Bluebell Restaurant was a place that didn’t live up to Aiden’s tastes; he’d never cared for raw or cold dishes. I spoke up at once. “Let’s go somewhere else.” “Let’s just eat here,” Aiden said flatly. I looked at him in surprise. He turned his face away, still refusing to meet my eyes. Geraldine, triumphant, slipped her arm through his. “Back in college, Aiden and I used to eat here all the time. He loved their food.” Aiden’s brow furrowed; he pulled his arm out of her grip. Still, I followed them into Bluebell Restaurant. The three of us took our seats. Geraldine shamelessly pressed herself right next to Aiden, sitting side by side with him, while I sat alone across from them. In that moment, I was nothing more than the awkward third wheel. Geraldine ordered for Aiden, then turned toward me with a fake smile. “Raelyn, what do you like to eat?” Before I could answer, Aiden cut in. “She likes fresh fish and fried food.” Geraldine’s smile faltered instantly. Aiden fell silent after that. The air grew heavy, and the meal became unbearable. Aside from Geraldine trying to serve Aiden, nothing more was said. Once or twice, I lifted my head and caught Aiden’s burning gaze fixed on me—only for it to vanish just as quickly. That fleeting look only solidified my conviction, Aiden was hiding something from me. When the meal ended, I didn’t leave with them. Geraldine, smug at having gotten her way, clung to Aiden’s arm and swept past me, beaming. I watched them with a cold expression; I couldn’t even name what I felt inside.Then my phone rang, it was Tammy. “Raelyn, where are you right now?” Her end of the line was chaotic; I could hear thuds, shouting, even crashing noises. Alarm prickled through me. “What’s happening?” Tammy broke into sobs. “Raelyn, I’m at Adrian’s villa! My cousin—he found me somehow! Adrian’s not home, and he’s been slamming at the door nonstop!” Even over the phone, I could hear the furious pounding on the door. “Send me the address. I’m coming right now.” A moment later, Tammy shared her location. I hailed a cab and rushed over. When I arrived, a group of werewolves were throwing themselves at the door like madmen—and leading them was none other than Brandon. The cab driver, pale at the sight, stammered, “Miss, maybe I should call the police?” I let out a cold laugh. “No need. I’ll handle this.” I stepped out and watched Brandon battering the door with whatever junk he could grab. My lips curled into a smirk. “Brandon, what’s this—playing percussion now?” He froze, panting, and when he turned to see me, his eyes widened. “Raelyn? Why are you here? You should be in Capital City!” I sneered. “Impressive. You’ve got the guts to make a scene on Eclipse Pack’s turf?” He stiffened his neck and barked back, “So what? I’m taking Tammy out here today, no matter what!” I stepped forward and seized his wrist in a crushing grip. “Then maybe you’d like to explain why you’re looking for Tammy?” “She’s my cousin—of course, I have every right to see her! You, on the other hand, have no relation to her. Why are you butting in?” “Oh, you’ve really lost it.” I slapped him hard across the face. The crack echoed; the werewolves around us froze. Clutching his cheek, Brandon raised a hand as if to strike back—but my glare cut him down. I let a trace of power seep out, and he flinched, shrinking back without daring to move. Still unwilling to lose face, he gritted his teeth and roared, “She hit me! Get her!” A handful of reckless lackeys lunged toward me. I dispatched them in a flurry—three punches, two kicks, and they were all sprawled on the ground. I planted a boot on one of their chests and shouted, “Who else dares? This is what happens to anyone who tries!” Brandon had only brought low-level thugs; none of them had ever witnessed anything like this. Terrified, they didn’t dare take another step forward. From the second-floor balcony, Tammy leaned out, voice trembling as she called down, “Raelyn, stop! Brandon’s insane, I already called the police! They’ll be here any minute!”