Reborn and Engaged To My Ex's Alpha Rival

Chapter 4

Polly’s POV

My fingers trembled as I pushed the door to the Draven locker room open just enough to slip inside. The moment it clicked shut behind me, a cold wave hit me.

The air inside was thick and heavy with the scent of fresh sweat, icy gel, leather pads, and something darker…pure, unfiltered Alpha power. The locker room was spacious, with long benches, rows of tall metal lockers, and the faint hum of ventilation. Draven Pack colors, black and silver, dominated everything. It felt colder and more dangerous here, nothing like Noah's own.

I moved quickly, my body making me feel far too visible as I squeezed into the narrow space behind the last row of lockers in the far corner. My back pressed against the cold metal. My thick dark curls stuck to my neck from nervous sweat. My warm brown skin felt flushed and clammy.

If they catch me before I can speak to Kieran, I’m finished. They’ll assume I’m a spy and hand me back to Noah in pieces.

I crouched down awkwardly, my thighs burning from the position, and forced myself to breathe slowly. My heart was already acting up, the irregular flutters in my chest that made me dizzy. It has been getting worse these days. I placed a hand over it, trying to calm it.

You died once already, Polly. Remember the poison. Remember the cold floor. Remember Noah’s face as he walked away. You have nothing left to lose. Not even your life.

Minutes passed in tense silence.

Then the main doors burst open with loud, aggressive energy.

The Draven players flooded in, still pumped up from the game despite their loss.

“Those Hale bastards cheated again!” one snarled, slamming his gear bag onto the bench. “Noah plays like a f*****g coward when the refs are watching.”

Laughter and curses filled the room as they started stripping without hesitation. Jerseys and pads hit the floor. I caught unwanted glimpses of broad, muscular chests, scarred backs, and powerful arms through the small gap between the lockers. Towels were quickly wrapped around waists as some headed straight for the showers.

My cheeks burned with intense embarrassment. I turned my face away, staring at the plain wall instead.

Don’t look. This is not the time to be shy or distracted.

But the sounds were impossible to ignore, zippers, clothes dropping, deep male voices joking crudely about the game and about Noah. These men were werewolves. Dangerous. Loyal to their Alpha. Any one of them discovering a woman from the rival Hale Pack hiding here would end everything before it began.

My legs started cramping badly. My back ached. Sweat trickled down my spine. I stayed completely still, barely breathing, as players showered, changed, and gradually left one by one.

According to what I'd heard, Kieran was always the last to shower because he liked reviewing their game afterwards. But waiting felt endless.

Some lingered longer, talking about strategy and next week’s match. Every footstep near my hiding spot made my stomach twist into knots. I kept replaying the memories from my past life, the cell, the hunger, the poison, Noah’s cruel words. It gave me the strength to stay hidden.

Finally, the voices faded. Lockers slammed less often. The sound of running water stopped. One by one, they left until only silence remained.

I waited another long five minutes, counting every second, before daring to move. My knees protested painfully as I stood up. I smoothed my dress, pushed my messy curls back from my face, and stepped out from behind the lockers on shaky legs.

The main area was empty.

Relief washed over me for half a second.

Then suddenly the private shower door at the far end opened.

Kieran Draven stepped out.

He wore nothing but a white towel wrapped dangerously low on his hips. Water droplets glistened as they slid down his broad shoulders, defined chest, and sculpted abs. His long dark hair was wet and loose, falling past his shoulders. The large, intricate tattoo that started from the side of his neck and flowed down across his left chest and shoulder looked even more striking up close; dark, fierce lines forming a powerful wolf merged with ancient runes that seemed to pulse with menace.

My mouth dropped open before I could stop it. I couldn’t help but stare at the tattoo, at the way the water traced every hard muscle, going down till it got lost somewhere down his towel.

I'd never more wished I was a droplet until that very moment. He had an overwhelming, raw aura radiating from his body, but instead of pushing me away, the aura just seemed to draw me in more.

He was just that magnificent. And terrifying.

Kieran froze the moment he saw me. His cold grey eyes sharpened instantly, turning lethal in a heartbeat. His powerful body tensed like a predator ready to attack.

“You have three seconds to explain why the hell Noah Hale’s woman is standing in my locker room,” he warned, his voice low and icy, “before I snap your neck.”

His cold words made me reluctantly drag my eyes away from his chest and up to his face. His expression was stone cold, pure suspicion mixed with dangerous warning. No surprise or confusion. Just the look of a man who could kill me without blinking.

I mean it probably wasn't every day your rival’s girlfriend sneaks into your locker room just to ogle your body.

The ridiculous thought snapped me out of my daze. Heat rushed to my face, and I suddenly wished the ground would just open so I could crawl inside.

What the f**k happened to me? It was like I'd lost my mind and was possessed by some sultry spirit.

The thoughts that were flowing through my mind...

I quickly shook my head to regain my senses. No, this was not the time to be distracted. Not when my entire future depended on the next few words.

I cleared my throat, forcing my

voice to stay steady despite how fast my heart was racing.

“Marry me.”