chapter 12

serena pov

During previous due diligence for projects, I had visited SkyBlade many times. I knew the place inside out. Showing them around came easily—professional and smooth. Even Ryan, the boss, looked at me with approval and admiration. The staff at SkyBlade were warm toward me too. From engineers to security guards and cleaning aunts, everyone greeted me proactively.

"Serena, are you leaving today? If not, come to my place for dinner after work! My mate has been wanting to thank you in person. If not for you helping her find that school last time, our pup might have dropped out."

SkyBlade's chief engineer, Daniel Cole, came over specially to thank me.

"Is Benny settling in at the new school?" I asked naturally.

"All good—he loves the esports program. He's motivated, and the teachers say his grades are strong. Before, my mate and I thought gaming was a waste. Without you, we never would have known it could be a career! We really owe you for this."

I smiled. "Daniel, you're too kind. I just happened to have an esports project and knew a bit more. Tell your mate no need to be so formal."

"No, no—this was huge. You solved a massive problem for our family! We have to thank you properly!"

"I'm heading back to Jendris pack tonight. I appreciate the thought."

Daniel was disappointed to hear I was leaving so soon.

Ryan chimed in. "SkyBlade and blackwood Business have sealed the deal now. Plenty of chances to treat Serena to dinner later—no rush."

"True. I was too eager. Next time, Serena, you have to come!"

I didn't give a clear answer because I was about to leave blackwood Business. Whether Adrian approved or not, I was going.

"Serena's pretty popular," Elena remarked.

Ryan laughed heartily. "Popular? If there were a likability ranking, Serena would beat me!"

Elena's tone was hard to read—praise or something else. "I've been abroad too long. Domestic relationships are so complicated. I'll have to learn from Serena on that front."

Adrian's lips curved in a faint smirk. "No need. You're the investment director, not PR."

At that, Elena beamed, her voice turning playfully coquettish. "I just want to be as thorough as Serena."

"No need. I know you don't like that stuff—don't force yourself." Adrian's tone held clear indulgence.

Ryan watched as an outsider and saw it plainly.

Once the two left, he asked me, still standing motionless. "This Elena—isn't she Adrian's mate?"

I opened my mouth, but the words felt heavy. "I'm not sure."

Adrian hadn't publicly acknowledged it. I had no right to define their relationship, though I knew it was only a matter of time.

Ryan sounded convinced. "I'm pretty sure she is. I was tough earlier—hope I didn't offend blackwood Business's future lady boss."

He jogged off to catch up with them.

I stayed put, the dragging pain in my lower abdomen worsening.

Who actually enjoys schmoozing?

All these years, I had worked to be flawless—winning over anyone who might partner with blackwood Business. To Adrian, it was worthless. All that effort turned into ammunition to belittle me.

It took me a while to warm up again.

I didn't follow. I pressed my hands to my abdomen and slowly crouched. The painkillers had worn off.

When Ryan returned with Adrian and Elena, I was sitting, sipping ginger water the cleaning aunt had made.

"Serena, are you sick?" Ryan asked, concerned at my pallor.

"Just a bit unwell. Nothing serious." I brushed it off as usual.

The cleaning aunt fussed beside me. "Dysmenorrhea isn't minor. You need proper care."

Adrian finally said something wolf, frowning. "If you're unwell, go to a healer. Stop pretending."

"It won't help." I stood. "Tour done?"

Elena answered. "Not that side yet."

"That's the new workshop—still under construction. Nothing worth seeing," Ryan explained.

But Elena was curious. "I want to look. What we saw earlier was all prepped—less useful."

Ryan hesitated. "It's messy in there."

"No problem. Just a quick look." Elena insisted. "I'll be handling this project now—I need to know it better."

Adrian's expression stayed neutral—clearly indulging her.

Ryan had no choice. "It's still under construction. You'll need hard hats."

"Will a hard hat make me look ugly?" Elena murmured to Adrian. "Don't stare too much later, Adrian. I don't want to ruin my perfect image in your eyes."

"How could you? You're always perfect to me." He looked down at her.

Elena, pleased, stopped minding the hat.

I didn't want to go, but before I could say so, Elena invited me. "Come along, Serena. You explain things more clearly. Ryan uses too much jargon—I don't follow."

Until then, I had no issue with Elena. The one who changed was the wolf—it wasn't her fault. But this time, I clearly felt her targeting me.

As a she-wolf, she couldn't be unaware how painful cramps were, yet she still called me along.

When I glanced at her probing, she looked innocent and composed, as if she truly just needed my help explaining—nothing more.

I had never been to the new workshop. I wasn't familiar and had little to say.

Construction made the site chaotic. Ryan repeatedly warned us to be careful.

Unwell, I trailed at the back—just in time to see Adrian and Elena walking side by side.

Midway, Elena tripped on a cable. Adrian instinctively wrapped an arm around her waist.

Gentle warning: "Careful."

"I know." Elena stuck out her tongue playfully.

I deliberately slowed, wanting distance.

"Excuse me." A forklift passed.

I stepped aside. It carried a full load, reversing toward a rack over three meters high, also stacked heavily.

Overloaded materials blocked the driver's view. He didn't notice the tail catching the rack.

The whole structure tilted. Items rained down.

In that instant, I had no time to think. I reached desperately for Adrian.

It was pure instinct—a habit forged over ten years.

But I grasped empty air.

Sharp objects slashed my arm amid the dense fall.

In the chaos, Elena's panicked cry: "Adrian!"

"Don't be afraid." He answered, his tall frame shielding her completely, taking the blows on his back.

Thud after thud.