She stood frozen, like a statue rooted to the ground.
Unable to withstand the intensity of his gaze, she lowered her eyes, her fingers curling tightly into the fabric of her dress. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, loud and unrelenting.
"Where were you?"
His voice was rough dangerously so and it sent a chill racing down her spine.
He was angry.
"I… I…" she stammered, forcing herself to speak despite the knot in her throat. "I was with Vittoria. W-we just went to the pack market."
"Did you ask for my permission?" he questioned, and something in his tone struck a nerve.
Her head lifted slightly.
"I didn't need any," she replied before she could stop herself.
One of his brows arched, sharp and deliberate.
"Oh? Is that so?"
He pushed off the wall and began walking toward her slow, predatory steps that made her pulse spike.
Charlotte instinctively took a step back, her eyes widening
Then she saw it.
Her phone.
Still in his hand.
No.
She refused to shrink.
