‘So she knows how to thank people, but doesn’t know how to reply back, ’ Dorian thought as he glanced at his phone which remained silent. He did not expect any reply after he sent one, yet he felt a twinge of disappointment when his phone did not light up. He tore his gaze from the unsuspecting device to his laptop screen. The emails were starting to give him a headache. He was about to type yet another response when the doorbell rang. He knew it was his beta, Kyle.“How many times did I tell you to just use the damn key,” he groused as he let him in. Kyle ambled in, two take away packets in his hand, and walked straight to his study. Dorian shook his head and closed the door. Kyle placed the takeaway packets on the desk and said sheepishly, “I keep forgetting about the key.” 

Her eyes welled up as she gathered her things and turned off the computer. Why was she so unfortunate all the time? Why did she always get the short end of the stick? Why couldn’t she stand up for herself? Why was she so pitiful? She sniffled before making her way out of the building. There was a distinct ache inside her chest, a dull throbbing pain that started after she was reprimanded by her boss. She blinked away the blurriness and looked around. Why did she feel so humiliated? He was only telling the truth. By now, she was well aware of the fact that he was neither lenient nor forgiving. However, he let her off the hook this time as well. She screwed her eyes shut, her cheeks heating up with embarrassment. All of a sudden, she tripped. She opened her eyes and instantly felt stupid for having closed it earlier. She let out a shuddering breath and started walking again. Melham was a small town, which is why the streets nearly became deserted by 8. Two years ago, she would

Dorian let out an aggravated sigh as he watched Summer leave. He knew she would do so, and even though he wanted to make her stay, Kai advised him not to force her, “Should we follow?” Kai asked hopefully. Dorian dragged his palm across his face and grabbed his keys before leaving the room. It was ironic how he kept wanting her to stay safe, but not acknowledging her as his mate. On his way out, he called Kyle. The beta answered groggily. “Ask Ronan to check the CCTV footage of the alleys near H Mart.” He ended the call without waiting for his reply. In his territory, he rarely heard cases of women being assaulted. It used to happen before he had succeeded as the alpha of his pack, which is why his father had CCTVs installed at various alleys and nooks. He had to deal with that employee of his and now this pointy teeth guy. B

Summer felt herself nod minutely. At the back of her brain, she knew that she was indirectly agreeing to his offer. She also knew that the reason he provided was most probably not true or half-true. Mr. King repeated, “So...you agree?” He quirked his eyebrows. She gulped, knowing that if she declines the offer then the boss might target her or bully her, that’s what she has endured her entire life. But if she accepted the offer then she would no doubt make countless mistakes and will be fired, eventually.    Morosely, she thought that it was better to agree and get fired. She only needed to keep her distance, and it wasn’t like he had done anything bad to her. On the contrary, he had helped her numerous times. She nodded once again, this time more firmly. Mr. King straightened. “Very well, I will ask Kyle to shift your things here. He gestured behind her back and she turned her head part

“Mate….trouble…”His words were garbled bordering on unintelligible, but clear enough for him. He gritted his teeth and argued, “So? You will save her? How? When we are crippled ourselves...when we can’t keep control of our own powers.” His voice rose with each bitter truth. Kai was not on the same footing. He tried to break the chain, tried to escape, but Dorian resisted and gradually he was getting exhausted from fighting his own wolf. He closed his eyes to will the fatigue and pain away, to push back the thoughts of Summer being in grave danger. “Kyle!” he roared through the mind-link. The beta replied immediately. “Check on Summer,” he managed to say through his clenched teeth. Kai growled like a wounded beast. “We will rescue our mate!” he thundered. “No...she is no