Chapter 45 WHEN LOVE HAPPENS
Varkos
Rage had already taken me by the throat before the words finished leaving my mouth. My wolf reared violently beneath my skin the moment my eyes locked onto Ginnie leaning weakly against the wall, her chest rising too fast, her scent laced with pain and terror.
Kenna still lay on the floor a few feet away, her claws still half-drawn, her posture rigid with surprise. For a fraction of a second— something worse than fear flickered across her face.
“I asked you a question, Kenna,” I growled, my voice thundering across the whole room, “How dare you lay your hands on her?”
Kenna stood up abruptly, straightening her spine, letting her claws retract as if she hadn’t just been seconds away from spilling blood. “Varkos—“ she began, her expression softening just enough to look like the victim. “You don’t understand—”
I took one step closer.
Ginnie flinched behind me. I felt it without turning, felt her fear ripple through the bond my wolf had refused to admit to all these years.
“She insulted me,” Kenna continued smoothly, shaking her head as if disappointed, placing a hand over her chest where the pain of my brutal force must have stung. “This…thing forgot her place. She spoke out of turn. I warned her to watch her mouth, but she wouldn’t stop—”
“Lie again,” I cut in coldly before she could finish spilling those dirty lies, “and I’ll rip your tongue out.”
Her words died instantly.
Silence slammed down between us, heavy and lethal. The only sound heard in the room now was Kenna’s heart. I could hear her heartbeat change—just slightly.
I knew Kenna too damn well.
I had known her since we were children running through the Blood Moon Pack villa together. I knew every manipulation she used, every false softness, every calculated tear.
And this?
This reeked of deceit.
“You expect me to believe a word you just said?” I said quietly, but each word was laced with venom. “That you attacked a human brutally only because she insulted you?”
Her jaw tightened.
“I am your Luna,” she snapped back, her pretentious mask cracking just enough to show her true colors, “You will not question my word for a slave’s—“
My hand shot out before she realised it, gripping her arm, my wolf strength clamping down hard enough on her arm that the bone itself cracked.
“Y…you’re hurting me, Varkos!” Kenna cried out sharply, her composure shattering as pain tore through her. She tried to pull away, but it was useless. I tightened my grip, stepping closer until my body towered over hers.
“Maybe you forgot who you’re speaking to,” my voice was a low, dangerous whisper. “And you forget whose authority rules this villa.” Her eyes flashed with fury—and something darker beneath it, but she said nothing, her teeth clenched as she struggled not to scream.
“I saw the marks on her throat,” I continued, leaning in, my wolf pressing forward, “You intentionally lost control of yourself and attacked her.” I squeezed harder.
Kenna gasped, pain finally breaking through her pride. “Varkos—stop—”
“The only reason I’m sparing your life today,” I whispered, leaning close enough that she could feel my breath against her ear. “It's only because you wear the title of my fiancée…but hear me clearly,” I continued, releasing my tight grip on her arm.
Just enough to let her understand I was choosing to pity her. “Next time you disobey my orders and even think of laying a finger on my personal slave—” My grip tightened one last time before I shoved her back with merciless force, “ I will snap you in two.”
Kenna stumbled, barely catching herself against the table as her eyes beamed with humiliation and fury, but beneath it—fear.
“Var—“
I didn’t let her finish whatever lies would come out of her mouth. I turned my back on her. She was no longer worth another second of my attention, my focus instead locked instantly on Ginnie.
She was still pressed against the wall, one hand clutching her ribs, her eyes wide and glassy with shock. Before she could react, I crossed the room in three swift motions, her breath hitched the moment my fingers closed around hers. She looked up at me, startled, something raw and unspoken flickering behind her eyes.
“Come with me,” I ordered.
I dragged her toward the door, my grip unyielding as we passed the threshold of Kenna’s room. Kenna’s presence burned at my back, her silence screaming louder than words. “This conversation isn’t finished,” I said coldly, pausing at the door just long enough to speak without turning.
“But if you value your life… You will stay away from my personal slave.” Without hesitation, I slammed the door behind us. I didn’t slow down until we were far enough away, until I was certain no one could overhear what I hadn’t yet decided how to say.
“V-Varkos—“ Ginnie struggled slightly at my grip, finally finding her voice. “You didn’t have to defend me in there, you know,” she said, her voice soft but firm.
I stopped abruptly, turning to face her. She looked small standing there, bruised all because of that sly little bitch, Kenna. And gods help me—
I wanted to tear the world apart for what had been done to her. “Are you hurt?” I demanded, my voice coming out softer than I intended.
Her lips parted. “I—”
My hand lifted, hovering just short of touching her face, my wolf snarling at the sight of the red marks blooming along her throat.
“Answer my question.”
“I’m fine,” she whispered, a slight smile twitching at the corner of her lips. I frowned, gripping her waist to bring her closer to me. “You don’t look fine. You look like you’ve just been through hell.”
Ginnie smiled faintly. “Maybe I have.”
I rolled my eyes, my tone teasing. “Well, Miss Ginnie, how about I treat your wounds? Come with me. Let’s go to my bedroom.”
Her brows lifted, amusement flickering across her face. “Is this your way of distracting me?”
“Is it working?” I shot back, a playful smile tugging at my lips.
Ginnie smiled softly, the sound low and rich. “You’re impossible, you know that right?” She whispered, but her pale face began to soften.
“And yet, you’re still madly in love with me,” I teased, my grip on her waist firmer now. “Even though you choose not to admit it,” he murmured, his voice dropping as he leaned closer.
Before she could part her lips to speak, I surprised her by scooping her into my arms. “Varkos!” Ginnie squeaked, her arms wrapping around my neck instinctively, “What are you doing? I can walk, you know!”
“Shhh…” I replied with a smirk. “You don’t have a choice when it comes to me, Ginnie.” She laughed, shaking her head as I carried her to my bedroom.