Maybe it was because of my bad first impression of Vito, but the mont I heard the na Blackwell again, my guard went up.
In our world, nas carry weight. Bloodlines matter. Packs rember history even when people pretend to forget. So even though Yael looked friendly and open, my instincts refused to relax. I had seen too many sweet smiles hide sharp teeth.
The most dangerous enemies are the ones who look harmless.
When Yael set down in the infirmary, a strange warmth spread low in my body. At first, I thought it was leftover pain from earlier. Then I felt it more clearly.
Oh.
My cycle.
Lewis had been planning to bring in a holistic healer from the northern pack to check on my health. My body had been unstable since the ritual that almost tore my spirit from . But before any examination could happen, my cycle started on its own.
And it was worse than usual.
Because of my weak condition, my body never followed a steady rhythm. When it ca, it ca with sharp cramps that felt like sothing clawing inside .
The doctor asked a few questions. I answered honestly. He gave painkillers and said, "It’s normal. Avoid cold drinks. Rest."
Normal.
If only he knew how different a Luna’s body could be.
When Yael finally understood what was happening, his ears turned red. He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Sorry. I thought it was sothing serious."
I almost laughed.
I hadn’t expected it today, so I didn’t bring anything with . Calling my guards would take too long, and I couldn’t risk staining my clothes. With no other choice, I asked Yael for help.
He didn’t hesitate.
Class monitors in a human school were like junior betas—responsible, dependable, used to helping others. True to that role, Yael returned within minutes with a small black bag. His face was still slightly flushed when he handed it to .
I studied him for a second. If he was really Vito’s brother, they were nothing alike on the surface.
"Riley, why are you looking at like that?" he asked. "Is there sothing on my face?"
"Nothing," I replied, taking the bag. "Thank you."
Inside the restroom, while I cleaned up, my thoughts drifted to Whitney. I had seen her leave earlier with Vito. Sothing about her always felt off. Not weak. Not foolish. Just... trapped.
There was a power imbalance between them. I could sense it the sa way I sensed tension between rival packs.
If Yael truly belonged to the Blackwells, maybe he knew sothing about her situation. But first, I needed to figure out if his kindness was real—or strategy.
Vito had been close to Jake. And Jake’s death still carried questions.
I couldn’t ignore that connection.
Even after taking the painkillers, I couldn’t attend classes. The cramps were too strong. I requested leave, and my lecturer agreed without hesitation. Alec must have already smoothed things over.
Money, influence, pack power—they all open doors quietly.
I called the driver to take ho. The pain was duller now but still heavy, like a weight pressing against my lower abdon.
When I stepped outside, I saw Yael waiting near the gate.
"Yael? Why are you still here?"
He held out a thermos. "Lemon tea. It helps with cramps," he said with an easy smile.
I narrowed my eyes slightly. "How did you get this so fast?"
"I asked so girls in class. Everyone’s helpful here. By the way, have you joined our group chat? I can add you."
I handed him my phone and let him add to several chats. I watched him carefully the whole ti. His movents were relaxed. No hesitation. No strange scent of fear or deception.
Still, I stayed alert.
"Thanks, Yael," I said. "I’ve already asked for leave. I’m going ho."
"Rest well," he replied. "If anything important cos up, I’ll tell you. Want to call a taxi?"
"My driver is coming."
Once I got into the car, I passed the thermos to the driver. "Check this first. Make sure there’s nothing unusual."
"Yes, Mrs. Hale."
Trust is earned. Not given.
By the ti I reached ho, the dicine had finally started working. The pain was lighter, but I felt drained.
The mont I stepped inside, Snowflake jumped at . I nearly flinched out of instinct.
"Not now," I muttered softly, setting her down. "I’m not feeling well."
She tilted her head, then gently nudged my leg as if she understood. Animals are sensitive to energy. They always know.
I collapsed onto the couch and almost drifted off before I heard the door open again.
Lewis ca ho earlier than usual.
I blinked at him lazily. "You’re back."
He walked straight to , his presence filling the room. Even exhausted, my body responded to him. The bond between us humd low and steady.
"How was your first day?" he asked, sitting beside .
"I didn’t survive the whole day," I sighed. "I ca ho early."
"The pain?"
"A little better after a nap. Not gone."
"I’ll massage it," he said imdiately.
His hands moved gently over my lower abdon, warm and steady. The tension in my body slowly eased. When Lewis touched , it wasn’t just physical. It was grounding. Our bond cald the storm inside .
After a while, he spoke again. "Why did you have the lemon tea tested?"
I turned my head toward him. "I t soone. I think he’s Vito’s brother."
His expression remained neutral, but I felt the subtle shift in the air. A silent Alpha reaction.
"Why are you so focused on the Blackwells?" he asked calmly. "I already looked into them. Nothing unusual."
"Maybe it’s just my first impression of Vito," I admitted. "And he was close to Jake."
I didn’t ntion what I had seen that day outside the funeral ho. The way Vito handled Whitney. The way she looked at the ground instead of at him.
As a woman—and as Luna—I could sense when soone had lost their freedom.
"What are you thinking?" Lewis asked softly.
"Nothing important," I said quickly.
"If it bothers you, I’ll dig deeper."
"Okay."
My phone buzzed.
A ssage from Yael.
"Riley, are you feeling better?"
I replied politely. "Much better. Thank you."
Curious, I opened his profile. His posts looked normal—campus events, basketball gas, food pictures. Nothing about family. Nothing about pack ties.
Careful.
Either he was genuinely simple.
Or he was very good at hiding things.
I looked at Lewis. "Did you find anything new?"
"Yes," he said, glancing at his laptop. "He’s Vito’s younger brother. But they grew up differently. Yael is originally from Snowville."
"That explains so differences," I murmured.
"He’s accomplished," Lewis continued. "Outstanding student. Skilled in music. So agencies even wanted to sign him."
I thought back to his easy smile. His confidence. The way he carried himself.
"He does stand out," I said casually. "Tall. Good-looking. Active. He has presence."
The temperature in the room shifted instantly.
Lewis’s hands stopped moving.
His gaze darkened, sothing primal flashing beneath the calm surface.
"How attractive is he?" he asked quietly. "Am I too serious for you? Or do you prefer younger n like him?"
His voice was controlled.
But the dominance beneath it was unmistakable.
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