Chapter 5: Exposed Lies and Alpha Questions

“And about me throwing my boyfriend’s necklace—did you see it yourself?”

She falters. “…No.” The sound of a plank snapping.

I politely press on. “So how do you know I threw it away? Any proof? Maybe it was just a little lovers’ game?” I keep the tone light, the blade sharp.

Cassie looks flustered, glancing at Colton for help. It’s reflex, not strategy.

“Alpha, I’m telling the truth. Look at her—”

Colton doesn’t even glance at her. His attention never leaves me.

“I believe my girlfriend.” It lands like a verdict.

Live comments:

[???]

[Did the author eat magic mushrooms? The Alpha has no connection to the sister—how will the plot move forward?]

[We’re here for sweet romance, not for a homewrecker to win!]

Some dissenters pop up: the minority report.

[The heroine’s pretty manipulative too. Weren’t we promised mutual healing? This is just toxic rivalry.]

Live comments explode: a full-on comment war.

[The sister’s just protecting her love—what’s wrong with that!]

[If you think the sister’s in the wrong, you’re the homewrecker! The one not loved is the third wheel!]

The earlier commenter pops up again: the pot-stirrer never sleeps.

[You wanna see who’s really not loved? The Alpha is obsessed with the villainess! He’s! Super! In! Love!]

The comments go off the rails.

[Homewrecker, go die!]

[Why hasn’t the admin kicked her out yet!]

…

Whether they liked it or not, I was having a great time. If nothing else, I’ve got front-row seats to chaos.

I can’t help but smirk.

Once everyone left, I finally let out a long breath and relaxed. But before I could settle in, the world suddenly went dark. I look up to see Colton looming over me. He’s the kind of shadow that has weight.

“Don’t you have anything to explain?”

I trace circles on his firm chest, giving him my best puppy eyes. If charm were a weapon, I’d be armed to the teeth.

“I don’t remember.”

Colton: “….” He doesn’t sigh, but the silence is its own exhale.

I press on. Survival by audacity.

“I’ve had so many admirers, how could I remember them all?”

He lets out an exasperated laugh. It’s not amusement—it’s disbelief.

“Can’t remember them all, huh?”

Suddenly, he scoops me up. I don’t react in time and find myself lifted off the ground! He’s absurdly strong.

Startled, I cling to his neck. My pulse spikes.

“What are you doing!”

“Do you remember now?” His calm is dangerous.

He’s tall, broad-shouldered, and strong enough to lift me like a kitten. Sitting on his arm, I feel a bit dizzy from the height and squeeze my eyes shut in fear. My stomach flips.

“I remember, I remember!” I fold fast.

“Who were they?”

He pinches my thigh threateningly. I yelp, on the verge of tears from embarrassment. I’m a liar, not a masochist.

“Colton DeWitt! You jerk!”

A low laugh rumbles in my ear. Before I can react, he pins me against the wall and kisses me hard. His kisses leave me dizzy, and in a moment of distraction, even my tongue is caught by this hungry wolf. I’m breathless, quaking.