Adrian froze when he heard Natalia say she was with someone else. His mind reeled. Instantly, his lips crashed against hers, igniting a passionate, electrifying connection that sent shockwaves through her.

He kissed her roughly, his anger evident. The kiss, however, began to soothe him. It felt as if he'd been missing something vital, and this was it. He craved her closeness, her presence. He wanted to hold her delicate waist, to kiss her again, and again.

Natalia, however, was taken aback. Regaining her senses, she was enraged. She shoved him hard, breaking the kiss. A look of disgust contorted her face as she slapped him.

The slap stunned Adrian; no one had ever dared strike him before, except his parents. He frowned, turning to her.

"Did you just dare to slap me?"

"How dare you kiss me?" she retorted.

Adrian was speechless. Why had he kissed her? Was it his anger at her admission about Eric? Or was it a desperate attempt to claim her as his?

"You said you were with this Eric."

"Yes, yes, yes! A hundred times over! I'm with him. What's it to you?" Natalia snapped, losing patience.

Her confession weighed heavily on him, threatening to crush him. His mind raced, searching for answers. He took a deep breath, attempting composure.

"Listen, Natalia. Eric Hart isn't good for you."

Irritation flared in her. Waving dismissively at the door, she said, "I don't want to listen to you. It would be better if you le—"

A knock interrupted. She turned and opened the door.

"Eric!" she exclaimed.

As Eric entered, Adrian's attention snapped to him. Fury ignited within him. How dare he come to Natalia's room at this hour? he thought.

Eric looked between Natalia and Adrian. "What's he doing here, Nat?" he asked.

Adrian's eyebrows shot up in outrage. He couldn't believe Eric was using a nickname. Natalia's description of her relationship with this man fueled a surge of murderous intent. Anger, jealousy, and betrayal warred within him; he clenched his fists, his knuckles white.

"I was just telling him to leave," Natalia mumbled, lowering her head. She was overwhelmed. The kiss had…complicated things.

Eric looked at Adrian. "What are you doing in a young woman's room, Alpha Adrian?"

Adrian scoffed. "Same goes for you, Beta Eric. What are you doing here?"

Natalia, irritated, said, "Didn't I answer you before? I'm with another man now. Go away."

"NATALIA!" Adrian roared. Eric stepped in front of Natalia, shielding her.

"That's not how you communicate with her. Remember, she's no longer your wife. She's free to date whomever she chooses."

Adrian moved closer, warning, "You have some nerve. You've forgotten who you're talking to."

His gaze flicked to Natalia, standing behind Eric.

Eric chuckled. "No one forgets you, Alpha Adrian. You're the most powerful Alpha. But that's in the pack. Here, you're her ex-husband. Since she doesn't want contact, stay away. She has nothing to do with you."

Adrian's eyes remained fixed on Natalia, though he heard Eric clearly.

"I don't mean to belittle you, but you have a girlfriend. You're committed and yet you're in another woman's room. That's…"

Adrian's aggression mounted. He feared what he might do if he stayed longer. To control his rage, he decided to leave. Had he stayed and heard Eric call him Natalia's ex-husband again, he might have attacked him, violating pack rules.

While the men spoke, Natalia kept her gaze on the floor. Adrian's departure brought a wave of relief.

Eric turned to her. "Thank you, Eric. You helped me today."

Eric said nothing, simply staring.

Natalia went to her bed and drank some water. As she did, Eric approached.

"Do you still have feelings for Adrian?"

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