CHAPTER 60

Lycus POV

“Welcome home, Alpha,” she purred.

I clenched my jaw, forcing down the wave of irritation that surged through me. My patience was already razor-thin, and this was the last thing I needed.

Closing my eyes briefly, I inhaled sharply. “What the hell are you doing in my room, Sasha?”

She stretched lazily, her smile never wavering. “I’ve been waiting for you.” Her voice dripped with seduction. “And is this how you treat your meal?”

My eyes snapped open, anger simmering beneath the surface. “You’re not my meal. And you sure as hell aren’t welcome here.”

Turning away from her, I stalked to the wardrobe, yanked it open, and pulled out the first shirt I could find. Without another word, I threw it at her. The fabric landed on the edge of the bed, but Sasha barely acknowledged it.

“I warned you,” I growled, my voice low and dangerous. “Never enter my room without my permission.”

Sasha rose slowly, the sheet slipping down to reveal even more of her bare skin. She made no effort to cover herself. Instead, she walked toward me with deliberate, calculated movements — the sway of her hips exaggerated with every step.

“I’ve missed you,” she murmured, her voice honeyed. “And I know you’ve missed this. Missed me.”

I stiffened as her arms slid around my waist from behind, her body pressing firmly against mine. Her fingers traced lazy patterns over my stomach, and I felt her warm breath against my back.

“Think about what we had, Lycus,” she whispered. “No one could satisfy you like I did. You know it.”

I gritted my teeth, every muscle in my body coiled. “Stop it, Sasha.”

But she didn’t.

Instead, she nuzzled against me, her hands roaming lower, testing, teasing.

“Where were you?” she asked, the question deceptively innocent. “I looked for you everywhere, but you weren’t here.”

“That’s none of your business.” My voice was sharp, cold. “And I won’t warn you again. Leave.”

Sasha ignored my words, tightening her hold on me. “Why so cold, Alpha?” Her body pressed even closer, her breasts brushing against my back. “I can make you forget whatever’s been bothering you.”

Her hand moved lower, brushing against my crotch. But the moment she did, her movements faltered. She stilled.

I didn’t have to say anything. The realization was clear. I wasn’t hard. Not even a little. Sasha’s eyes flicked up to meet mine, confusion flickering across her face. “You—”

“I told you to stop,” I growled, shoving her hands away.

She stumbled back slightly, but the shock in her expression quickly twisted into frustration.

“What happened to you, Lycus?” she hissed. “You used to crave me.”

I stepped forward, towering over her. “That was a long time ago.”

Her lips parted, but whatever she was about to say died on her tongue.

“I don’t want you, Sasha.” My voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. “And I never will.”

Sasha's face twisted in disbelief, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. Her hands roamed over her own body, as if the sight of her touching herself would somehow stir a reaction in me. But it didn’t.

Not even a flicker of desire. I made sure not to think of Ariana right now.

"That's impossible," she whispered. "You always wanted me, Lycus. Always."

I shook my head, disgust flashing through me. "That was a long time ago, Sandra. And even then, I never wanted you the way you think I did."

She refused to back down. Her hands continued their slow, deliberate movements, trying to tempt me, but it was pathetic. I stood there, unmoved.

"You still haven't changed," I said coldly.

Her eyes snapped up to mine, narrowed and defiant. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

I scoffed. "You're still the same slut I knew years back."

Her mouth fell open, indignation flashing across her face. "Why are you still punishing me for one mistake?!"

I stepped closer, my voice low and dangerous. "One mistake?" I sneered. "You call it a mistake to spread your legs for over ten men in the same hour?"

Sasha flinched, but her jaw tightened. "I was drugged, Lycus! I didn’t know what I was doing. If you want to blame someone, blame whoever did that to me."

My stomach twisted, but I didn’t let her words sway me. I knew exactly what she was trying to do. She wanted to play the victim — to twist the past and paint herself as innocent.

But I wasn’t that naïve anymore.

"If that’s the case,” I growled, “then explain why you did it again — in my room — with those same men.”

Her face paled, but she quickly masked it with false confidence. "I told you, Lycus. It was a mistake."

"No," I spat. "It wasn’t. You knew exactly what you were doing. And you enjoyed it."

Sasha’s lips parted, searching for a response, but I didn’t give her the chance.

"You mocked me," I continued, my voice dripping with venom. "Do you remember what you said to me? Because I do."

Her gaze dropped, but I stepped closer, forcing her to meet my eyes.

"You said you'd rather be satisfied by ten men since I couldn’t satisfy you."

Her breathing quickened, but I kept going.

"And that’s not even the worst of it," I added. "But I won’t bother reminding you. You already know."

"Because you didn't satisfy me," Sandra snapped, her voice shaking. "If you had, I wouldn’t have needed anyone else!"

I stared at her, the rawness of her words washing over me. But there was no pain this time — no lingering doubt. I don’t have feelings for her anymore, so what she said doesn’t move me.

"You disgust me," I said simply. "And the fact that you still think I’d ever want you again? That’s pathetic."

Sandra's eyes burned with fury, but I didn’t care. She could throw all the blame she wanted, but I wasn’t that broken man she had once humiliated.

Not anymore.

"Get dressed," I growled. "And get out of my room. Now."

Sandra didn’t move. She didn’t even bother covering herself, standing there with defiance radiating from her bare form. Her lips curled into a sneer, but I could see the flicker of frustration beneath the surface.

“You’ll regret this,” she spat, her voice laced with venom. “And when you do, you’ll be the one coming to beg me.”

I scoffed, barely concealing the disgust that twisted in my gut. “Stop being delusional, Sandra. I’d rather rot than crawl back to you.”

Her nostrils flared, but I had already turned away. I pulled open the door, the creak of the hinges echoing through the tense silence. She lingered for a moment, as if expecting me to change my mind.

But I didn’t.

“Get out,” I said coldly, not even sparing her a glance.

With a huff, she stormed past me, her bare feet slapping against the floor. I didn’t watch her go. The door slammed shut behind her, but the weight of her presence still lingered.

I locked it immediately, my jaw tightening.

The thought of Sasha touching anything in my room made my skin crawl. The sheets, the air — even the walls felt tainted. I could still smell the perfume she drenched herself in, a cloying scent I wanted gone.

There was no way in hell I was sleeping here.

I made a mental note to change the locks. I wasn’t about to give her another opportunity to sneak in like that again.

——

I was in the dining room with Knox. Plates of eggs, bacon, and freshly baked bread were spread between us, but the food was the last thing on my mind.

I gripped the edge of the table, barely suppressing my irritation. “Enough games, Knox. I need to know the information. Now.”

Knox arched a brow, leaning back in his chair with an annoyingly smug expression. “Good morning to you too, Alpha.”

I shot him a glare. “Don’t test me.”

He smirked, casually slicing into his eggs. “I will, but only because it’s fun.” He paused for a moment, then added, “But first, I have a question.”

I clenched my jaw. “What?”

Knox’s grin widened. “Why the hell did you crash in my room last night?”

I didn’t respond immediately, stabbing at the food on my plate just to keep my hands busy. I had no intention of explaining Sandra’s pathetic attempt to seduce me. That wasn’t something I cared to relive.

“It doesn’t matter,” I muttered. “Just give me the information.”

Knox, of course, didn’t let it drop. “It does matter when my Alpha barges into my room in the middle of the night, looking like he just walked out of a warzone.” He tilted his head. “What happened? Your bed wasn’t comfortable enough?”

I shot him a warning glare. “Knox.”

He chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. “Fine, fine. But you owe me a damn explanation later.”

“We’ll see.”

Satisfied with that, Knox finally leaned forward, his tone shifting. “We have a lead.”

That caught my full attention.

“Go on.”

Knox’s smirk faded, replaced by a more serious expression. He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice as if the walls themselves could listen.

“That James is a suspect”

“Damien’s beta?”

“Yes.”