Chapter 161
3rd Person’s POV
0:91
Finished
The man who stepped outside the restaurant looked to be in his mid–forties, his posture straight, his expression calm despite the rising tension in front of his establishment.
He adjusted the knot of his tie before speaking, his voice firm but controlled.
“Please,” he said evenly, sweeping his gaze across the gathered wolves, “if anyone here intends to start violence, you can leave now p>
Soren smirked.
“Perfect,” she said coolly, gesturing toward Lylah and Iris. “Then those two should be the ones leaving. They don’t belong among us anyway p>
Before the manager could respond, a voice suddenly rose from the waiting line.
“Hey! Wasn’t it you who started insulting her? ”
Another woman nodded in agreement. “ Yes. I heard it too. The black–haired one accused the other lady of selling herself to some old wolf in Lunaris p>
A low murmur rippled through the crowd.
“Unbelievable,” someone muttered. “Pups these days really have poison in their mouths. ”
Soren’s lips parted in shock.
Her gaze darted around the line.
She hadn’t expected anyone to speak up. Much less defend Lylah.
Lylah had just opened her mouth to respond when she felt the manager’s attention settle on her.
His eyes lingered, studying her more closely than the others.
“Please don’t ask us to leave,” Iris blurted quickly. “We didn’t start this p>
“No, no,” the manager replied calmly.
Then he smiled. And the smile was directed squarely at Lylah.
“Ah,” he said warmly. “You two. ” He gestured toward the entrance. “You’re both welcome to have dinner inside. Please – come in, ladies p>
Lylah blinked. “What p>
Iris, however, didn’t question it at all.
Her face lit up with delight, and before Lylah could stop her, she had already grabbed Lylah’s arm and
3:36 pm
Chapter 162
marched toward the entrance.
049
Finished
“But why us?” Lylah asked the manager hesitantly as she followed. Her instincts rarely trusted kindness offered too easily. “Did someone tell you to prioritize us, sir p>
“Ah, nothing like that,” he replied smoothly. “I simply heard that you were insulted while waiting in line.” He spread his hands politely.
“So I thought… why not offer you a table to make up for the unpleasant experience p>
The explanation still felt… slightly suspicious.
But Iris was practically glowing with excitement, and Lylah decided not to press further.
If nothing else, the night had made her friend happy.
And that was enough.
Much later that evening, Lylah returned to the penthouse.
The moment she stepped inside, something felt wrong. The entire penthouse was cloaked in darkness. Usually, the soft ambient lights activated automatically the moment she entered.
Her senses sharpened instinctively.
Then the scent hit her.
Blood.
Her heart lurched violently.
“Ezra?” Panic flooded her voice as she hurried deeper inside. “Ezra, where are p>
The bedroom door opened.
And he stepped out.
The Alpha still wore his white work shirt, the sleeves rolled carelessly to his forearms, the top buttons undone.
But on his cheek-
A streak of red.
“Ezra!” Lylah rushed toward him immediately, her chest tightening. “What happened p>
The smart system was finally activated, bathing the penthouse in soft light.
And in that light, she could see clearly. He wasn’t injured. Not a single wound.
“Relax,” Ezra said gently.
2/3
3:36 pm
Chapter 162
#Finished
His hand lifted, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “I just went for a run after returning from the research center. His lips curved faintly. “And ended up hunting p>
The casual explanation didn’t calm her racing heart immediately.
“How was dinner with your friend?” Ezra asked.
Lylah swallowed, still shaken by the smell of blood.
“It went well,” she murmured. Then she looked up at him again, worry lingering in her eyes “Ezra… everything is alright, isn’t it p>
“Yes p>
He lowered his forehead to hers, his voice soft.
“Everything is perfectly alright p>
But inside-
Guilt twisted sharply in his chest.
Because he had just lied to his Luna.
The blood on his skin had not come from prey. It had belonged to another wolf.
Hunter from Victor Ross’s restaurant, the server who had dared to insult Lylah. Now that man lay deep in the forest beyond Lunaris territory–Unconscious. His arm was severed.
Only one other wolf knew the truth.
Damon.
Ezra would bury this secret as deeply as possible.
His Luna did not need to see that side of him. The darker instincts of an Alpha. The brutality he was capable of when someone dared to humiliate what belonged to him.
As long as Lylah remained happy, that was enough. She would never need to step into Victor Ross’s restaurant again.
Because Ezra had already ensured she wouldn’t.
The new restaurant she visited tonight?
He was the one who had opened it.
214
Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.