"What are you doing back here again?" I snapped when I heard the door open. I turned around, annoyed, only to see Bruce instead.Oh, it wasn't Lionel...Half of Bruce's face was hidden in the dark and looked a little gloomy."Who did you meet with just now?" Bruce asked as he slowly approached me. He reached out to grasp my chin and tilted my head up. "Hmm?"I was forced to look up at him, and I couldn't keep the mocking tone out of my voice as I said, "Why you ask? I'm sure you saw him, didn't you!"Bruce narrowed his eyes and smiled abruptly. The hand on my chin trailed down slowly and suddenly grabbed my throat, choking me."I'm warning you. It's best if you don't test the limits of my patience. If I see you with that bastard again, I'll throw you in the casino, and the men there would not listen to your begging before stripping you off," Bruce threatened me in a tone that sent chills down my spine.I struggled to breathe from the sudden lack of oxygen. I didn't dare to gamble on w
Franz?"Why are you here?" I asked in surprise before hurriedly pulling him into the private room.I never thought I would see Franz, my dear friend, ever again.I held him tightly, tears seeping from my eyes due to my emotional state."H-hold on, Rylee! Watch the bottle and glasses!"It was then I realized Franz was dressed as a waiter, and he was holding a tray with a bottle of Lafite on it."I snuck in and blended with the staff," Franz said, then his sight moved to my outfit. His handsome face instantly flushed all the way down to his neck, "Hey, why you dressing like this?""That psycho, Bruce, is messing with me," I said with a sigh.Franz grounded his teeth. "That son of a bitch! I'll beat him to the ground!""Calm down," I said, soothing his anger before changing the subject, "How did you get in here?""I went through a lot of my informants before finally finding out that Bruce frequents this bar," Franz replied as he set down the tray. "I was going to kidnap and threaten him
I was shocked at Bruce's actions, which made me knock into the glass on the table, spilling water all over and onto the floor."N-nothing," I replied, shaking my head.Breaking free from his embrace, I turned around to meet his thoughtful gaze."Why haven't you left today?" I asked stiffly, changing the subject while ignoring the water that continued to drip to the ground."Didn't I say I'd take you to the cafe today?"I gave him an awkward smile. "Really? Aren't you busy with work? I can go on my own."Bruce stared at me unblinkingly, with a teasing look in his eyes.I could almost read the implications in his look and immediately defended myself, "I'm not trying to escape."Bruce raised an eyebrow.I calmed myself and continued, "You already have so many bodyguards following me around. How will I have a chance to escape? I just want to roam around and have a change of scenery. Besides, I thought about things last night... I was wrong. I'll try to learn to accept you from now on. I d
"Hurry and change into this. I'll get you out through the back door," Franz said as he pushed me into the bathroom."You sure Bruce won’t notice?" I reconfirmed with Franz uneasily. I didn't dare to gamble on it. I could still remember the freaking story Bruce had told me -- his ex-wife and her lover all had died in his hands.I didn't care what would happen to me, but I didn't want Franz getting hurt because of me."Don't worry. I added a sleeping drug to his coffee. He's probably falling asleep now, so hurry up and change your clothes!"I was relieved to hear that, and I immediately changed into the waitress uniform that Franz handed to me. I also tied up my hair and put on a mask. "Let's go."Franz led me to the back door, and it was fortunate that none of Bruce's men were around. We very smoothly got into a black car that Franz had prepared beforehand.Franz sped along all the way. I watched as the city that had trapped me like a prison for so long gradually get further and fur
(Lionel's POV)"Didn't I ask you guys to keep an eye on Franz?! Is this how you do your jobs?!" I hissed, pinching the bridge of my nose in annoyance. A row of guards stood there with their heads bowed, and seemed like they didn't even dare breathe."What the hell are you still standing there for? Find him. Now!" "Understood!" they said in unison before leaving my office.I sighed and slammed my fist harshly on the desk.Franz was an idiot! He was seriously adding problems to my already mountain of issues!Rylee hadn't gotten the antidote to the poison she was fed, and if he took her away... I couldn't imagine the consequences.Damn it! I needed to see Doug Bacote, immediately!I called my assistant and asked about the meeting with Doug. Fortunately, my assistant had good news for me this time."Doug has agreed to meet you, but has one condition.""What is it? My assistant hesitated, and my heart raced as I waited, "Say it!""Well... He asks that you go alone and that no companion
The lamp shattered after the deafening noise, and I watched scarlet liquid slide down Franz's head. His expression turned blank for a moment before he fell limply to the ground, his eyes unfocused and staring at nothing before him.With Franz's Beta power, I knew he could have easily dodged or returned the blow. But because he wanted to get the antidote for me...!It was all my fault!"F-Franz...!" I burst into tears, and I couldn't stop coughing up blood as I struggled to crawl across the floor to him.Bruce laughed wickedly with no mercy on his face. He exercised his neck and tipped his head to a side, then stepped on Franz's temples. The silver stud in his left ear glimmered in the daylight, and the shadows fell on his face, making him look like... a demon.At that moment I knew what a demon would look like. Bruce was indeed like one."Please... Don't hurt him...! I'll go with you... You can take out all your anger on me or punish me! I won't escape anymore, I swear! P-please... l
(Lionel's POV)"Okay, I'll do it," I said without hesitation.Werewolves were afraid of silver, as it could burn and even kill them. But if it could save Rylee? I would give my life to save her, not to mention just a right arm.I picked up the dagger and brought it down quickly into my arm.The blade slid through my flesh easily like a hot knife slicing through butter, right through the bone, and deep through my arm. A burning feeling flared up instantly, and intense pain shot through me that I could hardly stand.However, to save Rylee, this pain was nothing.I gritted my teeth and pulled out the dagger, letting the blood flow freely as I tossed the blade aside. I threw the blood-soaked dagger to the floor and, in severe pain, said to Bruce, "Now, give me back my Rylee."Bruce looked from my rapidly festering wounds to my face, looking at me like I was a monster."You're nuts... You're insane!" Bruce exclaimed, shaking his head stiffly, his face filled with disbelief.I approached h
Rylee's POVI opened my eyes and saw only white.Where was I?I turned my head to see a gorgeous lady looking at me with red, puffy eyes.Was she crying... for me?But... Why? Did I know her?"Who are you?" I asked, looking blankly at the woman before me."Rylee..." she said, her lips quivering as she looked at me.I frowned. "Rylee...? Is that my name?""How can this be... Don't you remember me? It's me, Stacey...!"She choked on her words, and I studied her anxious face, trying to recall something, but my mind was completely empty. I couldn't remember anything."I really can't remember. Have... Have we met before?"Her face turned even paler, and her lips trembled even worse. "You don't remember anything? Then what about Lionel?""Lionel...?" The name was familiar on my lips, but I couldn't remember anything about it."What about Franz? Jenna? You don't remember them either?"I shook my head in confusion."What about Rina? Your wolf? Try reaching out to her!"Wolf?I didn't underst