Chapter 3
Liana’s POV
“Who are you?" The deep, ominous voice roused me from my reverie.
As I struggled to come up with a logical answer, my brain was spinning and my throat felt dry. "I... I..." I stammered, the words catching somewhere between my trembling lips and my cloudy head. With the exception of the gentle moonlight coming in through the window and creating unsettling shadows on the person in front of me, the room was completely dark.
A man. He had a large, dominating silhouette and an alluring, menacing demeanor. I struggled to keep my legs from wobbling, but it was in vain. My body gave out and I fell forward before I could react. I was caught mid-collapse by strong arms.
I saw a pair of cold blue eyes as I looked up; they seemed to be piercing right through my soul. My heart pounded with acknowledgment. Earlier tonight, it was the man from the crowd. His sculpted face, half-lit by the moon's glittering radiance, looked emotionless, yet his eyes blazed with passion. A tiny towel was draped low about his hips, and he had no shirt on.
“You…” His voice dropped to a whisper, his nostrils flaring as he leaned closer. “Selena? Is it really you, Selena?”
Selena? Who’s Selena? My mind spun at the name, unfamiliar yet oddly resonant. I wanted to correct him, tell him my name was Liana, but the words wouldn’t come. Before I could stop him, he pressed his face to my neck and inhaled deeply.
"You smell amazing." For a brief moment, there was something fragile about him, and his voice wavered.
You smell? Wolves frequently made remarks about fragrances, but unlike the majority of my type, I lacked a unique scent. Then I realized it was the perfume. In order to cover up the smell of the booze I had consumed, I had sprayed myself with it earlier. Could he be picking that up?
He moved remarkably gently as he brought me to the bed. His breath, tinged with the distinct scent of alcohol, ghosted over my skin as he laid me down. His angular features were mellowed by the low light, but it was hard to miss his unadulterated masculinity.
He hovered over me and I looked into his eyes. Those cold blue eyes were eerie, brimming with unsaid suffering and desire. He was attempting to forget what? What had troubled him so much that he had spent tonight drowning in alcohol?
“You abandoned me," he said, putting his lips to my ear. My body was touched by his big, rough hands, which caused feelings I couldn't describe. His eyes darkened with hunger, and my heart began to race.
I should stop this, I knew. I didn't want to risk losing my virginity in such a careless way because he was a stranger and even dangerous. But I was betrayed by my body. I felt electric shocks from his touch, and I felt an overpowering urge to give in.
His lips brushed my neck as he said, "Selena…" once more. "What made you abandon me?"
He reached for my neck's ruby necklace. Out of impulse, I took his hand. I was able to whisper, "Don't." "My mom owns it."
He kissed me tenderly after his expression relaxed for a moment. I didn't even realize I had a deep-seated need until the kiss sparked it. I forgot everything as his lips found mine, including the shame of Eric's adultery, the pain of betrayal, and the repercussions of what I was about to do.
All that mattered was this moment.
Veronica’s POV
Where on earth is Eric? I paced close to the elevator of the opulent hotel, hissing under my breath. I couldn't afford to make any blunders because my plan was failing.
I briefly experienced a pang of shame for drugging Liana. It was time to get rid of her, and now was the ideal chance. I had put a strong enough aphrodisiac in her drink to impair her judgment and make sure she wouldn't remember much by morning. A rich, lustful businessman was waiting for her in room 401, which I had enticed her to.
It was a flawless plan.
Liana would be caught in a compromising position, and Eric would finally have the excuse he needed to break up with her. With Liana out of the picture, I could step in as Eric’s official girlfriend the Alpha’s daughter and future Luna of the pack.
“Looking for me?” Eric’s voice interrupted my thoughts as he approached.
I turned to glare at him. “What took you so long?”
“I got held up,” he muttered, avoiding my gaze.
“Do you have the camera?”
He held up the small device, looking conflicted. “Veronica, are you sure about this? Liana’s done nothing wrong. This feels… cruel.”
I scoffed, shoving an invitation into his hands. “Get over it. You want to become the next Alpha, don’t you? That won’t happen if you’re stuck with a weakling like Liana. With me, you’ll have the connections and status you need. Now, stop whining and follow me.”
He hesitated but eventually nodded, his ambition overpowering his guilt.
Together, we made our way to the room. My heart raced with anticipation. Soon, Liana’s life would be in shambles, and Eric would be mine.