All Chapters of His Mate Or His Step-Sister: Chapter 111

~HAZEL~I opened my mouth to say something—anything, but the words never made it past my lips. The door swung open sharply, and Ariel stepped through, her expression already tight with irritation. Her eyes narrowed the second she took in the two of us standing alone outside."Why are the two of you out here by yourselves?" she demanded. "Everyone's looking for you inside."Ashton's face went pale. He moved toward her quickly, one hand lifting as if to calm her. "A guy was forcing himself on Hazel. I stepped in. That's all."Ariel folded her arms across her chest, the motion sharp. "Oh."Just that. One flat, cold word. No concern. No anger on my behalf. Nothing. Even Ashton seemed taken aback by how little reaction she gave. The silence that followed felt more uncomfortable than it should have."Well," she continued after a beat, already turning slightly toward the music drifting from inside, "I'm glad that's over with. Can we go back to dancing?"Ashton's eyes flicked to me for half a