Chapter 4

Warm yellow light wrapped Victor's shadow as it loomed over me.

The bedding was already a mess, and I sank into the soft mattress, fingers gripping the sheets tightly.

Victor's fingertips brushed my reddened eyes, his voice trembling hoarsely. "Don't be scared. I'll go slow."

He leaned down, his palm grazing my body.

Soft kisses landed on my neck, s ending shivers through me.

His fingers hooked my hem, tugging lightly, and the fabric drifted to the floor.

He pinned me beneath him, his lips and teeth fierce as they claimed me.

When his tongue parted my lips, I crumbled completely.

I unconsciously traced his smooth, firm back.

His movements grew more intense, kisses trailing downward.

Soon, I lay bare beneath him.

Overwhelmed by his touch, I let out a soft moan.

He didn't stop, instead yanking off his tie and tossing it aside.

He ripped his shirt open, revealing sleek muscles and defined lines.

His gaze on me burned hotter.

He lunged forward. "So, happy with this?"

I said nothing, hooked his neck, and met him halfway.

His breathing grew heavy, and as he leaned in, I heard his heartbeat sync with mine.

The sheets wrinkled under my grip as his fingers wove through my hair, his movements growing heavier.

...

"Can you keep up?" He pressed his forehead to mine, his hot breath on my face, desire swirling in his eyes.

I clung to his waist, managing only a faint "yeah."

His throat bobbed, and his kisses came again.

He flipped us to our sides, his warm chest against my bare back.

His arm circled my waist from behind, his movements making me want to squirm away. "No escaping, baby. Like it?"

His hot breath hit my ear as he nipped the soft skin of my neck, his other hand roaming my body.

His intensity made me want to cry, but I couldn't pull away, so I bit his arm.

He went wilder, kicking the bedding to the foot of the bed, and I sank into him again.

Squinting, I saw his jaw clenched tight, sweat beading on his forehead, yet he kept glancing down at me.

I tilted my head. "Victor, stop... stop."

He didn't answer, just turned me to face him and came down again.

Our lips met, his hand tracing my waist, urgent and heavy, each touch like a current that drained my strength.

I clung to him, letting him pull me under.

Before my consciousness faded, I only recalled the warmth of his palm and his soft whisper against my hair. "I won't let you hurt again."

A friend from the clan, Matt Harris, had a birthday party, and Ethan showed up.

He sat on the couch, smoking, most of the whiskey in front of him already gone.

Matt eyed his expression but didn't dare say much, focusing on unwrapping gifts. "Alpha, this one's from Sylvie."

"Hand it over." Ethan spoke abruptly.

Matt quickly passed him the box.

Ethan stared at the sleek watch inside.

The brand's logo was subtle, understated, but he studied it for a long time. "Put it away."

He closed the box and pushed it aside.

Matt exhaled in relief and reached for it.

Ethan suddenly grabbed his whiskey and downed a gulp.

"What's wrong? Why are you drinking like that?"

Ethan sat still, his face dark and stormy. "Sylvie never bought this brand. There's another male werewolf with her."

"Maybe not. Could be Freya helped her pick it."

"Yeah, maybe she just chose it randomly."

"Come on, Alpha. In Sylvie's heart, none of us come close to you. Every year, your birthday gifts are handpicked by her."

Ethan sneered. "Care about me? If she cared, would she leave the clan?"

"Hmph, exactly. If she really cared about Alpha, she wouldn't have left."

"Right. With the full moon coming, she left, made Alpha lose control and end up in the hospital. She did it on purpose."

Many in the clan looked down on Sylvie, thinking she lacked pride.

They envied her seven years with Ethan, so their malice ran deep.

"She's so clueless. No wonder Alpha never proposed after seven years."

"Exactly, Alpha. Don't forgive her easily this time."

The werewolves chimed in, wishing Sylvie would never return.

Matt saw Ethan's face darken and cut them off. "Alpha, should you call Sylvie?"

"What, she's so important I have to call her myself?"

"Come on, Alpha. She always listens to you. One word, and she'll be back tonight."

"Yeah, tell her east, she won't go west."

Matt looked at Ethan, hoping to lift his mood.

Grudgingly, Ethan pulled out his phone and dialed Sylvie.

The phone rang for a while, and just as everyone thought she wouldn't answer, it connected.

"Sylvie, done with your tantrum? Get back here..."

Before Ethan finished, a man's voice interrupted. "Ethan? You can't wait overnight to win a girl back, or someone else swoops in, like now."

The room's atmosphere froze solid.

Ethan roared. "Who are you? Where's Sylvie? Tell her to get on the phone!"

A soft laugh came through. "She can't."

Victor lowered his head, gently kissing the girl in his arms. "She passed out. Too tired from earlier. I can't bear to wake her."