Was this guy always like this?
As Emma stared at Ryan's imposing, powerful figure, her throat suddenly felt dry.
A wild, almost insane thought flashed through her mind - she wanted to be pinned down by this beastly man in the most primal way.
Her ex-boyfriend, the one she'd recently broken up with, was now the object of her deepest, most forbidden desires.
She knew it was wrong, she knew how strange it was, but she couldn't stop herself from thinking about it.
Every cell in her body seemed to ache for his closeness, her emotions surging with longing and nervousness, just as they had when she first dated someone.
It was insane.
'How could I have broken up with this guy?'
"How are you doing? I mean, uh... do you miss me?" Emma stammered, clearly confused, her words tumbling over each other. "You've... changed a lot."
Ryan looked at her, watching her nervous, almost helpless demeanor as she babbled nonsensically.
He shook his head with a slight smile.
He reached out and gently touched Emma's delicate face.
"No, Emma. We've already broken up."
"But..." Emma began, her voice faltering. "Buck would misunderstand if he saw us together like this."
Though her words were a protest, her actions betrayed her. She leaned into his touch, her head tilted slightly, like a kitten seeking affection.
She glanced around nervously, afraid someone might see her.
Ryan chuckled softly at her devious behavior. With a gentle, deliberate motion, he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Even though we broke up, I'm still your friend," Ryan said with a small, knowing smile. "Isn't that what you said?"
As they say, a friend with benefits is still a friend.
Emma's lips parted slightly and her eyes glowed with a longing that could melt stone. She remembered the exact words she'd used when they'd broken up.
"Emma!"
A loud, angry voice called out from behind him.
Ryan narrowed his eyes and turned to see a tall, overweight man glaring at him with anger. The man stood an imposing six feet tall and weighed at least 300 pounds.
It was Buck. Emma's current boyfriend.
His father was the CEO of a huge supermarket chain with hundreds of locations and a net worth in the billions. Buck was wealthy, entitled, and unfortunately, Ryan's love rival.
"Your boyfriend is here," Ryan said lightly. "I'll go now."
Before he left, he gave Emma a playful slap on her plum ass.
Even through the tight denim, the familiar sensation made him smile.
"Asshole! What are you doing?" Emma exclaimed, her cheeks turning crimson.
Though they had done far more intimate things during their years together, this boldness was shocking - especially in front of her new boyfriend.
"Sorry," Ryan said with a shrug, his tone deliberately casual. "It's a habit."
He rubbed his fingers together as if to enjoy the sensation, then turned to Buck.
"Don't worry, Buck. Emma and I are separated. We were just talking. You don't mind, do you?"
Buck's expression darkened. This guy had not only flirted with his girlfriend in broad daylight, but now he had the audacity to act smug about it?
"I'm going to shove your head up your ass!" Buck roared, cracking his knuckles. "I'll have you on your knees begging God for mercy!"
With that, he lunged at Ryan like a human battering ram.
Despite his weight, Buck was an athlete-a key player on the school's Rugby team. Beneath his layers of fat were solid, powerful muscles.
Rugby was a brutal sport that required players to withstand countless collisions and possess extraordinary strength and endurance. Buck's physique made him a formidable opponent.
"Buck!" Emma shouted, panic flashing across her face.
She didn't want either of them to get hurt. Buck was her boyfriend and financial safety net, but emotionally, her heart was still with Ryan.
She knew Buck's strength and feared Ryan wouldn't stand a chance.
But then it happened.
~Bang!~
A dull thud echoed through the air.
Buck, who had charged forward with all his might, rolled his eyes and collapsed like a sack of potatoes.
Emma's hands flew to her mouth in shock.
"What just happened?"
Was Ryan always this strong?
Ryan nonchalantly lifted his foot and looked down at Buck's unconscious form.
"Did this guy really think he could take me on?" Ryan muttered, shaking his head. "Even if he was a werewolf, he'd still lose."
Years of fighting real threats had left Ryan unimpressed by human bravado.
"He really didn't stand a chance," Ryan added with a grin.
"Buck! Is he okay?" Emma asked worriedly, rushing to her fallen boyfriend's side.
"He's probably fine," Ryan replied, though his tone was indifferent. "I didn't kick him that hard."
Still, Ryan couldn't rule out the possibility of some broken bones or internal injuries. Death was unlikely, but Buck might need to go to the hospital.
Emma knelt beside Buck, her face pale with concern.
Meanwhile, Ryan stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked away without a second glance. 🗿