Chapter 6

Guinevere's POV

I tossed around slowly, pulling up the blanket and tucking myself into it. The bed was soft, the covers warm. With everything that had happened, it was nice to finally enjoy a restful night in such a comfortable bed. Wait... bed?

Snapping my eyes open, I sat up and looked around. I was in my bed, but the last thing I remembered was falling asleep on the couch. I stared at the couch, piecing it together, and then it hit me.

Reagan.

With a sigh, I got down from the bed. Today was going to be a good day. It was the day Reagan would stand before everyone to see if the Alpha ring would accept him as the true Alpha.

I couldn't help but smirk at the thought of his embarrassed face when the ring rejected him and Hayden claimed his rightful title as the true Alpha—and I, his true Luna. My smile widened. God, if only time could move ten times faster.

Glancing around the empty room, I made sure there was no sight of Reagan. Satisfied he wasn't around, I pulled off my clothes and headed to the bathroom. The sooner I could shower and meet up with Hayden, the better.

As the water flowed over my body, I couldn't help but wonder what Reagan's plan really was. Why had he pretended to be Hayden in the first place? Why did he seem so confident? And most of all, what could his wish be?

Picking up my towel, I gently smacked my face as I muttered, "Forget about him. He's not worth it."

Walking into the room I let out a curse as I bumped into Reagan.

His eyes trailed over my body, lingering in a way that made me feel hot under his gaze, almost as if he were undressing me with his mind. I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks as his eyes roved over me.

A smile tugged at his lips when his gaze landed on the birthmark on my left thigh. Reagan's eyes held mine, a glint of something unreadable flickering in their depths. I wrapped the towel more securely around myself, feeling exposed and vulnerable under his intense gaze.

"That's quite a birthmark you have," he said, leaning in closer, his voice hot against my skin. I could feel his breath on my neck, sending shivers down my spine. Damn the shortness of my towel. If I had known he was in here, I would have rather gotten dressed in the shower.

I glared at him, trying to ignore the embarrassment burning in my eyes. "If you're done drooling, you can get out."

His smile widened as he took a step closer, causing me to instinctively step back. "Well, what if I'm not done?" he said, taking another step. "What if I want to see more?"

My back collided with the cold wall, my heart pounding furiously, probably from the anger and something else I didn't want to admit. "If you're trying to get on my nerves, good work. It's working."

He chuckled, a sound I found so infuriating, and leaned in, placing his hands on the wall above my head, effectively trapping me. "It's not my fault," he whispered, his voice dangerously low. "You're the one who came out with a towel that barely covers you up. It almost seems like you're trying to seduce me."

"Seduce?" I spat back, glaring at him. "Even if you were the last man on earth, I wouldn't—"

He cut me off, his eyes darkening with a mix of amusement and something more intense. "You say that, but your body tells a different story." His gaze dropped to my lips, lingering there before moving back up to meet my eyes. "You're not as unaffected as you pretend to be."

My breath hitched, and a wave of anger and frustration surged through me. "Get over yourself, Reagan. You're delusional if you think I find you attractive."

He leaned in even closer, his lips almost brushing my ear. "Delusional, huh? Then why's your heart beating so fast?"

My blood boiled at his audacity. "I'll tell you why," I said, glaring at him with a smirk. "I despise you. Just being around you makes my blood boil. Every time I'm close to you, I'm reminded of how you ruined the best day of my life, and that makes me hate you even more."

Leaning into his ear, I whispered, "Do you understand now?"

His expression remained unreadable as he stared at me. Finally, he stepped back, giving me some space to breathe. With a shrug, he said, "Okay, if that's what you want to believe."

My hands clenched tightly. I wanted to slap the smirk off his infuriating face, but I realized he wasn't worth it. Besides, there was no need to stand in front of him in just a towel. I walked past him to my wardrobe and picked out some clothes. I could feel his gaze on me. "Do you mind?" I asked, turning to look at him.

He raised a brow. "Do you expect your husband to turn around while you dress?" he teased.

Rolling my eyes, I started walking. If he didn't want to leave, then I'd just get dressed in the bathroom.

"Fine," he chuckled, finally turning his back to me, giving me a semblance of privacy. I hurriedly pulled on my clothes, trying to ignore the prickling awareness on my skin, the unsettling sense that his presence was still far too close.

After getting dressed, I turned to look at him with a determined expression, a small smile playing on my lips.

"What's with the smile?"

"Well, just the thought of how embarrassed you'll be tonight,"

He gave a small nod, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "I'm also curious about how this night plays out," he said with a grin.

Rolling my eyes, I walked past him towards the door. Before leaving the room, I stopped, not bothering to look back at him. "I can't wait for that ego of yours to crumble," I remarked, my tone laced with satisfaction as I walked out.

Walking down the hall, I caught sight of my mother, but I quickly turned and headed in a different direction. I wasn't ready to have a conversation with her, especially after how things had played out last night.

Right now, the only person I wanted to see was Hayden. I wanted to hold him, to kiss him, and to forget about everything else. As if hearing my thoughts, I spotted Hayden in the garden ahead. My smile widened, and I rushed towards him, ready to call out his name. But just as the words formed on my lips, I froze mid-step.

There was a woman beside Hayden, her arms wrapped around him in a warm embrace and that's when I realized it was

Shayla?

What were they doing all alone in the garden? And when did they get so close?

Just then, Shayla spotted me and immediately pulled away from Hayden, her expression shifting to surprise and guilt.

"Gwen..."