ever as you think

he edge of the wooden table. She turned slowly, her brown eyes narrowing at the man standing in the doorway. His

sked, her voice la

a soft click. His movements were deliberate, calm, yet every step seemed to charge the air with tension. "Y

her chest. "Manipulate? That's rich comi

ss smile. "You're angry. I get it. You feel trapped, you feel

r palms. "I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask to be t

immediately. He simply watched her, his pier

ped, her voice rising. "Stop

hat I didn't choose this either? That I didn't ask to be bound t

ked it with anger. "You don't get to play the vict

other step closer. "And what exactly

had he done, really? Sure, he was cold, distant, and frustratingly arrog

tone almost mocking. "You're so determined to ha

ay, unable to hold his gaze any longer. "You

htly. "Maybe not. But I know one thing: whatever yo

astically, catching Adriana off guard. The man who once enjoyed te

lder now.

ely acknowledged her. No playful smirks, no sharp

im to back off, to stop trying to force a connection that she didn't want.

bother he

ce for the pack to come together and discuss important matters. Adriana had been dreadin

ve prepared her for

he blonde wolf stepped forward, her blue eyes locking onto Ryan with a mix of determ

ll eyes turned to Ryan, whose

ha's feelings for Ryan; everyone in the pack did. It was no secret that the wo

t would

anding the room's attention. He looked at

d echoed like

shock and pain. "What?" she whi

s tone leaving no room for argument

weight of his words hit her like a wave,

urned to Adriana, his expression unreadable. For a moment, their

ckly shoved

g. Ryan's rejection of Kesha had thrown her off balance, and she hated

oor pulled her f

standing there, his express

e asked, her tone shar

out waiting for an invit

leaning against the edge

his eyes cold but

an eyebro

boundaries," Ryan said. "I don't want to fight with you eve

Their constant arguments were draining, and she couldn't f

er a long pause. "Wh

posing and strangely calming. "First rule: I

ffer. She had been bracing herself for something

n?" she asked

y, "you stop trying to push me away in front of th

agree to this? Could she pretend to be the per

d finally, exte

a moment before shaking it

uldn't help but wonder if she had

Her mind replayed the events of the day-the rejection, the de

o publicly? Why had he agre

importa

p to, Ryan?" she whisp

unanswered, as the moonlight