Chapter 9-Striking Lars for Me Selene's POV: "You hit her?" I watched Aaron's jaw tighten as he spoke, each syllable carrying unwavering authority. It was a question, yes-but the tone left no room for doubt. Our chests were barely inches apart, and I was drowning in the raw, intoxicating scent of his masculinity. He wore a crisp white shirt tucked into jet-black trousers, looking deceptively casual. Yet his eyes- sharp, predatory-pinned Lars like a hunter locking onto its prey. His tie hung loosely around his neck, sleeves rolled up to reveal arms thick and solid like tree trunks. Every gesture exuded raw, untamed power. Lars narrowed his eyes, sizing Aaron up from head to toe, likely trying to calculate his rank. With that soldier-like physique and aura of strength, he didn't look like an ordinary wolf-but it was impossible to gauge the full measure of him from his enigmatic presence alone. "This is a misunderstanding, Aa-" Lars tried, forcing a flattering smile. But Aaron raised a hand, cutting him off. "You don't get to use my name. My name belongs only to my mate." Oh. How I wished my future mate would be just as poetic. "Ah... alright then..." Lars straightened himself, a flicker of calculation in his eyes as he continued. "I hit Selene... Vanessa, there's a reason. You know, Alpha Damien Hale of the Blood Shade Pack went berserk because she ran from the wedding. He canceled all our project collaborations and now demands a million as compensation." "Really? He actually did that?" Aaron arched a brow, disbelief sharp in his gaze. "Yes, he's petty," Lars admitted. He paused, evaluating Aaron once more. "Since you are Vanessa's mate, you need to help us pay this. Half? Five hundred thousand. Fair?" I rolled my eyes. He wanted a ransom worthy of a king! "Fine. Check okay?" Oh, please. Don't be foolish. I tried to stop Aaron from pulling out his checkbook, but he held my hand gently, giving a reassuring squeeze, a small, comforting smile brushing his lips. "Of course, a check will do," Lars said, craning his neck to watch Aaron quickly jot down the details on a commercial check. As Aaron finished, he reached out eagerly to hand it over. "Wait," Aaron pulled back. "The money is settled. Now it's time to discuss Vanessa being struck." "What?!" Lars faltered. "I don't want this to be humiliating for anyone. Here's the deal: each of you apologizes to Vanessa and slaps yourself ten times. Then we're square." Aaron's voice was firm, unyielding, leaving no room for argument. 15.13 < Chapter 9-Striking Lars for Me Get 5 Menu I looked down, twisting my fingers nervously. Few ever stood up for me, cared about me in this way. I wasn't used to it. When someone's full attention focused on me, I never knew how to respond. "Bold, aren't you?" An angry shout jolted me upright. Lars' lips twitched, nostrils flaring. The humiliation this demand inflicted upon him was monumental, especially for an Alpha. "Seems the deal was rejected." Aaron's casual smirk accompanied a dramatic gesture of tearing the check in half. Every motion exuded control, confidence-a king surveying his domain. "Wait!" Lars swallowed hard. "We'll do it!" He raised a hand and struck himself sharply across the face, and his men followed suit. Aaron's eyes gleamed with quiet delight. He eased open my clenched fingers, taking my hand in his as if it were the most natural act in the world. I stared blankly ahead, each slap echoing in the room. Did I feel... pleasure? Yes, an undeniable pulse of sensation ran through me. Yet beneath it, a tide of sorrow washed over me. Lars, ruler of Ice Moon Pack, valued money above honor and family. What else was there to say? I began to doubt my grandfather's choice in passing the mantle to him. "....I... apologize," Lars muttered reluctantly after striking himself ten times. I turned my head away, unwilling to look at him. Aaron handed him the check, and Lars, inspecting it, asked, "Hale Group? You're part of the Blood Shade Pack?" Blood Shade Pack. My body stiffened; the name instantly conjured images of the terrifying Damien Hale. Aaron shook his head. "No. Pure coincidence. I hold signing rights for Blood Shade Group checks. Confidential business information-I can't divulge more." "Which Alpha do you serve?" "I don't serve any Alpha." Oh. Like me-a lone wanderer. For a brief moment, Lars' expression hardened into scorn. "A wanderer's a wanderer, no matter how much money he has." He sneered, spinning on his heel to leave. The moment Lars and his men departed, Aaron's arms wrapped around me tightly. His voice dropped to a soft whisper. "I'm sorry, little one. I came too late. Had I arrived sooner, you could have avoided all this." I blinked in surprise. He wasn't the one obligated to protect me, yet his words were filled with genuine remorse. He held me so tightly, I felt as if he might meld me into his body. "You were perfect timing, Aaron. You saved me again... thank you." I patted his back, trying to coax him away from enveloping me, but he didn't budge an inch. 1513 975