LPR 7

It seemed that a 'welcome back to the palace' didn't quite suit Wade. In fact, he wasn't really returning to the Noctilux Pack's palace. Instead, he was just fulfilling an invitation and wouldn't be staying long, maybe just half an hour.

"Oh, forgive me, Uncle," Lennon said with a face that conveyed regret, just after he had finished shaking hands with Wade. He shook his head once. "I didn't mean to offend you. I was just..." Then he smiled. "...glad to see you here tonight."

The people around them could only exchange glances with expressions that could not be explained in words. They seemed to feel uncomfortable, but of course no one dared to complain. After all, an Alpha was speaking.

"No problem," Wade seemed calm and composed. His expression remained unchanged, as if Lennon's words had no effect on him. "Besides, I'm happy to accept your invitation, Lennon. Thank you very much."

Lennon nodded with a smile. "Of course, Uncle. Well, I hope you enjoy the party. It's been a long time since we all got together like this."

Lennon's attitude relieved the people. The tension that had been felt began to fade. It seemed that things weren't as bad as they thought. Perhaps Lennon and Estelle's engagement party could be a turning point for the family's harmony.

Unfortunately, that hope didn't last long in people's minds. The presence of Alberto and his wife, Imelda Garcia, made the atmosphere uncomfortable again. Especially since Alberto immediately interjected without hesitation.

"I didn't expect to see your face around here anymore, Wade."

The tension returned. The warmth that had begun to develop suddenly disappeared and was replaced by a chilling frost. All eyes were now on Wade, who stood there with a calm expression.

"I hope you can give me a little tolerance, Alberto. At least to congratulate the happy couple tonight."

Alberto growled. "On the contrary, I'm afraid your presence will spoil tonight's happiness."

"Alberto."

Charles' voice rang out, causing Alberto to grin knowingly. "You see, Wade. One mention of you always manages to make Dad say my name with such emphasis."

"I wouldn't do that if you weren't acting like a child," Charles replied with a grim expression. Beside him, Brianna tried to calm him down. "It's been 17 years. Wade is no longer part of our family and you still suspect him?"

"Isn't it only right that I continue to suspect him?" Alberto sighed and looked at Wade with disdain. "Isn't it strange that after 17 years of absence he suddenly shows up at Lennon and Estelle's engagement party?" He took a step forward to face Wade. "Tell me honestly, Wade. What are you planning?"

"You're out of line, Alberto!"

Norman, who had been at the Palace from the beginning, had promised himself to keep his cool. At first, he thought that being at an Alpha's engagement party would provide a controlled environment. However, he found the opposite to be true.

Alberto gave Norman a sardonic grin. "Well, hello, uncle. We meet again. So, how's life been since you left the pack?" He scoffed. "I hope you don't regret defending Wade."

"You want to know about my life?" Norman snapped. "My life is a lot better than before. At least I never complain to my father about anything. Just like a child."

Alberto's expression changed. "You!"

Imelda managed to stop Alberto at the right moment, when his fist was clenched tightly. She whispered, "Don't make a scene, Alberto. You don't want to embarrass your son, do you?"

Alberto reluctantly held back, as did Norman, whose hand was already being held by Rocky. But that didn't mean the tension had gone away. They were still staring at each other angrily.

The situation was getting more and more uncomfortable. Wade took a deep breath and smiled at everyone. "Looks like it's time for me to go. I just remembered there's another event I need to attend." He turned to Lennon. "Congratulations again on your engagement, Lennon."

Lennon looked conflicted. "Uncle."

Alberto, on the other hand, rolled his eyes. He snarled, "How disrespectful of you, Wade. You shouldn't call an Alpha by his name. You show Alpha Lennon no respect at all."

"I'm no longer part of the Noctilux pack, Alberto," Wade replied quickly. His voice sounded slightly raised, not in a tone of reprimand, but as a reminder. "Addressing Lennon as Alpha only gives the impression that I still want to be part of the pack. Shouldn't you be more concerned about that?"

Alberto fell silent. Wade's words hit him hard.

"Well, I hope you don't have to worry about unnecessary things." Wade smiled and decided to say goodbye. He said goodbye to his family and hugged his parents and siblings. "Thank you for this wonderful evening. I love you all."

After that, Wade said nothing more. He left immediately, followed by Norman and Rocky.

"He's really out of line. Seriously! I can't believe he has that attitude. I thought he wasn't Charles's biological son."

Wade smiled wistfully at Norman's grumbling. "Let it go, Uncle. Don't pay any attention to Alberto's words. He's always been like this, he's never changed."

"That makes it even more surprising. Why is he so afraid of you? It's clear that you left the pack for him. Even now you're still single for him."

Wade's brow furrowed slightly. Behind him, Rocky briefly touched Norman's hand, causing Norman to glare at Rocky.

"What? What I said is true. Your boss here..." Norman said, pointing at Wade. "...is willing to remain a bachelor because he's afraid Alberto will become even more suspicious if he's in a relationship and has a child, especially if it's a son."

Wade stopped. "How about you two go first? I think I need to use the toilet for a minute."

With that, Wade left quickly. Rocky and Norman were left alone. It was then that Rocky spoke.

"You shouldn't have said that in front of him, sir."

Norman shrugged briefly. "I was literally talking behind his back. Besides, that's not the issue. The real question is, are you willing to see your boss remain single for the rest of his life just to satisfy Alberto's ego?"

"Well, that..." Rocky couldn't find the words. So, he sighed. "I don't know."

Norman rubbed his face before looking at Wade, who was walking away. "Frankly, I feel sorry for Wade. Everywhere the youngest child is always the favorite. But what has happened to him is the opposite. He's been pushed aside by his own family just to avoid conflict."

This time Rocky was silent. If it was a discussion about the Pendleton family, he'd raise his hand.

*

Estelle snapped out of her thoughts at Wade's departure. A flash of future memories spun through her mind, making her suddenly nauseous. She cursed herself. How could she remember that disgusting thing at the most inappropriate time, on the night of her engagement party!

Estelle's hands gripped the edge of the sink as the water continued to flow. Her head hung low, shaking incessantly. No, Estelle. This was just a mistake. It was an accident, and now you have a chance to avoid it.

The event was fresh in Estelle's mind as if it had happened yesterday. She and Wade had been intimate, and two months later she was pregnant.

Estelle was determined not to fall into fate's trap a second time. She would do anything to avoid it.

Her resolve strengthened Estelle. She raised her face and looked at herself in the mirror. "The only thing you have to do is to avoid Wade, Estelle. Whatever happens, for God's sake, you must avoid him."

Estelle had made herself a promise. Her resolve was firm. Unfortunately, Wade was the first person she saw when she came out of the toilet. She jumped with a face full of anticipation.

"Wade."

Wade frowned. He could feel something different about Estelle. "Estelle, what's wrong with you? Are you okay?"

Estelle's eyes widened when Wade approached her. She instinctively backed away, avoiding him even more. "Don't come near me, Wade."

"Estelle." Wade grew more confused. "What's wrong? Did I do something to you?"

Not yet, not yet, but you will sooner or later, Estelle thought. So, she continued to avoid him, shaking her head. "Please, Wade. Stay away from me. I don't want anything to do with you."

Wade's confusion was palpable. Moments ago, they had exchanged a brief, warm greeting, but now Estelle was acting as if he were the most dangerous criminal in the world to be avoided.

Wade sighed and decided to keep trying to approach Estelle. He remained patient. "Estelle, can you tell me what's really going on? Because I swear, I have no idea why you are suddenly acting like this towards me."

Estelle knew she shouldn't stand out too much. She should act normal because they hadn't interacted since Wade left the Noctilux Pack. Wade's monthly visits to her family on full moon nights had stopped.

But her fear was very real. Estelle trembled with memories of the naughty things they would do in the future. As a result, she couldn't control herself.

"No." Estelle continued to shake her head. She looked at Wade with a frightened look as she continued to step back. "Please don't come near me, Wade."

Estelle wasn't hoping for much. She just wanted her love life with Lennon to last forever, until death do them part. She didn't want to cheat on Lennon. She loved Lennon deeply.

"Estelle," Wade called softly. He held out his hand as if to grab Estelle. "I really don't understand. Is it..." Wade's eyes widened. He noticed Estelle continuing to take steps backwards. "Estelle, watch out!"

Estelle was too late to heed Wade's warning. In a split second, one of her feet was off the ground, no longer touching the ground. There were stairs behind her, and she stumbled.

"Estelle!"

Wade's scream echoed. He immediately jumped up and grabbed Estelle around the waist. His hands held Estelle tightly and a moment later they both tumbled down the stairs!

*