ra'

re silent compared to the chaos I'd left behind. Just as

cheeks were flushed from the cold or the sprint, probably

sed her playfully with a

idge gets after six. I swear I left an hour ago." She hugged me tightly, then

e." I said rolling my eyes

say that" Raya

de me and immediately started pulling items from her oversized tote like a magician performing a reveal. "From Seoul. First, this."

this is... ridiculous." I said with a

in front of me next. "Rare shade from Her

a dusky rose, exactly my tone.

hairpin followed. "Figured you could use som

ay

words. She still wasn't done with these expensive and delicate gifts. The

said softly, overwhelm

me a mock stern look. "Because you d

where I'm going to wear all these to"

eady picking up a menu, "right after I set you up with som

I repeated rai

in placing orders and I joined her in on it. Soon the table was filled with different delicacies and we

ck," I said, slid

not back in five minutes, I'm coming in aft

ining area. I walked into the women's room and it was more quiet. I walked towards the faucet, turning it

n the mirror. My eyes locked onto his be

called out

lf-untucked. The bandage on his forehead was sti

tepping closer. "Why h

you doing in the women's washroo

rward. "Why would you block me?" He aske

to hear from you." I

ou, I thought something happ

ped away from him, drying my hands calml

t. His skin was hot, clammy. "Don't do th

tted my teeth, his grip on me was qui

id. You wouldn't have reacted like t

you're talking abou

et. But once it is, once I inherit the title, I'll divorce Selene. I'll marry you. Properly. Like I should'

e you keep parading that woman around, and then what? Crawl back to you

ed. "Lior

ife. Not in the next. I don't care about your title. I don't car

w you looked at me. You were mine. You still are." And then, he grabbed me again.

d at him, stumb

me toward the men's room door. "No o

o quiet and there was no one around. I twisted in his grip, digging my

hting me,

ad

rattled through my spine. I hissed, pain flaring through my ribs. He loomed over me,

kiss me. I turned my face away sharply. His lips scraped against my cheek instead. I felt bil

it! Ge

locked on the faint mark on my neck, barely visible in

cold but I didn't answer. His gaze darkened, jaw t

to ask me that." I

ry didn't. "Answer me." His voice was fi

ou anything."

some other mutt touch you?"

ouch me." I

but he was stronger than usual, crazed by anger and whatever he'd drunk. He yanked at my coat, tearing

s voice was low, shaking with rage. "I'll s

e!" I tried to shove him b

you everything, you were sup

fted. Kade's body hit the opposite wall with a loud crack. The thud echoed down t

wa

. Rowan, he has saved me! Kade groaned from the floor, pushing up with one arm. Rowan walk

aid, voice quiet, "and I'll tear them off.

his feet, furio

slammed his elbow into Kade's back. Then, with one sharp motion, he twisted and threw him

sked, tone still maddeningly even. "That yo

shouted, blood now tr

eside him, one knee pinning Kade's shoul

ruined everything!" Kade

ress hung from one shoulder. My hair had come loose. My chest was tight, but I wasn't

y anything to h

uised, frantic. I didn't hesitate, my foot came down hard on his face. The sound was dull. His he

w and measured, "and I will run you over

my foot. How pitiful. I stepped back. Wiped my

t l