Chapter 6 Chapter 6

I lifted my head, the world swimming through a haze of rain and blood. I fumbled in my bag for a paper towel, dabbing at the crimson trickle seeping into my eyes.

I'd been rear-ended.

The bike that'd cut me off was long gone.

Knock knock.

Someone rapped on my window.

I rolled it down an inch.

A wolf in his late thirties stood outside, his glasses fogging in the damp air, clutching a black umbrella.

"Miss, I'm so sorry. Entirely our fault. Look, we're in a rush to the pack's art gala-can we swap contact info, and you send the repair bill? We won't dodge it."

"Call the pack arbitrators," I said.

I got out, inspecting the damage.

My car's rear bumper was crumpled from the impact of the sleek black sedan behind me.

Frowning, I snapped photos for evidence and dialed the arbitrators' hotline.

The wolf, Frank Salter, didn't argue.

He retreated to his car, posture stiff as he leaned in to report.

"Alpha Gideon, she's insisting on arbitrators. What now?"

The rain intensified, windshield wipers slapping uselessly against the downpour.

Inside the sedan, a wolf lounged in the backseat, watching me.

I stood with one hand pressed to my bleeding forehead, the other holding my phone, my white linen shirt clinging to my frame-soaked through, rainwater beading on my jaw before sliding to my lips, red as wild strawberries.

"Alpha Gideon?"

Frank prompted, shifting uncomfortably.

Alpha Gideon Hartley glanced at his watch.

His expression was cool, but his eyes lingered on me a beat too long.

"Elliot's on his way with the SUV. I'll head out. You handle this-no mess, no gossip."

"Understood, Alpha Gideon."

I returned to my car, shivering as rain seeped into my canvas shoes.

Soon, the arbitrators arrived in a gray hatchback, followed by a sleek white limousine.

Both pulled up at the same time, headlights cutting through the fog.

I stepped out, wincing at the pain in my head.

From the sedan, Frank emerged, joined by another figure-tall, lean, with posture that screamed alpha, even in a cashmere sweater.

Pale skin, sharp peach-blossom eyes that locked onto mine.

That look. it stirred something in me, a faint memory of past pack gatherings.

"Give it to her," Alpha Gideon said, tossing his linen blazer to Frank before sliding into the limousine without a backward glance.

Frank hurried over, holding out the blazer.

"Miss, you're soaked through. Please, take this."

I glanced down, realizing my shirt was clinging transparently, showing the outline of my cotton tank top beneath. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I took the blazer, pulling it on quickly. "Thanks."

Frank spoke quietly with the arbitrators, while the limousine pulled away, tires kicking up water.

I caught a fleeting glimpse of the alpha inside, his profile sharp as a shard of ice, before the car vanished around a bend.

The arbitrators sorted things out, both parties exchanging info.

Frank offered to drive me to the healer's studio in town, but I declined.

My anger had faded, replaced by bone-deep weariness.

"I'll get this cleaned and send it back. Where should I mail it?"

Frank nodded, knowing Alpha Gideon wouldn't care about the blazer but keeping his tone warm.

"No need, miss."

I drove to the healer's studio alone.

Meanwhile, Alpha Adrian paced his gallery, Vanessa's chatter fading into background noise as he stared at his phone.

My number was still blocked, and the rain showed no sign of stopping.

Then his phone rang-Ryan, voice tight.

"Alpha Adrian, it's Vivian. She was in an accident. The arbitrators just called-she's on her way to the healer's studio."

I sat on the examination table as the healer, an older she-wolf with a no-nonsense attitude, cleaned my wound. The door burst open, and a towering figure stormed in.

The healer jumped, hands faltering with the bandage.

I glanced back, expression flat.

"It's fine. He's. a business associate."

The word mate nearly slipped out-a habit from years of introducing him as such-but I bit it back.

Alpha Adrian's throat worked, as if swallowing a growl.

He strode to the healer, voice low with barely contained rage.

"Is it bad? Did she hit her head hard?"

"Just a scrape. She'll live," the healer replied, rolling her eyes.

She finished taping the bandage, handed me a tube of ointment, and shooed us toward the door.

"Out. Both of you. I've got actual injuries to tend to."

I muttered a "thanks" and headed out, the blazer sliding off one shoulder.

Alpha Adrian trailed me like a shadow, snatching the bill from the healer's desk before I could reach for my wallet, grabbing the ointment from my hand too.

He was acting like the doting mate, the way he used to-before Vanessa.

I couldn't be bothered to argue. Let him play his game.

Outside the studio, I pulled out my phone to call a ride, but Alpha Adrian swiped it from my hand, slinging an arm around my shoulders and steering me toward his car.

He practically shoved me into the passenger seat before sliding into the driver's seat, door slamming shut with a thunderous sound.

"Blocking my calls and then pulling this stunt? You think that's funny? Making me worry?" he growled, turning to me.

I blinked, incredulous.

I met his stormy gaze, and a laugh burst out of me.

He'd betrayed me, lied to me, paraded Vanessa around like a trophy-and I was the villain for getting in an accident?

"Relax, you won't have to worry much longer," I said, reaching for my phone. "Give it back."

Alpha Adrian pulled it out of my reach, jaw tight.

"Okay, I lied about where I was today. But you? You didn't just argue with Vanessa-you humiliated her until she cried. She's just a kid, Vivian. A spoiled kid, sure, but she doesn't know any better. Why stoop to her level?"

I listened to his twisted logic, his voice softening when he spoke of Vanessa, as if the she-wolf could do no wrong. After a long pause, my voice came out hollow.

"Fine. I won't mess with her. I won't care what you two do, where you go, who you. bond with. But keep her away from me. Tell her to stop flaunting her little 'friendship' in my face like it's some kind of victory."

"I told you, it's not like that. She's like a sister to me,"

Alpha Adrian said, brow furrowing, as if he actually believed the lie.

"Sure, a sister," I said, swallowing the urge to pull out my phone, to show him the photos of Vanessa wearing his favorite hoodie, the texts from his assistant about their "late-night meetings."

"My mistake. I overreacted. Congrats on your new sister. Hope she's worth it."

Alpha Adrian went quiet, jaw working, but he didn't argue.

"Drive," I said, voice brittle. I felt a chill deep in my bones, and tugged the borrowed blazer tighter around me. The warm, earthy scent from the fabric wrapped around me, a comfort I didn't expect.

That's when Alpha Adrian noticed the high-end, charcoal gray blazer draped over me-a designer piece, clearly not mine, the kind only alphas from old, powerful clans could afford. His nose wrinkled, catching the faint scent clinging to it, a scent that made his hackles rise. "Whose blazer is that?"