?Chapter 74:

In that moment, I wanted him to kiss me, to throw me into the fire we both knew was there—wild passion in this peaceful ce. To let the sand be our bed, the sun our nket… Damn, I didn’t even know what to think anymore. I just wanted his hands on me, wanted to feel the heat of his body pressed against mine, to ease the throbbing ache that was yet to be satisfied.

But just as I was about to close the distance, Ryder pulled back with a smirk, leaving me gasping for air. The sudden absence of his warmth left me feeling bereft, abandoned.

“Disobey me again, and we’ll see how much you hate it,” he said, his voice full of promise, before turning on his heel and sauntering away.

I watched him leave, my body still buzzing, my mind spinning from everything that just happened. I wanted to scream and demand he finish what he started. But I knew I wouldn’t.

I couldn’t move, still frozen in ce by the electric charge in the air. As I stood there, stark naked and unaware of the darkness creeping in as the sun set, my chest heaving, I realized something—I was in trouble. Ryder had awakened a part of me I couldn’t ignore.

One thing was certain, though—I was definitely going to disobey Alpha Ryder again. And boy, was I looking forward to that punishment.

I paced back and forth in my room, forming a circle as my anger simmered like a pot about to boil over. That infuriating, arrogant, and annoying Ryder! How dare he? I hissed. I just couldn’t stop thinking about the nasty game he’d pulled at the stream. My mind, as if set on repeat, reyed the events from earlier, and my face burned with rage.

“Damn him!” I muttered under my breath, fists clenched.

As I spun around, my reflection in the mirror caught my attention. My flushed cheeks, red as scarlet, and zing dark eyes seemed to mock me. Something inside whispered that my hatred was a mere mask, that I had responded to Ryder’s touch, that I had wanted more. “That’s a lie!” I shook my head. It was more of a deration than a truthful statement.

I shook my head again, dispelling the unwanted thoughts. No, I wouldn’t acknowledge that. I hated his guts, and that was that. Period.

Just then, Seraphina walked into my room. The bright smile on her face faltered when she caught a glimpse of the deep frown on mine.

“Mistress, are you alright?” she asked, concern etched on her face. Her dainty hands reached for mine, and she held them firmly.

What could I say? I could only manage a string of curses, Ryder’s name prominent among them.

Seraphina’s eyebrows shot up. “Alpha Ryder?”

No way on earth was I answering that question. How could I exin that I had let him kiss me, touch me? That I had felt alive in his arms? And that I was now angry because… No, I couldn’t admit that.

“Never mind,” I sighed, wriggling my hands out of her grip.

Seraphina, sensing my agitation, hesitated before speaking.

“Mistress, the Alpha King summons you. He has an important meeting with a Lycan delegate.”

Well, well, look who came seeking my presence. If only he hadn’t been so mischievous earlier, I might have graced his request. I scoffed. “Tell him I’m noting.”

Seraphina’s eyes widened, and she stepped forward, her expression filled with anxiety.

“Mistress, please reconsider this. This meeting is very important to the…”

“Tell him to take his fiancée instead,” I shrugged, crossing my arms. Seraphina’s voice dropped to a whisper, her eyes ssy as she sped her hands before me.

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