Chapter 166 PIPER

The mirror in my room reflected the bruise on my cheek. It was light, but I could still see it even after putting on powder to hide it. I didn’t like that it was still there. It reminded me of Warrick’s anger and my mistake in trusting him.

A knock sounded on my door, loud and eager.

I knew it was him before I even opened the door.

Warrick didn’t wait to be invited in. He stepped across the threshold, and as soon as I turned the knob, he said, “Piper, what you doing up here? You should be with the others showing unity.”

I crossed my arms and kept the door open behind him. “Unity, Warrick? Like what you showed me last night when you grabbed me?”

His face became serious, and for a moment, I thought he might deny it.

Instead, he let out a sharp breath, his hands moving at his sides.

“You’re making this a bigger deal than it is.”

“Am I?” I moved a bit closer, making him look at me. “Because I don’t believe it’s right to leave marks on me at all.”

He tried to reach for me, but I stepped back.

“Piper,” he said, his voice becoming gentler. “You know how much stress I’m under. You know what this alliance means for both our packs. I can’t have you doubting me all the time.”

“That doesn’t give you the right to touch me like that,” I said, my voice trembling even though I tried to stay calm, as I stepped up to him.

His jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond immediately. He stepped back from me and looked away.

“I won’t tolerate it,” I continued, stepping closer again. “Not once. Not ever. If it happens again, Warrick, I’ll end this engagement myself, alliance or no alliance.”

His eyes flashed as he shot his gaze to me, a dangerous mix of anger and something else, something that made my stomach clench. “You wouldn’t dare,” he said, his voice low and cold.

I forced myself to hold his gaze even though every instinct screamed at me to look away, to give up and not push too hard, to walk away, but I didn’t… I am not weak.

“Try me,” I growled.

The tension between us was a physical thing, crackling in the air like a storm about to break.

Finally, Warrick exhaled and turned away, pacing the room with sharp, deliberate steps.

“You’re too emotional,” he said, not looking at me. “You always have been. But okay. If it means that much to you, I’ll keep my feelings in check. For now.”

“For now?” My voice was louder than I had wanted.

He turned back to me, and I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. “This isn’t just about us, Piper. It’s about staying alive. Remember that!” He clicked his tongue and stormed out of the room.

I watched him leave. I balled my fists so tight that my knuckles turned white. I stormed to the door and slammed it shut after him.

Survival? I thought, as I walked to my bed and slumped on it in a seated position.

I believed I could deal with Warrick.

I believed that I was strong enough to make this partnership work for the pack. But now, in the quiet of my room, I wasn’t so sure.

Knock. I turned to the door and stared at it for a while, wondering who it could be.

The knock this time was gentle, unsure.

“Piper?”

Evander’s voice.

My heart skipped, and I took a steadying breath before opening the door.

He stood there, his scarred face partially darkened in the dim hallway light. But his eyes, those lilac eyes that always seemed to see straight through me, were sharp and full of concern.

“I saw him leave,” he said, stepping into the room without waiting for an invitation. “What happened?”

“Nothing,” I said quickly as I went to the mirror to fix the powder on my cheek.

“Piper.” His voice was gentle but strong.

I turned to look at him with my arms crossed. “What do you want me to say, Evander? That Warrick got angry? That I messed up? That I thought I could do what was best for the pack and ended up in a worse spot than before?”

His jaw tightened, and he moved a bit closer.

“I want you to say you’ll let me help,” he said, his voice quiet.

I looked at him, not sure how to reply.

“You don’t have to do this by yourself,” he said, looking straight at me.

“I understand what it feels like to be stuck, Piper. I know how it is to believe you have no other choices. But you do. You always have.”

I swallowed hard, his words striking me like a strong blow.

“Why do you care so much?” I asked quietly.

His face changed, looking less tough for a moment.

“Because I’ve seen what happens when people like Warrick don’t have anyone to stop them.”

He reached out, his hand close to my cheek, but he didn’t touch me.

“You deserve better,” he said, his voice almost a whisper.

I felt a lump rise in my throat, and I looked away, blinking rapidly to keep the tears at bay.

“I can handle him,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt.

Evander didn’t argue, but his silence spoke volumes.

“If he tries anything again…”

“I’ll handle it,” I said, cutting him off, as I looked at him again. “I don’t need you to fight for me, Evander.”

His lips were tight, but he nodded.

“Just remember,” he said, his voice soft but strong, “You’re not alone, Piper. Not while I’m here.”

He started to walk away, but before he got to the door, I called out to him.

“Evander.”

He stopped and looked back at me.

“Thank you,” I said, my voice very quiet.

He nodded once and then left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

As the door closed, I sat on the edge of my bed, my hands shaking.

Warrick’s words were in my mind, but so were Evander’s.

I wasn’t quite sure which ones scared me more.