Chapter 303 The Thorn That Lingers
Leslie’s POV
From the start, I knew something was wrong.
When the coffee spilled over Kirby’s suit, I caught the flicker in that assistant’s eyes–panic on the surface, but a glint of something else beneath.
Who was he? I thought it through and pictured a face–one of the Omegas working under Cameron at Apex Industries. The same one often seen at Amelia’s side.
Their connection was obvious. Otherwise, why would he appear uninvited, just to hand Kirby a cup that created the perfect stage for Amelia?
So I slipped upstairs, waited in the shadows, and watched the whole y unfold.
The reporters, the shes, Amelia’s screams, Kirby’s fury–it was theater, loud and cheap.
Asphodel chuckled. “Better than Carl’s performance.”
I arched a brow. Amelia’s tricks were clumsy. She should’ve brought the parents to corner him properly. Instead, she let her hand show too soon.
A Wave Pack Omega with ambition–yet still a child ying games.
Kirby stood in the middle of the room, cane in hand, face dark as a storm.
He turned to me, voice even, but his peppermint scent carried a bite. “Did you enjoy it?”
I curved a smile, tone edged with teasing. “A little tacky, but yes–entertaining.”
My eyes slid to Amelia. Curled up on the floor in nothing but a towel, trembling like a cornered
pup.
I had been content to let her fumble around him. But trying to drag me into her schemes? That crossed the line.
Rogue Pack’s Alpha dignity wasn’t something anyone could toy with.
Kirby hobbled closer, his limp no hindrance to the sharpness of his presence. The cool bite of peppermint pheromones surged forward, crashing over me, and my chest tightened.
Asphodel growled low. “Careful. He’s closing in.”
I straightened, shedding the smile, meeting his gaze head–on.
Chapter 303 The Thorn That Lingers
He looked down at me, voice low, rough. “If you were the lead, this scene would’ve been perfect.”
His eyes were dark, holding a dangerous hope.
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I didn’t flinch, though my breath hitched. Myugh was light, sharp. “With a different leading man, I might consider it.”
His gaze iced over, Alpha dominance pressing hard.
He stepped closer, ignoring the weakness in his leg, and pinned me against the wall, hand firm on my shoulder.
His breath ghosted against my skin, peppermint thick, suffocating the air.
I arched a brow, my tone steady. “Kirby, you’re crossing a line.”
We were too close. My pulse faltered, but when I moved to push him away, his grip caught my wrist. His eyes were heavy shadows, emotions tangled and unreadable.
“Leslie,” his voice rasped, hoarse and raw, “what more must I do for you to forgive me?”
The plea cut through his dominance, and for a moment my heart jolted, struck alive.
But Iughed softly, cruel and cold. “Kirby, you don’t need to do anything. I never go back.”
Dignity reimed–I would not turn.
Footsteps broke the silence, steady, interrupting the charged air.
“Leslie, the curtain call is near. Shall I escort you back?”
Adler’s voice flowed in, warm and smooth, a savior’s reprieve.
I exhaled quietly, shoving Kirby’s weight from me. My eyes were ice. “Yes. Thank you, Alpha.”
I crossed to Adler and slipped my hand through his arm. Together, we stepped into the waiting elevator.
From the corner of my eye, Kirby’s stare carved into me, cold and unrelenting, following until the doors slid shut.
I didn’t turn.
Asphodel’s murmur lingered in my mind. “Your heart wavered.”
Leaning back against the mirrored wall, I pressed down the pounding in my chest.
10:59 <b>Sat</b>, Sep 20
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Chapter 303 The Thorn That Lingers
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Adler nced at me, smiling with practiced ease. “Carl’s y was excellent. There’s an after- party. Will you join?”
His tone was light, as if he hadn’t witnessed the tension clinging to me.
“Depends on my mood,” I answered evenly.
But deep inside, Kirby’s desperate plea sat like a thorn, pricking me with every breath.
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