Skyr’s POV
“What did you just say? I stepped for, the warm mineral water lapping at my a
ankles as I entered the pool,
Mayn leaned back against the smooth rocks, her red bikini deliberately drawing attention. Just commenting on the… quality of guests these days. Her eyes tickered to Lydia, who stood slightly behind me, her face mask famly in place even at the springes
‘i thought we settled this emilien,” I said, maintaining my composure despite the gomel huilding in my chest. “Looks like a public apology wasn’t enough. Do you need to receive a legal notice before you’ll stop?”
Maya’s eyes turned vicious. “Went you who forced me to post that apology? She turned to the female warrior beside her. “I’m not spreading rumors. You all show intimate she was with Alpha Adrian just now, didn’t you? Last week she was kissing Leon, and today she’s all over Adrian. What do you call a woman like that if not a shot?”
“Absolutely shameless,” agreed the taller warrior with a snert, Jumping from one Alpha to another. No dignity whatsoever.”
Another woman with copper–colored hair laughed. “Just look at her figure, not even close to Maya’s. If she wasn’t actively seducing men, why would Leon
verlook at he
“That’s why she had to leave Frostshadow, the third woman added with a smirk. “No unwanted damaged goods there either.”
Lydia stepped forward, her voice surprisingly steady despite the tension in the air. That’s enough.” She placed a protective hand on my shoulder. “Skye has shown more dignity and courage than any of you could hope to possess, Unlike some people, she doesn’t need to tear others down to feel important.”
Maya’s jaw clenched at Lydia’s intervention. “Oh look, the masked witch speaks.” Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “Mind your own business.”
The taber woman beside Maya suddenly pointed at Lydia, her eyes narrowing with recognition. “Wait, I know you. You’re Lydia, aren’t you? The witch who seduced Alpha Kodrigo and killed his Luna.”
I felt Lydia stiffen beside me. The accusation hung in the stram Elled air like poison.
“What are you talking about?” I demanded.
The woman, clearly a warrior from her muscular build, meered. “She knows exactly what I’m talking about. I’m from Ironwater Pack. We all know what sh did.”
Maya gasped with theatrical surprise, covering her mouth with her and. Oh my! So seducing men is your Dasisbon Pack’s tradition?” She glanced at her companions with mock horror, “First Alpha Rodrigo, now Adrian…”
Lydia’s shoulders curved inward, her usual confident posture crumbling under their cruel words. Through the slits in her mask, I could see her eyes darken with pain and humiliation. Her fingers trembled slightly as they clutched the edge of her swimsuit.
“Shut up.” I said, my voice dangerously low. “You know nothing about her.”
The Ironwater warrior wasn’t finished. She circled closer, like a predator sensing weakness, “I heard you got your face mutilated. That’s why you wear that mask, right? Too ugly to show yourself. No wonder you hide behind it, freak.”
Lydia took a step back, her breathing becoming uneven. Every instinct in my body screamed to protect her.
That se
senough.” I growled.
“What’s wrong, monster?” the warrior continued, emboldened by Lydia’s Fraction. “Can’t handle the truth? Everyone knows witches use dark magic to seduce men. Is that how Adrian keeps his pack together? Through your spells and potions?”
Something snapped inside me. Before I could think, I lunged forward, my hand shouting out to grab the warrior’s throat. My nails lengthened slightly, not fully shifting but enough to draw pinpricks of blend as | slammed her against the rock wall.
“You want to see a monster?” I snarled, my face inches from hers. Water splashed violently around us. “Keep talking and I’ll show you one.”
1/2
Chapter 172
grip tightened. The other hen wanion moved to intervent 1 whipped my head toweld them, tyck
Shay bärk,” I waited. All of you get out hou. Anyone who says another word, I snap her neck before you ran hlink.
Maya A. umug expirenden Talented, replaced by uncertainty. She clently had expected me to be so agressive, nor so physically
The wartor in my trip gasped for alt, her hands clawing at my wrist. I released her with a shore, watching as she stumbled back, clutching her throat. Three angry red Kars marked where my nails had dug into her skin,
Maya besitated, then motioned to her companions. “This lost oves,” she muttered as they gathered their things.
“It is for tonight,‘ 1 replied firmly..
When they finally left, the tension in my body slowly unwand, Í Imived to Lydia, who stood iuntionless, her masked face unreadable.
asked softly.
She nodded, then sank down into the water. “I should be used to it by now,” she said, her voice hollow. “The rumor follow me everywhere.“
1 settled beside her in the warm water.
guess I can’t get used to it,” I said simply.
Lydia looked at me, the gratitude in her eyes visible through the slits of her mask. Thank you for defending me. Not many would.”
“That’s what pack means,” I said simply. “We protect each other.”
We sat in comfortable silence for a while, letting the mineral–rich waters soothe our bodies.
“I need to use the bathroom,” 1 said after some time had passed. “Will you be alright alone for a minute?”
Lydia nodded. “I be fine. The place is empty now anyway.”
I wrapped a towel around myself and padded across the stone floor to the bathroom area. The change in temperature from the hot springs to the cooler bathroom made goosebumps rise on my skin. I pushed open the door, stepping into the elegantly designed space.
The bathroom was surprisingly luxurious, with marble countertops and soft lighting. I had just started toward one of the stalls when I sensed rather than heard movement behind me. Before I could turn, a strong arm wrapped around my waist, and a cloth pressed firmly against my nose and mouth.
The sweet, chemical smell invaded my senses instantly. I tried to struggle, to call out, but my limbs
is felt suddenly heavy. My mind screamed danger, but my
body wouldn’t respond.
My vision began to blur around the edges, darkness creeping in like spilled ink. I fought to stay comicious, to identify my attacker, but the chemical was 100
strong.
“Adrian…” I murmured his name
name as everything went black.
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