Chapter 179
Chapter 179:
I sat in a corner booth, staring at an untouched bagel tower. Across from me, Blake Davenport took a slow sip of her iced coffee. Since turning her back on Jase, Blake had become a surprising ally, but today her perfume was spiked with the sharp scent of eager gossip.
“You know, Adelina,” Blake leaned in, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “You don’t have to pretend with me. It’s the worst-kept secret in Pack high society p>
I frowned, my dormant wild rose scent flaring with confusion. “What is p>
“Kain and Fletcher,” Blake said, her eyes wide with absolute certainty. “My stylist’s mate catered a private Alpha party in the Hamptons last summer. He saw them on the beach under the moonlight… you know. They are completely devoted to each other. It’s not a secret in our circles p>
The bustling restaurant seemed to plunge underwater. A cold, hollow ache opened in my chest, swallowing the last fragile remnants of my hope. It was true. The rumors, the constant companionship, the way Kain kept me at arm’s length — it all made perfect, devastating sense.
“I know,” I lied, forcing a tight, understanding smile. “It’s an arrangement. We support each other p>
“You’re so brave,” Blake sighed, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand.
I needed to show Kain that I understood my place. He had destroyed Parrish Holdings to protect me; the least I could do was be a supportive contract wife.
W𝘦ek𝗹𝘺 𝗿е𝗅𝘦𝗮ѕe𝘀 o𝘯
“I want to get them a gift,” I murmured, pulling Kain’s limitless Centurion black card from my purse. “A thank you for everything. Something they can enjoy together p>
Blake’s eyes lit up. “Oh! Get them VIP seats to The Blood Ring. It’s that exclusive underground fighting circuit. Alphas go crazy for that brutal, primal stuff. It’s the perfect date night p>
I hated violence. The thought of blood and broken bones made my stomach churn. But this wasn’t for me. With a hollow sense of finality, I logged into the exclusive concierge portal and purchased two VIP tickets. $25,000.00. A small price to pay to show my husband I accepted his true heart.
Kain POV
The Apex Office at Blackstone Tower was dead silent. I sat behind my massive obsidian desk, reviewing the European Pack Council agenda, while Fletcher stood by the door.
My encrypted phone chimed.
I glanced at the screen. A $25,000.00 charge on the black card. The merchant name made my blood stop cold: The Blood Ring — VIP Access.
I stared at the notification. Adelina despised violence. She flinched at raised voices and hid from the brutal realities of our world. Why would she buy two tickets to the most savage underground fighting pit on the continent?
There was only one explanation.
She was trying to bridge the gap. She was forcing herself to step into my world — to embrace the violent, Lycan nature she had been so terrified of. She was asking me out.
A blinding, molten gold consumed my vision. My Lycan clawed at my ribs, roaring with a deafening, euphoric triumph.
She wants to see our strength! She is claiming us! my beast howled, pacing wildly in my mind.
I stood so fast my heavy leather chair scraped violently against the floor.