I said and did nothing. As if I didn’t hear what Red said. I was shocked because Red was determined to ask me to leave Ethan. “Do you hear what I said?” Red asked me. I nodded but still didn’t reply. Finally, after taking a deep breath, I said, “I can’t.” “Can’t or won’t? The difference is huge.” “Both. I can’t, and I won’t.” I clenched my hands. It hurt in my heart. How could I leave Ethan? I loved him! “Do you prefer death?” Red looked away. “Though it’s easy if you are dead. You will set Ethan free. Yet, it will place him in a guilty position like before.” “What do you mean?” Red said nothing. Then he shook his head. “You should wait until our Alpha tells you. Otherwise, you have another choice: leave.” “We have marked each other. Ernie and Ethan told me that it was like both of us had married.” I stared at Red. “So, unless Ethan tells me directly or indicates he doesn’t want me anymore, I will stick with him. “You’re a stubborn girl. It won’t do good for anyone, you know?
I took a long breath to inhale the food’s smell. Since the wolf inside me didn’t comment on anything other than urging me to eat the pasta first, I finally took a bite of the macaroni and smiled. “Great meal.” No need to wait a long time I ate them all. The woman came again when I drank the water. “Do you want to take a bath now? Your water is waiting.” “Okay, thank you.” I nodded toward the empty plates and glass. “The food is delicious. Thank you very much.” The woman stared at me for a few seconds and then nodded. “Follow me!” I walked behind the woman. Later, she pointed to a small bathroom and opened the door. A few hot and cold water buckets were there. I could see the steam from some water buckets. “Enjoy your time. No need to hurry,” she said. Then she left me. I walked into the bathroom, closed the door, and locked it. Next, I checked the hot water to find it was too hot. I undressed and poured cold water to remove the dirt on my body. I washed my body with bar soap and
I walked for three full days to reach the Peak Mountain. My packed meals were only a piece of bread and a bottle of water left. Yet, I was determined to meet Ruby. She was the only way out I got. However, during those three days, my mind was full of Cathy, Ruby’s sister. Maybe it was my guilt that reminded me of her. Strange, I didn’t think of Cathy for so long. I sighed. Maybe it was the place or my awakened conscience. I met Cathy eleven years ago. I was twenty at that time, while Cathy was eighteen. As a new Alpha, I had never met any woman who refused me until I met her. She was a sweet girl, and she liked me too. Knowing my reputation as a playboy, Cathy decided to play hard to get with me. At first, I didn’t realize her trick. So, I chased her and intended to get her. Having a she-wolf who wasn’t interested in me was refreshing. I considered it a challenge. I must win her. After three months, Cathy might think I had been interested in her. So, she lowered her guard, even givin
Later, I worked as usual. Stacy waited for me when it was the end of our working hours. “It’s okay,” I said. “You can leave now. I’ll finish it soon. Red must be waiting for you already.” “Are you sure?” I nodded and smiled. “Don’t forget to tell me the complete story on Monday. Leave the kissing and touching parts.” Stacy giggled. “Okay! See you on Monday.” Then she waved and left. I was a little jealous of Stacy as she would enjoy a date with Red, unlike me, who would spend time alone on Saturday night. I wasn’t thrilled doing anything in my room later, but I reminded myself it was for the best. Ethan would be home soon, and then we could be together again. After tidying the books, I grabbed my bag and walked outside. Waving at Sam and passing the gate, I was only a few steps away from the library gate when Kenneth blocked my way again. “Helena, I have been waiting for you.” He looked around before stared at me. I took a deep breath. “Kenneth, I’m tired. It’s not a good ti
The stranger approached me, and I hugged myself. I was too terrified he would hurt me. Then he smiled and offered his hand, and I released my breath. “Princess, where is your home? Let me send you home,” he said. I shook my head, but the pain was throbbing in my feet. “Ouch!” The stranger swooped and brought me into his embrace. “You are hurt. I’ll take you home and won’t take a ‘no’ from you.” He brought me to his car, a black Jaguar. When we were inside his vehicle, I asked, “T-thank you for saving me. What is your name?” “I haven’t introduced myself to you. So, forgive my rudeness, princess. Constantine Night at your service.” He reached out to hold my hand, then brought it to his lips and kissed it lightly. “I am Helena Starr.” “Where is your house?” After telling him, he drove without saying anything. I glanced at him. Somehow, Constantine reminded me of Ethan, but he was taller and skinnier than Ethan. However, their eyes and lips were similar. I shook my head. Maybe
“I stumbled when I ran away from him.” I shook my head. “I need to go to the doctor tomorrow to check my feet. But tonight, I will have dinner with Constantine.” From her stare, my mother seemed to disapprove of me going with the man she didn’t know. But Constantine saved me from Kenneth. So, it was the least I could do to appreciate his help. “Are you sure you want to leave tonight? It’ll be better to go when you have recovered,” my mom said. I shook my head. “It’s okay, Mom. Besides, it’s just dinner.” I looked at my mother in the eye, trying to convince her I could endure an hour or maybe two hours of dinner time with Constantine. Constantine smiled at my mom. “No worries, Mrs. Ross. I will send your daughter home as soon as we have finished eating. I promise.” Finally, my mother nodded. “Enjoy your dinner.” Then, we went to the most prestigious restaurant in Moon City. Though my feet weren’t quite well, I managed to stroll. When the host saw Constantine, he immediately nodde
I drank the water and felt slightly better. Then I giggled. “I feel silly. Maybe it’s because I drank the champagne with an empty stomach.” It might be because I was hungry. Constantine didn’t comment and only smiled. He sipped the champagne while staring at me. As I didn’t know what to say, I said nothing. Then the server came with the appetizers: seared scallops with asparagus, and crab soup. “Enjoy, sir, madam.” Then the server left. Constantine ate the scallops fast. On the contrary, I enjoyed the scallops by chewing them slowly. Finally, I shook my head and smiled. “You are smiling. Why?” he asked. “The scallops are amazing! I love them!” “Good!” He nodded. “I am happy that you enjoy them.” After finishing my scallops, I only realized that Constantine was a royalty. When he said it before, I didn’t notice it too much. Maybe because I was hungry and couldn’t concentrate well because of that. It made sense how he brought himself: how he treated people and showed his status.
I shook my head. “No, it’ll be too much.” “I will be happy if you want to accompany me for dinner another time.” At first, I said nothing. But I knew I must refuse. I didn’t want to give a false hope to him. “No, thank you. But it’s a great dinner. I really thank you for tonight.” Then I added, “My boyfriend called me when I was in the ladies’ room. He said he would come here. So, I’ll go home with him.” Constantine’s expression was unreadable. He took his glass and sipped his drink. “I see. Are you sure that I can leave you here?” “Yes. my boyfriend didn’t say anything when I said I had gone with a new acquaintance. But then, he said he would send me home.” “Another time, maybe. Please send my regards to your mother then.” I nodded, too relieved because he didn’t make a fuss about it. “Sure!” Constantine raised his hand and signaled the server to bring the bill. After paying, he stared at me. “Are you sure you don’t want to go home with me?” “Yes, I’ll go home with my boyfrie