Chapter 266

How could two people under the same roof feel so different?

Yael was like a small sun inside that cold territory. When he smiled, the air felt lighter. My shoulders eased without me telling them to. His scent was calm, steady, welcoming. If he stood in the middle of a pack gathering, no one would feel threatened.

But Vito p>

Even when he smiled, my instincts tightened. It was the kind of smile that never reached the eyes. The kind that hides teeth behind politeness. Standing near him felt like standing near something coiled and waiting. My bond stirred uneasily beneath my skin.

“Alpha Blackwell,” I said respectfully. “I hope I’m not disturbing you p>

“Disturb?” he replied smoothly. “Not at all. Yael told me Ms. Ashbourne kindly offered to keep Whitney company. I’m very pleased p>

Keep her company.

The words echoed strangely in my mind. In pack terms, that could mean protection. But it could also mean control. Surveillance. Ownership masked as care. If Whitney was not free, then stepping closer to her might mean stepping into the same trap.

He still wore that perfect, practiced smile. “Please, Ms. Ashbourne p>

Theo stepped closer behind me. He did not touch me, but his presence was solid and protective. Since we completed our bond, his instincts around me had grown stronger. He did not like me standing inside another Alpha’s territory without him close.

“There have been some tensions within our pack lately,” I explained calmly. “My mate prefers I’m not alone. Would it trouble you if more of our people stayed nearby p>

“Of course not,” Vito answered easily. Too easily. “Please, make yourself comfortable p>

Inside, the living room was modern and polished. Clean lines. Glass tables. Pale walls. No warmth of earth or wood. No sense of home. Even the tea cups were thin and foreign, delicate in a way that felt breakable.

Yael poured tea and handed me a cup. “Hi, Riley p>

“Yael. Thank you p>

“Ms. White will be here shortly. Please relax p>

Relaxing was impossible. The air felt heavy, like before a storm.

The elevator doors slid open slowly.

Whitney stepped out.

The last time I saw her, she looked fragile, almost lost. Now she wore a fitted candle-colored dress, her hair styled perfectly. She looked elegant. Composed. Like someone who had practiced standing tall.

But her scent carried fear.

“Whitney,” I said gently, stepping forward and offering the gift. “It’s good to see you again. I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I chose a few small things. I hope you’ll accept them p>

Her hand struck mine away.

The sound was sharp in the quiet room.

Theo immediately shifted his weight forward. His jaw hardened, dominance rolling off him in silent warning. If this turned hostile, he would not stay still.

“What are you doing?” Whitney snapped. Her voice was loud, almost frantic. “I don’t even know you! Do you always approach people like this p>

“Whitney,” Vito said softly, stepping in and wrapping his arm around her shoulders. The gesture looked affectionate, but his hold was firm. Possessive. “That’s no way to treat a guest. Mrs. Bolton, please don’t take offense. My girlfriend has a short temper p>

Girlfriend.

The word felt deliberate.

The Whitney I met before had been gentle. Quiet. This sudden anger did not fit her. It felt forced, like she was performing.

“It’s fine,” I said. “I’m not bothered p>

“If you’re not bothered, I am,” she shot back immediately. Her eyes flashed at me, and for a second, I saw something break inside them. “We’re not close. Why do you keep coming near me? Do you even know who I am? Do I know you p>

“I heard you had surgery,” I said carefully, lowering my voice. “Please don’t be upset. I only wanted to check on you. I thought maybe… we could be friends p>

“Friends?” she almost laughed, but it sounded strained. “That’s ridiculous. I don’t need friends. I don’t need your pity. Just leave p>

The tension in the room tightened. Theo’s scent sharpened, protective and alert. Vito’s smile stayed in place, but his eyes grew colder.

Whitney was not angry.

She was terrified.

I took a step back. “Alpha Blackwell, perhaps it’s better if I leave. I don’t want to upset Ms. White p>

Vito pulled Whitney closer, murmuring something against her hair. He did not even glance at me. His attention was fully on controlling her.

Yael stood quickly. “I’ll walk you out p>

As I turned to leave, I looked back one last time.

Whitney’s mask fell.

Tears streamed down her face. Her lips moved silently.

Leave quickly.

My heart dropped.

She wasn’t rejecting me.

She was warning me.

The door closed slowly behind us. Through the narrowing gap, I saw Vito’s arms tight around her, holding her firmly against him while she stared at me with hopeless eyes.

It felt like a blade sliding into my chest.

Outside, Yael looked embarrassed. “I’m sorry, Riley. Normally, Ms. White stays in her room. I don’t interact with her much. I don’t know why she reacted like that p>

“It’s alright,” I replied softly. “I may have been too forward p>

“If there’s another chance, I’ll bring you again p>

“Let’s wait until she’s calmer,” I said.

But deep down, I knew calm was not the problem.

After a few more polite words, I got into the car. Theo closed the door firmly and walked around to the driver’s seat. His movements were controlled, but I could feel his tension through our bond. He had sensed the imbalance of power inside that building.

As the car pulled away, I rolled down the window.

Whitney stood on the fourth-floor balcony.

She gripped the railing tightly, the wind pulling at her dress. From below, she looked small. Trapped. Like something born to run now caged in glass and steel.

Our eyes met again. she fixed it on me

Her lips formed the words slowly.

Don’t come back.

This time, I understood completely.

She wasn’t pushing me away.

She was trying to keep me alive.