Chapter 50

Serena’s POV

The world around me blurred. All I could see was Caiden—his amber eyes locked onto mine, the smirk playing on his lips, the way his body leaned ever so slightly toward me. My breath hitched. The air between us thickened, charged with something unspoken yet undeniable.

“You—” My voice came out breathless, barely a whisper.

His smirk deepened, and he reached out, his fingers brushing against my jaw as if testing the waters. A shiver ran through me. I should have pulled away, should have said something to break the moment. But I didn’t. I couldn’t.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked, my voice quieter than I intended.

His thumb skimmed along the curve of my cheek before he leaned in just a fraction closer. “Because I like how flustered you get around me.” His voice was low, teasing, but beneath it, there was something else—something raw.

I swallowed hard. “I’m not flustered.”

He chuckled, the sound deep and knowing. “No?”

His hand didn’t drop. Instead, he tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering at the base of my neck. My heart pounded so loud I was sure he could hear it.

“I don’t believe you,” he murmured.

I wanted to argue, to tell him he was wrong, but I knew I’d only be proving him right. My pulse quickened as he leaned in just enough for his breath to warm my skin.

“Caiden—”

“Tell me you don’t feel this,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Tell me you don’t feel anything when I’m this close.”

His lips were inches from mine, and my body betrayed me—leaning in, drawn to him like gravity itself. My breaths came faster, my fingers curling against my lap as I fought the overwhelming pull of the moment.

“I—”

A sharp laugh rang out nearby, snapping me back to reality. I jerked away, breaking the spell, my breath ragged. Caiden sighed and leaned back, rubbing a hand through his hair.

“You always do that,” he said, frustration lacing his tone.

“Do what?”

“Run the second you feel something real.” His jaw clenched as he sat back, his usual cocky expression fading into something more serious.

I shook my head. “I’m not running.”

“Then what are you doing, Serena?” His voice was rough, filled with something I couldn’t quite decipher. “Because every time I try to get close, you pull away.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but I had nothing to say. He was right. I was pushing him away, just like I had before.

Caiden let out a sharp exhale, standing up abruptly. “Forget it.”

“Caiden, wait—”

He didn’t. He turned and walked away, leaving me there, ice cream melting in my hand, my heart pounding in my chest. I was still trying to catch my breath when he suddenly disappeared from sight causing me to swirl in confusion.

Was he just dumping me here?

Before I could even process it, a sharp whistle sounded right behind my ear. I jumped, a startled yelp escaping my lips.

Caiden laughed, the rich sound vibrating through my chest as he stepped beside me, hands shoved in his pockets like he hadn't just scared the life out of me.

"Relax, honey," he chuckled. "Didn’t mean to spook you."

I glared at him, my heart still hammering. "You think that was funny?"

"A little," he admitted with a smug grin.

Without thinking, I grabbed what was left of my ice cream and smeared it across his face. The cold treat spread over his cheek and nose, making him freeze. Then I burst into laughter.

For a moment, he looked genuinely stunned, his tongue darting out to taste the ice cream on his lips. Then, his expression darkened playfully. "Oh, you’re dead."

I barely had time to react before he grabbed his leftover ice cream and launched it at me. The freezing sweetness hit my chest, sending a chill down my spine.

I gasped. "Caiden!"

"Payback." He winked before taking off.

Oh, it was on.

I chased after him, laughing just as hard as he was. He was fast—annoyingly fast—but I didn’t care. Some passersby glanced at us like we were a pair of unruly children, but I ignored them. Right now, nothing else mattered.

He kept jumping ahead, teasing me with that mischievous grin. "You’re too slow, honey!"

"We'll see about that!" I pushed myself harder, stretching my arm out—just a little more, just—

My foot caught on something.

I yelped as the ground rushed up to meet me. Caiden stopped instantly, spinning around with concern flashing in his eyes.

"Olivia!"

I landed hard on my hands and knees, a sharp jolt of pain shooting through my ankle. For a second, I winced, but the pain dulled almost as fast as it came.

Caiden was by my side in a blink. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, brushing my hair back. "Just a little pain, but it's gone now."

He didn’t seem convinced. "Little pain?" His eyes narrowed. "Let me check."

"Caiden, it's fine."

"Not until I check."

Before I could protest, he knelt on one knee. "Hold onto my shoulder," he ordered, his voice softer now, more coaxing. "Put your foot on mine."

I glanced around and instantly regretted it. A few onlookers had stopped to watch, whispers rippling through the air. Heat crawled up my neck.

"Caiden, people are staring," I murmured.

"Do I care?" His tone was resolute.

I huffed. "You're an Alpha, kneeling in public—"

"And you're my mate," he interrupted. "That’s all that matters to me."

I swallowed. Arguing with Caiden was as useful as shouting at the moon. Reluctantly, I placed my hand on his shoulder. The moment I did, he took my right foot and gently placed it on his knee.

The onlookers seemed not to be talking despite their mouths moving, but due to my heightened wolf hearing, I heard every word.

"Why can't they just mind their business?" I grumbled under my breath.

Caiden looked up at me sharply, his expression unreadable. I furrowed my brows.

Then, without breaking eye contact, he carefully turned my ankle. When I didn’t wince, he sighed and let go.

"I told you, I’m fine," I said, crossing my arms.

He nodded, but then his gaze dropped, and a smirk tugged at his lips. "You should clean that up before you’re mistaken for a child."

I followed his eyes and saw the ice cream stain on my shirt.

I groaned. "Ugh, great."

I reached to wipe it off, but before I could, Caiden grabbed my wrist. "Nope. Come with me."

He didn’t wait for a response—just pulled me along, weaving through the corners until we reached a small outdoor sink near a vendor.

He turned on the faucet and wet his handkerchief. Before I could grab it from him, he was already pressing it against my chest.

I froze.

His touch was firm yet gentle as he rubbed the stain, his fingers brushing over my skin through the fabric. My breath caught as his hand moved lower, tracing over my cleavage. Then, accidentally—or maybe not—his knuckles grazed my breast.

A sharp jolt of awareness shot through me.

His fingers stilled.

Our eyes locked.

My heart slammed against my ribs, my body reacting to the moment in ways I wasn’t ready for. Then, slowly, he dragged his thumb over the sensitive peak of my nipple, and my knees nearly buckled.

What the fuck?