My fingers tighten around the phone 91

Emma’s POV
Two hours later, I sauntered through the high-end boutique, my eyes skimming over the formal gowns. Different
scenarios played through my mind. I pulled another dress from the rack, examining it carefully. The cut was perfect—
form-fitting and sexy in all the right places without being tacky—but the material looked cheap. I hung it back with an
irritated sigh, disappointed with the store’s quality.
I needed a gown that was both sexy and elegant, something that would showcase my potential as Luna while
simultaneously enticing Ethan. Just picturing myself on Ethan’s arm sent a delicious thrill up my spine. The corners of my
mouth lifted into a self-satisfied smile as I imagined the envious glances, the whispered comments, and most importantly,
the way Ethan would look at me with renewed desire when he saw me in the perfect dress. Every eye would be on us. On me.
A deep male chuckle made me look up to see Leo standing there on his phone. Dressed in a tailored suit with one hand
casually tucked into his pocket, the other holding his phone to his ear, he looked like he’d stepped off a runway. His
posture was effortlessly elegant yet powerful, radiating wealth, prestige, and confidence. I knew of him—the Northern
Pack’s alpha heir. Leo and Ethan had been friends since childhood.
I sashayed toward him, calculating each step while pretending complete obliviousness to Leo’s presence. When I was
perfectly positioned, I executed my move—a practiced “stumble” that sent me crashing directly into his broad chest. My
fingers instinctively curled into the expensive fabric of his suit, clinging to him with just enough pressure to seem
genuinely startled while ensuring maximum body contact.
“What the—” Leo muttered, his deep voice vibrating against my palms as his phone clattered to the polished floor.
“I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you there,” I gasped with wide-eyed innocence, my voice hitting that perfect pitch between
embarrassment and breathlessness. I let my hands linger on his chest, ostensibly smoothing his shirt but really savoring
the rock-hard muscles beneath. My fingertips tingled at the contact—god, the man was built like a marble statue under
that designer suit. It took genuine willpower not to trail my hands lower, to test whether the rest of him was equally
impressive. My lips parted slightly, just enough to appear vulnerable and inviting as recognition dawned in my eyes. “Oh!
You’re Leo.”
Leo glared down at me, recognition written all over his face. He grabbed my shoulders and pushed me away slightly,
steadying us both. Leo rolled his eyes, then bent to retrieve his phone. “The infamous Emma. What a pleasure to ‘bump
into’ you.”
He made air quotes around “bump into” with his hands. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from saying
something cutting. “Such a small world, isn’t it?”
“Too small if I’m running into you. Speaking of which, how can you afford this place?” Leo said, his eyes never leaving his
phone screen.
“Always the joker at parties. Speaking of parties, will you be attending the charity opera event?” I batted my eyelashes
although he pretended not to notice.
“Yes. I’ll be there,” Leo answered in a bored tone.
“Wonderful. I hope Ethan and I will see you there,” I shrugged casually.
“Ethan’s taking you?” Leo looked me up and down, seemingly offended that his friend would do such a thing. “That
explains your shopping spree. Ethan is such an idiot.”
I took a deep breath, working to keep the smile plastered on my face. Time to make my move. “Of course. Ethan and I are
together. I know there are rumors about him and Aria, but that’s not true.”
Leo’s body tensed, his brow furrowing in confusion. He finally looked up from his phone. “What rumors?”
Hook, line, and sinker. I could almost hear the satisfying click as my trap snapped shut around him. Men like Leo were so
beautifully predictable. I widened my eyes just a fraction, letting vulnerability seep into my expression.
“If you don’t know, then never mind,” I said, my voice dropping to a confidential murmur, like we were sharing secrets
between friends. “I just didn’t want anyone to misunderstand Ethan’s kindness toward Aria.” I paused, letting my words
settle like poison in still water. “As a poor single mother, my sweet Ethan helps her a lot, just as he would help any pack
member. It’s not his fault that Aria has this unrealistic infatuation with him.”
Leo stared at me, skepticism radiating from him in waves. His jaw flexed once, twice, his entire body coiled with tension
like a predator preparing to strike. I could practically see him processing my words, turning them over and examining
each syllable for the hidden barb. I fought to keep my face neutral, to hide the thrill of victory bubbling up inside me. I’d
done my homework on Leo. He’d been there for her and her brat in the human world, playing white knight to her damsel
in distress.
Jealousy was like a master key—it unlocked even the most tightly guarded hearts. If Leo pursued Aria and somehow won
her over with his wealth and pretty-boy charm, Ethan would be forced to see the truth: we belonged together. He and I.
Alpha and Luna. As it was always meant to be.
I watched Leo’s eyes narrow, then soften. The tension in his shoulders released ever so slightly. Then, like clouds parting
after a storm, his face transformed into a dazzling playboy smile that sent an unexpected rush of heat between my
thighs. Damn, the man was gorgeous when he thought he had the upper hand.
Leo patted my shoulder and winked at me. “You’re right, those rumors must be a misunderstanding. Like you said, you
and Ethan are the couple.”
He sauntered away, all confident swagger and expensive cologne, leaving me standing there with victory tingling in my
fingertips. Had my plan worked? His reaction wasn’t quite what I’d expected, but the seed was planted—that’s what mattered.