Chapter 136
Lysandra’s POV
I watched in stunned silence as Tristan’s body contorted, bones cracking and reshaping with frightening speed. His expensive clothes shredded like tissue paper, falling away as silver–gray fur erupted across his transforming body. The elegant, cold businessman vanished, replaced by a massive wolf with gleaming crimson eyes.
Before I could even process what was happening, he launched himself at the rogues. His massive paws slashed across their faces with surgical precision, claws raking through flesh and drawing tortured screams from the would–be attackers. Blood sprayed in crimson arcs, spattering the rocks and turning the edge of the pool a sickening pink.
The leader stumbled backward, hands clutched to his ruined face. “Alpha! It’s Alpha Tristan!” he shrieked, voice cracking
with terror.
His companions didn’t need the warning. They were already scrambling away, crashing through underbrush in a panicked retreat. Within seconds, they’d vanished into the forest, leaving nothing but trampled foliage and droplets of blood
marking their path.
My heart hammered against my ribs as Tristan’s wolf form slowly turned toward me. Those blood–red eyes locked with mine, animal and human intelligence swirling in their depths. A shiver ran through me that had nothing to do with the cooling water around my bare skin.
The transformation back happened just as quickly as the first. Fur receded into tanned skin, limbs straightened, and within moments, Tristan stood before me–completely, utterly naked.
I quickly averted my eyes, but not before getting an eyeful of the body I’d once known intimately. Time had only improved what was already perfect–broad shoulders tapering to narrow hips, defined muscles rippling under smooth skin, and between his legs…
Heat flooded my cheeks. I sank deeper into the water, using my arms to cover my chest, suddenly painfully aware of my own nudity. My wet hair clung to my shoulders and back, providing minimal coverage.
“What are you doing here?” I demanded, keeping my voice steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through my veins.
His eyes, gradually fading from that unnerving crimson back to steel blue, swept over me with an intensity that made my skin tingle. “Saving you, obviously. That’s twice this week. You’re making it a habit.”
“I didn’t need your help.” I pressed myself against the far edge of the pool, putting as much distance between us as possible. “Leave.”
“In this state?” One eyebrow rose as he gestured to his naked form, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “Are you
sure that’s what you want?”
I realized with growing horror the precariousness of my situation. I was literally trapped–naked in a hot spring with my clothes piled on a rock between me and Tristan. The only way out would expose me completely to his gaze.
He seemed to read my thoughts, casually strolling toward my belongings. His fingers idly brushed over the fabric of my underwear before picking up my dress.
“Put that down.” My voice cracked slightly, betraying my anger.
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Chapter 136
He ignored me, lifting the dress to his face and inhaling deeply. “Your scent… always so distinctive.” Something darkened in his eyes. “Unique.”
“What the hell do you want?” I snapped, feeling my cheeks burn with a
ixture
of rage
and humiliation.
He carefully folded the dress over his arm, the casual domesticity of the gesture somehow more infuriating than if he’d simply held it hostage. “You know, these springs straddle both territories. You’re actually on my land right now.”
comfortable in his nakedness, my clothes still Tristan settled himself on a large boulder at the pool’s edge, looking entirely draped over his arm. The predatory confidence radiating from him made my mouth go dry.
“Give me my clothes, Tristan,” I demanded, fighting to keep my voice level.
He tilted his head, studying me like I was a particularly interesting specimen. “I will… for a price.”
“What price?” I narrowed my eyes, already knowing I wouldn’t like his answer.
ནས་
His fingers rose to brush along the claw marks on his neck–marks I’d left that still looked angry and raw. “The damage
you
caused. It won’t heal.”
Despite myself, surprise flickered across my face before I could mask it. “That’s not my problem.”
“Local legend says these springs have healing properties.” His eyes gleamed with something dangerous. “Join me in the water, help heal what you did, and I’ll return your clothes. Otherwise…”
The threat hung in the air between us, unspoken but crystal clear.
“Otherwise what?” I challenged, though my heart was racing.
“Otherwise, I might just drag you out of there myself.” His smile was razor–sharp. “Your choice, Lysandra.”
I weighed my options, which were painfully limited. I could try to make a run for it, but that would mean exposing myself completely. I could call his bluff, but the dark gleam in his eyes told me it wasn’t a bluff at all. Tristan would absolutely follow through on his threat.
“Fine,” I spat finally. “But turn around. I’ll move to that pool.” I nodded toward a larger spring a few feet away.
To my surprise, he complied, turning his back but keeping my clothes firmly in his grasp. I quickly slipped from the water, trying to make as little noise as possible, and dashed to the adjacent pool, sinking into its warmth with a quiet splash.
“You can turn around now,” I called, making sure onl
shoulders and head remained above water.
Tristan dropped into the spring with casual grace, sending small waves rippling toward me. Steam rose around us, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that felt dangerously intimate. The larger size of this pool meant we weren’t touching, but he was still close enough that I could see water droplets clinging to his eyelashes.
“So,” he began, those blue eyes fixed on me. “Why do you still have this ability?”
“What ability?” I feigned ignorance.
