Chapter 253
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Carmen turned her face away, rising from her seat with every intention of leaving.
But before she could take a step, Duke’s hand shot out like a striking hawk, fingers wrapping firmly around her wrist. His grip was warm, unyielding, the way an Beta’s warning might feel before the bite.
She froze mid-stride, glancing back at him in question.
‘Are you in some kind of trouble?” His voice was low, edged with something more han casual curiosity. “If you are, you can tell me. For the sake of Mia and Miss Riley, I’ll help you.”
He tilted his head as he spoke, the pale column of his neck catching the light, Adam’s apple shifting with each measured word. There was an understated power
n that movement, an awareness of his own presence-predator calm, but ready to strike.
Carmen’s gaze lingered a fraction too long before she forced herself to look away, ocking down the restless pull in her chest. He was beautiful, yes—but that didn’t change the fact that he preferred men. She wasn’t that desperate.
A sharp, humorless laugh slipped past her lips as she wrenched her hand free.
‘What trouble could I possibly have? Worry about yourself first. My business doesn’t need your meddling.”
Her sudden shift from soft compliance to snapping defiance made Duke’s brows lift slightly. A moment ago, she’d been pliant as a kitten; now she was showing her claws. Strangely enough, he found the change… amusing.
Rising to his full height, Duke stepped forward. His tall, broad-shouldered frame threw a shadow that swallowed her whole,
Carmen’s instincts flared at the proximity-this was too close, too much. She stepped back automatically.
But he followed,
“Why are you backing away?”
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“I’m not. I just don’t like people standing too close.”
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“Really?” His laugh was low, more like the rumble of a wolf testing the air. “That’s not what it looked like in the East Outskirts when you had your arms wrapped tight around that man’s waist.”
The words were sharpened with something almost like jealousy, though Carmen told herself she imagined it. Duke didn’t care who she touched-why would he?
“That has nothing to do with you,” she said flatly.
“No?” His tone cooled to a dangerous softness. “First time we met, I pulled you out of trouble. Second time, I nearly took you for myself. Now you think you can just walk away?”
Step by step, he pressed her back until her spine met the wall.
She narrowed her eyes. “What the hell are you doing?”
For a fleeting moment, she wondered if she’d misjudged him entirely-if maybe the man wasn’t as indifferent to her as she thought.
But before she could decide, a sudden pounding rattled the door.
Bang. Bang, Bang.
A voice, fierce with worry, broke through.
“Carmen! Are you in there? Did that bastard lay a hand on you?!”
It was Jace Hale.
Her pulse jumped. Seizing the distraction, she shoved Duke back and rushed to the door, pulling it open.
Jace stood there, eyes wild, his scent bristling with protective instinct. He grabbed her arm, scanning her quickly from head to toe.
“You’re not hurt?”
“I’m fine. Let’s just go.” Carmen’s words were clipped; she turned to leave, tugging him along.
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Behind them came Duke’s voice, cold enough to freeze the air.
“Carmen.”
The sound made her shoulders stiffen. She didn’t turn.
Then his hand caught hers again. His grip was like iron.
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“You’re a top scholar at Ashmoor Academy. You’re really going to waste yourself running with this kind of company?”
Jace bristled instantly, stepping forward.
“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m her boyfriend. Whatever’s between us is none of your business.”
Duke’s gaze snapped back to Carmen.
‘He’s your boyfriend?”
She hesitated for a heartbeat, then nodded. “Yes. Now let go.”
He didn’t. His fingers tightened instead.
‘If he’s really your boyfriend, why did he make you work the Silverfang Den? Why come to me for help?”
“That’s my business,” she bit out.
“Carmen-”
“You don’t believe me?” Her voice sharpened. “Fine. I’ll prove it.”
In one swift movement, she caught Jace’s collar and pulled him down until their noses brushed.
Jace froze, startled, every muscle gone taut. From Duke’s angle, it looked like a kiss -too close, too intimate to be mistaken for anything else.
Duke’s jaw clenched. His hands balled into fists, knuckles whitening.
Carmen stepped back, meeting his gaze. “Now do you believe me?”
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The darkness in Duke’s expression deepened. His eyes had gone cold, but beneath the frost there was something volatile, something that looked an awful lot like a wolf’s barely leashed rage.
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