chapter 15

Serena pov

Jack brushed it off lightly. "No. Probably just trying to chat me up."

Elena's lips curved. "Taking you for an easy mark. I've seen plenty of she-wolves like that."

Jack didn't respond. Instead, he greeted Adrian behind her. "Adrian, long time."

Adrian replied coolly. "Long time."

Damon, hearing Adrian and Elena had arrived, came out early—just in time to catch the exchange. He couldn't resist joking. "When did you two get so formal? Or is it rivals meeting—extra sparks?"

Elena smoothed it over. "Don't tease."

She said that, but her face showed pleased pride.

Adrian and Jack—the two standout wolves of their generation.

One her ex.

The other soon to be her current.

…

The meeting with Leon went well.

But since I hadn't fully terminated with blackwood business, I didn't give him a firm answer.

Leon personally walked me to the Westend Eternal entrance.

I told him I'd called a car and he should go first—he'd drunk quite a bit.

While waiting, I spotted a familiar license plate.

Adrian's car.

I used to drive it often.

It still had the safety charm I'd gotten for him from the mountains.

The black Maybach stopped steadily in front of me. The window rolled down, revealing Adrian's flawless face.

Our eyes met across the short distance.

Maybe it was an illusion. Or the night was too thick—but his gaze seemed so gentle.

My heart unmistakably skipped a beat.

In those nights of passionate entanglement, I had drowned again and again in those deep eyes. At the height of it, he would lean to my ear, calling my name over and over. Savage, tender, wild. Bone-deep entwined.

"Adrian, waited long?"

Elena's voice came from behind.

I snapped awake in a second.

How could I think he was here for me?

Fortunately, my ride arrived too. I fled in embarrassment.

On the way home, I kept the window down. The driver kept glancing at me in the rearview.

"Had too much—sobering up." I explained.

But I hadn't drunk much tonight.

Finally, the driver said uncertainly, "Vomit on the seat—two hundred."

I was speechless.

I touched my face instinctively.

Did it say "heartbroken" or something?

Since I'd had a little alcohol, worried my stomach might act up overnight, I stopped at a neighborhood spot for a steaming bowl of pasta before strolling home.

The moment I entered, I saw someone in the living room.

Adrian.

I froze.

At this hour, shouldn't he be spending the night with Elena?

Why was he suddenly in my rented place?

I glanced back at the keypad lock and sighed inwardly.

I'd calculated everything—except forgetting to change the door code.

And I had eagerly given it to him myself back then.

Impressive he still remembered.

He rarely visited my little place anyway.

Maybe finance wolves are just good with numbers.

I changed shoes slowly, pondering why Adrian was here.

This was our first alone time since I'd learned about his white moonlight.

Here to end things?

Made sense. It was time.

Better to close the chapter on the past decade properly.

A beginning and an end—better than just a beginning.

I moved deliberately, nothing like my usual efficiency.

Oddly, Adrian didn't rush me. He just watched.

The overhead light cast shadows over his sharp brow, hiding his eyes in darkness—emotions unreadable.

"Water?" I asked after changing shoes.

It was coming—I couldn't avoid it.

"No."

I poured myself a cup of hot water.

I needed my medicine.

Seeing me take pills, Adrian frowned. "Bad injury?"

"What?"

"Mia said you took sick leave today—got hurt at SkyBlade." He explained.

Asking three days later—wasn't that a bit late?

I finished the water, feeling much better.

Only then did I answer casually. "Doesn't hurt anymore. And it's stomach medicine."

His brow relaxed slightly, then tightened again. "Seen a healer?"

"Yes."

"What'd they say?"

"No drinking. Take good care of it."

His frown deepened.

Not sure if he was worried no one would drink for him now—or regretted forcing me that night for Elena.

Probably the former.

Yet Adrian, breaking character, said something almost caring. "Try to drink less from now on."

I suddenly wanted to check if the sun would rise in the west tomorrow.

"Got it." I replied.

After all, I was planning to resign anyway.

Adrian, who had been sitting, suddenly stood and walked toward me.

My lower back pressed against the table as he approached step by step.

Until he stopped right in front of me.

I said nothing, just looked at him steadily.

I wanted to memorize this face—might not see it again.

Adrian was undeniably handsome.

The kind she-wolves say sleeping with once is a win.

And I had won for ten years.

The blockage in my chest for over half a month suddenly cleared.

Sometimes you really need a new perspective.

"Show me." Adrian suddenly spoke, breaking my trance.

"Hm?" I didn't catch it.

So direct?

No foreplay or anything?

Adrian said, "The wound."

I looked away guiltily. "I told you it doesn't hurt…"

Before I finished, he reached out to check himself.

I don't know how he knew where—just accurately lifted my sleeve, exposing the gash on my forearm.

The body heals wondrously bit by bit.

So it didn't look as bad as fresh—just long, crossing the entire forearm.

"Will it scar?" he asked.

"Maybe. Maybe not." I wasn't used to this Adrian.

As if he cared.

One last tenderness?

Unnecessary. Really unnecessary.

I pulled my arm back, voice cooling. "Did you come for something else?"

Wasn't it to end things?

Even if he didn't say it, I'd make it clear eventually.

Adrian's long fingers brushed my waist.

My sensitive spot—he knew it well.

My body tensed involuntarily, shivering.

His low voice murmured at my ear. "Over yet?"

We had finally reached this point.