Chapter 7

• In a haze, I thought I heard Alpha Nick’s voice.
• “Wendy?”
• “Wendy!”
• I could feel the urgency in his tone. I wanted to respond, but my head was spinning. I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.
• Then Alpha Nick appeared in front of me. “Wendy? Wendy!”
• He scooped me up in his arms, gently patting my cheek. “What’s wrong? Where does it hurt?”
• I frowned, not sure if I was talking to myself or answering him. “So dark… don’t go… don’t go…”
• Sensing my fear, Alpha Nick spoke softly, “Don’t be afraid. It’s okay now. I’m taking you home.”
• Hearing his voice and feeling his presence, I instinctively stopped trembling so hard. But my mind was already slipping into unconsciousness. I kept mumbling, while Alpha Nick held me steady in his arms, walking as he soothed me, “It’s alright, don’t be scared. I’m here.”
• He placed me in the front passenger seat and draped his coat over me.
• When we got back to the villa, Alpha Nick carried me into my room. He gently wiped the sweat off my forehead and was about to leave when I suddenly grabbed his pants tightly.
• I was sleeping restlessly. Even though I’d recovered a little, I was still afraid.
• I clutched his hand in mine, instinctively seeking protection from my mate. In a daze, I murmured, “Don’t go… stay with me, please…”
• When I woke up, daylight was streaming through the windows.
• I blinked at my surroundings in confusion, wondering how I’d gotten back—only to meet Alpha Nick’s gaze. That’s when I realized I was still holding his hand.
• I quickly let go and sat up. “What are you doing here?”
• As soon as I spoke, I remembered. Last night, my phone battery was low, and I turned it off. I was in terrible shape, nearly passing out. I hadn’t been able to call anyone, but with the last bit of strength, I’d managed to send Alpha Nick a text.
• Looking at his tired face, the bloodshot eyes that showed he clearly hadn’t rested at all, I tried to recall everything from last night. Then, feeling awkward, I scratched my head.
• “It was you who brought me back. Thank you… but why are you still in my room?”
• Even if he brought me back, he could’ve just left after that, right? There was no reason to stay the whole night.
• Alpha Nick returned to his usual awkward, standoffish self. “And who was it that grabbed my hand and wouldn’t let go, huh? Forgot already? You think I wanted to stay?”
• “…”
• I was even more embarrassed and tried to argue, “B-but… I wasn’t in my right mind. You were. You could’ve just let go when I fell asleep.”
• Alpha Nick raised an eyebrow, speechless. “So, now it’s wrong that I stayed up all night to take care of you?”
• “I… I didn’t mean it like that.” I just thought it was strange behaviour for him. It didn’t match his usual cold and prideful attitude.
• Suddenly, Alpha Nick’s expression darkened. He looked away and said coldly, “Don’t overthink it. I just didn’t want anything else to happen to you. It’d be hard to explain to our Pack’s old Alpha Ken. That’s all. Don’t flatter yourself.”
• His words stung, but somehow, I breathed a sigh of relief. That sounded more like the Alpha Nick I knew.
• I rolled my eyes. “You’re the one overthinking. I never flatter myself—about anything.”
• Alpha Nick was speechless for a second, then turned on his heel and left.
• I rubbed the area over my heart. Mate bond empathy really is…
• Just as he opened the door to leave, he ran straight into Enna. The door was still half open when she glanced inside and spotted me lying on the bed.
• She shrieked, “Nick, what are you doing coming out of her room at this hour?”
• “Don’t tell me you’ve been in there all night? What did you two do?”
• Being bombarded with Enna’s shrill voice first thing in the morning, I groaned and rubbed my temples. Then I got up to wash up.
• I knew myself well—after last night, I probably looked like a mess. And Alpha Nick had seen it all. He must know one of my weaknesses now, and that made me uncomfortable.
• If he ever used it to mock me… how humiliating would that be?
• It’s all Mary’s fault. She dared mess with me—I won’t let her off the hook.
• After I freshened up and went downstairs to the dining room, Alpha Nick immediately put down his utensils and got up to leave when he saw me.
• I was already used to his attitude, so I ignored him and sat down to eat.
• After everything I went through last night, I was exhausted and needed to regain my strength. I needed a good meal.
• Enna hadn’t dared lash out at Alpha Nick earlier. Now that he was gone, she turned her full wrath on me. “You’ve only been here a few days, and you’re already seducing Nick? What exactly did you two do last night? Why was he coming out of your room this morning?”
• Mrs. Johnson chimed in, interrogating me too. “Is that true, Wendy? What are you up to? And where were you all night yesterday?”
• Hearing their accusations, I sneered internally and curled my lips into a mocking smile.
• “We’re all adults here. You tell me, what do you think a man and woman do after spending the night together in a room? Besides, we’re mates chosen by the Moon Goddess. Whatever we did, it wouldn’t be breaking any werewolf laws, nor do we need anyone’s permission, do we?”
• “You—!” Enna stomped her foot in rage. “All you know is how to seduce men! Shameless!”
• “Watch your mouth.” I cut into my fried egg and took a bite with poise. “There’s no seduction here. Nick and I are a rightful pair.”
• Enna was rendered speechless by my comeback. She slammed her cutlery down and stormed off to her room.
• I finished breakfast and was just about to head to work when our driver, Beli, approached me.
• “Miss Smith, Alpha Nick instructed me to take you to Brown Pack.”
• My steps faltered.
• Alpha Nick asked the driver to take me?!
• Why?
• Just as I was about to say something, Mrs. Johnson coughed and shot me a sharp glare. Then she turned to the driver and said, “Beli, take me to Paris Mall.”
• “But Mrs. Johnson, Alpha Nick told me to take Miss Smith,” Beli replied hesitantly, clearly torn.
• “It’s okay, you can take Mrs. Johnson. I’ll go on my own,” I said with a smile, not wanting to make things difficult for him.
• I hailed a cab and headed to Brown Pack.
• But halfway there, I saw a stray dog running frantically through traffic. It was clearly in danger.
• “Please stop the car,” I said quickly, then got out to help the dog.
• Our Pack’s old Alpha Tim had taken in many stray dogs, and I’d always had a deep affection for them.
• I approached the little dog, but suddenly, a red sports car came speeding straight toward it.
• No!
• The car was going to hit it!
• I didn’t think twice—I lunged forward and scooped the puppy into my arms.
• The sound of screeching brakes echoed around me as the car barely missed me.
• As it passed, the driver—a fashionably dressed woman—stuck her head out of the window and shouted, “Are you crazy? If you want to die, go do it somewhere else!”
• That woman… she looked oddly familiar?
• Would you like to continue with the next part?