Chapter 4

I could hardly believe those words had come out of Alpha Lycan’s mouth.

My ears were definitely burning red, and even the back of my neck felt like it was on fire.

I lifted my hand to push him away, but Alpha Lycan tilted his head and gently kissed my earlobe.

“They’re back,” he murmured.

Zaia was frantic: “Hurry up! Cover yourself!”

The car door opened.

Asher’s gaze swept over my exposed collar like a wolf’s claw — sharp and unrelenting.

“What were you two doing?” His voice was tight, strained.

Alpha Lycan calmly adjusted his tie, his fingertips still stained with my lipstick.

“She wasn’t feeling well,” he said blandly. “I was examining her.”

Asher’s eyes dropped to the phone lying on the floor mat, the screen still lit — the call still active.

His expression darkened instantly.

Daphne suddenly covered her nose. “What’s that smell?”

The scent of herbs, mingled with lingering heat, was unmistakable.

“Medicine,” Alpha Lycan replied without blinking. “Just applied a bit of anti-inflammatory.”

Zaia burst out laughing: “He lies better than he breathes!”

“Let’s go.” Alpha Lycan slammed the door shut.

The rest of the ride was silent.

The lights of the Rose Garden blurred in my vision, dizzying and surreal.

Daphne clung to Asher’s arm, her skirt brushing deliberately against my ankle.

“Why so quiet, Kiara?” she asked sweetly. “Still mad at me?”

“No,” I replied, tugging at my damp shirt.

Zaia cursed: “Why pretend? Rip her hair out!”

As we passed through the crowd, Daphne suddenly leaned toward me.

“Excuse me,” she said, and shoved past.

Her shoulder hit mine. I sidestepped.

She lost her balance and screamed as she fell toward the lake.

“Ah—!”

I instinctively grabbed her.

She pulled me down with her.

The icy lake water swallowed us both in an instant.

Zaia sputtered underwater: “Sht! She did that on purpose!”*

I grabbed a fistful of her hair, holding her under with me.

“Die with me!” I growled, teeth clenched.

She thrashed violently, her nails clawing at my arms.

“Let go! Help!”

Suddenly, someone dove into the water.

It was Alpha Lycan.

He pulled me up in one motion, swimming us toward the shore.

I clung to his shoulder, coughing so hard it tore at my lungs.

Asher carried Daphne out of the water. She was soaked, dress plastered to her body, sobbing like a tragic heroine.

“Alpha Asher… I was so scared…”

“What happened?” Asher’s eyes were sharp as blades as he looked at me.

Daphne shrank into his chest. “I just wanted to apologize to Kiara… and she suddenly pushed me…”

“I didn’t!”

“Enough!” Asher snapped. “How can you be this cruel?”

“She’s lying,” Alpha Lycan said, draping his jacket over me. “I saw it — she fell on her own.”

But Asher turned his head away. “Doesn’t matter. You still shouldn’t have touched her.”

Zaia roared: “Hopeless! Walk away!”

I didn’t argue anymore.

“Kiara…” Alpha Lycan reached for me.

I pulled away.

“I don’t need you,” I said flatly.

I turned and walked away from the crowd.

My soaked dress clung to my legs, cold like it was wrapped in ice.

“Wait.”

His voice came from behind. The wind carried the faint scent of herbs to the nape of my neck.

“You want me to thank you?” I laughed. “Thank you for saving me?”

“If you want,” he took a step closer, “you can repay me… with your body.”

Zaia somersaulted in my head: “Say yes! Say yes!”

“Don’t joke about that,” I pushed him away, but he caught my wrist in one swift move.

“I’m serious,” he said, his voice low and intense. “Kiara, leave him.”

“I don’t need anyone to protect me,” I replied, turning away.

Zaia kicked me: “Idiot! He’s waiting for you!”

Don’t look back. I bit my lip and walked faster.