Chapter 7 Lycan Alpha's Interest

Arnold still held Irene’s hand between them.

She had to tilt her head so far back to meet his eyes that her neck was beginning to hurt.

He was too tall, and they were standing far too close. His presence overwhelmed her, especially his warm, rich scent carrying the unmistakable dominance of a Lycan Alpha.

“Be my woman at the party,” Arnold repeated.

He said it as casually as if he were discussing the weather.

Irene stared at him in disbelief.

“Are you crazy? Do you even know who I am?”

The question escaped before she could stop it.

It was not because she believed she was important. Arnold had already heard the rumors, and he knew she was Eugene’s mate.

So why was he asking her?

“I know exactly who you are,” Arnold replied. “You’re the future Luna of Hellfire.”

He tilted his head.

“Or should I say you were?”

Irene flinched.

“I’ve heard the rumors,” he added. “People love to gossip.”

His words hurt, but at least he was honest. He did not pretend to know nothing about her situation.

The festival was supposed to celebrate peace. It was the first gathering between werewolves and Lycans since the war.

There was no chance Arnold had approached her without a reason.

“In that case, I have to refuse,” Irene said quietly. “Whatever you’re planning won’t work. If you want to make Eugene angry, choose another woman.”

She forced herself to continue.

“The woman carrying his child would be a better choice.”

The words hurt more than she wanted to admit.

Arnold shook his head.

“I don’t think Eugene cares about that woman nearly as much as he cares about you.”

Irene’s gaze snapped toward him.

Anger rose inside her. She hated hearing those words, especially because a small part of her wanted to believe them.

“He approached you in public without worrying about upsetting her,” Arnold continued. “He wouldn’t have done that unless you mattered more.”

Irene frowned.

She could not understand him.

“What do you want from me?”

Arnold shrugged and grinned as if he found the entire situation entertaining.

“I’m going to help you get revenge.”

“I never said I wanted revenge.”

She answered too quickly.

His grin widened.

He even rolled his eyes, which only irritated her more.

Arnold was reading her too easily.

Luna Lorraine had taught Irene never to reveal her emotions to an opponent.

Becoming a Luna was not as simple as people believed. They saw the title, respect, and power.

They did not see the endless lessons, sleepless nights, and constant pressure.

Irene had learned everything Luna Lorraine taught her. She had worked harder than anyone and spent years preparing to lead beside Eugene.

Now, all her sacrifices felt useless.

Her mate’s betrayal had destroyed the future she had worked so hard to earn.

“I know you want revenge,” Arnold said.

Irene tried to pull her wrist free, but his grip remained firm.

“I don’t,” she muttered.

Even she could hear how unconvincing she sounded.

“At this point, you have nothing to lose. Come with me to the party.”

Irene stared at him.

He was still trying to persuade her.

Was he always this stubborn?

“Are you afraid of what your pack will think?” Arnold asked. “Or are you more worried about hurting the man who abandoned you?”

Her chest tightened.

The truthful answer was both.

“Don’t try to turn me against my own pack,” she snapped. “It won’t work.”

Arnold studied her for several seconds.

Then he laughed.

It was a low, amused sound, as if he had caught her lying.

Irene pulled harder, determined to free her hand.

Instead of releasing her, Arnold suddenly stepped closer and turned her around.

Her back struck the wall.

Irene gasped.

Arnold placed one hand beside her head and the other on the opposite side, blocking her path without touching the rest of her.

“What are you doing?”

Her voice trembled.

Her anger disappeared, replaced by genuine fear.

Something about the Lycan Alpha had changed.

Arnold stared at her as if he were trying to remember something. His gaze seemed to look beyond her face, searching for an answer he had never expected to find.

“I know it’s you,” he murmured.

Irene frowned.

“What?”

Arnold did not answer.

“Move.”

When he remained in place, she pushed against his chest.

He did not move.

It felt like pushing against a mountain.

“Get away from me! I’ll scream!”

“You’re already screaming,” Arnold replied calmly.

His composed response only frightened and angered her more.

Irene reacted without thinking.

Her wolf surged forward.

Claws extended from her fingers, and she struck his face.

Blood appeared across Arnold’s cheek. A few drops fell to the ground while more stained the collar of his shirt.

Both of them froze.

Irene stared at the wounds.

Her claws withdrew as her wolf retreated.

Her heart dropped.

She had attacked the Lycan Alpha.

Panic rushed through her.

What if this caused trouble between their packs? What if everyone believed she had attacked him deliberately?

She could barely breathe.

“I didn’t mean to…”

“I know.”

Arnold cut her off.

His voice was deeper now, but he did not sound angry.

He wiped the blood from his cheek with his thumb and examined it.

Then he smiled.

The cuts began closing almost immediately. Within moments, his skin was completely healed, leaving only blood on his face and shirt.

Irene swallowed hard.

She had expected rage.

She had expected punishment.

Instead, Arnold appeared amused.

“I didn’t know you were this feisty, little wolf.”

A chill moved down Irene’s spine.

Why was he smiling?

She instinctively stepped back.

Arnold took one step toward her.

Her heart jumped into her throat.

His smile widened as he studied her.

It was as if her attack had confirmed something he had been searching for.

And suddenly, Irene understood that Arnold’s interest in her might have nothing to do with Eugene, the festival, or revenge.

He had recognized something inside her.

Something even Irene did not understand.

Whatever it was, the Lycan Alpha clearly intended to uncover it.