Chapter 6

In the top-floor ballroom of the Royal Hotel, deep bass vibrated through everyone's chest.

The second they stepped inside, Colton gripped Rae's hand so tight he almost crushed her bones. He acted like he was marking his territory, or maybe just suppressing a wave of panic inside him.

Rae saw it crystal clear—from the moment they walked in, his eyes never left the center of the dance floor.

Tessa wore a backless red dress, grinding wildly against a tall werewolf guy. The guy hooked his hand roughly around her waist, bending down to kiss her neck. Tessa tilted her head back, laughing like a desperate slut.

CRACK!

Glass shattered sharp and loud.

Colton crushed the champagne glass in his hand into pieces, blood mixing with alcohol as it dripped through his fingers.

His golden eyes shot blood red instantly. His Alpha aura exploded in a violent frenzy!

"Tessa!"

Colton charged forward like a wild beast out of control. He shoved the guy away, grabbed Tessa by the wrist, and dragged her toward the terrace.

"Let go of me! Colton, what are you doing?! What right do you have to tell me what to do?!" Tessa screamed, thrashing around.

Rae stood behind the window blinds in the corner, watching this trashy drama unfold with a dead calm face.

Through the small gap, their argument on the terrace carried over loud and clear.

"Are you out of your mind?! You let some lowlife werewolf touch you?!" Colton roared, veins bulging on his forehead as he slammed her against a stone pillar.

"I'm not crazy! You're hanging out with that bitch, so who are you to judge me?!" Tessa cried hysterically, pounding on his chest. "You only care about that woman! Just leave! Who I kiss or sleep with is none of your damn business!"

"You're the only one I care about!"

Colton lost it completely. Raw possessiveness flared in his eyes. He yanked her close and kissed her hard on the lips!

The kiss was brutal and wild.

Tessa stopped fighting and threw her arms around his neck, kissing him back.

Rae stood in the shadows, watching her lawful husband devour another woman.

Did her heart ache? Not even a little.

Her inner wolf didn't flicker at all. All she felt was a cold, ridiculous amusement, like watching a cheap comedy. Four years of fake affection and mind games turned into pure trash right at this moment.

A few seconds later, Colton yanked himself away from Tessa like he got burned, stumbling back in panic.

He stared at his hands, his eyes filled with pure terror and confusion. "No... this isn't right... My pheromones are out of control! Tessa, I thought you were Rae!"

"Thought I was her?!" The sweet act on Tessa's face instantly twisted into pure rage. She screamed at the top of her lungs, "Colton! Look me in the eyes and say that again! I'm Tessa! You just kissed me!"

"Don't you love me?! Then go break your mate bond with that bitch right now!" Tessa stepped closer, her voice sharp and nasty. "The second you break it, I'm yours tonight!"

Colton went pale, his eyes wavering between horror and hesitation. "I can't... Rae just lost the baby, I can't..."

CRASH!!

A sickening, heavy sound echoed above the ballroom.

The massive crystal chandelier hanging right in the middle—weighing hundreds of pounds—snapped at the base and came crashing down with a terrifying roar!

"Watch out!!"

Screams erupted as people ran everywhere.

The chandelier was falling straight toward the terrace exit!

Right when the huge crystal structure was about to crush Tessa, Colton didn't hesitate for a single split second.

"Tessa!!"

He let out a desperate roar and threw himself forward purely on instinct!

He shielded Tessa tight in his arms, using his wide frame and his own back to take the full force of the impact!

"AAAH! Colton!!" Tessa screamed in his arms.

Colton groaned in agony as a massive shard of glass sliced open his back. Blood soaked through his suit instantly, splattering across the floor.

Dust and shattered glass filled the air.

Pale and bleeding, Colton held the completely unharmed Tessa, looking down anxiously. "Tessa... are you okay?! Are you hurt?!"

Rae let out a self-deprecating laugh as she watched him act like a devoted lover willing to die for her.

Look at that—pure instinct.

In a life-or-death moment, his first reaction was always Tessa. Never her.

The ballroom turned into complete chaos. Security and paramedics rushed over, screaming.

Rae stood in place quietly. She smoothed down her wind-blown coat and slowly walked toward the exit. It was like the man bleeding on the floor wasn't her Alpha, but just a complete stranger.

Her eyebrows stayed slightly knit, but only because she couldn't decide how done she wanted her steak for lunch tomorrow. She only had a few meals left before departure, and she was really going to miss the home chef's cooking.