Chapter 5

Celine’s pov.

Even under the harsh mall lights, he looked stunning. His thick black hair was messy yet stylish. His olive-toned skin complemented his sharp cheekbones and straight nose. But it was his eyes that really caught my attention. They were a deep, hypnotic green that seemed to hold me in place.

I felt it again. That pull. That eerie stillness in my veins. What was the Alpha king of bloodfang pack doing here?

He didn’t even look at me. He simply continued picking up the scattered mess, his long fingers brushing over the ruined items with an almost infuriating lack of urgency.

Before I could fully process it, another person rushed forward—a young employee, eyes wide and a panic filled face. Perhaps it was fear, but they didn’t dare let a man like him kneel on their floor picking up shattered glass. They took over the task immediately.

I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to stand. I didn’t know if this was a coincidence or something else entirely, but the idea of running into him again so soon unsettled me. I should have thanked him and left, but he didn’t move. Instead, he straightened to his full height, towering over me, that sharp gaze dragging over my face.

“You cry beautifully.”

I froze. That was the first thing he said to me. Not “Are you alright?” Not “What a mess”. Not even an acknowledgment of what had happened.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

He took a slow step forward, closing the space between us just enough that I could feel his warmth. Not touching, but close. Too close.

“Were you planning to stay on the floor all evening?” His voice was deep, smooth, coated in dark amusement.

I swallowed. “I was going to get up.” I responded.

“Hm.” He tilted his head slightly, his gaze dropped to my lips for a second before meeting my eyes again. “Are you always this careless?”

The way he looked at me was unholy…dark and consuming, as if he saw straight through me. It was unnerving, too intimate, like he was toying with something fragile just to see how easily it would break.

I forced myself to breathe. “I’m sorry, Mr…” I trailed off, realizing with a sinking feeling that I didn’t know his name.

His lips curled. “You don’t need it.” He spoke.

I swallowed hard, my pulse thrumming in my ears. “I sorry, I should—”

“Celine…”

The sharpness of my name cut through the moment. My breath hitched as I turned, my heart sinking when I saw Lucien standing a few feet away, his expression indistinct at first, then darkening as his gaze went to the shattered glass on the floor.

“What happened?” His tone was tight, filled with irritation.

Before I could explain, his eyes narrowed and he took a step forward. “You’re always so damn careless,” he muttered under his breath, lifting his hand as if to grab me—or strike me.

But he never got the chance. A hand shot out, gripping Lucien’s wrist before it could move any farther. The shift in the air was immediate. Lucien stiffened, his eyes finally settling on the man beside him. A flicker of recognition flashed across his face, his pupils dilated, his lips parted slightly, as if he hadn’t expected to see him. There was silence.

The man didn’t speak right away. His fingers remained wrapped around Lucien’s wrist in a hold that wasn’t forceful but was undeniably firm. Then, in a voice that was far too calm, he said, “That’s not how you treat a wife.”

Lucien’s jaw clenched. He yanked his hand back, straightening himself. He didn’t even spare me a glance when he muttered, “Go wait in the car.”

I hesitated, glancing between them. The tension between them crackled like a live wire, something unsaid but dangerously present lingering in the air.

Lucien’s voice sharpened. “Now!”

***

Kaine’s pov.

Lucien’s wife had barely disappeared through the mall doors before I turned my gaze back to him. He was still standing there, fists clenched at his sides, his jaw ticking as he breathed through his nose. A little more rattled than he wanted to appear. Interesting…

I tilted my head, watching him. “You look tense.”

Lucien scoffed, straightening his spine. “I don’t have time for whatever game you’re playing… Kaine.”

Ah. He didn’t even try to feign ignorance.

I let out a low hum, dragging my fingers along the sleeve of my coat before adjusting the cuff. “I’m not playing a game,” I said smoothly, my voice calm, deliberate. “I’m simply wondering what your father would think… if he knew the truth.” I said. I shouldn’t have gone straight to the point but he had really annoyed me by raising his hand to his wife in public.

Lucien stopped breathing. The subtle shift in his expression, the way his throat bobbed, the look in his eyes— it was enough to tell me he understood exactly what I meant. He forced himself to swallow, then took a careful step closer. “Not here.” His voice was low. “We should go somewhere private.”

I smiled. “No.”

Lucien’s nostrils flared. “You want something.” He said.

I exhaled softly, shaking my head in mock disappointment. “What I want is irrelevant. What matters is what you want, Lucien. Do you want to keep that precious title of yours? That nice little future you’ve been working so hard to secure?”

His fingers curled into fists, but he kept his stance firm. “What do you want?”

I gave him a long, assessing look, as if I were truly considering my options. And then, very slowly, I said, “Your wife.”

Lucien’s entire body stiffened.

“I’d like to have her,” I continued, my tone casual, as if I were asking for nothing more than a glass of wine. “You see, I find her… intriguing.”

His breath came faster, his eyes burning with barely restrained rage. “You’re out of your mind.”

I arched a brow. “Am I?”

Lucien took a step forward, his teeth clenched. “She’s mine.”

“How unfortunate for her.” I responded.

Lucien’s lips curled, his patience swaying. “Stay the hell away from my wife.”

I let out a dark, amused chuckle, tilting my head. “You talk as if you care. Then I suggest you think very carefully about what you’re willing to sacrifice to keep her.”

Lucien’s breathing was uneven now, his composure cracking, but he was trying—trying so desperately to hold on to it.