Chapter 6

My face grew hot as I lowered my head and took the candy. My fingers accidentally brushed against his palm—it was warm.

"Th-thank you, Alpha Kieran..."

I whispered, quickly popping the candy into my mouth. The sweet taste melted on my tongue.

"Just call me Kieran," he said with a smile.

I nodded and mumbled through the candy, "Kieran."

The two little white rabbits were hopping around in their cage. I couldn't help but squat down to play with them.

Kieran crouched beside me, teaching me how to feed them carrot pieces.

"Hold it like this," he demonstrated. "Then they won't bite your fingers."

Dad and Kieran talked for a while before he got up to leave.

I clutched the rabbit cage, reluctant to let go, and walked him all the way to the front gate.

"I'll come see them again in a few days," Kieran said with a smile.

I nodded happily. Back in my room, I placed the cage beside my bed, humming a little tune while feeding the rabbits carrot pieces.

Their tiny noses twitched up and down—so adorable.

"You like them that much?"

A cold voice suddenly came from behind me. I jumped, my hand shaking so hard that the carrot piece fell to the floor.

Connor had somehow followed me here. He stood in the doorway, his face dark and frightening.

"Of-of course I like them," I instinctively hugged the cage tighter. "Kieran gave them to me."

"Kieran?" His voice shot up. "How intimate of you to call him that."

He glanced back at the wooden boxes piled in the courtyard, then strode over and grabbed my wrist. "Are you really going to mate with him?"

"Of course!" I nodded firmly. "I already accepted the courting gifts. Look how cute these little rabbits are—"

"You're not allowed to mate with him!" He cut me off sharply, his eyes turning red.

I was startled by his reaction. "Wh-why not?"

"He's not right for you."

"But Dad says he's perfect..."

"Are you the one getting mated, or is your dad?!"

He suddenly shouted, scaring the little rabbits into scrambling around their cage.

Looking at him like this, I suddenly felt wronged. "You seemed happy enough with Vivian. Why do you care who I mate with..."

Connor's breathing became rapid and heavy, his chest heaving violently. "Either way, you're not mating with him!"

"I am too going to mate with him!" My temper flared as I held the rabbit cage up to his face. "I already accepted his little rabbits..."

The moment I finished speaking, Connor suddenly snatched the cage and hurled it to the ground.

"No!" I screamed and lunged forward, but it was too late.

The cage crashed to the floor and split open. The two rabbits scattered in terror.

"My rabbits!" I cried, crawling after them. My knees hit the ground hard.

Connor seemed shocked by his own actions and stood frozen in place.

I crawled over and gathered the trembling little rabbits in my arms, tears streaming down my face.

"Why did you do that... They're so small..."

"What's wrong, Thea?!"

Dad came running in with a broom, and his face changed completely when he saw the scene. "Caleb! What are you doing?"

Connor's lips moved, but he said nothing. He turned and ran outside.

"Stop right there!" Dad shouted, but Connor had already disappeared.

Dad came over and helped me up. "Thea, did Caleb bully you?"

"Dad, he's not Caleb..." I sobbed, wiping my tears. "He's Connor... He never died..."

Dad's body went rigid. The broom clattered to the floor.

His face went from red to white, then from white to green, and finally black as the bottom of a pot.

"Well, I'll be!" Dad stamped his feet in rage, his beard bristling. "That rotten scoundrel! Playing tricks and bullying my daughter! I'll break his legs!"

I grabbed Dad's sleeve tightly, crying even harder. "Forget it, Dad... Just let him go..."

My voice grew smaller and smaller. "He broke my little rabbits... I... I never want to see him again..."