When Davies saw Kira's eyes glow blue as she was transforming, he immediately decided against trying to kiss her.
"I don't think we're ready for this," he said softly. "Let me drive you home." Without waiting for a reply, he turned and headed toward his car.
Kira stood still, fighting the surge of anger inside her. She clenched her fists tightly, taking several deep breaths to keep her emotions in check. Then she squeezed her eyes shut.
When she opened them again, her eyes had returned to normal. Just then, Davies pulled up beside her.
"Get in," he said simply.
Without hesitation, Kira entered the car, and Davies sped off into the night. The ride was quiet — only the cool night breeze brushing against her face.
When the car stopped in front of her house, she turned to Davies. "Thank you for tonight," she said softly.
Davies stiffened in surprise. He hadn't expected her to be grateful for the evening. Then, unexpectedly, Kira stepped out of the car and looked back at him.
"If you need my help," she said, "I'm available. I can come to your pack-house if you want me to."
That was the last thing she said before walking away without another glance. Davies watched her enter the house, a deep thought settling over him.
The pack house was buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming fighting competition. Over the past few days, everyone had mocked him—especially since the last bond-mating had taken place there, and he remained unbonded. Being without a mate had made him the subject of ridicule, the so-called "mateless wolf."
A sly smile curled on his lips as he thought about the next pack-house event. He would arrive with Kira by his side, and he was determined to make a statement.
Starting the car with a confident grin, Davies reversed and sped off.
When Kira entered the house and flicked on the lights, she wasn't surprised to see her parents sitting there. She had already heard their heartbeat when she was approaching the door.
What did make her lips twitch into a faint smile was their behavior of staying in the dark, which she couldn't quite understand.
"Mom, Dad, why haven't you gone to bed?" Kira asked curiously.
Mrs. and Mr. Samuels exchanged meaningful glances, their expressions helpless. They had intended to surprise her, but Kira wasn't easily caught off guard.
"How did your date go?" Mrs. Samuels asked softly.
Kira shrugged. "Not bad."
The parents looked at each other, trying to hold onto hope. Mr. Samuels shook his head slightly, silently acknowledging their failed plan. Kira moved over and sat down, deliberately keeping her distance from her father. Mrs. Samuels, accustomed to her daughter's aloofness, simply watched without comment.
"Did you hug?" Mrs. Samuels probed gently.
Kira shook her head. "No."
"Just a peck, then?" Mrs. Samuels continued, her voice tentative.
Kira yawned deliberately. "No."
Finally, Mrs. Samuels asked softly, "Did you kiss?"
Kira's face darkened at the mention. She remembered Davies suggesting they kiss, and the memory soured her mood. She snapped coldly, "No!"
Standing up with a chilly expression, she curtly announced, "Goodnight," and turned to head to her room.
She paused at the window, gazing out. Pascal was leaning against a tree, playing with an apple.
Kira narrowed her eyes. She didn't want to confront him. Pascal turned toward her, a sly smile on his face, and murmured softly, "Are you ovulating? That's why you wanted me in your room?"
Her eyes hardened, and her smile vanished. She snorted coldly. "If you step one foot closer, I'll cut off your cock."
Pascal quickly covered his groin with his hands, exaggerating his reaction. Kira sneered in disdain, then, ignoring the fifty-meter distance between her window and the tree, she leapt down with a fluid motion, landing right in front of him.
"You look so beautiful," Pascal said, his eyes flickering with jealousy as he arrived. The scent of Davies lingered in the air, and from the way Kira was dressed, he could already guess she had been out on a date with him.
Kira saw through his intentions immediately. A sly smile curled her lips as she retorted, "Jealous, aren't you?"
Pascal nodded, serious now. "Very jealous. I can't wait to get rid of him and have you all to myself."
Kira shrugged nonchalantly. "Why are you really here?"
Pascal fell silent, lost in thought for a moment. Then he finally spoke, his voice softer but earnest. "I came to see you. I've missed you so much, Kira."
Her eyebrows rose in surprise. Pascal continued, his tone more emotional. "Two hours without you, I couldn't breathe properly. I felt suffocated, like the whole world had abandoned me. But seeing you—everything feels better now. My whole world is complete with you in it."
Kira sneered. "Cut the crap. Just tell me why you're really here, and stop with the bullshit."
Pascal chuckled softly, then leaned against a tree, hands in his pockets, relaxed. "First, I came because I miss you terribly. Second... I saw your other mate, the kid with glasses."
At the mention of Clifford, Kira's interest piqued. She asked casually, "Where did you see him?"
Pascal's eyes narrowed dangerously. His voice turned cold. "You like him, don't you?"
Kira rolled her eyes and impatiently responded, "He's just my friend from school. I bully him a lot. So?"
Her response made a faint twitch appear at the corner of Pascal's lips, but he felt a little better. Then he sneered. "He's very fast."
Kira guessed where he was heading and yawned dramatically. "I'm tired. I'm feeling sleepy. See you tomorrow."
Turning to leave, she headed for her room. Pascal's lips curled into a smirk as he listened to her excuse. He knew she was lying—Kira could go all day without breaking a sweat. Sitting in a car or strolling casually shouldn't tire her out.
But what he really wanted to know was why she was avoiding his question. He pressed further. "Is he an alpha?"
Kira paused briefly, then glanced back at Pascal with a sneer. "Goodnight."
She was about to leap into her room through the window when Pascal added, "Or a beta?"
Kira hesitated for a moment before turning back to face him, a sharp edge in her voice. "Why don't you go ask him yourself?"
Without another word, she pulled down the curtains, went into the bathroom to wash up, changed into her pajamas, and finally lay down on her bed.
The next morning, she woke to find her mom looking unusually moody in the kitchen.
"What's wrong, Mom?" Kira asked softly.