Chapter 4

• Even at my swiftest, he captured my hand mid-air effortlessly. This time, he tightened his grip around my wrist. The warmth of his leather gloves was oddly reassuring, pressing firmly against my skin. I drew a sharp breath as flecks of gold began to swirl within his dark eyes. Something in him stirred, something powerful and primal, and I couldn’t help but think it was my doing. Clearly, he didn't appreciate having his boundaries tested, but he wasn't alone in that sentiment.
• He held my wrist and wagged a finger at me with a low, disapproving "tsk tsk tsk" rumbling from his chest. My heart raced uncontrollably, my attention drawn irresistibly to the golden flecks dancing in his irises.
• Then, just as abruptly, he released me and stepped aside. I exhaled deeply, leaving the bedroom in desperate need of fresh air that wasn’t tainted by Magnus's bewilderingly captivating scent.
• "Princess, always up to mischief," Amara chided as I entered the kitchen, though her lips betrayed a hint of amusement. Her eyes locked onto mine, and despite her reprimand, she couldn’t hide her smirk.
• I offered a small smile in return. “Oh, come on, Amara. You know I can't resist your muffins.”
• “Flattery won’t get you anywhere, little lady,” she said, her chuckle warm as she waved a dirty rag at me.
• I grabbed a cleaner and began wiping down the countless counters. Once we finished sanitizing everything, we turned to the dishes. I glanced over at Ember, who was struggling to contain her laughter.
• “I’d make you promise not to do it again, but I know you wouldn’t listen,” Amara said with a chuckle. “Consider us even for helping me clean the kitchen.”
• “Thanks, Amara,” I said, flashing her a sheepish grin.
• After helping them, I made my way to the dining room for dinner, hoping to catch a glimpse of my Dad and Uncle. I broke into a wide smile as Dad walked in, looking worn but relieved as I enveloped him in a hug.
• “Busy day?” I asked, ignoring Magnus’s presence behind me.
• Dad sighed, raking a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair. “Incredibly busy. We’re working to fortify treaties and gather allies as fast as we can.”
• “Which is why your birthday is so crucial,” Uncle interjected, earning a sharp look from Dad.
• I frowned at them both. “What do you mean?”
• “Sweetheart, we’re throwing a big party for your birthday. Other Alphas and future Alphas will be attending,” Dad said with a small smile, though his eyes held an unspoken concern.
• “The other Alphas, they’re particularly interested in you,” Uncle added, eliciting a dark scowl from Dad.
• I finally understood. “You mean they’re interested in me because Dad is the Alpha King and I’m unmated.”
• “Exactly,” Dad grimaced. “Each of them hopes to be your mate. If they succeed, they’d be obligated to support us. Not that we need it,” he spat, filling the room with a dangerous tension.
• Uncle frowned. “We might not need their help, but having them on our side wouldn’t hurt.”
• “Not if it means selling my daughter like cattle,” Dad growled at his brother. I could sense the tension between them, wondering how long they had been at odds.
• I sighed, wishing Mom were here. She always had a way of calming Dad and Uncle, making them discuss things rationally. Their bickering grew tiresome, and I felt my patience wearing thin.
• Kira, growing restless with their argument, nudged me forward. “Enough,” I snapped, slamming my glass down on the table. The shock in their eyes was palpable.
• “I don’t care how many Alphas come. If they’re not my mate, I owe them nothing.” I growled, “I’ll try to be cordial and build alliances as best I can. In the meantime, stop arguing.” I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of anger and frustration.
• They looked at me with surprise, but I shrugged it off.
• “You look so much like your mother; it’s eerie,” Uncle said, chuckling nervously as he went too far. Dad’s face twisted in anger at his brother’s words.
• After dinner, exhausted, I trudged back to my room, only to remember Magnus trailing behind me. The irritation from dinner and the earlier encounter at the cafe surged back.
• “What was that back there?” I growled, turning to face Magnus. His eyes, as dark as obsidian, were fixed on me, his brow raised in question.
• “You know exactly what I’m talking about,” I snapped. “Why did you chase Soren away?” Magnus’s eyes rolled, provoking a mixture of anger and confusion within me. Kira growled in my mind, her frustration matching mine.
• “You had no right. He did nothing wrong,” I said, advancing to poke him in the chest.
• As expected, his hand shot out, wrapping around my wrist with a vice-like grip. His calm demeanor contrasted sharply with my agitation. I was furious with him, yet my body reacted to him in ways I couldn’t explain—fluttering sensations and goosebumps that defied my irritation. I chalked it up to his striking appearance and intense presence.
• “Oh, so now you decide to speak?” I snapped, my voice edged with frustration. Magnus turned towards the door that separated our rooms, and I followed.
• “I’m not done with you!” I shouted, startled when he slammed the door in my face.
• I stood there, stunned, “Stupid, infuriating bodyguard,” I muttered, storming to my bed like a petulant child.
• The evening had left me more agitated than I’d care to admit, but I was too exhausted to care. I was dealing with too much, including the fact that Dad and Uncle were keeping secrets from me.
• Lashing out at Magnus was my way of coping, though it only worked briefly. His silence and my failed attempts to provoke a response left me feeling even more frustrated.
• “I think we need a new approach,” Kira mused in my head, her voice brimming with fresh determination.
• “Hm,” I pondered, contemplating her idea. If anger wasn’t effective, perhaps temptation might be.
• That night, I set my plan into motion, determined to elicit a reaction from Magnus. Though I wasn’t the epitome of classic beauty, I had my own assets. My raven-black hair flowed in waves down my back, and my green eyes stood out vividly against my porcelain skin. I had curves and a full chest that I hoped would make an impression.
• In the bathroom, I shed my clothes and slipped into a pair of panties and a tank top. The hot water of the shower felt heavenly, soothing my aching muscles as I took my time, letting the steam wash away my stress.
• Emerging from the shower, I wrapped a towel around myself. As I stepped out, I missed the shower mat, and with a sudden yelp, I stumbled, crashing into the sink. The glass cup perched on the edge toppled and shattered.
• “D*mn it,” I muttered, crouching to clean up the mess. A sharp sting in my foot made me wince as a piece of glass embedded itself in my flesh. Blood began seeping onto the white floor, and I staggered, nearly falling when Magnus burst through the door with an explosive force.
• His intense, gold-flecked eyes scanned the room quickly, and he looked every bit as fierce as he did attractive, wearing a simple black tank top and loose shorts. The gloves and mask remained on him, adding to his raw, disheveled allure.
• I struggled to stay upright, clutching the wall and the too-small towel around me. Magnus moved swiftly, lifting me as if I were a child and setting me on the toilet. The warmth from his touch lingered.
• Ignoring the broken glass, he retrieved a first aid kit from the cabinet. “I can manage,” I protested, reaching for the kit, but he pushed my hand away with a commanding “Sit.”
• His deep voice brooked no argument. I grumbled, but complied, feeling a mixture of frustration and curiosity as Magnus worked on my foot. His charcoal eyes remained fixed on mine, and I was captivated by the subtle, almost imperceptible changes in his gaze.
• As Magnus removed the shard of glass and poured alcohol over the wound, I tried to keep my smirk hidden. The cut was worse than I’d thought—deep and painful. When he produced a bandage, I interrupted, “Let me get dressed first. You can finish this in the bedroom.”
• He nodded and exited, and I let out a quiet laugh, eyeing the splintered door. I took advantage of his brief absence, letting the towel fall and slipping into my chosen attire: a black lace tank top and panties. The tank top was short, leaving my bottom exposed, while the lace underwear barely concealed my cheeks.
• With a grimace of pain from my foot, I made my way to the dresser, aware of Magnus’s gaze on me as he turned. “You don’t seem like the type to be scared of a half-dressed girl,” I said, trying to sound calm, though inside I was a mess of nerves and excitement. His scent lingered, adding to my growing agitation.
• Magnus’s eyes remained fixed on me as I bent over to retrieve a pair of shorts. His expression was inscrutable, and I took a deep breath. “Look down, Magnus,” I challenged with a smirk, daring him to respond.
• There was something dangerously enticing about provoking him. The primal power he exuded was a risk, but I felt an odd sense of safety. His few touches had been gentle, and I couldn’t help but be drawn to him despite my better judgment.
• As Magnus’s gaze traveled slowly down my body, a warm thrill spread through me. His eyes, once dark, now shimmered with golden flecks. I reveled in the attention, the heat of his stare creating a tangible connection between us.
• When his gaze returned to my face, the gold flecks still lingered. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?” I teased, settling onto the bed and extending my foot toward him. I felt a small victory in having made a crack in his otherwise stoic demeanor.
• Magnus’s expression remained neutral as he finished wrapping the bandage. His eyes met mine, and I felt a magnetic pull. Absorbed in the golden flecks of his gaze, I absentmindedly licked my lips, caught up in Kira’s speculative thoughts.
• “Thank you, Magnus,” I purred, savoring the effect of my words. With a final, deliberate move, I crawled across the bed and slid under the covers, my lace-covered bottom facing him. Before I could catch his gaze again, the adjoining door slammed shut.
• “Got him,” Kira’s voice purred triumphantly in my mind.
• That night, I went to bed with a satisfied smile, and for once, my dreams were undisturbed.