Chapter 223 The Bait


    Leslie’s POV


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    <b>82 </b>


    D


    +8 Pearls


    I sat stiffly under Kirby’s burning gaze for more than ten minutes, every second like sitting too close to a fire. He stared as though he meant to strip me bare with just his eyes. My jaw ached from clenching so hard, trying not to roll my eyes at him. <i>Why </i><i>is </i><i>this </i><i>man </i><i>so </i><i>damn </i><i>annoying</i><i>? </i>


    The ssroom air turned strange, thick with tension. Two top Alphas side by side–it was enough to set the whole room on edge. Every nce from the audience jabbed at me like needles.


    Atst, a professor stepped in with disappointing news. “Everyone, Alpha Adler had urgent n matters and has left. This lecture is canceled.”


    Groans of regret filled the hall. I rose, ready to leave, a little deted.


    So much effort for nothing–Adler really was hard to pin down.


    As infuriating as Kirby was, at least his looming presence had shielded me from the countless prying stares. With him leaving too, I had no desire to be gawked at like some rare beast.


    In the crowded hallway, a Beta student rushed past and clipped my shoulder.


    I stumbled forward, temper ring, but before I could react, a familiar presence surged in behind me.


    Kirby’s POV


    I saw it happen–the idiot Beta colliding into her.


    In that instant, my Alpha instincts shattered the thin veneer of patience I’d been clinging to. Possessiveness and rage exploded inside me.


    I moved in a blur, pulling Leslie tight against me, one arm locked firm around her waist.


    My body towered between her and the crowd, a wall no one would cross. My gaze cut like a predator’s, sharp and merciless, pinning the Beta where he stood pale and frozen.


    My pheromones spilled cold as frost, suffocating the air until silence fell over the corridor.


    <b>Leslie’s </b>POV


    Kirby’s grip was iron, his dominant aura wrapping around me. My heart skipped, traitorous, at the familiarity of it.


    9:13 Thu, Sep 18 <b>G </b>


    Chapter 223 The Bait


    …


    I looked up—and found those dark eyes soft, shining with a worry so raw it jolted me.


    <i>This </i><i>guy</i><i>… </i><i>is </i><i>his </i><i>act </i><i>really </i><i>that </i><i>convincing</i>?


    <b>82 </b>


    +8 Pearls


    The Beta boy stammered apologies. “S–sorry, Miss Leslie, I didn’t mean–please forgive me!”


    I forced a smile and waved him off. “It’s fine. Go on.”


    Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Kirby drawing back his aura, stepping aside with unexpected restraint to let the Beta pass.


    I took the chance to wrench myself free, putting space between us. Smiling politely under all the watching eyes, I walked away.


    But he followed. Step for step. Always behind me.


    By the time we reached a deserted path shaded by trees, I snapped. I spun on him, re sharp. “Kirby, what the hell do


    you want?<b>” </b>


    His expression was maddeningly innocent. “You almost fell just now.”


    <i>Predator </i>in <i>disguise</i><i>, </i>Asphodel hissed inside me, disdain dripping from every word.


    I gave a sharpugh. “And for that I should fall at your feet in gratitude?”


    He was quiet a moment, then his voice softened, almost gentle. “Have dinner with me.”


    “I’d lose my appetite eating with you.” My words cut cold. <i>Thick</i><i>–</i><i>skinned </i><i>bastard</i>.


    He paused, then his mouth quirked, tone dipping into mockery. “Who <i>do </i>you have an appetite with?”


    My eyelids twitched. Deliberately, I snapped back, “With my new boyfriend. Obviously.”


    His face froze for the barest second, then smoothed over. His lips curved, voice husky, strangely tender. “Is that so? Doesn’t matter. I’ll still take you to dinner.”


    I sucked in a breath, chest tight with fury.


    Like gum stuck to my heel–impossible to shake off. “I don’t want dinner with you. Lord Alpha, take the hint,”


    His eyes narrowed, his smile deepened, his tone rich as ever. “I don’t take hints.”


    I choked, words lodging in my throat. Spinning on my heel, I stormed off, unwilling to waste


    another breath.


    <b>9:13 </b><b>Thu</b><b>, </b>Sep 18 <b>G </b>


    Chapter 223 The Bait


    …


    <b>82 </b>


    +8 Pearls


    Behind me, his voice carried, cool and deliberate. “I know what ties Damian has to Adler.”


    My steps faltered. I turned back, my expression smooth, unbothered. “Where are we eating?”


    Send Gifts


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