“So you came looking for me because you want me to join your team? Let me make it clear—I don’t have the time to stay in your club long-term, and I’m not interested in esports.” Gilbert looked crestfallen at my refusal; he could only nod. “I know you don’t want to join the team. I’m just here to invite you to play in one match. One of our teammates was supposed to compete, but he got into a car accident, so I…” I couldn’t help but laugh. “Can’t you just find someone else from your club to fill in?” Gilbert rubbed a hand down his face in frustration. “He played a mage. He was the best in the team at spellcasting; the only one who can replace him is you.” He looked at me with such hope that I felt bad turning him down, so I agreed to go with him to the club. “I’m coming too,” Aiden said. I gave him a puzzled look. “What are you even going to do at a gaming club? You don’t play.” But Aiden wouldn’t back down. “I want to learn. Is that not allowed?” Gosh—this CEO was too much. I knew exactly what was running through his head. A gaming club would be full of men; of course, as the official boyfriend, he had to glue himself to my side so no one would try to steal me away. I sighed helplessly. “Fine. Come with us.” The three of us left together. Aiden drove, taking us straight to Flexora Club. The moment we stepped inside, two or three young werewolves swarmed over. “Boss, you’re back. And this is?” They’d been joking around, but the instant they noticed me standing beside Gilbert, their laughter vanished and they grew serious. None of them so much as looked at Aiden, like he’d vanished into thin air. “This is my cousin, Raelyn,” Gilbert introduced. One of the werewolves held out his hand to me. “You’re gorgeous. Mind if we’re friends?” Before I could lift my hand, Aiden reached past me and shook it firmly. “She doesn’t need more friends. You can be mine.” I almost burst out laughing. Instead, I explained with a straight face, “Sorry, he’s always like this. Because he gets ignored a lot, he craves attention. Just be a little warmer with him, he’ll be fine.” The werewolf’s eyes widened, then he barked a laugh. “Is that so? Big guy, you look down. Something bothering you?” As he spoke, he tried to throw an arm over Aiden’s shoulder—but Aiden seized his wrist in a vice grip. The next second, the young werewolf yelped in pain. “Hey! I was just trying to cheer you up, why are you hurting me?” Aiden’s voice was ice. “Don’t touch me.” The wolf shook out his hand, wincing. “Your friend’s personality is seriously weird. Whoever manages to be friends with him must have endless patience; and as for dating? Please. Good-looking as he is, with that temper, anyone who likes him must have a masochistic streak.” Aiden turned sharply to me, his eyes flashing. “Why didn’t you just tell them I’m your boyfriend?” His handsome face was twisted in wounded anger; his gaze turned glassy, like he was seconds from tearing up. I felt equal parts sorry and amused. He was playing the beauty card, and I was completely defeated by it. I had no choice but to clear my throat. “This is my boyfriend. And yes, I’m the one with the masochistic streak.” All three wolves froze, their mouths hanging open in shock. Gilbert cut in quickly. “Enough. Let’s head to the training room.” But the three didn’t move. Instead, they kept shooting Gilbert meaningful looks. Confused, he frowned. “What’s wrong with you? Got eye spasms?” They waved their hands frantically. One finally spoke up. “Boss, the training room’s off-limits to outsiders. Why are you bringing your cousin?” Realization dawned on Gilbert. He gave me an apologetic smile. “I forgot to introduce them. This is Wingstorm, Suzie, and Radix—Flexora Club members.” Then he turned back to them. “This is my cousin. She’ll be filling in for Ironhowl in the team battle.” “Her?” Wingstorm’s mouth twisted despite himself. “Boss, you’ve got to be kidding. Ironhowl was our mage, our core player. You can’t just hand that over like it’s nothing.”Suzie looked uneasy too. “Boss, we’re going up against Arrowstorm Club, the rising dark horse this year. If we lose, we won’t be able to show our faces in the esports circle.” Radix, however, didn’t mind. “She’s gorgeous. She won’t even need to play seriously; just smile at the other team and those guys will be so distracted we’ll win for sure.” I almost laughed out loud. What kind of ridiculous script had they cooked up in advance?