I couldn’t help but laugh. Nowthatwas funny. “Yeah, right.”
But Ryu wasn’t laughing. His expression was serious.
I frowned. “What?”
“Why is that funny?” Ryu asked slowly.
I shrugged, not wanting to get into this topic again. “Because it’s ridiculous. Henry’s young and hot. Fertile, probably. Doesn’t have two fake limbs. Isn’t mutilated.”
“Scar—” Ryu began.
“Don’t even other denying it. You know it’s true. He has everything, and I have nothing,” I said. “It’s just stupid to think that an alpha would prefer him to me.”
Ryu’s dark eyes were sharp and hard, like glinting blades of obsidian. It sent a sudden shiver down my spine. In an instant, he shot up from his seat and stormed over to me.
My whole body tensed for a fight. He was going to hit me. I knew it. I didn’t knowwhy, but I wasn’t thinking right now—only reacting. I’d been through enough physical violence to know what came next.
I couldn’t fight back. I was no match for an alpha.
I braced myself.
Ryu’s hands grabbed my face. A jolt of panic shocked me. Was he going to break my neck?
I shut my eyes.
Ryu’s lips crashed into mine.
The breath left my lungs. I froze. The world seemed to slow, then stop.
Ryu waskissingme.
The moment lasted an eternity, and a single moment at the same time. He pulled away, his eyes bright and lively and frustrated. I forgot how to move. And breathe.
“Scar?” he asked cautiously.
I shook myself out of my daze. “Um. What the fuck?”
Ryu looked nervous. “Are you okay? Was that okay?”
“Are you... asking me if it’s okay that you kissed me?”
“Yes?”
“Uh. Yes?”
We stared at each other like two dumbstruck idiots. Neither of us knew what to say. A moment that was both somehow awkward and comfortable passed before I finally mustered the ability to speak.
“So… What was that all about?” I asked.
Ryu glanced away, his cheeks flushed pink. “I couldn’t stand to hear you talk about yourself like that anymore. It was driving me nuts.”
“I thought you were going tohitme, not kiss me,” I mumbled.
“What?” he cried. “I would never do that!”
I shrugged, feeling embarrassed as well. “Well, I didn’t know that. It seems like most people would rather hit me than kiss me, so I just assumed...”
“I’m notmostpeople, okay?” Ryu stated.
