Dana POV

　　The sensation of nearly kissing an Alpha seems like a misstep and the most extraordinary occurrence in my revamped existence. Ever since that evening, he ceased his training sessions with me, honoring my decision as I fled from his quarters to confine myself to my room for the entirety of the day.

　　Facing him once more daunts me. I'm at a loss for my thoughts at that moment. I'm resolved not to fall in love again, and that's a stance I'm adamant about maintaining. He isn't my destined partner, and engaging in any form of physical interaction is off-limits for me.

　　I am just lying down in my bed, my mind was a whirlpool of thoughts, swirling with everything that had happened and all the emotions tied to those events. The ceiling above me offered no answers, just a blank canvas for my restless mind to project its worries and hopes onto.

　　"Isn't it about time you left this room?" Xia suggests, yet my spirits remain dampened.

　　"In a bit," I responded faintly, closing my eyes.

　　"That doesn't mean anything, right?" she questioned, her tone suggesting she was searching for reassurance rather than providing it. "Bathel isn't our destined partner, and I believe that harming yourself over this isn't wise," she added, prompting me to lift my head in contemplation of her words.

　　"I'd rather not revisit those thoughts," I exhaled sharply, struggling to rise yet lacking the will to do so.

　　"Truly?" she inhaled deeply. "Atlas, his wolf, possesses great power and ferocity. There's an undeniable tension between you two, albeit different from what Ares stirred-"

　　"Enough," I managed to sit upright on the bed.

　　"Maybe you're right," I said, running my fingers through my hair. "It's pointless to dwell on this and lock myself away when there are important things to deal with. Bathel is probably just being his usual self. He probably acts like this with all the girls," I scolded myself, pushing myself to stand up from the bed.

　　Xia let out a deep sigh, likely rolling her eyes in exasperation at my self-criticism and indecision.

　　"I'll always be here for you, Dana, but overthinking because of a past betrayal is unnecessary. I've experienced pain too, and though it was unforeseen but-"

　　"Xia, it's irrelevant," I cut her off.

　　"Mulling over the worst-case scenarios isn't doing me any favors," I murmured to myself, catching a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror.

　　"I'm okay," I reassured myself with a faint smile, trying to project confidence despite the turmoil within.

　　Suddenly, a knock on the door jolted me out of my thoughts, sending a shiver down my spine.

　　"Dana?" Anna's voice called out, breaking the silence and pulling my attention towards the door.

　　Panic surged through me as I quickly tidied my hair, attempting to present a more composed facade despite the turmoil within.

　　"Are you in there?" she pressed, her voice sounding closer now, increasing my sense of urgency to compose myself.

　　"Yes!" I replied with a sense of urgency, hastening to the door and swinging it open to reveal Anna standing there, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity.

　　She greeted me with a puzzled look, her gaze sweeping over me from head to toe as if trying to decipher the tumult of emotions hidden beneath my hastily arranged exterior.

　　"You've skipped meals since the morning," she observed.

　　"But I'm okay-"

　　"No, you need to come with me," she interjected, her tone assertive and her gaze compelling, leaving no room for refusal.

　　I nodded, albeit nervously. "Okay, sure. I just need to sort a few things-"

　　"That's unnecessary. An omega can handle it if you're agreeable," her insistence widened my eyes before she took my hand.

　　"Oh, I'll attend to it later," I mumbled as we began walking down the hallway, and she eventually released my hand.

　　"What's going on?" she queried.

　　I maintained a facade of normalcy. "What do you mean? All is well," I claimed, focusing ahead.

　　"Bathel had plans to train with you yesterday, but I observed your sudden departure without so much as a word to him," she paused, her tone pensive. "I was genuinely hopeful upon hearing about your progress from Divine, who, despite still being cautious of your punch, acknowledged improvements. However, Bathel hasn't brought up the topic of you since then," she sighed, a crease forming on her forehead as she rubbed it in frustration.

　　Her words plunged me into disappointment. I hadn't anticipated Bathel feeling equally awkward and uncomfortable about the incident; I had hoped he'd simply move past it and maintain our previous camaraderie.

　　"Hey," the reality hit me.

　　"Yes?" I looked away.

　　"Did something happen?" she probed again, catching me off guard just as we arrived at the pack's cafeteria, the sudden shift in conversation leaving me momentarily flustered.

　　She had already arranged a seat and table for me. I took my seat, and she joined me.

　　"You haven't answered my question," I noted, my attention on the food before us.

　　I faced her. "Nothing," I laughed it off.

　　"I decided last minute that I needed a break, hence my absence, and Bathel and I are fine," I offered her a reassuring smile and began eating my cereal, aware of her watchful gaze.

　　"Well," she hesitated, biting her cheek. "I'm clueless about the specifics, so I'll take your word for it. That explains Bathel's silence," she shook her head, and my anxiety spiked.

　　The realization struck me like a bolt of lightning-I needed to speak with him, no matter how daunting the prospect seemed.

　　I didn't want our relationship to turn awkward.

　　"Where is he?" I inquired, turning to her.

　　She raised her eyebrows. "He mentioned a meeting with another pack alongside his beta, but I doubt he's departed yet. He's likely in his office or quarters," she speculated, leaving me uncertain about my next steps.

　　"I should speak with him-" the awareness of others' stares and whispers was jarring.