Chapter 9

Isolde’s POV

After breakfast, Mia grabbed my hand and pulled me out to the garden.

The sun was bright, and the air smelled like fresh grass and dirt. She chattered the whole way, happily planning my "recovery" schedule—walks by the lake, baking her favorite desserts, watching old movies.

Her voice was so light and happy, like absolutely nothing in the world had changed.

Silas followed right behind us.

He insisted on coming along, using the excuse that he needed to "keep an eye on my energy levels". His black dress shirt sleeves were rolled up, and he walked with the slow, relaxed steps of a caring father.

But I knew every single step he took was stomping right on my nerves.

The crystal toy was still buried inside me.

With every step I took, it shifted against my wet walls, dragging across my most sensitive spots and forcing me to slow down. Mia thought I was just weak from the attack, so she slowed her pace for me, looking back with a sweet smile.

“Tired? You want to sit down for a bit?” she asked.

I shook my head, trying so hard to keep my breathing steady.

The three of us turned down a quiet, tree-lined path.

Mia walked a little ahead, excitedly pointing at some wildflowers. In that split second, Silas closed the gap between us.

He reached out, acting like he was just fixing my collar.

But when his fingers brushed my bare skin, he dropped his voice into a dark, rough whisper that only I could hear.

“Squeeze it tight. Show me how good you can take it.”

The words barely left his mouth before the toy’s vibration surged to the max.

A blinding wave of heat shot straight up from my core. My knees literally buckled.

I had to squeeze my thighs together as hard as I could just to stay standing, my face instantly burning red. Mia turned around and frowned.

“Izzy, what’s wrong? Your face is completely flushed—are you too hot?”

“N-no… the sun is just a little bright,” I choked out, forcing a fake smile as I struggled to catch up with her.

Silas fell back a few steps again, looking completely innocent.

He didn't say another word, but every few minutes, he let out a heavy pulse of his Alpha pheromones.

Every time the pressure hit me, the crystal inside throbbed violently, sending electric shocks of heat straight to my clit.

I just had to grind my teeth and keep walking, terrified I was going to completely lose control and embarrass myself in front of my best friend.

Out in the bright sunlight, everything looked so normal.

Mia kept talking in front of me. I forced myself to answer her.

Silas watched silently from behind.

But I was the only one who knew the dirty truth—that even walking had become a twisted game to him.

But I couldn't hide it forever.

When we finally got back to the house, Mia suddenly stopped at the door.

She frowned, looking at me closely. “You’ve been zoning out all morning… Did Dad’s treatment hurt you?”

“If something feels wrong, you have to tell me. We’re best friends, remember?”

My heart hammered against my ribs.

My fingers gripped my skirt so hard my knuckles turned white.

The toy was still buzzing deep inside me, a constant, sickening reminder of the danger I was in.

I shook my head, my throat tight.

“No… really, I'm fine. The Alpha’s energy just… takes a lot out of you.”

“I’m just adjusting.”

Mia stared at me for a few long seconds, like she wanted to push it.

In the shadows of the hallway, Silas stood perfectly still.

He didn't say a word. He just watched us with those cold, pale-gold eyes.

The air in the room suddenly felt thick and suffocating, like a trap snapping shut.

Finally, Mia just smiled and let it go.

But I knew the cracks were already starting to show.