Maria.

"Adrien!" My voice came out sharper than I intended, cutting through the thick tension that had built so quickly between them.

Fear crept in almost instantly, tightening my chest as I watched the way his grip on Vincent’s shirt tightened even more.

This was going to escalate.

I could already see it.

Adrien’s fists were clenched, his jaw set, his entire body rigid with restrained anger. It wouldn’t take much, just one wrong word, one wrong move, and he would hit Vincent without hesitation.

"Can you stop!" I added quickly, my voice firmer this time, laced with urgency.

For a moment, nothing happened, but then, I saw it, the way his shoulders eased slightly. The tightness in his stance loosened, just enough for me to know he had heard me... and more importantly, that he was actually listening.

"Yes, baby. I will."

The sudden shift in his tone caught me off guard. The anger that had been so obvious moments ago seemed to melt away as he turned to face me, a sheepish smile appearing on his lips as though nothing had just happened.

"The necklace..." he continued casually, reaching out without warning. "It doesn’t seem to fit."

Before I could react, his fingers were already at my neck, he removed it, just like that and with no hesitation nor permission, he tossed it to the ground.

My eyes widened slightly at the action, shock flickering across my face as I followed the movement of the necklace hitting the floor.

"If you need a necklace, Maria," he added, brushing it off as if it meant nothing, "just tell me, and I’ll get you one."

I didn’t respond.

Like how could I?

Because for a moment, I was too stunned to even process what had just happened.

But Vincent’s reaction...

That I noticed immediately.

His expression had darkened, the easy smile from earlier completely gone, replaced with something far colder, far less forgiving. His eyes lingered on the discarded necklace, then lifted slowly, and the shift in his demeanor was impossible to miss.

The tension hadn’t disappeared.

It had only changed shape.

I cleared my throat softly, trying to break whatever was forming again before it spiraled out of control.

Carefully, I pulled myself away from Adrien’s hold, creating just enough distance to breathe.

"I have something to do," I said quickly, not waiting for any response as I turned on my heels and began walking toward my room.

I needed space.

Away from both of them.

"Baby, wait for me!"

Adrien’s voice echoed behind me almost immediately, his footsteps quick as he followed without hesitation.

I stopped abruptly, turning sharply. I faced him again, my expression hard, serious.

"Stop calling me that, Alpha Adrien," I said firmly, every word deliberate.

There was no room for misunderstanding but he didn’t look offended. If anything, he looked almost amused.

"I don’t think I can," he replied the moment he caught up to me, his voice calm, almost playful, though there was something deeper beneath it. "You are my medicine, baby."

I stared at him.

Unimpressed.

"I just need to be around you," he added, his gaze unwavering, his words carrying a sincerity that only made it more frustrating.

I rolled my eyes instantly, shaking my head in disbelief.

Unbelievable.

Since he was still walking beside me, matching my pace like he had every intention of staying there, I couldn’t ignore the question any longer.

It had been sitting at the back of my mind, nagging, refusing to be pushed aside.

"What of Patricia?" The words slipped out before I could reconsider them, my voice calm but carrying a quiet weight.

Adrien didn’t respond immediately.

But I saw it.

The change in his expression.

His gaze darkened almost instantly at the mention of her name, his jaw tightening slightly as if the mere thought of her irritated him.

"She is waiting to be executed."

His answer came flat, cold and final.

My steps faltered for just a second.

I swallowed hard, the dryness in my throat making it difficult to respond immediately. There was something about the way he said it, so casually, so decisively, that made it feel like the decision had already been made, like there was no room left for discussion.

But I wasn’t going to accept that.

"You don’t just get to execute her, Adrien," I said, rolling my eyes slightly as I turned to look at him. My tone sharpened, firm now, unwilling to let him brush it off so easily. "She has to pay for what she has done to me."

The words came out with more intensity than I intended, but I didn’t take them back.

"I need her alive."

That part, I made sure was clear. I know I have no right to argue with him. He was the damn Alpha of this pack and this was his territory but there was no hesitation in my voice.

For a brief moment, he said nothing. Then slowly, he turned his head to look at me, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

"Really..." he drawled, his tone shifting slightly, something almost teasing creeping in. "What do I get in return for keeping her alive?"

I completely stopped walking.

My brows furrowed as irritation flared instantly, sharp and unfiltered.

"Get out of my sight!" I snapped, my patience finally snapping with it.

The audacity.

Did he actually think I was bargaining?

That this was some kind of exchange?

My fists clenched slightly at my sides as I stared at him, disbelief mixing with annoyance.

Was he serious right now?

For a second, I just stood there, staring at him, trying to understand why I had even entertained this conversation in the first place.

Why I had been walking beside him.

Why I had been... smiling earlier.

"Don’t follow me anymore, Adrien," I added, my voice dropping, colder now, firmer, my expression hardened, every trace of earlier reaction wiped clean. "You wouldn’t like the outcome."

I didn’t wait for his response.

I turned away again, my steps more decisive this time, my posture rigid as I continued forward without looking back.

Because this time, I meant every word.