clink. “Everything.” Silence settled over the room. “The board agrees that there's no better time to make the next announcement.”

I don't like where this was going. Father fold his hands neatly on the desk. “Your engagement.”

The word lands like a punch. “My... what?”

“To Aveline of Hollowfang.” His tone remains calm, almost casual. “The announcement will be made this weekend.”

Wait. What?

I stare at him. Then, the words leave me coldly. “No.”

Father’s smile fades instantly.