Chapter 0305

"Don't you dare speak to me like that." My gaze locks fiercely with his. "I've eliminated men like you before breakfast."

"Then I'll have no choice but to eliminate him."

"Good luck with that. He's the Alpha's mate's brother."

"What kind of trouble have you dragged yourself into?" he demands.

"Nothing beyond my capabilities." I slide out from the booth, feeling slightly dizzy. My back cracks audibly as I stretch. He asks how long it's been since my last shift.

"None of your concern." I scrutinize him as he stands to follow me. I didn't know his name. I wasn't sure I cared. I wanted Julian back—the man I truly knew.

He seizes the front of my jacket, yanking me against him. His eyes close as he inhales my scent. Foolishly, I allow it. "I don't even know your name," he whispers, and all thoughts of Julian vanish.

"Seraphina," I mutter, surprised by my own response. I couldn't use Harrison—he'd see through it. "Seraphina Blackwood."

I hadn't used that name in years. It felt foreign on my tongue.

"Pleasure to meet you, Seraphina Blackwood." He flashes a dazzling smile, revealing perfectly straight white teeth. "I'm Levi. Levi Bennett. Most call me Lev."

"You can't interfere," I murmur, my heart racing.

"Doesn't mean I can't keep an eye on you."

"I can't do this." I push his hands away from my jacket. He was here for Athena.

He frowns, stepping back. "She wants you dead, doesn't she? What did you do, Seraphina?"

"None of your damn business!"

"I'm making it my business." His intense gaze feels like it's pulling the truth from me. I can't allow that.

"Back off!" I snap, turning toward the door. The cool night air hits me as I step outside. His hand closes around my wrist, spinning me back to face him.

"Not until you tell me what mess you're in. Did you do something to the Alpha?"

I remain silent.

"His mate?"

I press my lips tighter, willing him to leave.

"You attacked her?"

I shut my eyes, blocking out his questions.

He falls silent. When I open my eyes, Levi is shaking his head. "I, Levi Bennett, reject you, Seraphina Blackwood, as my mate."

My mouth opens, but no sound emerges. Shock, perhaps? Rejection was the last thing I expected.

"Accept my rejection!" he commands.

"But—"

"Like you said, Seraphina. You have a mate." His words drip with venom.

"I, Seraphina Blackwood, accept your rejection." The scent of tobacco and leather fades the moment the words leave my lips. He smells like any other Lycan now. Shaking his head, he walks away.

A sharp spasm tears through my chest as the bond shatters. I should be relieved. I have Julian. I will get him back. I didn't need Levi. I didn't need the man fate chose for me.

Levi disappears around the corner. My chest tightens. He's heading to Obsidian Howl. He'll tell them about me. I have to kill him. I can't let him reveal anything.

I pull a small knife from inside my jacket and sprint after him. Levi's strides are long. He ignores me when I call out.

He stops abruptly. I swing the knife at him. He's prepared, catching my wrist and squeezing until I drop the blade. "That was a stupid move."

"You can't tell them about me!"

"Or what? You'll stab me in the back? How about I beat you to it!"

Something cold plunges into my back. It drags downward from near my heart to a more central spot. The pain doesn't hit immediately. Not until I feel the warmth of blood trickling down my skin, soaking my shirt.

It wasn't him. One hand still grips my wrist, the other my hip. He had an accomplice.

He releases me. I collapse to the ground in agony. The Wolf who brought me the glass of wine stands over me. "Pleasant dreams."