Davies stepped out of the car, his expression tense. As he did, Pascal's lips curled into a sly smile. He approached him slowly, each step deliberate, and said, "Rash, hotheaded, and narrow-minded—you're just a kid who hasn't learned anything. I need to teach you a lesson."
Davies sneered, eyes narrowing. "You're already old, Kira's still in college. And you're out here fighting a girl young enough to be your daughter. You've got no shame."
Pascal chuckled softly at the remark and then ridiculed him. "Even if you're terrible at math, I'm thirty years old. Kira's just right for me."
Davies's face darkened, his glare intensifying. He took a step closer, growling, "She's meant for me."
Pascal laughed again, a mocking tone in his voice. "Stubborn," he said simply before swiftly kicking at Davies.
Davies reacted quickly, dodging the attack with agility. The two clashed, exchanging blows in a flurry of movement. Pascal reached out, grabbing Davies's arm, but Davies shrugged him off and jabbed him in the back. Pascal responded with a punch to Davies's face, causing him to stagger backward.
"Not bad, kid," Pascal said with a smirk. "You're learning well—better than the pussy I fought last time."
Davies sneered. "I was at my weakest then."
Pascal's eyes flashed with intensity as he retorted, "You're just a weak wolf."
Without warning, he seized Davies and flung him toward a nearby tree. Davies crashed into it, snapping the trunk. Pascal closed the distance in a split second, clenched his fist, and delivered a square punch to Davies's face.
Davies's nostrils dripped blood, and he staggered back.
Suddenly, a commanding voice cut through the chaos. Both men froze and turned their heads toward the source of the voice.
Emerging from the shadows was a massive, dark figure—a wolf, towering and formidable. Its sleek black fur shimmered in the dim light, and piercing crimson eyes glowed with an intense, predatory gaze, the presence overwhelming.
Pascal stared at the wolf with wide eyes, muttering in disbelief, "An alpha..."
Kira sat uneasily as her mother kept talking, despite having nothing to say. She remained where she was, her silence rendering her speechless. Checking the time, she realized thirty minutes had already passed—there was no way she could run up to Davies and confront him now.
"Mom, you've already achieved your aim," Kira complained in frustration. "There's no need to pretend you don't miss Dad or that you want to spend 'quality time' with me."
Mrs. Samuels pretended to be oblivious. "That's not true, dear. I've missed you very much. That's why I took the time to be with you. Your dad probably misses me too. I'll come back later to check on you."
Kira watched in exasperation as her mother stood up and headed toward the door. Just as she reached it, she paused, then turned back to Kira with a smile. "Kira, he'll be here soon. You should get ready for your date tonight. It's your first one—make it memorable for both of you."
Kira remained silent, eager for her mother to leave. She exhaled in relief as Mrs. Samuels opened the door and stepped out.
Slumping onto her bed, Kira closed her eyes, a mixture of annoyance and disappointment creasing her face.
Suddenly, a whisper echoed in her mind: "I'm here to see you, Kira." She immediately recognized the voice—Pascal's—despite it being faint.
She moved to her window, her face filled with impatience and frustration. She didn't see Pascal standing at the tree where he usually leaned when he came to visit her.
"I met an Alpha today," he said softly, almost teasing. That was all Kira needed to hear before she leapt out of the window, already stepping into the woods, face-to-face with Pascal.
"So fast," Pascal said with a grin, cheekily. "Did you miss me that much?"
Kira snapped at him. "What's the reason you brought me here? I'm not in the mood for your nonsense."
Pascal hesitated, realizing it wasn't the time for teasing. He finally revealed the purpose of his visit. "I ran into an Alpha while I was dealing with that weakling claiming to be your mate."
Kira furrowed her brows, confused. "What does that have to do with me?"
"You know a pack house nearby," Pascal said, voice lowering. "I want to check it out."
She rolled her eyes impatiently. "Next time, don't disturb me. If you've got nothing important to do, find a new job—or just drink more wine."
She turned to walk away, but paused when Pascal added, "I nearly killed the guy. His ass was saved by that Alpha—but he doesn't belong to his pack. I think that Alpha's connected to you."
Kira shot him a side-glance, a sly smile curling on her lips. "I know who the Alpha is."
Without waiting for a response, she began to walk off again. But Pascal called after her, voice tinged with curiosity. "Who is he to you?"
A mischievous smirk spread across Kira's face as she teased, "Are you afraid?"
Pascal chuckled. "Fear's for kids."
Kira offered him a rare, dazzling smile before running off.
The moment Kira lay on her bed, her mother pushed open the door. Mrs. Samuels' eyes widened as she took in her daughter, who was supposed to be ready for her date that evening but clearly wasn't.
"Kira!" she gasped, voice tinged with surprise.
Kira looked up, confused by her mother's reaction. She had completely forgotten about the date. Seeing her daughter's puzzled expression, Mrs. Samuels hesitated for a moment, then sighed in exasperation. "You have a date with your boyfriend tonight. Why aren't you dressed?"
When Kira heard her mother mention Davies as her boyfriend, she clutched the bedsheet tightly, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Anger simmered beneath her calm exterior.
"Get up, go into the bathroom, and take a quick shower. I'll make other arrangements for you," Mrs. Samuels said firmly, pulling Kira upright and guiding her toward the bathroom.
An hour later, Davies' car pulled up outside. He stepped out, dressed sharply in a suit, a broad smile on his face. He knocked on the door, and Mr. Samuels opened it.
"Come on in. My daughter will be out soon," Mr. Samuels said welcomingly.
Davies nodded politely and took a seat. He waited patiently, and when he finally looked up, his breath caught. There was Kira—her heels clicking on the floor, her hair perfectly styled, eyebrows carefully outlined, lips adorned with a touch of lipstick. He was utterly mesmerized.
As he gazed at her, he muttered softly, "You're so beautiful. You'd be even prettier if you smiled a little."