Thora's POV: I knew how to swim and dive, so I fell into the pool without hesitation. The pool wasn't shallow—probably around 10 to 12 feet deep. I let my body weight pull me down, and only after I caught a glimpse of Hazel being hauled ashore by Caleb did I smoothly flip myself around to surface. I'd barely made two strokes when a large hand suddenly clamped down on my shoulder. Reflexively, I reached back to push it away, but that hand felt like it was welded to my bone. Not only did it not let go, it pressed down even harder. This strength was clearly meant to completely restrain me.I narrowed my eyes dangerously and swung my arm back in a fierce counterattack, sending up violent splashes, but the person easily dodged. He was so fast! I'd just turned to adjust my position when a powerful arm wrapped around my waist, and with a slight exertion of force, my entire body crashed uncontrollably into his warm embrace. Both my shoulder and waist were firmly locked in place, his domineering, overwhelming strength making it impossible for me to move. I frowned and looked up, meeting a pair of smiling, charming eyes. Darius! It was him again! I couldn't help but grind my teeth. This man was practically my nemesis in this world. Every time we met, he had me completely pinned! If looks could kill, he'd be dead a thousand times over. But this shameless guy acted like he couldn't see the fury in my eyes, his lips curved into an amused smile. Before I could make my next move, he leaned in and lunged forward. His weight sent us both sinking instantly toward the bottom. As we hit the bottom of the pool, he raised one hand to protect the back of my head while his other hand tightened around my waist. As his handsome face loomed closer, his lips, carrying the coolness of the water, pressed against mine without warning. The moment our lips and teeth touched, my eyes flew open in shock. My brain buzzed, briefly losing all ability to think.By the time I came to my senses, he was actually trying to pry my lips open to deepen the kiss. A surge of rage shot up from my chest. This damned guy actually dared to force a kiss on me! I raised my hand and shoved him hard. He pulled back with the momentum but wore an expression of regret, like he hadn't kissed me enough, which only made me angrier. Drawing on my ability, I bent my knee and kicked toward his abdomen, following with my elbow jabbing at his ribs, every strike aimed at his weak spots. But as if he'd predicted my moves, he dodged left and right, always blocking lightly with just his arms. Even when my fingertips grazed his arm, he only chuckled softly, his eyes carrying a hint of indulgent affection, completely dismissing my attacks.Meeting his gaze that seemed to ask if I was done playing yet, my desire to become stronger instantly peaked. We faced off silently in the water for a few seconds. Finally, I glared at him, stopped wasting my energy, kicked off hard, and swam rapidly toward the surface. Just as my fingertips were about to touch the light at the surface, my ankle was suddenly grabbed and I was yanked down, then a powerful arm circled my waist and lifted me straight out of the water. The moment water splashed everywhere, every eye in the banquet hall turned toward us. I raised my elbow to push him away, but the moment I moved, I was pinned down. "I saved you, and you want to bite the hand that feeds you?" he said quietly, leaning close. "What an ungrateful girl." "Did I ask you to save me?" I coldly broke free from his embrace and landed steadily on the carpet. "Stay out of it!" I refused to believe that with his sharp eyes, he couldn't tell I knew how to swim. He insisted on playing out this whole knight in shining armor routine. Who knew what he was scheming now? His gaze swept over my legs, and he suddenly said, "Why are you so heavy? You look thin, but you're at least 20 or 30 pounds heavier than you look." I gave him a cold glance and didn't respond. Of course. With 20-pound sandbags strapped to my legs, how could I not be heavy? "Alpha." At that moment, his Beta, Carl, hurried over and handed him a black jacket. Darius took it but didn't put it on himself. Instead, he reached out to drape it over me. I didn't refuse.I was soaking wet, and the jacket could ward off the chill. There was no point fighting over something practical. I pulled the jacket tighter around me and looked at him in confusion. What the hell did this man want? He'd forced a kiss on me, yet showed no malice toward me. Even when I attacked with all my might, he only smiled and dodged, never saying a harsh word. With his status, if an ordinary person dared to provoke him like this, they'd probably be crushed in seconds or thrown into werewolf prison to rot forever. But with me, he acted like he was indulging a child throwing a tantrum, deliberately saving me and giving me his jacket in front of everyone ... I really couldn't figure him out anymore.