Steven’s POV
Ashley’s hesitant voice broke the tense silence as we walked down the dim hospital corridor. “Thank you for doing this for me, Steven,” she said, her words barely above a whisper.
I glanced at her briefly, my expression unreadable. “I’m only doing this because I have to. We made a deal, remember?”
Her eyes darted to the floor as if searching for strength in her next words. “Still,” she murmured, “thank you.”
I stopped abruptly, turning to her. Without a word, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her into an empty room. The door closed behind us with a soft click, and before she could protest, I pressed her back against the cold wall. My arm braced above her head, caging her in. Her breath hitched, the sound sharp in the otherwise silent room.
“W-What are you doing?” she stammered, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “You said you wouldn’t touch me!”
Her wide eyes locked on mine, filled with a mix of fear and something else she couldn’t quite mask.
I leaned in closer, a smirk playing on my lips. “How dirty is your mind that it always drifts to *that*?” My voice was low, taunting.
“Then why-?”
“Shh,” I cut her off, nodding toward the slightly ajar door. “Look.”
She hesitated before leaning forward to peek through the gap. Her eyes widened in recognition, and I felt her body stiffen against mine. Outside, Maya and two hulking men moved with purpose, their heads swiveling as if searching for something-or someone.
“They’re looking for us,” I muttered, my voice barely above a growl.
Ashley clapped her hand over her mouth, but her shoulders began to shake with suppressed laughter. The sound was muffled but unmistakable.
“Will you shut up before they hear you?” I snapped, glaring at her.
“Sorry! Sorry,” she whispered, her face flushed from trying to hold back her amusement.
My scowl deepened. “What the hell is so funny?”
She tilted her head, her lips twitching as she struggled to contain her grin. “I just… I never thought I’d see the day when the mighty Alpha Steven would *hide* from a lady and her goons.”
Her words hit a nerve, and I felt my jaw clench. My voice dropped, dangerously low. “You think I’m *hiding*?”
“Well… isn’t that what this is?” she countered, the defiance in her tone undeniable.
I leaned in closer, my face inches from hers. Her breath hitched again, her confidence faltering under the intensity of my gaze. “Let me make one thing clear, Luna. If I were alone, they wouldn’t dare breathe in my direction. But since I’m saddled with a *weak mate* who would probably faint at the sight of blood, I have to be cautious. This isn’t hiding-it’s restraint. Something you wouldn’t understand.”
Her lips parted, as if to respond, but no words came. Instead, she lowered her gaze, her shoulders sagging slightly. “I guess I should be grateful then. You’re protecting me.”
A cold laugh escaped me. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not protecting *you*. I’m protecting myself. If you die, it weakens me, and I have no intention of letting anyone see me vulnerable.”
Ashley studied me, her eyes narrowing. “Of course. That’s much more your style.”
I straightened, rolling my shoulders as if to shake off the moment. “Wait here. Don’t move an inch.” I started toward the door but paused, glancing back over my shoulder. “Oh, and Ashley? Laugh at me again, and it’ll be the last time you laugh.”
Her smirk faltered, and I turned away, stepping into the hallway with purpose. The instant I was visible, the atmosphere shifted.
“There he is,” one of the men growled, his voice carrying through the corridor.
Maya’s sharp heels clicked against the tiled floor as she approached, her movements graceful yet menacing. “Finally,” she said, a cruel smile spreading across her face. “You’ve been so hard to find, Steven.”
I crossed my arms, unfazed by her approach. “Funny. I remember a time when you used to run into my arms screaming my name. Now look at you.”
Her face twisted with rage, her eyes blazing. “That was before you married a human! Before you killed my father!”
My gaze darkened, the mention of my mate stirring something primal within me. “I only married a human because of the Goddess. And if you recall, it was your idea to seek her guidance. Don’t blame me for the consequences of your own actions.”
Maya’s voice cracked as she yelled, her pain bleeding through her words. “What about my father? Did the Goddess *tell* you to rip out his heart?”
I stepped forward, my towering presence forcing her to tilt her head to meet my gaze. “Your father was the Demon Wolf. He killed my betas in cold blood. I did what any Alpha would do-I protected my pack.”
Her fists clenched at her sides, her entire body trembling with fury. “He didn’t kill your betas! He was bluffing, Steven. You killed an innocent man.”
A cold smile tugged at my lips. “Innocent? Your father was a liar and a murderer. His death was justice, and I’ll shed no tears over it.”
Maya’s anger seemed to simmer, her expression shifting to something colder. Calculated. “Fine. You killed my father, and I let it go. But last night? You destroyed my people, Steven. Ruthlessly, You massacred my pack for no reason!”
“You struck first, Maya,” I said, my tone calm yet cutting. “Your people killed mine. I simply returned the favor-on a grander scale.”
Maya’s lips curved into a chilling smile, her fury replaced by something more dangerous. “You think you’ve won, don’t you? But you’re blind, Steven. The Demon Wolf is still alive. My father wasn’t him, and neither am I.”
My eyes narrowed as I studied her. “You’re lying.”
She took a step closer, her smile widening. “Believe what you want. But I’ll tell you this-the war has already begun. And when it reaches you, it’ll be too late to stop it. I’ll make sure you pay for what you did to my father.”
Her words didn’t rattle me. Instead, I smiled-a dark, predatory grin that sent a flicker of uncertainty across her face. “If you think you can take my heart, Maya, you’d better bring an army. And even then, you’ll fail.”
Her confidence faltered for a fraction of a second before she turned sharply, her heels clicking as she walked away. Her men followed, their glances lingering on me with a mix of fear and uncertainty.
As their footsteps faded into the distance, I stood in the hallway, unmoving. Let them plot. Let them gather their forces. It wouldn’t matter. I was Steven-the Alpha who conquered everything in his path. And nothing, not even the Demon Wolf, would stand in my way.