CHAPTER FIVE : UNINVITED
1265 Words
Liliana’s POV
“Oh my God,” I whispered, turning away immediately the second his eyes met mine.
Heat rushed to my face so fast I thought I might actually faint. I covered my eyes like a child who had seen something forbidden, even though it was too late. I had already seen everything.
And he had definitely seen me.
I tried to move toward the door again, even though I already knew it wouldn’t open.
Why is this happening to me?
Why today of all days?
Why his room?
Why him half naked?
I am so done for today.
My heart was beating so loudly I was certain he could hear it. Worse — he probably could. Wolves had better hearing than humans. Of course he could.
Will he think I was spying?
Will he think I was snooping around?
Will he think I want his body?
Oh Goddess.
“Liliana?”
His voice was calm. Too calm.
“What are you doing here?”
I swallowed.
“Hmm…”
Very intelligent response, Liliana.
“I was looking for fresh air,” I rushed out. “I didn’t know I would end up in your room.”
Silence.
Then—
“Really?”
The single word rolled off his tongue slowly.
“You always come uninvited,” he added.
My eyebrows snapped together even though I was still facing the door.
“Excuse me?”
“You’re sure it wasn’t deliberate?”
Deliberate?
Maybe—
Wait. What?
“Maybe what?” he pressed.
“There is no maybe!” I snapped quickly. “It was a mistake. A stupid mistake. The door wouldn’t open.”
“Yes,” he replied evenly. “I can see you did.”
I breathed in slowly.
Thank God. He understands.
I was starting to calm down when he spoke again.
“Well,” he continued, voice smooth and dangerous, “if that’s the truth, you would have left already. But since you don’t seem eager to leave my room… what if you stay?”
My eyes widened.
“What? That’s not what I meant! It’s this stupid door!”
I grabbed the handle again and twisted it hard.
Still nothing.
“I told you,” I muttered. “It’s not opening.”
“Turn around.”
The command was quiet. Controlled.
My body froze.
“Don’t turn,” he added suddenly.
What?
How dare you, Liliana.
“I— I’m sorry,” I whispered automatically, facing the door like a criminal.
My wolf stirred restlessly inside me.
The air shifted.
He moved closer.
I could feel it.
That slow, steady presence approaching from behind.
Each step sent something strange through my body. A chill slid down my throat and into my chest. My breathing became shallow.
I had seen his chest already.
Broad.
Defined.
Marked faintly with old scars that only made him look more powerful.
I hadn’t touched him.
But somehow I could feel the heat of him.
Especially now.
He stopped directly behind me, leaving almost no space between us.
My wolf reacted instantly.
She didn’t whimper.
She didn’t retreat.
She roared.
He is strong.
He is powerful.
He is yours.
“Shut up,” I hissed under my breath.
“Did you say something?” he asked quietly.
“No.”
My wolf growled again.
He is sexy. He is dangerous. Take him. Claim him.
Shut up!
He is my ex-husband’s brother!
That is wrong on every level imaginable.
I felt his arm move past me.
His hand reached for the door handle.
Our bodies brushed.
Just slightly.
But it felt like lightning.
He twisted the handle.
The door opened instantly.
I blinked.
What?
How?
I tried that three times.
I turned around slowly this time, forgetting my own embarrassment.
“How did you— I tried— it wasn’t opening.”
His grey eyes studied me carefully.
“I can see what you’re trying to do.”
My stomach dropped.
“Trying to do what?”
“A few seconds ago, you claimed the door wouldn’t open.” His voice remained steady. “And now it opens.”
“I wasn’t lying!” I protested. “It really wasn’t opening. I swear.”
He held my gaze for a long moment.
Then he nodded once.
“Okay.”
That was it.
No accusation.
No lecture.
No punishment.
Just… okay.
I didn’t know why that made me more nervous.
“Well,” he said calmly, stepping aside and nodding toward the hallway, “I suppose I’ll have to carry you out if you can’t manage it yourself.”
His lips curved slightly.
Was that a smirk?
“Oh.”
That was all I managed before I rushed out of his room like someone was chasing me.
I didn’t stop running until I reached mine.
Once inside, I leaned against the door and pressed my hand against my chest.
What just happened?
It was almost funny.
Almost.
But my mind wouldn’t let it go.
His body.
Goddess.
I closed my eyes and immediately regretted it because the image replayed perfectly.
Broad shoulders.
Defined chest.
Water sliding down his skin.
He looked like he was sculpted for battle.
It wasn’t just that he was handsome.
He was intimidatingly attractive.
The kind of man women whispered about.
The kind of man who didn’t chase.
The kind who didn’t need to.
No wonder women wanted him.
He wasn’t just good-looking.
He radiated authority.
And control.
I groaned and flopped onto the bed.
Why am I thinking about this?
He is Taryn’s brother.
Ex-husband’s brother.
Focus, Liliana.
I grabbed my phone, trying to distract myself.
Bad idea.
A message popped up from Justin.
Justin:
Did you see the website?
My stomach tightened.
What website?
Justin:
Your marriage story is all over it. And not just basic stuff. Things I don’t even understand are being exposed. It’s going viral.
My fingers went cold.
What?
Justin:
This feels like a setup. Did your ex do this?
My heart started pounding so loudly I could hear it in my ears.
No.
No.
No.
What has Taryn done now?
My hands were shaking as I opened the link Justin sent.
The page loaded slowly, like it was enjoying my panic.
And then
My face.
My name.
Headlines.
“Infertile Luna Discarded.”
“Alpha Taryn Moves On After Years of Failure.”
Failure.
My vision blurred.
They wrote about my medical reports.
Private details.
Even twisted rumors about cheating.
I couldn’t breathe.
Did he talk to reporters?
Did he give them access to my records?
How could he?
My wolf snarled violently inside me.
Humiliation burned through my veins.
Is this my life now?
Public shame?
Wasn’t rejecting me enough?
Did he need to destroy me too?
My phone buzzed again.
Justin:
It’s spreading fast. People are picking sides. Some are defending you. But most
He didn’t finish the sentence.
Most are mocking you.
I dropped the phone onto the bed.
My chest hurt.
My head throbbed.
Is he trying to make sure I never recover?
Is this his revenge?
Or is this his way of controlling the narrative before anyone hears my side?
Tears stung my eyes, but this time they weren’t from heartbreak.
They were from anger.
Deep.
Rising.
Dangerous.
You wanted me gone, Taryn.
You got it.
But if you think I’ll sit quietly while you ruin my name
You’re wrong.
Very wrong.
Outside my window, the wind howled softly against the estate walls.
And for the first time since everything fell apart…
My wolf didn’t sound broken.
She sounded awake.
- Writer
