Chapter 9

"Reinhardt, I want to go see Ursula and Johannes,” Bertolt said as the family Porsche drove through the big gates leading to their home.

“You can’t go now, Bertolt. I have something for you to do,” Reinhardt replied from the back seat, his eyes still closed. “Is Brunhilde back from Europe? The last time I saw her, she said she was going to Switzerland.”

“No, she’ll be away for a while, like always. She told me she’s heading to Africa next,” Bertolt said, sounding annoyed.

Reinhardt smiled a little. “Only heaven knows what she’s planning to do there. Probably something related to fashion, as usual.”

“Reinhardt, what task are you talking about? I haven’t seen Ursula in a long time,” Bertolt said, his voice rising.

“What, Bertolt? Can’t you stay a few months without seeing her? Yes, she’s your fated mate, but the family comes first. We’re in the middle of a strange situation with this curse we don’t understand, and all you can think about is Ursula,” Reinhardt said coldly.

“I’m not saying I just want to see her,” Bertolt replied. “I don’t trust leaving her and Johannes with those half-blooded Schmidts. It’s safer if I’m with them.”

“I’ve told you before, stop calling Veronica and her siblings that,” Reinhardt said sharply, opening his eyes at last. “We’re all Schmidts. The last thing we need right now is fighting among ourselves when we already have enough problems.”

Bertolt looked down at the necklace wrapped around his wrist. It was a gift from Veronica when they were still in school. Things had changed since everyone found out Ursula was his fated mate. Veronica had become distant and cold. Deep down, Bertolt feared she might want to harm Ursula. He sighed, feeling a bit of guilt. Maybe he hadn’t treated Veronica fairly after all.

“Hello,” Reinhardt said, answering his phone.

“Okay, Braun. We’ll meet at the office,” he replied before hanging up.

“So, are you finally going to tell me what this task is or not?” Bertolt asked impatiently.

Reinhardt turned to him. “I heard our distant aunt, Helga, plans to run for a seat in the House of Representatives in Boston. You know how that could cause problems with the Boston packs. I don’t want any conflict right now. I want you to handle things with them, make sure they don’t bother Helga or try to oppose her.”

Bertolt gave a small smirk. “It sounds like you just don’t trust me. Maybe you’re sending me away because you think I don’t care about the curse.”

Reinhardt sighed, glancing through the car's window. “No, brother. I’m sending you because this is something only you can handle. That’s why I trust you with it.”

***********************************

It was the third day Lisa had been working herself to the bone in Ohio. Sleep had become a stranger, yet she couldn’t slow down, not when every ounce of her effort seemed to inch her closer to Reinhardt.

Their messages had become a lifeline. They texted constantly, and each notification made her heart race, a mix of anticipation and something warmer she hadn’t felt before. Reinhardt rarely spoke about work; instead, his words lingered on her, asking if she was eating, sleeping, taking care of herself and telling her how much he missed her.

It was maddening, this pull she felt toward him. It made her chest tighten and her thoughts wander to forbidden places like the brush of his hand, the warmth of his lips against hers. She caught herself daydreaming, imagining moments where the space between them disappeared.

Even in the rare moments she allowed herself to rest, her phone never left her hand. Every message from him sent a thrill through her, every word a reminder of how deeply she was already attached. Exhaustion tugged at her body, but the ache in her heart, this longing for him, kept her awake, craving more.

“Hello, Tes Tes,” Lisa dialed her friend’s number.

“Lisa, you stupid Hathaway!!!” Tesa’s voice blared through the phone.

“Why stupid?” Lisa asked, laughing uncontrollably.

“Lisa! You left three days ago without telling me! I thought you’d been kidnapped… you know,” Tesa said, laughing. “I saw your mail just yesternight,at least you would tell me personally.”

“What would anyone want with me? I’m not a celebrity or a president’s daughter,” Lisa said, still giggling “I am sorry Tes. It was urgent.”

“But you’re a Schmidt worker,” Tesa added teasingly.

“Whatever!” Lisa waved it off.

“Tes… I need to tell you something,” Lisa’s tone suddenly turned serious.

“What is it?” Tesa asked, sensing the change.

“Do you think someone like Reinhardt could… like me?” Lisa blurted out, her cheeks burning.

There was a silence long enough to make Lisa’s heart race.

“Tesa!” she said again, anxious.

Then came a laugh, warm and teasing.

“Oh, Lisa… you’ve started falling for that myth of a man. I warned you,” Tesa said eventually.

“No! He’s… he’s different. He’s kind to me, and he treats me in a way he doesn’t treat anyone else,” Lisa replied, trying to sound confident.

“I don’t know, Lisa. Men always act that way when they want something. You can’t tell,” Tesa cautioned.

“Tes… I have nothing Reinhardt could want from me. Think about that,” Lisa said firmly, though she couldn’t be so sure about that.

“Well, Lisa… I won’t say he can’t like you. But honestly, just getting into Schmidt in the first place is suspicious. You need to think clearly and not get lost in… these feelings,” Tesa advised.

“But I love Reinhardt… Tes,” Lisa said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Well…” Tesa faltered, unsure of how to respond.

At that moment, a loud bang rattled Lisa’s hotel door, so forceful it sounded like it could break it down.

“Tesa, I… I’ll call you back. I need to check something,” Lisa said, her voice tense, leaving the line open but running toward the door.

“Lisa?” Tesa’s voice called out, alarmed.

Another deafening bang shook the room, followed by Lisa’s terrified scream.