Realization

Chapter 3 – Annie’s POV

Realization

The warm water surrounded me, soothing my tense muscles. I closed my eyes, letting out a deep sigh as the steam curled around me. This was the only time I could truly relax, away from the stares, the whispers, and him.

Mariana? I reached out through our bond, hoping to feel my wolf’s presence again. It had been too long since I heard her voice, and I was starting to feel like a part of me was missing.

A faint warmth brushed against my mind, weak but there.

Annie…

A small smile tugged at my lips. I’m here, Mariana. Just hold on, okay?

But before she could respond—

The connection was cut off.

Sharp. Sudden. Like a knife slicing through our bond.

I gasped, my eyes flying open.

What just happened?

I sat up, gripping the edge of the bathtub. It wasn’t Mariana who pulled away. Something—no, someone—had severed our link.

My stomach twisted.

Riley.

That arrogant, over-controlling Alpha.

I knew he had something to do with this. He was always watching, always hovering like he didn’t trust me. Now, he was invading my mind, too?

My skin prickled with unease. Could he see me right now? Did he know I was in the bath?

I crossed my arms over my chest, scowling.

That perverted bastard!

My heart pounded with fury. If he thought he could control every little thing about me, he was dead wrong.

I clenched my jaw and took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down.

Fine. Let him play his little mind games.

But I wouldn’t let him win.

The next morning, I walked toward the pack hospital, my mood still sour.

I had barely gotten any sleep, too busy thinking about what happened last night. I wanted answers. I wanted to storm into Riley’s house, grab him by the collar, and demand to know why he was messing with my connection to Mariana.

But I wasn’t stupid.

Riley was stronger than me right now. Without my wolf, I wasn’t in a position to fight him.

Yet.

I had to be patient.

I stepped into the hospital, and the scent of antiseptic filled my nose. My treatment sessions were supposed to help me recover faster, but honestly, I wasn’t sure if they were making any difference.

Henry greeted me with a smirk. “Morning, Annie. You look like you want to kill someone.”

I forced a tight smile. “Good morning, Henry. How are you?”

He chuckled. “Better than whoever pissed you off.”

I rolled my eyes. “Let’s just get this over with.”

I lay down on the treatment bed, letting out a long breath. My body still ached from training, and my mind was a tangled mess.

Maybe a short nap would help.

The second I closed my eyes, exhaustion pulled me under.

A strange feeling stirred me from my sleep.

It was subtle at first—a prickling at the back of my neck, the faintest whisper of movement.

Someone was watching me.

I kept my breathing steady, pretending to still be asleep. My senses sharpened, listening for any sound.

A slow, steady inhale.

A shift of fabric.

A presence too close.

My fingers twitched beneath the blanket. My heartbeat quickened.

I cracked my eyes open, just a sliver—

Riley.

Standing at my bedside.

His sharp blue eyes locked onto me, his face unreadable.

His hand—hovering inches above me.

A jolt of panic shot through me.

I shot up, throwing the blanket off me.

“What the hell are you doing?!”

Riley took a step back, his expression unreadable.

I frantically checked myself, lifting my shirt slightly to make sure everything was still in place. My body was untouched—but the fact that I had to check sent a wave of anger through me.

Riley’s face darkened. His jaw clenched, and something flashed in his eyes—hurt?

“You think I did something to you?” His voice was low, controlled, but there was an edge to it.

I stared at him. "You were looming over me as I slept! What was I supposed to conclude?"

His lips pressed into a thin line. He looked at me for a second, then took a hard breath.

"Never mind."

Then he turned and left.

Like that.

I blinked, my anger dissipating in confusion.

What happened?

One moment he was looking at me like I was the most interesting human being on the planet, and the next he was storming off like I had done something wrong.

I didn't anticipate him yelling or fighting, but his reaction didn't sit well with me.

Ticked off and even more confused, I threw myself back onto the bed.

Henry simply walked in. He looked at my face and burst into a fit of laughter.

What the devil is the matter with your Alpha?" I snapped.

Henry smiled. "Why? What did he do this time?"

I huffed. "I woke up with him standing over me. And his hand—" I flailed my arms. "He was looking at me like he was going to touch me!"

Henry laughed so hard, he shook his head. "Oh, that's priceless."

I glared at him. "It's not funny.".

Henry wiped a tear from his eye. "Oh, it is funny. You actually think Riley would—" He caught himself, still chuckling. "Annie, trust me. Riley isn't used to working with she-wolves."

I scowled. "He's an Alpha. That makes no sense."

Henry sat up in bed, smiling. "Sure, but Riley matured under insane pressure. His father almost died when he was just a child. The pack might have blown apart. Riley had to mature before he could be it." His smile relaxed. "He had no time for friendship. No time for love. Just training, leading, protecting."

I sat in silence, taking it all in.

Henry grinned. "Most she-wolves assume he's gay or impotent because he never even looks at them."

I snorted, helplessly.

Henry laughed. "See? I told you it was humorous."

I shook my head, a small smile playing on my lips.

Maybe… maybe I had misunderstood Riley.

Maybe he wasn't a controlling, overbearing pervert.

Maybe he was just incompetent at communicating.

A part of me started feeling bad about my first reaction.

Had he just been inquiring after me?

Had I overreacted?

I took a breath.

Maybe I should try to understand him better.

And if I'd misjudged him.

I'd have to apologize.