Chapter 3

Just as Alpha Marshall Vasquez’s lips were about to meet mine, I had a sudden, oddly timed thought: his eyelashes were remarkably long, even more curled than a woman’s. His Alpha aura pressed against me, overwhelming and intoxicating, but I couldn’t help noticing how his presence filled the room—commanding, dominant, yet strangely tender in this moment.

Our breaths mingled, and Marshall’s lips grazed the corner of my mouth. Abruptly, a hand pulled him away—Ricardo Smith’s gaze was intense, his Beta aura flaring with barely restrained anger. "Let’s talk business," he said, his voice strained, almost losing control. He practically dragged Marshall away, and I followed quietly behind, my Gamma instincts on high alert.

Through the door, I heard their argument. Ricardo’s voice was low, but the tension in it was palpable. "What do you think you’re doing? Don’t cross the line; Eva is my mate."

Marshall lit a cigarette with a dry laugh, his Alpha tone cutting through the air like a blade. "Oh, you remember that? Then what are you doing with Maisy Dunn?"

Ricardo paused for a few seconds, his denial weak. "Everyone thinks Maisy is my mate now. I can’t humiliate her... Besides, I know the limits. I won’t do anything too bad or really hurt Eva."

Marshall interrupted with a cold chuckle, his Alpha aura flaring with authority. "Ricardo, are you fooling us or yourself? Is this entertaining to you?"

Outside, I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white. The sound of approaching heels echoed. Maisy stood beside me, her Omega aura faint but sharp with malice. "Men are terrible. Even after I humiliated him in college, he still loves me."

Maisy turned to look at me, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "By the way, did Ricardo ever mark you like he marked me? He’d leave your neck and chest covered. I’d say it tickled, and he’d get even more excited."

A wave of disgust washed over me, making my stomach churn. Ricardo had always been careful with me. I thought it was out of respect and affection, but maybe I wasn’t what he truly wanted.

But I wouldn't let Maisy stand so confidently in front of me. "Maisy, perhaps you should consider your own issues," I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. She looked puzzled at my question.

"For some men, certain women are worth marking, while others are a temporary thrill. He treated you as a toy, but the one he wants to mark is me. Have you ever thought that maybe, just maybe, you’re not enough?"

"Even a rogue wouldn't take you."

Maisy's face froze, her eyes blazing with anger. "Eva Rogers, you’re asking for it!" She shrieked and shoved me, and we both plunged into the swimming pool behind us.

With a splash, the cold water pierced my skin like needles. Struggling underwater, I saw Ricardo anxiously dive into the pool. I reached out to him. But he swam past me and pulled Maisy into his arms. "Maisy! Are you okay? Don’t worry, I’m here."

The water quickly engulfed my face. I watched Ricardo bring Maisy to the edge of the pool. Suddenly, I felt exhausted, unwilling to fight anymore. My consciousness began to fade.

Until someone pulled me up, lifting me from the depths—it was Marshall. His hands trembled slightly as he held me, his Alpha aura wrapping around me like a shield. "Eva, wake up."

His voice was unusually tense, his eyes filled with a strange panic. I coughed out a mouthful of water. Ricardo hurried over, attempting to wipe my face with a towel.

"Eva, are you okay?"

I raised my hand to stop him. "My Alpha’s here; go tend to your mate." Ricardo hesitated, his expression a mix of embarrassment and shame.

Marshall took the towel forcefully, wiping my hair and face with an icy demeanor. "Eva, I wasn’t—" Ricardo stammered.

"Maisy can’t swim; I had to save her first."

Maisy wrapped her arms around herself, her Omega aura flickering weakly. "Ricardo, I’m a bit cold…"

Ricardo glanced at me briefly before going to Maisy, lifting her up. As he passed, I murmured, "But I can't swim either."

Ricardo paused momentarily but didn’t look back.

"Did she deliberately push Maisy into the pool?"

"Jealousy, clearly... what a scandal."

I clenched my teeth, standing straight. Marshall draped an arm around my shoulders, his Alpha aura shielding me from their stares. "Let’s head inside; you’ll catch a cold."

As we passed Maisy’s room, her door was slightly ajar. Inside, I heard broken moans and gasps.

I stopped in my tracks, my hand impulsively pushing the door open a bit.

In the dim light, Ricardo lay naked on top of Maisy, his movements frenzied, his words crude.

I stood frozen in the doorway, my mind blank. My chest felt like a hammer was pounding relentlessly, each blow threatening to suffocate me.

Marshall reached from behind, covering my eyes, his Alpha aura wrapping around me like a protective barrier. "Don’t listen, don’t look."