Chapter 33

The sound echoed in the trees. She froze, eyes wide for half a heartbeat, as if shocked by herself.

But Cole didn’t move.

His head just turned slightly from the impact; a slow, deliberate motion. His cheek burned; not from pain, but from the rush that followed. Something dark and twisted curled in his chest; satisfaction threading through the shock. He…liked it?

He smiled.

Not softly and not kindly either. Just a kind of smile that admitted things he shouldn’t want.

Just then, he caught sight of the guard who had made the noise they had both heard from behind them when they lay in the dirt. The man looked as white as a ghost so Cole could guess he had witnessed Aria slapping him hard after their little brawl.

Aria took the opportunity, hissing loudly and walking away from Cole. She had walked past the guard when she heard him reporting to Cole.

“Alpha,” He greeted with a respectful bow. “Beta Aren wants you back. He asked me to inform you th