System Glitch: My Mate from “Love” to “Hate” Chapter 02

System Glitch: My Mate from “Love” to “Hate” Chapter 02 Hidden Anger Beneath Gentleness

1 roamed the market with my friend until dusk. A fine drizzle had begun to fall, and cool, damp scents of forest vegetation swirled on the evening wind.

My friend glanced over at me, “Why didn’t you ask Caspian to pick you up? He could be here in a heartbeat with his speed.”

My fingertips brushed the bone communicator tucked at my waist, then I snatched my hand back at once.

No way.

He was out there tearing through opponents in the Arena. If I summoned him now, I’d only pile on more frustration for him.

To stay alive and keep those death flags from piling up, I had to play it smart and keep my head down.

“It’s fine. He’s enjoying himself at the Arena. We’ll just take the beast–drawn shuttle carriage back to the dormitory.”

Back at the dorm, I rushed through washing and drying my long hair, barely settling down before my roommate burst through the bathroom door in a panic, “Yvaine! Caspian is standing outside the lower fence. His wolfish hostility is terrifying–hurry down there right now!”

My heart plummeted sharply.

I fumbled to unlock the bone communicator, and the screen flooded with forty- eight missed calls and messages from Caspian.

Each message grew more oppressive, sending my pulse racing as I realized I’d messed up badly.

[Answer the communicator.]

[Where are you?]

[Why wouldn’t you let me come get you?]

[Yvaine Shaw, are you trying to give me the silent treatment?]

The last message had been sent five minutes prior: [Come downstairs.]

I didn’t even bother fully lacing my fur boots, threw a thick coat over my shoulders haphazardly, and stumbled rushing down the stairs.

Beneath the dim streetlamp, Caspian’s black hair was soaked through–he’d clearly run all the way here.

He fixed me with an unblinking stare, his amber wolf irises flushed crimson. Thick, intimidating alpha aura weighed heavily all around him, and the irritation points floating above his head blazed a searing scarlet.

Before he could speak, I softened my stance and apologized immediately, “I’m so sorry! I didn’t see the messages on my communicator. I thought you were having fun with your packmates at the Arena and didn’t want to disturb you, so I took the shuttle carriage back alone…”

After delivering this thoughtful, understanding speech, I looked up expectantly at the meter above his head.

D*mn it! The irritation points had climbed even higher!

Upon hearing me, his rage eased slightly, but his expression stayed icy.

He pulled a pouch of hushpuppies he’d carefully shielded inside his beast–fur cloak and pressed them into my arms, a bitter sneer curling his lips, “I see. You’re being so considerate now.

“I’m glad you’re not upset. Take these upstairs to eat–they’ll taste terrible once they go cold.”

In the past, I would’ve clung to him and thrown a fit, demanding a deep kiss right outside the dormitory until he yielded.

But Caspian hated public displays of affection.

With that thought, I clutched the hushpuppies obediently and nodded, “Thank you. I’ll go up then.”

I turned to leave, only for a scorching hot hand to snap tight around my wrist.

Caspian hauled me back toward him and dipped his head to kiss me, overwhelming alpha aura washing over me in thick waves.

I nearly jumped out of my skin, jerking my head away and slamming my palms against his chest, “No!”

Caspian froze mid–motion. Deep wolf eyes bore down into mine, his voice rough and gravelly, “No?”

I swallowed hard and spoke with righteous firmness, “People are watching! It’s inappropriate! The System–ah, I mean the elders–said we must maintain propriety and refrain from excessive intimacy in public!”

Those were the exact words he’d used to reject me before.

I was only catering to his preferences!

Caspian stared at me for a long while, the light in his eyes dimming little by little.

Eventually, he released my wrist and tugged his lips into a self–deprecating half- smile, “Fine. Whatever you want.”

“It doesn’t bother me.”

In the days that followed, I made it my top priority to obey him in everything.

If he didn’t seek me out, I never bothered him. If he replied to my messages slowly, I responded instantly and never pressed him for explanations. When he asked if I wanted him to accompany me to the market for a date, I replied thoughtfully, “No need! Go spend time with your pack buddies instead.”

Caspian’s gaze toward me grew stranger by the day.

To speed up mission progress, I decided to pull out my big move.

“Caspian, you should dye your hair back.”

I met his eyes, utterly sincere, “Your old silvery mane was stunning. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have banned you from Arena fights or forced you to keep your uniform buttons fastened at all times. You look perfect just being yourself.”

For the first time, confusion crossed Caspian’s perpetually irritated face.

“I thought you hated how wild and undisciplined I am?”

“Who told you that! I love your untamed side!” ried through my teeth.

Caspian fell silent for a long moment, then rumbled a quiet “Mhm.”

He truly did recolor his fur, ditching the uniform jet black for bold, icy silver–grey locks that sharpened his jawline, radiating untamed ferocity. His striking good looks drew lingering glances from every passing she–wolf.

His fellow alphas crowded around, cheering loudly, “This is what an alpha ought to look like!”

I stared at the irritation points above his head, which hadn’t fallen by a single unit,

and fought back tears.

Dude, I’ve done everything I can. What on earth are you still annoyed about?