Emotion twisted painfully inside my chest.
Because maybe she meant it.
Maybe love from women like Evelyn Cordoza simply came sharpened by politics and fear and generations of coven expectations.
Not gentle.
But real anyway.
Arthur McFadden snorted harshly beside us.
“She would’ve been safer with Wolves than that fucking moon-spawn.”
Everything happened very fast after that.
Gunner turned first.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” he snapped at his father.
Arthur rounded on him instantly.
“You will watch your tone, boy.”
“No,” Gunner snarled, shoving a hand through his hair violently. “You manipulated both of us! You shoved me toward a woman who clearly didn’t want me because you thought mating contracts mattered more than actual consent!”
The Alpha’s eyes flashed gold instantly.
“You are a McFadden. You will obey your bloodline.”
“Fuck my bloodline!”
Oh.
Oh this was escalating quickly.
Nearby students had fully stopped pretending not to watch now.
The tension thickened sharply as Wolf energy rolled off both males in aggressive waves.
Arthur stepped forward threateningly.
“You shame this family.”
Gunner shoved him back.
Hard.
“I’m not your fucking pawn!”
The shove detonated the situation instantly.
Arthur shifted partially with a roar, claws ripping through his hands while massive Wolf energy burst outward violently enough several lanterns exploded overhead.
Students screamed and scattered.
“Oh gods,” Dr. Childs muttered.
The Alpha swung first.
