Chapter 7 Lycan Alpha's Interest
Irene's neck was beginning to hurt from looking up at Arnold.
He was too tall, and they were standing far too close. His presence was overwhelming, especially his warm, rich scent that carried the unmistakable dominance of a Lycan Alpha.
"Be my woman at the party," Arnold repeated.
He said it as casually as if he were discussing the weather.
Irene stared at him in disbelief.
"Are you crazy? Do you even know who I am?"
The question escaped before she could stop herself. It was not because she thought she was important. She knew Arnold had heard the rumors, and more importantly, he knew she was Eugene's mate.
So why was he asking her?
"I know exactly who you are," Arnold said. "You're the future Luna of Hellfire."
He tilted his head.
"Or should I say, you were?"
"I've heard the rumors. People love to gossip."
His words hurt, but at least he was being honest. He was not pretending he knew nothing about her situation.
The festival was supposed to celebrate peace. It was the first gathering of werewolves and Lycans since the war, so there was no way Arnold had approached her without a reason.
"In that case, I have to refuse," Irene said quietly. "Whatever plan you have won't work. If you want to make Eugene angry, ask another woman. The one carrying his child would be a better choice."
The words hurt more than she wanted to admit.
Arnold shook his head.
"I don't think Eugene cares about that woman nearly as much as he cares about you."
Irene's eyes snapped toward him.
Anger rose inside her. She hated hearing those words, especially because a small part of her wanted to believe them.
"He wouldn't approach you in public if he was afraid of upsetting her," Arnold continued. "Not unless you mattered more."
Irene frowned.
She could not understand him.
"What do you want from me?"
Arnold shrugged and grinned as if everything about the situation amused him.
"I'm going to help you get revenge."
"I never said I wanted revenge."
She answered too quickly.
His grin widened.
He even rolled his eyes, which somehow annoyed her more.
Arnold was reading her too easily.
Luna Lorraine had taught Irene never to show her emotions to an opponent. Being a Luna was not as easy as people believed. They saw the title, the respect, and the power, but they did not see the endless lessons, sleepless nights, and constant pressure.
Irene had learned everything Luna Lorraine taught her. She had worked harder than anyone and spent her whole life preparing for that role.
Now, all of it felt useless.
Her mate's betrayal had destroyed everything she had worked for.
"I know you want revenge," Arnold said.
Irene tried to pull her wrist away again, but his grip was too strong.
"I don't," she muttered.
Even she could hear how unconvincing it sounded.
"At this point, you have nothing to lose. Come with me to the party."
Irene stared at him.
He was still trying to convince her.
Was he always this stubborn?
"Are you afraid of what your pack will think?" Arnold asked. "Or are you more worried about hurting the man who abandoned you?"
Her chest tightened.
The answer was both.
"Don't try to turn me against my own pack," she snapped. "It won't work."
Arnold studied her for a few seconds.
Then he laughed.
It was a low, amused laugh, as if he had caught her lying.
Irene pulled harder, determined to free her hand.
Instead, Arnold suddenly stepped closer and turned her around.
Her back hit the wall.
Irene gasped as he placed one hand beside her head and the other on the opposite side, trapping her between his arms without actually touching her.
"What are you doing?"
Her voice shook.
All her anger and sadness disappeared, replaced by genuine fear.
Something about the Lycan Alpha had changed.
He stared at her as if he were trying to remember something. His gaze seemed to go beyond her face, as though he were searching for an answer he had not expected to find.
"I know it's you," he murmured.
Irene frowned.
"What?"
Arnold did not answer.
"Move!"
She pushed against his chest, but he did not move.
It felt like pushing against a mountain.
"Get away from me! I'll scream!"
"You're already screaming," Arnold replied calmly.
His almost amused tone frightened and irritated her even more.
Irene reacted without thinking.
She shifted.
Her claws came out, and she slashed at him.
Blood immediately appeared across Arnold's cheek. A few drops fell to the floor, while more stained the collar of his shirt.
Both of them froze.
Irene stared at the cuts.
Then she shifted back.
Her heart dropped.
She had attacked the Lycan Alpha.
Panic rushed through her.
What if this caused trouble between their packs? What if everyone believed she had attacked him deliberately?
She could barely breathe.
"I-I didn't mean to—"
"I know."
Arnold cut her off.
His voice was deeper now, but he did not sound angry.
He wiped the blood from his cheek with his thumb and looked at it.
Then he smiled.
The cuts on his face began closing almost immediately. Within a minute, his skin was completely healed, leaving only the bloodstains on his face and shirt.
Irene swallowed hard.
She had expected anger.
She had expected punishment.
Instead, Arnold looked amused.
"I didn't know you were this feisty, little wolf."
A chill ran down Irene's spine.
Why was he smiling?
She instinctively stepped backward.
Arnold took one step toward her.
Her heart jumped into her throat.
The smile on his face grew wider as he looked at her.
It was as if her attack had confirmed something he had been searching for.
And Irene suddenly realized that Arnold's interest in her might have nothing to do with Eugene, the festival, or revenge.
He had recognized something about her.
And whatever it was, he clearly wanted to find out more.
