Kai looked at everyone before grabbing my hand and saying, “Let’s go, Arya.” 

He directed me to my room. His dark gray eyes bored into me.

I instantly stood up, but he calmly put his finger on his lips as he shushed me,  “Don’t mind Sam. She's been obsessed with Zef all these years.”

I nodded, “I’ve been through hell. Here, mere actions don’t affect me at all.” 

Well, Samantha trying to poison me is not a big deal. I knew I would survive as my father had made me immune to poison since I was a child.

He said that I needed it in case of future events where cases like this would happen, and I guess he was right.

Cases like someone poisoning me indeed came.

I have to thank my father for that. 

Plus, growing up having to change homes every season gave my immune system a boost. 

Just remembering about my old life and with my father still alive awoken the pain in my heart. 

And what made it worse was how I was talking to his killer. Hatred is still in my heart, but his soft expression seemed to widen the gap. 

Kai leaned into me, his hand checking my temperature, and sniffed the air, “Are you alright?” 

I nodded in answer. 

“Good. You know, you’re quite strong. You lost your father, your whole clan, and you have to adjust here, plus you have to deal with crazy women like Sam.” He said, “I didn’t see you cry.” 

I raised my eyebrows at that, “You want to see me cry?”

He thought about it, a light smirk on his face, “Maybe?” he whispered. His tone sounded seductive.

I scoffed, “I won’t give it to you then.”

He then grabbed my hand and said, “I need to make it up then. I’ll take you somewhere.”

“Where?”

He turned to me and winked, “It’s a secret.” He then guided me to the woods, and I looked behind, seeing the packhouse getting farther and farther. 

I thought Kai is the aggressive one. What’s with him acting here?

Or is it really the Kai I thought I knew? It’s like he transformed into a completely different wolf. 

I paused a bit, realizing something.

It’s like Kai is different when he’s alone with me compared to the persona he shows when he’s with his twin. 

He saw me looking and softly smiled, “What are you staring at? My handsome face?”

“You’re quite different when you’re alone with me.”

He blinked, “What kind of different?”

I shrugged, “I don’t know... you seem gentler and kinder.”

 "That's quite a nice observation you have there.” He chuckled, “Well, other pack members of ours also think how Zef is the kinder one when they haven’t known me that much.”

“It’s your aura and expression.” I muttered, “It’s dark. You look intimidating and hard to approach while your twin is the opposite.”

He hummed, “Oh, is that it? I guess I have to work on that part.” 

He then looked at me for a bit.

This time it was me who paused, “What?” 

He shook his head, shrugging it off, “Nothing.” 

I blinked, thinking it was quite random of him, but decided to let it go. 

He faced ahead of us and smiled, “We’re here already.”

I looked at what was in front of us and saw a riverbank.

 I cast a glance at him, “Oh, a river?”

“Yes. Let’s go on a swim.”  He said and took off his shirt until he only has his pants on. I could see his rock hard six pack abs and his strong biceps clearly now against his tan skin

I gulped and he noticed me staring and he had this smirk on his face, “Aren’t you taking your clothes off, or do you want me to take them off for you?”

I didn’t have to think twice and instantly took off my shirt. I have my bra and underwear only now. He then ran to the river and soaked off. I hung my shirt from the tree and followed him.

I slowly dipped my foot and noticed he wasn’t anywhere now.

“Kai?”

I looked behind me and saw none.

Just then, a loud splash of water came from behind me, followed by a hand that grabbed me and pulled me to the river.

I gasped for air and struggled as I heard a hearty deep chuckle.

I turned to see Kai smirking down at me. 

“That was a foul trick, you know!” I complained, glaring at him, “Hey, I almost drowned!”

“But you didn’t. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you won’t.”

We raced to see who could swim faster, and I did not let him overtake me, so I tried hard. But due to him being taller and having longer limbs, it was obvious who would win between the both of us.

And yes, he won.  I was surprised to have this much fun while playing by the river.

No, but what surprised me the most was that I was laughing with the most unexpected man. To Kai out of everyone.  

I scoffed and instantly tried to get back to him, which took him by surprise.

“I see you want to huh? Bring it on.” 

We both splashed water on ourselves, and I knew I was losing, so I faked drowning, which made him approach me in worry, and I instantly attacked him with water.

He looked at me deadpan, his serious expression was invisible and I paused, my heart a bit nervous that I made him angry.

I expected him to yell at me, but he didn’t. Instead, he grabbed me by the hand and asked, “Alright, you won. Name what you want.”

I asked in confusion, “I have a prize?”

He softly grabbed my chin and made me look at him, “Of course, sweetheart. Just name everything and I’ll give it.”

Anything? He must be serious.

What if I say I want my father back?

Surely he can’t make that happen. This won’t become true.

I bit my lip, feeling a bit tempted. No, it was Kai. He’s an alpha, and he’s one of my mates. Of course, he would have this effect on me I can’t deny it.