CHAPTER 004

CHAPTER 004  

EIVINA'S POINT OF VIEW 

I drop my gaze to the ground as I lose eye contact with Rytis, and my knees buckle. I force my eyes to move away while my chest constricts because I refuse to acknowledge his mysterious influence over me. His one look managed to completely unravel me. 

Despite my inner turmoil I push away those feelings of attraction to think about how distant he seemed today compared to the warm protector I'd experienced earlier. The gentle Rytis who protected me probably never truly existed as anything other than an appearance. I can’t depend on him.  

I head toward the refreshment table because I need to create some space. My heart twists inside when I take in the sight of Domantas and Aurelija laughing with another couple just beyond my reach. I immediately turn away to avoid them. The sight of their joy creates a sickening feeling in my stomach. 

As I approach for assistance, I see right away that someone standing nearby is one of my state's most successful attorneys. Stirring courage from within, I advance closer to him. 

“Excuse me,” I start. I need to discuss an inheritance case with you. 

He apologizes about his full caseload before moving past me without looking back. 

My shoulders drop. My eyes scan the room until they find another lawyer standing nearby. Then another. Every lawyer I approach gives me the same impersonal reasons for refusal, including conflicts of interest and tight deadlines, or they vaguely refer to my husband’s connections. 

The rejections hurt, but knowing Domantas could have warned them all feels like acid burning through me. 

A serene voice behind me says, “Mrs. Eimutis.” 

When I whirl around, I encounter a smiling man whose sharp features pair perfectly with his confident handshake. “I’m Dainius Terenas, and I practice law,” he announces himself as he extends his hand out. It sounds like you’re in need of legal representation. 

For the first time this evening, blood surges with hope through my chest. 

“Yes, I am. My husband is attempting to claim the inheritance my mother left me. My husband exploits his position to control the situation, so I end up with almost nothing. 

A serious expression crosses his face as he accompanies it with a hum under his breath. Based on your account, the inheritance belongs to you by law. We should move this conversation to a more private location. 

“Of course,” I reply. I have all the necessary details for you to understand this situation. 

He motions me to follow, and I move through the crowd behind him. I didn't expect to find assistance tonight, yet Dainius might be the solution I need. 

We move into the garden where the temperature drops and party sounds diminish. Above us the lights flicker to give only sporadic illumination to the space while a noticeable silence fills the atmosphere with a strange weight. 

Through a controlled delivery of words, he calmly demands to know about the inheritance. 

I tell him my mother died recently while my fingers nervously play with my dress hem. My mother left me her entire estate, but my husband wants to claim everything. My window to prevent him from claiming everything ends within thirty days. 

The air changes in an odd way, which causes my stomach to plummet. 

“Um, Dainius…” The uneasy sensation grows stronger inside my stomach, which causes my words to stumble. 

His hand grips my arm before I can respond and pulls me into the cold brick wall. 

“Hey! What are you doing?” I yell out while fighting to break free from his hold. 

He forms a dark smile that replaces his initial sneer. He sneers at me while his body weight pushes against mine and warns me to stay silent. 

“Let go of me!” I push against his chest with force, but he proves to be stronger. The touch of his lips against my neck causes me to pull away and slam into the brick wall. 

“Stop it!” My panicked breaths create a trembling sound as I tremulously call out. 

My body trembles upon hearing Dainius laugh. He taunts me with a cruel voice saying no one will come to rescue me. 

A sharp pain rushes through my side before his foot strikes my ribs, making me fall to the floor. He quickly moves to pin me down. 

“Help!” I scream while I fight against his arms and twist beneath his heavy body. 

He tightens his grip, leaving me overcome with despair.. 

***

RYTIS ADOMAS'S POV 

The moment she entered the room, her scent became impossible to ignore. The light floral scent enveloped me like a siren's call, which forced my eyes to her despite my efforts to look away. 

The moment I looked at her, I immediately wished I hadn't. 

The dress was unbearably tight. The fabric fitted her body perfectly, exposing risky amounts of skin to my discomfort. All the men present directed their attention toward her as though she represented a valuable reward. 

The wolf inside me stirred and let out a frustrated growl. “She’s ours. Why do you allow them to stare at her? 

I clenched my teeth while I forced my attention to the women who were talking around me. Their false flattery blended with counterfeit grins scratched at my patience while last night's events repeatedly reached my mind. 

Her body heat pressed against my skin. Her delicate digits travelled over my body's surface. The gentle moans she made continued to sound in my ears even after she departed.  

My wolf growled once more about her beauty while his voice remained deep and possessive.  

His reminder was unnecessary because I already knew. I knew. She vanished from my life without saying goodbye. Never before had any woman shown me such disrespect by leaving without explanation. 

My wolf insisted she must have had her own reasons. 

My head moved in denial while my eyes narrowed to follow her movements across the room. She moved through the crowd conversing vigorously with one gentleman at a time while using lively hand movements. Was she flirting? 

A deep growl vibrated through my chest. 

My wolf maintained she doesn’t behave that way. You're seeing things that aren't there. 

“She’s trouble,” I muttered. “And you know it.” 

Her face brightened with a smile as she moved toward yet another man. I turned away while my jaw tightened. She behaved exactly like those women who treated me as nothing but a financial resource. 

But my wolf wasn’t convinced. 

I used the pack bond to call my Beta Ryan. 

Moments later, Vytas stood next to me. “What do you need?” he asked. 

What brings Eivina Eimutis to this event tonight? I demanded. 

Vytas frowned slightly. Domantas probably brought Eivina Eimutis here with him. 

I scanned the crowd until I spotted Domantas without difficulty. Domantas laughed alongside Aurelija and several lawyers while his relaxed demeanor irritated me. 

I commanded him to investigate her with a strong voice. 

A distant cry reached my ears before Vytas could answer. 

“Help!” 

My wolf stiffened. “Mate. She’s in danger.” 

His voice urged me to start taking decisive measures immediately. I sprinted toward the garden, alert to her frightening scent in the air.. 

I discovered her presence caused an explosion of rage that built deep in my heart. Daenius restrained her on the ground while his hand held tightly to her wrist because she resisted his grip. 

I didn’t think. I acted. 

I seized his collar to pull him away from her and then tossed him to the ground. The sound of his body crashing to the ground was so disturbing it barely registered. 

“You dared to touch her,” I growled while my foot connected with his stomach and launched him into the wall. 

He let out a painful groan, yet I continued my assault. I seized him once more and delivered a powerful punch to his face, which knocked him unconscious to the ground. 

I turned to Eivina after taking one final look at his dead body. Her body shook against the wall while fearful, wide eyes scanned their surroundings. 

Her expression halted my advance as I moved closer. 

You approached men all evening but stopped when I challenged you angrily using strong hostile tones. This is the best person you could pick out? 

Her mouth opened to speak but remained silent. An air laden with acute accusation filled our silent space. 

What was she thinking?