Chapter 4

Ryan has just come back, so he's in the mood to do everything.

We spend the whole afternoon messing around on a yacht.

At night, he drags me to a bar.

All kinds of shifters are there, dressed in barely anything.

Ryan is having the time of his life.

His fox tail is out, teasing the sheep shifter sitting in his lap.

A rabbit shifter sits beside me.

His big eyes keep flicking toward me.

When he starts leaning closer, I immediately stand up.

“I need to go. It's already late.”

I look at Ryan.

He nods and pushes the woman off his lap.

“I'll walk you out.”

We step outside the bar together.

The night air is cool against my skin.

“If you really can't stay married to him and want a divorce, come to me,” Ryan says. “I'll find you the best lawyer.”

He pauses.

“And you can fight for custody too.”

I shake my head.

“Noah doesn't like me either.”

My chest tightens a little.

“And if he stays with Sebastian, he'll get a better education.”

Ryan pulls out a cigarette.

He is about to say something else when a voice comes from behind us.

“What are you two doing?”

I turn around.

Sebastian.

Why is he here?

He usually goes to bed around this time.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

Sebastian's face is hidden in the darkness, so I can't make out his expression.

He doesn't answer me.

Instead, he holds out a hand.

“Come here.”

My body moves before my brain does.

I walk straight toward him.

Sebastian catches my hand and gives Ryan an irritated look.

“Mr. Calloway.”

His voice is cold.

“You just got back, and you're already dragging my wife around causing trouble?”

He pulls me into his arms.

My heart skips.

His scent immediately surrounds me.

My fingers curl.

For a second, I really want to wrap my arms around him.

I barely hear what he says next.

“My wife is still young. It's easy for her to get distracted by all the fun outside.”

His arm tightens around me.

“So I don't blame her for coming home late.”

Then his gaze settles on Ryan.

“But some people should learn to keep their distance.”

Sebastian puts me into the car.

Ryan clenches his jaw.

Then he whistles at Sebastian.

Sebastian turns around.

Ryan pulls his collar aside.

A fresh hickey from the woman at the bar is visible on his neck.

Ryan grins.

“Being young really is great.”

His eyes slide toward Sebastian.

“Some people shouldn't think too highly of themselves.”

Then he adds casually,

“After all, your wife and I are the ones who grew up together.”

He puts extra emphasis on *your wife*.

Sebastian's face immediately turns dark.

Ryan looks satisfied.

He turns around and walks away.

Then he rolls his eyes.

The Serpent Clan is under Sebastian's control now.

His clan was already powerful before.

But ever since Sebastian took over, their influence has become almost impossible to challenge.

The Calloway fox clan can't really compete with them.

But getting under Sebastian's skin over something like this?

Ryan clearly thinks that's worth it.

When Sebastian gets back into the car, coldness seems to radiate from his entire body.

“What happened?”

I look at him.

“What did you two say?”

“Nothing.”

Sebastian shakes his head.

The car falls silent.

I carefully glance at him.

His face is turned toward the window.

As the car moves, streetlights sweep across him.

Light.

Darkness.

Then light again.

For the first time tonight, I notice how tired he looks.

My chest suddenly aches.