Chapter 7

In a haze, I thought I heard Alpha Nick’s voice.

“Wendy?”

“Wendy!”

I could feel the urgency in his tone. I wanted to respond, but my head was spinning. I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.

Then Alpha Nick appeared in front of me. “Wendy? Wendy!”

He scooped me up in his arms, gently patting my cheek. “What’s wrong? Where does it hurt?”

I frowned, not sure if I was talking to myself or answering him. “So dark… don’t go… don’t go…”

Sensing my fear, Alpha Nick spoke softly, “Don’t be afraid. It’s okay now. I’m taking you home.”

Hearing his voice and feeling his presence, I instinctively stopped trembling so hard. But my mind was already slipping into unconsciousness. I kept mumbling, while Alpha Nick held me steady in his arms, walking as he soothed me, “It’s alright, don’t be scared. I’m here.”

He placed me in the front passenger seat and draped his coat over me.

When we got back to the villa, Alpha Nick carried me into my room. He gently wiped the sweat off my forehead and was about to leave when I suddenly grabbed his pants tightly.

I was sleeping restlessly. Even though I’d recovered a little, I was still afraid.

I clutched his hand in mine, instinctively seeking protection from my mate. In a daze, I murmured, “Don’t go… stay with me, please…”

When I woke up, daylight was streaming through the windows.

I blinked at my surroundings in confusion, wondering how I’d gotten back—only to meet Alpha Nick’s gaze. That’s when I realized I was still holding his hand.

I quickly let go and sat up. “What are you doing here?”

As soon as I spoke, I remembered. Last night, my phone battery was low, and I turned it off. I was in terrible shape, nearly passing out. I hadn’t been able to call anyone, but with the last bit of strength, I’d managed to send Alpha Nick a text.

Looking at his tired face, the bloodshot eyes that showed he clearly hadn’t rested at all, I tried to recall everything from last night. Then, feeling awkward, I scratched my head.

“It was you who brought me back. Thank you… but why are you still in my room?”

Even if he brought me back, he could’ve just left after that, right? There was no reason to stay the whole night.

Alpha Nick returned to his usual awkward, standoffish self. “And who was it that grabbed my hand and wouldn’t let go, huh? Forgot already? You think I wanted to stay?”

“…”

I was even more embarrassed and tried to argue, “B-but… I wasn’t in my right mind. You were. You could’ve just let go when I fell asleep.”

Alpha Nick raised an eyebrow, speechless. “So, now it’s wrong that I stayed up all night to take care of you?”

“I… I didn’t mean it like that.” I just thought it was strange behaviour for him. It didn’t match his usual cold and prideful attitude.

Suddenly, Alpha Nick’s expression darkened. He looked away and said coldly, “Don’t overthink it. I just didn’t want anything else to happen to you. It’d be hard to explain to our Pack’s old Alpha Ken. That’s all. Don’t flatter yourself.”

His words stung, but somehow, I breathed a sigh of relief. That sounded more like the Alpha Nick I knew.

I rolled my eyes. “You’re the one overthinking. I never flatter myself—about anything.”

Alpha Nick was speechless for a second, then turned on his heel and left.

I rubbed the area over my heart. Mate bond empathy really is…

Just as he opened the door to leave, he ran straight into Enna. The door was still half open when she glanced inside and spotted me lying on the bed.

She shrieked, “Nick, what are you doing coming out of her room at this hour?”

“Don’t tell me you’ve been in there all night? What did you two do?”

Being bombarded with Enna’s shrill voice first thing in the morning, I groaned and rubbed my temples. Then I got up to wash up.

I knew myself well—after last night, I probably looked like a mess. And Alpha Nick had seen it all. He must know one of my weaknesses now, and that made me uncomfortable.

If he ever used it to mock me… how humiliating would that be?

It’s all Mary’s fault. She dared mess with me—I won’t let her off the hook.

After I freshened up and went downstairs to the dining room, Alpha Nick immediately put down his utensils and got up to leave when he saw me.

I was already used to his attitude, so I ignored him and sat down to eat.

After everything I went through last night, I was exhausted and needed to regain my strength. I needed a good meal.

Enna hadn’t dared lash out at Alpha Nick earlier. Now that he was gone, she turned her full wrath on me. “You’ve only been here a few days, and you’re already seducing Nick? What exactly did you two do last night? Why was he coming out of your room this morning?”

Mrs. Johnson chimed in, interrogating me too. “Is that true, Wendy? What are you up to? And where were you all night yesterday?”

Hearing their accusations, I sneered internally and curled my lips into a mocking smile.

“We’re all adults here. You tell me, what do you think a man and woman do after spending the night together in a room? Besides, we’re mates chosen by the Moon Goddess. Whatever we did, it wouldn’t be breaking any werewolf laws, nor do we need anyone’s permission, do we?”

“You—!” Enna stomped her foot in rage. “All you know is how to seduce men! Shameless!”

“Watch your mouth.” I cut into my fried egg and took a bite with poise. “There’s no seduction here. Nick and I are a rightful pair.”

Enna was rendered speechless by my comeback. She slammed her cutlery down and stormed off to her room.

I finished breakfast and was just about to head to work when our driver, Beli, approached me.

“Miss Smith, Alpha Nick instructed me to take you to Brown Pack.”

My steps faltered.

Alpha Nick asked the driver to take me?!

Why?

Just as I was about to say something, Mrs. Johnson coughed and shot me a sharp glare. Then she turned to the driver and said, “Beli, take me to Paris Mall.”

“But Mrs. Johnson, Alpha Nick told me to take Miss Smith,” Beli replied hesitantly, clearly torn.

“It’s okay, you can take Mrs. Johnson. I’ll go on my own,” I said with a smile, not wanting to make things difficult for him.

I hailed a cab and headed to Brown Pack.

But halfway there, I saw a stray dog running frantically through traffic. It was clearly in danger.

“Please stop the car,” I said quickly, then got out to help the dog.

Our Pack’s old Alpha Tim had taken in many stray dogs, and I’d always had a deep affection for them.

I approached the little dog, but suddenly, a red sports car came speeding straight toward it.

No!

The car was going to hit it!

I didn’t think twice—I lunged forward and scooped the puppy into my arms.

The sound of screeching brakes echoed around me as the car barely missed me.

As it passed, the driver—a fashionably dressed woman—stuck her head out of the window and shouted, “Are you crazy? If you want to die, go do it somewhere else!”

That woman… she looked oddly familiar?

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