Ares's eyes lingered on Rhea longer than he intended. There was something about her new confidence, something unsettlingly magnetic. The girl who used to tremble under his gaze now stood with her chin high, eyes unwavering. It gnawed at him. Her parents had betrayed this pack, brought shame and blood with their choices. Could the Moon Goddess truly have blessed someone like her? And if so… why her of all people?
Rhea blinked up at him. "Is there something on my face, Alpha?" she asked, tone feigning innocence but her lips twitching. "You've been staring for quite a while."
Ares's jaw tightened as he turned away sharply, his gaze shifting to the floor as if scolding himself for the lapse. Nikki's glare was immediate, venomous, if looks could kill, Rhea would've dropped dead on the spot. Nikki's mind burned with fury. I will not allowed her to steal him again. Never.
