The phone call came late in the evening, catching Seline as she was closing up a box of books. Her phone buzzed incessantly on the counter, and when she saw Austin’s name flash across the screen, she hesitated. A part of her wanted to ignore it, to let the call go unanswered. But curiosity—and a flicker of unease—won out.
“What do you want, Austin?” she asked, her tone clipped as she answered.
“Have you seen anyone at the bar with a tattoo of a black snake wrapped around a dagger?” he asked without preamble. His voice was sharp, tense, and demanding.
Seline frowned. “Why would I know anything about that?”
“Because I saw you serving him a few nights ago,” he said, his tone growing impatient. “Think carefully.”
Her temper flared, and she bit back a harsh retort. Instead, she said coldly, “I serve dozens of customers every night. I don’t have time to memorize every tattoo or detail about them.”
“Seline,” he said, exasperation bleeding into his voice, “this isn’t a game. Did you or did you not see him?”
Without another word, Seline hung up the phone and tossed it onto the counter. Her chest heaved with frustration. Every interaction with Austin felt like an uphill battle, and she was tired of being dragged into his chaos.
Not even ten minutes later, there was a sharp knock at her door. She didn’t need to open it to know who it was.
Swinging the door open, she found Austin standing there, his jaw set and his eyes blazing with barely contained anger.
“You hung up on me,” he said, stepping inside without being invited.
“You’re observant,” she replied dryly, closing the door behind him. “What do you want, Austin? Haven’t you had your fill of messing with my life?”
“I’m serious, Seline,” he said, ignoring her sarcasm. “This is important. Did you see him or not?”
She crossed her arms, glaring at him. “I already told you—I don’t know anything. You can’t expect me to keep tabs on every customer who passes through the bar.”
“I saw you serving him,” Austin said, his voice low and insistent. “Don’t lie to me.”
“I’m not lying,” she snapped, taking a step closer. “But even if I did know, why would I help you? I’m done being your scapegoat, Austin.”
His brow furrowed, confusion flickering across his face. “What are you talking about?”
Seline laughed bitterly, the sound harsh and full of anger. “Don’t play dumb. I know what you’re doing. I heard the recording, Austin. I know you’re trying to frame me for that woman’s murder.”
He froze, his eyes widening in shock. “What recording?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know,” she hissed. “Your packmates were more than happy to spell it out. ‘Spread the rumors, make it look like she did it.’ Does that ring a bell?”
Austin’s jaw tightened, and his fists clenched at his sides. “That’s not true,” he said firmly. “I would never frame you.”
She shook her head, her eyes blazing with fury. “I knew you were low, Austin, but I didn’t think you’d stoop this far. Congratulations, though—you’ve officially proven me wrong.”
Before he could respond, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, glancing at the screen before answering. “What?”
The voice on the other end was loud enough for Seline to hear. It was the pack hunter.
“There’s been another murder,” the hunter said. “Another female from the same group. Same circumstances as the first one.”
Austin’s grip on the phone tightened. “When?”
“Not even an hour ago,” the hunter replied. “And, Alpha… Seline’s scent is all over the body again.”
Austin’s gaze snapped to Seline, his expression unreadable. “That’s impossible,” he said sharply. “She’s been with me this whole time.”
“You’re sure?” the hunter pressed.
“I’m sure,” Austin said firmly before hanging up.
He turned back to Seline, who stood rooted to the spot, her face pale. “I wasn’t framing you,” he said, his voice quiet but full of conviction. “And now I’m going to prove it to you.”
She crossed her arms, her expression hardening. “Don’t bother. I know you want me gone, and I’ll be out of your hair in a few weeks.”
Austin’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean by that?”
“It’s none of your business,” she said, brushing past him.
His hand shot out, grabbing her arm and spinning her around to face him. “What do you mean, Seline?” he demanded, his voice rising.
She yanked her arm free, glaring up at him. “You don’t need to play these games with me, Austin. Just leave me alone.”
Before he could say another word, she stormed into her bedroom and slammed the door behind her.
---
The next evening, Seline found herself back at the bar, trying to focus on her work and ignore the whispers and side glances from the other patrons. The rumors about her hadn’t died down, and she was keenly aware of the judgment in every pair of eyes that lingered on her too long.
She was cleaning a table when she noticed a commotion near the entrance. Turning her head, she froze as her gaze landed on Austin. He was walking into the bar with a woman on his arm—a striking, statuesque shifter with fiery red hair and a predatory smile.
Seline’s heart sank as recognition hit her. It was the same woman who had antagonized her weeks ago, one of the group who had insulted her and provoked her outside the bar.
Her chest tightened as she watched the woman lean closer to Austin, her laugh loud and obnoxious. Then, to Seline’s horror, the woman placed a hand on his chest and kissed him.
The room seemed to tilt as Seline’s stomach churned. Austin didn’t push the woman away. He didn’t flinch. He just… let it happen.
And then, as if he could sense her watching, Austin’s gaze met hers across the room. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes—a challenge, perhaps?
Seline turned away quickly, her face burning. Her friend, who had been watching the scene unfold, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Ignore him,” she said softly. “He’s just trying to get under your skin.”
But Seline couldn’t ignore it. The image of that woman kissing Austin was seared into her mind, and the anger bubbling inside her was almost too much to contain.
“He’s doing it deliberately,” she muttered under her breath, her fists clenching at her sides. “He’s trying to hurt me.”
And it was working.