Chapter 2: Kiss, Blood, and Betrayal

"I’ve already shed my old life. I’ll work hard, become someone you can be proud of. Please..."

His blue eyes burned in the dark, desperate and beautiful.

I shoved him away and spat, "What are you, anyway? What do you even have to do with me?"

The light in Ethan’s eyes went out, just like that.

I always figured Ethan only got involved because he was jealous of Daniel’s girlfriend, or afraid I’d steal her away, so he jumped in and wrecked everything. So I resented him, and made his life hell. Constantly.

[If the supporting female doesn’t stop, tomorrow night she’ll really be left speechless!]

[Girl, win over the villain while you still can—time’s running out!]

To be tortured to death by Ethan—

My raised whip froze in mid-air.

Ethan knelt before me, blue eyes wet and shining.

I looked at his face—handsome, yeah, but so cold. I forced a crooked smile, the kind that doesn’t reach your eyes.

"Actually... you’re pretty good-looking."

The words felt weird in my mouth, like I was reciting lines from someone else’s script. Complimenting Ethan? It felt almost ridiculous. Still, I said it. Maybe it would break the tension. Or maybe I just wanted to see what he’d do.

"It’s just, you never smile—you’re no fun at all..." My voice trailed off. The silence pressed in.

Ethan didn’t even look at me.

His jaw tightened. He stared at the floor, like I was just another annoyance in his day. “Cut the crap. What do you want from me for him this time?”

Ethan leaned over the desk, eyes dark and confused, like he was on the verge of breaking.

The moon was high, and I could feel the love curse starting to burn under my skin again.

It was like my chest was full of fireflies, all flutter and panic.

Ethan’s straight nose and thin lips looked even sharper in the moonlight, the shadows making him seem almost unreal.

The red supernatural mark between his brows glowed faintly, making his face even more unearthly. Like something out of a fever dream.

"Get out, unless you want to see something gross."

The air felt thick and damp, and suddenly a black wolf tail curled around my ankle, cool and soft.

The fur shimmered in the moonlight, dark and glossy—almost beautiful, if I let myself admit it. For a second, I just stared.

I couldn’t help it—I screamed. Ethan snapped out of it, yanking his tail away, awkward as hell.

[She’s always ragged on his tail—no wonder he’s self-conscious.]

[Girl, quit roasting him! This is your shot to change things. Otherwise, tomorrow you’ll be the one begging for mercy...]

Seeing the chat’s warning, I hesitated. My insult stalled halfway up my throat.

"Every time I see you, I feel sick to my stomach..."

"Husband... am I pregnant?" The words came out half-joking, half-daring. My heart pounded.

Ethan’s face iced over. "Whose is it? Daniel’s, or someone else’s?"

Guilt flashed through me. I tried to play it off, forcing a laugh. "Wow, look how tense you are. I’m just messing with you."

"Your tail... is actually really cool. Can I touch it?" The words tumbled out, nervous and awkward. What was I even doing?

Ethan’s blue eyes went wide, staring up at me.

After a beat, he sneered.

"You’ll say anything for him, huh?"

"I’m done believing it."

"It’s not about Daniel—this time, I really..." I started, but Ethan cut me off.

"Last time you ripped out my heart-protecting charm. What is it this time?" His voice was flat. "A divorce letter, or my life?"

The mark on his forehead glowed angry red in the moonlight, and I could see his whole body go tense, fists clenched, tail lashing.

His massive wolf tail thrashed, restless and wild.

[Wait, what’s happening? The supporting female’s changing her tune!]

[Villain’s actually loving it inside, but after all the crap he’s been through, he can’t trust her.]

[Villain’s a softie. Just kiss him and he’ll melt.]