Chapter 433: 433-I Can Make Your Life Living Hell

Verity:

“No, you didn’t wake me up because you wanted to go off alone and take a walk with her,” I shot back.

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

He narrowed his eyes, then slowly shut them and scratched behind his ear.

“Verity, just because we shared some emotional interaction last night doesn’t mean there is anything to be–” He paused, as if trying to force reality back into my head. “That’s exactly why I want you to spend some time alone, so you don’t get the wrong idea.”

Oh, he had crossed a line with that one.

“What are you suggesting?” I asked.

My chest tightened as the sting of insult started to rise inside me.

“I think you’re jealous.” he asked in the cockiest, snarkiest, almost bratty tone possible, like he was thoroughly enjoying himself.

Like he enjoyed reminding me of it.

“Huh? I am jealous?” I said, pointing at my chest. “Of her?” Then I pointed at Brenda. “You know what? No, I’m not. I just needed someone to walk me along the shore, but I guess since you’re busy…” I muttered.

He rolled his eyes and cut me off.

“Well, you can come join us. I’m sure Brenda wouldn’t mind.”

There it was.

He was doing it on purpose.

The slight smirk on his lips told me he was enjoying every second of it.

But why?

Why would he put me through this?

If he knew it was bothering me, why would he keep doing it?

Or was he simply trying to put me in my place, making sure I understood that I wasn’t special just because he’d spent the whole fucking night staring at me?

I smiled at him and shook my head.

“It’s completely okay, you know? You two should walk. Really take a long walk,” I said, dramatically gesturing toward the shoreline.

The water lapped at our feet, making my heels soaking wet.

“I, however, will take a walk with someone else,” I added.

Then I clasped my hands in front of my chest and tapped my fingertips together while looking around.

“Really? And who exactly are you going to take a walk with?” Ragnar asked in a mocking tone.

My eyes landed on the royal beta of the Last Eagle Pack.

He wasn’t bad-looking at all, to be honest. He was probably in his late twenties and had that classic, textbook high school popular-guy look, like he’d definitely been some kind of jock back in school.

Blonde hair, blue eyes, clean-shaven, tall, and genuinely handsome.

Not that he could compare to the asshole standing in front of me, but that didn’t matter.

I smiled.

“You’ll see,” I said.

I noticed Ragnar’s expression turned hard.

“Verity, we are not here to play games,” he reminded me.

I pointed at him.

“We’re not. Trust me, I’m not playing games,” I said, then turned and made my way back to my hut.

He wanted to test my patience.

He wanted to put me in my place, to remind me that last night had meant nothing.

Well, there you go, Ragnar.

I would show him that I could have a good time with anyone I chose, and he would be the one regretting that little statement of his.

I picked out a beautiful white beach outfit with a plunging, draped halter top made of delicate lace, shimmering sequins, and tiny pink floral embellishments, with a fitted pink bralette underneath.

The matching skirt was gathered and tied at one hip, its asymmetrical fabric draping across my curves and revealing one thigh, while strands of pearls and beads dangled from the knot.

A barely visible layer of sheer netting covered my waist, and the entire outfit sparkled whenever I moved.

I styled my blonde hair into thick, voluminous curls with a deep side part, applied red lipstick, blush, and golden highlighter to my cheeks, shoulders, chest, and collarbones.

Finally, I put on my signature long, dangling earrings with soft pink feathers, gave myself one last look, and decided to walk out of my hut.

The moment I stepped outside, every pair of eyes turned toward me, and I wasn’t even exaggerating.

I’d turned plenty of heads before, but this time, even the music seemed to fade for a moment.

I smiled, running one hand through my curls before making my way down the stairs with a playful bounce in my steps. I knew exactly what that little movement was doing to my breasts and ass.

They were jiggling with every step, and that was precisely the effect I wanted. I liked it.

I had the body for it, so why the hell shouldn’t I show it off?

As soon as I reached the bottom of the stairs, I spotted Ragnar and Brenda standing together, cocktails in hand, chatting away until they both suddenly fell silent.

Brenda gave me a slow once-over, her gaze traveling from my head to my feet, but my attention was entirely on Ragnar.

I watched him discreetly from the corner of my eye.

He tilted his head slightly before bringing his glass toward his mouth, seemingly wetting his lips.

Then he straightened his posture and took a step forward, almost as though he were about to approach me.

Perhaps he thought I was going to join him.

Well, not tonight, sweetheart.

Not after the way he’d hurt my feelings.

I walked straight past them without so much as acknowledging their presence.

Ragnar stopped in his tracks the moment he realized I wasn’t heading toward him at all.

Instead, I made my way directly to Clark, the royal beta.

“Um, I hope I’m not bothering you,” I greeted him in my sweetest, most pleasant tone.

Oh, the look in Clark’s eyes was priceless.

They practically popped out of his head.

He’d been standing there with a drink in his hand, smiling as he watched everyone dancing, but the moment he saw me, that smile froze on his face.

He wore black pants and a white shirt with only one button fastened, leaving his abs exposed.

“Not at all. Do you need something?” he managed, stumbling slightly over his words.

I couldn’t help giggling.