The sound of the slap cut through the tense atmosphere like a thunderclap in a library. For a moment, the three alphas froze, their brains buffering as they processed what had just happened.
Caelian, in particular, looked like a man who had been struck by lightning while simultaneously being told his favorite coffee shop had permanently closed. His cheek wasn't even red—yet—but the betrayal in his eyes was already painting a masterpiece of dramatic outrage.
Caesar's lips twitched. He brought a fist to his mouth, shoulders shaking.
"Has she been awake this whole time...?" he whispered, voice cracking. "Just... waiting... like a spider in a web... until one of us got close enough to strike?"
He failed. Miserably. A snort escaped him.
"PFFFT—" He covered his mouth, but his eyes were CRYING with suppressed laughter. "She slapped our pretty boy. Right on his pretty face. Must've hurt his heart more than his face..."
