Ashlee stomped toward the room, her steps echoing down the hallway. Before she could reach it, Kyle rushed up behind her, blocking her way. Her eyes were watery, though no tears fell.

She was barely holding herself together, struggling not to break down completely.

“Ashlee, look at me!” Kyle ordered gently, cupping her face and trying to make her meet his gaze. But she didn’t lift her eyes, unwilling to let him see how deeply he’d just hurt her. He’d known the truth all along and yet chose to keep it hidden.

“What do you want, Kyle?” she muttered, her tone heavy, her throat aching from holding back her pain.

“Ashlee, it’s not what you think. There’s nothing between me and her.” He tried to explain, making a fool of himself in front of her. He knew the look she gave him wasn’t about that, yet he stuck with his explanation anyway.

Ashlee was too stunned to respond. She raised her eyes, wide with disbelief, and stepped back, resisting his touch as her tears finally spilled over.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” she muttered, gritting her teeth in frustration and astonishment. How could he be this ignorant?

“Ashlee, I... I can explain.” He stuttered, stepping closer, but she flinched, recoiling from him.

“Explain from there.” She lowered her head, murmuring as if the weight of everything was crushing her. It had been too much, every single day. Ever since he’d come into her life, it had turned upside down.

“Alright. I... I’m sorry. I never imagined she would find you and do something like that. I’m sorry for hiding it from you. I simply couldn’t tell you because I was af...” He hesitated, but before he could finish, she cut him off.

“What did you do then?” she whispered with a stern, expectant tone. She was clinging to one last hope that he wouldn’t break her heart entirely.

“Huh?” Kyle looked bewildered by her question. “I...”

“I get it. We weren’t on good terms. Why would you do anything, right? I...” she stammered, struggling to think straight. She was too exhausted to care about any of his excuses, not realizing the full extent of what he had done. She didn’t know that he had starved Heather for seven days and kept her in the coldest room he could find.

“No... Ashlee. There’s more...” he tried, but she wasn’t listening.

“I think you were right.” She stared at him, the same hurt visible in her eyes as when he’d found her injured in her house.

“I shouldn’t have let my guard down. I... I shouldn’t have trusted you. I should’ve known that no man in my life was going to be the prince charming I needed. And you know what?” She stepped closer, holding back her sobs as she thought about the pain he’d caused her by disappearing, now knowing why.

“I should have never liked you.” She poked his chest, biting her lower lip as her heart ached, her sobs choked down.

“Wait...” Kyle’s mind reeled, astonished, his wolf shrieking with joy. “You liked me?” he finally managed to breathe out.

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Ashlee turned and started to walk away, ignoring his question. She’d had enough. ‘How stupid was I to think a stranger could love me if I loved him,’ she cursed herself.

Kyle quickly caught her wrist and spun her around, pulling her into his chest. He couldn’t just call out to stop her—he needed her close. Without another word, he pressed his lips to hers.

Heather, watching from behind the wall, gritted her teeth in frustration. Things were going well for her until Kyle suddenly swooped in and kissed Ashlee as his life depended on it.

“I need to think of something better.” She tapped her heel on the floor, seething. Kyle’s affection for his mate defied Heather’s plan. Her desperation to become the Luna of the pack drove her beyond her own feelings and kindness. With a bitter look, she left as the blissful scene between the two unfolded.

Ashlee wasted no time shoving Kyle away, wiping her mouth angrily, and glaring at him. He chuckled, stepping closer playfully, feeling elated now that he knew she liked him.

“Don’t you dare!” Ashlee warned, pointing a finger at him, her swollen eyes narrowing.

“Alright, alright!” Kyle held back a laugh. “Nothing you think happened. I gave her the strictest punishment I could. I’m sorry again for hiding it from you. I won’t ever do that again. I promise.” He moved closer, his hands up in a mock defensive position.

“As if I would believe that!” she huffed, thinking he was trying to trick her.

“I’m not lying. You can ask Esyn or anyone,” he shrugged, trying to earn her trust.

“Then why is she here?” Ashlee crossed her arms, determined to know the full truth.

“She’s a member of my pack. Her name is Heather, and I promise she won’t hurt you again. Ever.” He said, standing close enough for her to feel the warmth of his presence.

“Why did she hurt me before?” Ashlee demanded, her eyes serious, silently warning him to be truthful.

“Well, you see, sometimes...” He paused, reaching out as if to hug her.

“From right there!” She ordered as if he were her servant. She alone dared to command an Alpha, and he had already spoiled her enough to know he would listen.

Kyle sighed, annoyed that she wouldn’t let him touch her. “Sometimes, some people fear someone new might come in and take their place.” He finished, watching her expectantly as if she would finally understand.

“What the hell does that mean? Speak in human language,” she scoffed, rolling her eyes, already forgetting she’d been crying moments before.

“Let’s leave the past in the past. Let’s talk about the confession you just made.” Kyle’s voice dropped to a playful whine, embarrassed but amused.

“Wha... What confession? I didn’t say anything.” She turned, stuttering, and tried to escape, but he was too fast.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Kyle stepped in front of her, smirking, slowly closing in.

“I... I don’t know,” she whispered, her cheeks flushed, blinking in adorable confusion.

“Look at me.” He held her chin, pressing her back against the wall. With one hand, he took hers and pinned them above her head, his gaze dark and intense as his lips hovered close.

“Tell me again. Confess your feelings.” His voice was low and commanding, his eyes locked on her, filling her with a powerful, undeniable pull.

“I... I like you.” She breathed the words onto his lips, mere inches away, her warm breath making him shiver with barely contained passion.

“Oh gosh!” Derion froze, shutting his eyes as he walked by, entirely unprepared for the sight in the hallway.

“Go get a room, you two!” he shouted, covering his eyes and sheepishly smiling at what he saw.

Kyle sighed, lowering his head. “Every freaking time!” he muttered, visibly frustrated as Ashlee hid behind him in embarrassment.

“I swear to Hell, Derion! That’s the third time!” he snapped, while Ashlee melted in embarrassment.

Derion looked around with amusement. “Where did Ashlee go?” he teased, ignoring Kyle’s cold stare.

Kyle glanced over his shoulder, watching as Ashlee buried her face into his back. He chuckled, thinking to himself, ‘She just keeps getting cuter.’

“She left,” he lied to Derion, who chuckled, spotting Ashlee’s shy attempt to hide.

“Sure!” He winked at Kyle. “Anyway, can you come down for training today?”

“Oh, right. I’ll come with Ashlee. It’ll be good for her to learn some self-defense.” Kyle answered, sliding a hand behind his back to grab Ashlee’s. She blushed deeply, butterflies swarming her stomach.

“Great! I’ll see you both there.” Derion winked, leaving with a smirk.

“Ugh! What am I going to do with you?” Kyle turned around and, without warning, began pinching Ashlee’s cheeks, making her look like an adorable, grumpy kitten.