My heart abruptly sank when I heard Gary's words. So as it turned out, not only couldn’t I save Stacey, I was also going to carry the crime of stealing.I tugged on Lionel's sleeve without much thought and shook my head. "No, I didn't do it...!"In that moment, I could almost forget all the difficulties between us because I knew he was the only one who could help Stacey and me. For that reason, I was willing to show him my vulnerability.There were times when we had to learn to show weakness, even though it was pathetic."Yeah! Rylee couldn’t have done it! You're well aware that she doesn't even need that necklace!" Franz defended me."Ry... Rylee?" Linda exclaimed, shooting me an incredulous look before looking at Franz. "You called her Rylee? I-isn't she Jenna?!"Linda and Gary exchange glances, surprise clearly on their faces.Franz shot me a chagrined look, flushing with shame.Gary calmed down quickly. He smiled and said, "Alpha Lionel, shouldn't you give us an explanation? Why d
Lionel seemed to sense the fear and anxiety churning in me. He tightened his hold on my shoulders then pressed his broad chest against my back and said in a low voice, "Don't be afraid, Rylee. I'll protect you."I didn't respond to his words. I could only feel the burning pain from the mark on my shoulder.When we exited the villa, I saw a limousine parked at the front. A chauffeur was standing by the car, looking respectfully at us."Get in. I'll take you back," Lionel said softly.I left his arms, but I didn't get into the car."Thank you for helping me today. But there is no need for our noble Alpha to step into my business anymore."I tried to speak to him in the coldest and most distant tone I could muster in a vain attempt to hide the obvious mark on my neck that now represented our deep relationship.Lionel furrowed his brows and tried to take my hand, which I avoided."Lionel, if you still feel any guilt and remorse for me, you would let me go and leave me alone," I whispered,
"No way!"Before I could respond to Lionel's words, Franz refused on my behalf.Lionel frowned and stared at Franz unpleasantly. "I'll stress this again, Rylee IS MY MATE!""So what? It's not like she acknowledged you!""Franz, don't keep testing my patience," Lionel said harshly.Franz raised his chin slightly in response, utterly undaunted at Lionel's threat.I rubbed my front head and felt nothing but exhaustion running through my veins."Let go, Lionel," I said tiredly and weakly."Rylee, I just wanted to talk. I-""Enough! Can't you see that she's unwell? Do I need to remind you why she's feeling so weak right now?" Franz shouted at his Alpha.Lionel suddenly stiffened. He looked at me and said, "I'm sorry. Then get a good rest. I'll meet you after. I-"He was about to say something else, but Franz pulled me away and forced Lionel to release me. After shuffling me into the car, Franz shut the door, went to the other side, and slid into the driver's seat. Then, Franz leaned over t
I shivered when Lionel's lips touched my ear. Unable to endure his treatment any longer, I shoved him away roughly."Enough!" I screamed. "Save those your love tricks for Jenna!"Lionel looked at me, stunned. He was silent for a while and then slowly put his hand down."I'm sorry," he said. "But I wanted to explain why I was in the hospital room just now. I simply wanted to make sure that Jenna was recovering. Once she's well, I can-""Stop, Lionel. I don't want to hear anything about the story of two. I don't care, either. Let me go, okay?"Lionel looked like he wanted to say something more, but in the end, he simply took a step back and said, "I think we really need to have a good talk.""There's nothing to talk about between us. If you really have nothing to do, why don't you go and find out why your Gamma is framing Stacey?!""I already have people on it. Can you give me some time?"I sneered. "Time? How long?"Lionel sighed. "I can't blatantly investigate Gary at the moment. He u
The following day, I visited Stacey in the hospital. Despite my best efforts to hide my emotions, Stacey noticed something unusual about me."What happened, Rylee?" Stacey asked in concern."It's nothing," I replied with a forced smile, trying to find an excuse to change the topic."Don't even think about lying to me. I'm your best friend," Stacey shot back, reaching out to gently take my hand. "Your brows are furrowed so deeply, and you still want to lie? Don't worry me, okay?"I looked at her for a few minutes and broke, telling her everything that had happened yesterday."I'm sorry," Stacey said apologetically. "I know you only agreed to those things because of Moon House.""Not really. I also had my considerations," I said, patting her hand, gesturing for her not to overthink it.Seeing how depressed Stacey was despite my assurance, I hurriedly changed the subject, "Oh, by the way, I didn't ask because you were still recovering. What happened yesterday? Why did Gary accuse you of
I walked into the room. It was luxuriously decorated inside. Everything looked especially customized and of top quality. It didn't match Lionel's minimalist style but Jenna's preference.Was this... their bedroom in the old days?I held back the bitterness in my heart and said, "I won't stay here with you."Lionel was silent, but his face darkened.I turned and headed out of the room, using my actions to display my refusal clearly. "Give me an other room."Lionel grabbed my arm and pulled me back into the bedroom before locking the door in a few quick moves."What are you doing?" I asked nervously."This is also my room. You don't know what I mean?" Lionel stared at me with heated eyes.He approached me slowly, forcing me to step backward.I slipped halfway and stumbled back onto the bed, and the scent of pine coming from Lionel suddenly became stronger."Rylee... You shouldn't have let Franz get so close to you. I'm not happy with that," Lionel said, walking up to me and leaning down
What? Did I mishear Lionel? His Luna?What the hell was he saying?!I pushed him away, and he didn't resist this time."What did you say?!" I exclaimed, unable to hide my shock.However, Lionel didn't answer. He swayed before falling headfirst to the ground. I finally noticed that a layer of cold sweat covered his forehead, and his face was pale white. His breathing had turned chaotic and rapid. I shook him in panic and called out his name repeatedly, but he still didn't respond. He only kept moaning with a pained look on his face."Someone! Help!" I shouted anxiously.No one responded, so I stood and rushed downstairs, grabbing a passing servant and asking her to get a doctor.***Fifteen minutes later, the doctor arrived. He injected Lionel with a painkiller, and Lionel fell asleep a short while later.After examining him, the doctor sighed and said, "It was caused by an adverse reaction between medicine and alcohol.""Medicine?" I asked, confused."Yes. Alpha is in heat now. He dra
I jolted awake when I felt something lick me. Opening my eyes with difficulty, I noticed the sun was already high in the sky...And there was a sturdy wolf with dark fur on top of me.Its head was resting on my collarbone, nuzzling gently. It was itchy, and I couldn't help but twitch, and I was rewarded with more nuzzling.The wolf narrowed its eyes and lazily licked my neck, its moist tongue sweeping across my earlobe, which made me shudder.The cold sensation sobered me up, and I asked in disbelief, "Lionel?!"My sense of smell couldn't be wrong, and my wolf was restless. Rina was rarely this excited."It's me," the black wolf replied, lifting its head from my chest and fixing his majestic eyes on me. "My name is Lay. Good morning, sweetheart."Sweetheart...?My lips twitched at the nickname. Lionel's wolf was surprisingly cheerful compared to him."Good morning," I said, laughing wryly. "Could you get off me?"Lay didn't move, simply licked me sweetly, and said, "Did you sleep wel