LOGINI read the message, feeling every muscle in my body tense, but a second message pinged on my phone again: "Don't waste my time. I don't care what you're doing—put on the dress and the collarr and fulfill your part of the contract by being an obedient assistant."
Shit. The air turned frigid with those two messages. Killian wasn't playing. There was no escape, no corner in this world where he couldn't reach me. Feeling shattered, I stood up and walked toward the shIvy burst out of the office, slamming the door. Killian cursed at the air, looking at the place where she had gone."Ivy! Get back here!" Killian roared, heading out after her with heavy steps, leaving the office submerged in a deathly silence.We were left alone. Leyla and I. The air smelled of tears and 그 jasmine scent that now felt like a reproach.I ran toward her, trying to take her hands, but she pulled away as if my touch were poison."Leyla, listen to me... the living together thing is still on. I just have to... I have to calm Killian down. He’s under a lot of pressure with the Mark Richards thing…""Living together?" she let out a hysterical laugh. "What stupidity! I thought you were a man, Caleb. But you’re just a Beta who prefers his rank over his female.""I did it so he wouldn't hurt you!" I shouted, hitting the wall with my fist. "If he sees you’re my weak point, he’ll use you to control me!""Then I won't be it anymore" she said, wiping her tears with aggressiveness. "
The door handle began to move. The burst of my Beta loyalty was like an electric lash that ran down my spine, reminding me of Killian's order.The fear for Leyla's life and the pressure of the hierarchy made me snap.In a movement that tore my soul, I placed my hands on Leyla's arms and pushed her away from me with violent brusqueness.I pushed her hard against the room wall, making her eyes go wide with absolute horror."Enough!" I roared, my voice filling with a feigned hatred that burned my throat. "You are not my mate, Leyla. You are just a goddamn biological error that I’m going to ignore."Leyla stayed pinned to the wall, her lip trembling and her broken heart reflected in her pupils.The bond between us, 그 golden thread that was just beginning to strengthen, burned with unbearable agony."Caleb?" she whispered.The door burst open. Killian entered, already changed into clean clothes, but with his eyes still fixed on me.He stopped upon seeing the scene: me, with clenched fists,
POV: CALEB STONER The air inside the armored Audi was a nauseating mixture of expensive leather, air conditioning, and the stale stench of the traitorous guard's blood mixed with the spinal fluid that Killian had ripped out along with his ribs. I was at the wheel, my white knuckles gripping the leather, feeling the sticky moisture of the plasma drying on my hands. Beside me, Killian emanated a static of fury that made the electronic systems on the dashboard flicker. He had a bloodstain on his cheek that he hadn't bothered to clean, and his gray eyes were still injected with that absolute darkness that only appeared when his hybrid took control. “ That imbecile didn't know anything else, Killian” I said, breaking the silence that weighed like lead. “Mark used him as a disposable pawn. But Richard... Mark's father must know where his pup is hiding. That man is no fool.” Killian let out a dismissive snort, taking out a cigarette and lighting it. The smoke filled the cabin, mixing wi
“I don't smell Caleb,” she murmured sadly. “I thought he would be here.”“Maybe he hasn't arrived yet,” Ivy consoled. “Let's go to the dining room. I'm starving.”They walked through the silent hallways to the main dining room. There, Hester, the cook and daughter of one of the gardeners, received them with a warm smile that eased some of Leyla's tension.Ivy sat on the granite island and Leyla imitated her, although she kept looking toward the door as if she expected Killian to burst in at any moment.“Miss Ivy, welcome. I didn't expect visitors today,” Hester said, placing a couple of plates with fresh snacks on the table.“Hi, Hester. This is Leyla, my best friend,” Ivy introduced. “How are you doing with everything? Any news on your... matter?”Hester let out a soft huff, drying her hands on her apron. Her eyes darkened for a second.“I'm still trying, Ivy. Nothing yet. My mate is starting to lose patience, but well... the Goddess will know.”Ivy felt a knot in her stomach. The co
"Your secret is safe with me. I won't say anything, I swear," Ivy said before pausing. "But... what do you plan to do about moving?"Leyla made a face, trying to smile, but her mind returned to the bathroom, to Caleb's look when he mentioned Killian.The tension between her happiness and Caleb's loyalty to the Alpha was a time bomb that no one seemed to want to deactivate."I'm going to accept," Leyla responded firmly. "I don't have any other choice if I want to be with him. But Ivy... I'm afraid. If Killian finds out…""He won't find out," Ivy sentenced, taking her hand. "I'll take care of distracting him if necessary. We're a team, remember?"The professor entered the classroom, ending the talk, but the tension in the air did not disappear.Leyla opened her notebook, though she knew she wouldn't write down a single word.Caleb was risking his position for her and she had no idea if that was good or bad.***The afternoon sun fell with a suffocating heaviness over the faculty campus.
POV: THIRD PERSONIn the morning at the country cabin, Leyla woke up with a heavy body, feeling that familiar and delicious burning in her thighs that only Caleb was capable of provoking.With a muffled groan, she shook herself free from the Beta's possessive embrace and crawled toward the bathroom, feeling every muscle protest the effort.Not even two minutes had passed since she turned on the shower when Caleb walked in, shirtless and with disheveled hair, emanating that animal heat that Leyla found hard to ignore.Leyla turned, observing every inch of her male's body."Like a truck ran over me," Leyla responded with a mischievous smile, letting the warm water of the shower begin to slide down her back.Caleb did not wait for an invitation. He stepped into the cubicle with her and took her by the waist, his large, calloused hands pressing her against his erection, which was already demanding attention again.His lips crashed against hers in a possessive kiss, charged with an urgency







