Chapter 31

What was he thinking?

He must be a fool to think I’d fall for his lies and believe all he just spewed here.

If he could do something like that to Diane, then I shouldn’t expect anything different for myself.

It was obvious he only wanted me because I was going to be the next Alpha. I was certain he had ulterior motives.

With a deep sigh, I returned to my bed. I couldn’t help the feeling of surprise at myself for how I had grown an intense aversion to Jaden since I entered this pack.

It was pretty obvious to me that I hated him more, not for the throne obsession, but for the way he treated Diane. It fueled my resentment.

I had never met Diane, yet I felt a bond with her — like we were close friends, the kind you’d fight for with everything you have.

I had made up my mind even against my father’s command to rescue and bring her back to this pack. She shouldn’t be paying for a crime that wasn’t entirely her fault.

Vampires are evil and must have used one of their charms on her. And even if there was no charm, it wasn’t a sin to fall in love.

The man was her teacher. Nobody knew he was a vampire and had showered her with affection, which she never got from that fool, Jaden.

Every blame should be on Jaden.

“Diane, stay strong. I will come and save you. I can already feel it,” I whispered under my breath, pulling the covers over my face and closing my eyes.

But sleep refused to come.

I tried. I really did. But it was as if my spirit was restless, pulled by something outside that I couldn’t understand.

Just minutes ago, I was struggling to keep my eyes open while listening to my father’s stories. Now, all the drowsiness had vanished, replaced by an inexplicable urge to step outside.

I glanced at the time — 11:35 p.m.

Getting out of bed, I slipped on my slippers and stepped out of the room. I didn’t know exactly where I was going — I just needed to be alone somewhere peaceful.

The only place that came to mind was the stream in the forest.

Maybe spending a few moments there would clear my mind and help me figure out how to get Diane out of that vampire den.

My father may believe she betrayed the pack, but I was certain she’d been deceived. She didn’t deserve to be punished.

After all my life of having no friends because I always felt odd and different, someone finally piqued my interest in a way I couldn’t explain.

The story of her life was really a fascinating one, and I just love to see her and make her my friend. There is no other way to explain it. Or maybe fate had something for us.

“Dad, I am going for a stroll in the woods, and I will be back in thirty minutes or less. I need to chill after Jaden came into my room and ruined my mood.” I typed in my phone and sent it to my father before stepping out of the gate.

I would have used the mind link, but he would wake up and wouldn’t allow me because of how he was scared of me falling into my enemies' trap.

I wonder why he still thinks I am unsafe inside this pack.

He still saw me as someone who needed protection, unaware of how strong I’d become. No common vampire could capture me now, not even if they attacked in pairs.

Three personal guards followed me immediately. I guess that was his standing order.

“I’m going into the woods for a stroll. Wait at the entrance. I don’t want anyone with me on the river,” I said firmly.

They nodded without protest.

I didn’t know why my heart had chosen this place — maybe it was the moonlight, or the solitude. I just knew I needed to go.

Whatever. We will find out when I reach there.

As we stepped out of the big gate, I shifted into my big white wolf, eyes glowing blue.

The night wind caressed my fur, sending waves of bliss down my spine.

Fiona, my wolf, was ecstatic to be out and couldn’t help her howl as we sped away at great speed, which was hard for the guards to catch up with.

“We should do this more often! Running alone under the moon while everyone sleeps — I love it!” she chirped.

“It’d be even more fun with Diane, you know…”

“Yesss!” she squealed with joy.

Fiona loved Diane too, just like the sister we never had the opportunity to have.

As I got into the woods, the thrill was different. Alone in the wild, tall trees and shrubs ruffling their leaves with the wind, the sound of night creatures and insects creating a beautiful scene with their presence.

Most animals fled at our presence, while others hid and watched.

Since I wasn’t in my hunting mode, I didn’t emit my strong scent, so they began to return, knowing they were safe.

As I got deeper, closer to the big river, I began to feel a presence, but it was so vague that I didn’t believe my instinct.

Then, like a whiff, the scent of this person crossed my nose.

I screeched to a stop, wondering if my sense of smell was playing a prank on me.

First was that there were no members of the pack that should be outside now, not to mention being this deep in the woods.

Whoever was there had an ulterior motive. That person must surely be doing something really evil which he doesn’t want anyone to find him doing.

With this thought, I switched back to my human form and covered my scent before tracing a scent. It was a wolf scent but, at the same time, felt like something else.

With that sharp, distinct sense of smell, I could tell it was a perfect wolf scent, but I couldn’t tell what it was mixed with.

It didn’t bother me much. What was important was to see what this creature was doing here at this time of the day and in a place nobody else was.

Did the person know I was coming and wait for me?

We will find out!

This person must really have underestimated me to think I would fall into the trap so easily.

I dashed forward in a swift manner, tracing the smell, and it was directing me to the same river I was heading to.

In a few minutes, I finally reached and hid beside a huge tree.

The slapping of someone’s feet in the river, his heartbeat and the crash against the rock were the only sounds I could pick.

Then I peeped.

My loud gasp was so hard to control as my eyes met with an angel on earth.

He was so perfect and effortlessly snatched my breath away. This man made my heart forget how to beat, skipping and fluttering like a spoiled toy.

The moment he heard my gasp, he looked up sharply—directly at me. His piercing green eyes locked at mine, cutting through like he could see everything inside me. I was spellbound.

We were both frozen, as though we had seen something magical.

He was a stranger, but I couldn’t doubt the connection. So strong. So deep.

My heart had melted, and the strong walls I thought I had over it, slipped away in a blink.

He stood up, his tanned body glistening, wet hair slicked back with water trailing down his perfectly sculpted form.

I was charmed, and he seemed to be captivated too, unable to look away.

“Who are you?” I asked, my voice barely audible.

His eyes suddenly moved, flickering with a certain realization that made him uneasy.

Before I could blink twice, he had vanished, and I couldn’t even see his back.

What scared him?

He had made my knees weak to chase after him.

All I could feel was sadness, with a lot of questions running through my mind.

Was he a member of this pack?

What is he doing here?

Is it fate that we both met here of all places?

How was he so handsome and perfect, appearing that night like a thief and snatching my heart before I could even know it was unguarded?

Gosh!

Who is he?