Chapter 576

Guess you can’t expect a wolf to go vegan.

Jace had told me Hernan wanted Steve to win, so all I could do was hope Steve would make it through okay. The match started, and Steve stepped onto the court, eyes darting around. He scanned the front row, exchanged glances with Hayden and Jace, then kept searching the seats, looking for… someone. When his gaze finally landed on me, his face tensed up. Then Hernan raised his hand in a quick wave—a reminder, or maybe a threat.

“See that?” Hernan murmured in my ear. “He’s nervous.”

“If he’s nervous, he’ll lose,” I shot back.

“Wrong. You don’t get human nature. A wolf’s most excited when it smells blood. People aren’t much different.”

I glared, but Hernan barely noticed, already absorbed in the match. “Why do you think Steve cares about you?”

I wanted to say it was loyalty—that’s just who Steve was. But I kept my mouth shut. I wasn’t feeding Hernan’s twisted games.

Hernan turned and tilted his head. “Think he has feelings for you, too?”

I couldn’t resist scoffing at him. “Do you ever think seriously about anything?”

But Hernan just grinned. He thrived on mockery, never letting anything bother him.

“You don’t understand men,” he went on, flicking a look toward Hayden. “You know how you can tell if a man really loves you? He’ll risk his life for you.”

Now he sounded like some self-proclaimed love guru, lecturing me like he had it all figured out.

“You girls go for smooth talkers, the ones who seem caring and sweet. But that’s fake. Real love is when a guy’s willing to put everything on the line for you.”

He nodded at the two guys in the front row. “One’s your ex, and the other…” He smirked. “Well, they’re both your exes, aren’t they? Do you even know which one loved you more?”

A chill went down my spine. “What are you planning?”

He just chuckled, tilting his chin toward Steve on the stage. “And let’s not forget this one—the one with the unspoken crush.”

“Steve and I are just friends.”

“Is that so? Guess we’ll see if he feels the same.”

I closed my eyes, feeling frustrated.

Now I got why Hernan had kept me close, even fed me the past few days. It was all just a setup. But it was too late now. We were already here.

I couldn’t help but snap back. “Don’t think you’re some god who controls everyone. Even a bunny bites when it’s cornered.”

“Oh, I look forward to it,” Herman said with a smirk, just as the announcer’s voice boomed, signaling the start of the match.

Steve was fast, precise. He took control early, inching closer to a win. Hernan clapped, thrilled. “As I thought, he won’t disappoint.”

But the closer Steve got to victory, the more my anxiety spiked. My palms were sweating, and I felt an urge to run to the bathroom. I shifted, but Herman’s hand clamped down on my shoulder. “Stay put. You’re about to see something incredible.”

“I need to go to the restroom.”

“Wait. I’ll take you after.”

I glared at him, frustrated.

Bang! The sharp crack of the ball hitting echoed through the arena, louder than normal. Gasps rippled through the crowd. I whipped my head back to the stage just in time to see a red ball launch off the table, rocketing toward the audience.

Ahhh!

Chapter 577