Faylen's Pov

　　"You are right, Bri. He cannot do that anymore. But there are still scars from what he did," I reply with sorrow.

　　"Daniel is a hunk, a Greek god!" Bri exclaims enthusiastically, and I control myself not to roll my eyes at her remark.

　　"He is very young, only twenty years old. And do you remember the stories Emma told? He is very immature!" I retort reluctantly while watching him talk to Emma from a distance.

　　"He is adventurous, we were like that once too," Bri responds cheerfully, making me raise an eyebrow.

　　"We were never adventurous. We were hunted, and abused. Never adventurous!" I reply stubbornly, and I feel Bri growl at me.

　　I head towards Emma just as she and Daniel are hugging. If Matthew sees this, chaos will ensue among these three.

　　"Emma, I was looking for you!" I declare cheerfully and happily, interrupting their hug.

　　Daniel looks at me with wide eyes, his blue eyes immense, and I almost feel myself drown in them for a few seconds.

　　"Did you feel that?" Bri asks, confused, and I blink, equally puzzled.

　　"Do you want to have a drink with me?" Daniel suddenly asks, and I raise an eyebrow in surprise.

　　"The Greek god is inviting us for a drink. Say yes!" Bri orders enthusiastically, and I simply obey her request.

　　"How is it that I have never seen you before, Faylen?" Daniel questions in a seductive voice, his blue eyes shining with an irresistible charm.

　　The sunset sky of the conference hall still reverberates with the energy of Emma's inspiring words. Today's victory, the overwhelming success of the presentation, brought temporary relief to the constant anxiety I felt about the possible presence of Varian.

　　"I am not as sociable and communicative as my alpha Emma," I reply sincerely, my voice lower than usual, almost like a shared secret.

　　We are walking towards the bar in the resort, moving away from the large conference hall. The day was hot and humid, typical of a tropical island. The salty sea breeze caresses our skin, and the sound of waves breaking in the distance is almost hypnotic.

　　"That is too cruel to other humans, Faylen," Daniel compliments in a way that makes me laugh. His voice is a beautiful melody, each word laden with a magnetism I could not ignore.

　　"What a beautiful laugh!" he exclaims, his face lighting up with a genuine smile.

　　"This man is unreal, Faylen! He is perfect!" Bri comments excitedly in my mind, her voice a thrilled whisper.

　　"Girl, control yourself!" I rebuke seriously, warning Bri's blossoming emotions. I needed to keep a cool head, even in the face of Daniel's overwhelming charm.

　　The corridor to the bar is open, showing the entire beach environment of the resort. There are flower beds on both sides of the corridor, their vibrant colors standing out under the soft lighting of the lanterns. Blue columns decorated with seashells rise along the path, lending a rustic elegance to the scene.

　　Daniel's defined body is eye-catching for any woman, I had to admit. It's a breathtaking sight, his light clothes highlighting every line of his muscles. But what caught my attention the most was the scar over his left eye, a distinct line running from his eyebrow to below his eyelashes, giving him a unique charm. That scar gave him an air of mystery and danger, something that deeply intrigued me.

　　The resort bar has a very inviting beach décor. The walls were adorned with fishing nets, shells, and other marine elements, creating a cozy and relaxed atmosphere. The soft lights, hanging from hemp ropes, cast a golden glow over the guests seated at the bar and the tables around the establishment. The gentle music blended with the sound of the sea, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Guests were seated at the bar and some others at tables around the establishment.

　　Suddenly, I feel Daniel's hand on my back, the unexpected touch making my body contract instinctively. I quickly pull away, my heart racing as a shiver of fear runs down my spine.

　　"Sorry, I did not mean to scare you," Daniel says with a voice full of remorse, his hands raised for a moment, a gesture of apology. "I just wanted to lead you to a table I saw available over there," Daniel explains, pointing to the back of the bar where an empty table awaited us, partially hidden by a large tropical plant.

　　"You do not like being touched, do you?" Daniel comments subtly, observing my reactions. I nod, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over me. "It's okay, I will not do it again."

　　"Thank you," I mumble, embarrassed, trying to regain my composure. Daniel's presence, while making me nervous, also brought a sense of comfort that I could not fully understand. He seemed genuinely concerned about my well-being, something I was not used to feeling.

　　We sat at the chosen table, a small oasis of privacy amidst the buzz of the bar. The wicker chairs were comfortable, and the rustic wooden table, decorated with a vase of fresh flowers, added a touch of charm to the environment. Daniel smiled at me, a smile that seemed to light up the entire place. I felt my heart slow down a bit, the tension beginning to dissipate.

　　"So, tell me more about yourself, Faylen," he asks, his tone gentle and curious. "I want to know everything about this mysterious woman who has captured my attention."

　　His words make me blush, and for a moment, I feel a glimpse of normality, a spark of something I had not experienced in a long time: hope. As we begin to talk, I let the cozy atmosphere of the bar and Daniel's company envelop me, trying, if only for a brief moment, to forget the ghosts of the past and live in the present.

　　But as the conversation drags on for hours and the sky has given way to the night, a familiar smell comes my way, making my heart skip a few beats. The pungent aroma of iron and blood, mixed with something darker, almost earthy, surrounds me, bringing with it memories of a past I so desperately want to forget.

　　My eyes search for the owner of the smell before he finds me, but the familiarity of that presence is overwhelming and inevitable. The air seems to become denser, each particle laden with the weight of my anxiety.

　　"Look at what the cat dragged in."