CHAPTER 80

Ariana’s POV

The pack house was buzzing with excitement as we returned. The moment Jordan stepped inside, a group of women flocked to him, eager to bask in his presence. They surrounded him like he was some kind of war hero, hanging onto his every word.

"How did you do it?" one of them gushed, eyes shining with admiration.

"You defeated those creatures alone! It was amazing!" another added, clasping her hands together as if he were some noble warrior from a fairytale.

Jordan smirked, clearly enjoying the attention. "It wasn’t easy," he said, his voice smooth, dripping with confidence. "Those creatures were tougher than anything I’ve encountered before. But when you’ve trained as much as I have, you learn how to adapt. Timing, precision, and of course, the right weapon."

A few women sighed dreamily.

"Oh, Jordan," one of them purred, trailing her fingers lightly over his arm. "You’re so brave… If there’s anything I can do to reward you for your efforts, just let me know."

I barely managed to keep my expression neutral. The display was nauseating.

I stepped forward, interrupting the ridiculous scene. "Jordan," I said evenly, watching him closely. "You mentioned that you’ve been tracking this criminal for a while. What does he look like?"

The room quieted slightly as some of the women turned their attention to me. Jordan, on the other hand, met my gaze, completely unaware that I knew the truth.

He paused for a fraction of a second—one most wouldn’t notice—but I did. Then, with an easy smile, he described his real appearance, the face he had hidden beneath his disguise.

I nodded, pulling out a small notepad and writing it down. "Good," I said. "Since I’m going to be Luna soon, I’d like to investigate as well. The pack’s safety is my priority."

He chuckled. "Oh, you don’t have to worry about that," he said smoothly. "With me around, the criminal won’t ever come close to the pack house."

The other women practically swooned at his confidence. Some giggled, whispering amongst themselves about how secure they felt with him here.

Jordan turned his attention back to me, his gaze dipping slightly, as if trying to read me. Then, with a smirk, he added, "Besides, a beautiful woman like you shouldn’t have to worry about such things. Let me handle it. You should feel safe with me here."

The women giggled again, blushing stupidly.

I didn’t.

I met his gaze, my expression blank, unimpressed. "I don’t need protecting," I said coolly.

The air shifted slightly.

Before Jordan could respond, Seline stepped in, wearing her usual sweet, composed expression. "He’s just looking out for everyone, Ariana," she said smoothly, giving a delicate smile. "There’s no harm in that, is there?"

I glanced at her, then back at Jordan. No harm? We’d see about that.

“I won’t put my life in a stranger’s hands,” I said flatly.

Jordan’s smirk didn’t waver, but I caught the way his fingers twitched at his side. He wasn’t used to being dismissed so easily.

I turned on my heel and left.

As I walked away, the murmurs behind me were impossible to miss.

"She’s so ungrateful," one of the women whispered.

"She’s always like this—so cold. No wonder she has no friends."

"Jordan was just being nice. Why does she have to act so superior all the time?"

I forced myself to keep walking, not giving them the satisfaction of seeing any reaction from me.

Let them talk.

Reaching my room, I shut the door behind me and exhaled slowly. The moment of solitude was a relief. I walked straight to my desk and pulled out everything I had gathered. Which was only the phone, which had the video.

I reached into the drawer and pulled out two flash drives—ones Elara had bought for me at my request.

Plugging the first one into my phone, I transferred the video, watching as the progress bar slowly filled. My fingers drummed against the desk. I didn’t like taking chances, and if something happened to my phone, I needed a backup.

Once the transfer was complete, I removed the first drive and tucked it into a hidden compartment beneath my desk. Out of sight. Out of reach.

The second drive, however, was for Damien.

I leaned back in my chair, gripping the flash drive tightly as my mind drifted.

Before I gave this to Damien, I needed answers—real answers. He had been keeping something from me, and I was done being left in the dark.

I exhaled sharply, tilting my head back as a single thought surfaced.

"If only Lycus were here."

The moment the thought crossed my mind, the air shifted.

A strange energy crackled around me, raising the hairs on my arms. My body tingled, as if invisible hands were reaching for me, pulling me into something beyond my control.

I tried to move, but my limbs felt heavy. My vision blurred, dark spots creeping into my sight.

Then—nothing.

Darkness swallowed me whole.

—

When I woke, warmth enveloped me. Strong, steady arms held me close, their grip firm yet protective. The scent surrounding me was intoxicatingly familiar—earthy, rich, powerful.

I knew this presence.

Slowly, I blinked my eyes open, my vision adjusting to the dim lighting. My head rested against a broad chest, the rise and fall of it steady and controlled.

I knew before I even looked up.

Lycus.

My heart pounded. I lifted my gaze, finding his striking eyes staring right back at me, intense and unreadable.

“What…?” My voice came out hoarse, confused. “What are you doing in Damien’s territory?”

His lips curled slightly, but there was no humor in it.

“You’re not in Damien’s territory,” he said, his voice deep and unwavering.

Lycus’ smirk deepened, but his eyes remained sharp, calculating. “Thinking of me?” His voice was smooth, like silk laced with steel. “I’m flattered.”

I rolled my eyes, pushing against his chest to sit up properly. “Don’t be. It’s not a compliment.”

But the moment I moved, a strange sensation crawled over my skin—like static electricity, like something had shifted in the air itself. My brows furrowed as I finally took in my surroundings.

I turned back to him slowly. “…Where am I?”

“My territory.”