2

Flora's POV

It had been two weeks since Alora joined our pack, and the whole pack seemed to revolve around her now. But that wasn’t what bothered me. What really got under my skin were the comparisons people started to make between us.

Alora was well-mannered and softhearted, traits that seemed to endear her to everyone. Even Milani couldn’t stop singing her praises.

I wasn’t jealous. Truly, I was happy for her. She was finally getting the care and attention she had missed out on for so long.

But my father’s behavior toward me had shifted, and that hurt. Before Alora’s arrival, I had been the apple of his eye, his cherished daughter. Now, it was as if I no longer existed. He ignored my words, my presence, as though I had never been his beloved child.

And Zack... Zack had grown distant. I didn’t know what had changed, but these past few weeks, he seemed so far away.

I had returned to my room earlier than usual after dinner because I wanted to do something to entice Zack, to remind him of the bond we shared. Maybe tonight, we could rekindle what felt lost. So I took a long, soothing shower, then slipped into the perfect nightgown.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, a blush crept across my cheeks as I looked at Zack sitting on the bed, scrolling through his phone.

Since our engagement, my father had allowed us to share the same bedroom, a decision that had once filled me with excitement.

I walked toward the bed, drying my hair with a towel. Sitting on the opposite side, I felt Zack’s attention shift. He lowered his phone, his gaze moving to my wet hair and then down to my nightgown.

Placing his phone on the nightstand, he moved closer to me. My heart raced as his hand cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing gently against my skin.

He leaned in and kissed my cheek before trailing soft kisses down my neck. “You planned to seduce me, didn’t you?” he teased against my skin.

I bit my lip, pushing gently against his chest.

“What?” he asked, his tone confused.

I met his eyes, hesitating before speaking. “Why have you been so distant lately? Has someone else captured your attention?”

My question seemed to take him by surprise. His expression darkened, a bitter look crossing his face as he pulled away. “What are you asking, Flora?”

Guilt washed over me as I saw the hurt in his eyes. I reached for his hands, but he pushed mine away. The rejection stung.

Afraid of losing him, I wrapped my arms around him, holding him tightly. “I’m sorry,” I whispered. “But please, promise me you won’t fall in love with someone else.”

He stiffened at my words, and I pulled back to look at him.

He didn’t reply. Instead, he pushed me gently onto the mattress and kissed me.

I melted into the kiss, letting his touch erase my fears. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pulled him closer.

It had been so long since we’d been this intimate.

As if sensing my need, Zack began unbuttoning his shirt. His hands moved to the ribbon of my nightgown, tugging at it with deliberate slowness.

I closed my eyes, surrendering to him.

But just as he slipped the nightgown off my shoulders, his phone rang, its loud trill shattering the moment.

Zack’s attention shifting to the nightstand. With a sigh, he moved away and grabbed his phone. His brow furrowed while he read the screen.

“What is it?” I asked, sitting up.

He glanced at me apologetically. “Sorry, dear. There’s an emergency.”

Disappointment settled in my chest, but I nodded. “Okay.”

Zack reached out, brushing a hand over my cheek. “I’ll be back as soon as it’s handled. I promise.”

I forced a smile, watching as he left the room.

Alone in bed, my thoughts drifted back to the beginning of our relationship. I was ten years old when I got lost at the pack’s border. Rogues had chased me, injuring me badly. I’d ended up in a coma, and when I woke, Zack was there by my side.

He had saved me.

In that moment, I had fallen for him completely.

I didn’t know how long I lay there, waiting for Zack to return, before sleep finally claimed me.

#

The next morning, the sound of the door closing woke me. I blinked, looking around the empty room. The faint sound of the shower running made me smile.

“Zack’s back,” I murmured, stretching lazily.

I yawned and closed my eyes again, intending to sleep a little longer. But Zack’s phone buzzed, pulling my attention to the bedside table.

I sat up, glancing at the phone where it lay charging. Normally, I wouldn’t have checked it, but a nagging feeling gnawed at me. Taking a deep breath, I picked up the phone. I tried to unlock it, but the screen flashed: “Password Incorrect.”

A sinking feeling settled in my chest. Zack had changed his password. Before I could put the phone down, a message from Alora appeared on the screen. My heart stopped as I read it: “She didn’t find out, did she?”