Author: Momo Chan

Endless Revenge for Love In the third year of our marriage, Sir Adrian Stone promised me a grand wedding to make up for the hurried one we initially had. However, on that very day, we received a congratulatory letter from Seraphina Dewhurst, the most celebrated dancer in Stonehaven. My husband, cold as stone, remarked, “In my heart, there is room for only one woman, my lady.” Yet, when that woman threatened to end her life by cutting her wrists in the snow, he rushed out to cradle her in his arms. He said, “My lady, I cannot abandon her.” Later, when news of my elaborate re-marriage spread, the usually stoic general’s eyes reddened for the first time. My husband, Sir Adrian Stone, was the famed young general of Stonehaven, and we shared a harmonious bond. Our initial wedding was rushed, interrupted by urgent military duties. In the third year of our marriage, he suddenly decided to make up for it with a grand celebration. “Elara, I vow never to fail you in this life, and I wish to declare our love to the world.” Everyone spoke of how perfect our match was, and it was widely known that, despite our years together, Adrian had never taken another wife or mistress. A few days before the wedding, I secretly saw the doctor and found out I was three months pregnant. I planned to surprise Adrian with the news during the wedding banquet. That day, with thousands of doves released into the sky and the hall filled with distinguished guests, Adrian, dressed in a deep red ceremonial robe, walked slowly towards me, his hand reaching out as he smiled warmly. “Today, before all these esteemed guests, I pledge eternal devotion to my wife, Lady Elara Stonemore… From this day forth, I shall never forsake you.” The banquet was a carefully orchestrated affair, aimed at furthering his career and prestige. Since it was all prearranged, I remained calm, playing my part. After the ceremony, as we sat down, I put on a serious face. “Honey, there’s something I need to tell you,” I said. He immediately straightened up, his expression turning serious as he leaned in. “What is it, sweetheart?” His genuine concern was so endearing that I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. At that moment, the stage curtains suddenly opened, revealing a dancer in an aquamarine gown with a veil covering half her face. Her eyes, framed by a cascade of pearls, sparkled with a captivating allure. She danced gracefully, her flowing dress moving in sync with the music, her movements fluid and smooth. I noticed Adrian’s expression shift from surprise to something deeper, his gaze locked on the dancer, unblinking. After the performance, the dancer cast a lingering glance back at the audience before retreating backstage. Adrian and I followed her. His face was tense, his lips pressed into a thin line. “What are you doing here?” he demanded. To my surprise, the woman knelt down gracefully, presenting Adrian with a letter, her gaze as pitiful as a doe’s. “After all these years, I wished to deliver this letter to you in person, General, to find peace in my heart.” “You know her?” I asked in confusion. Adrian quickly explained that her name was Seraphina Dewhurst, a woman he had known back when he was still a nobody. Now, she was the most famous courtesan of Moonrise Manor in the capital. Her voice quivered , I heard about your wedding and signed up to perform just so I could see the love you share with Lady Elara.” She glanced at me, and in that brief moment, I saw something in her eyes—envy, resentment… and something else I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Before I could even wrap my head around it, Adrian, clearly exasperated, snapped, “Miss, we were nothing more than passing acquaintances. The world is big—there’s no reason for you to cling to me any longer.” The woman’s shoulders sagged, and she suddenly burst into tears. “I have no one else, General. I just want to stay by your side. I’d gladly marry you, even as a lowly concubine with no title.” My fears were confirmed. A wave of dizziness hit me, and I instinctively grabbed my maid’s hand for support. But Adrian, usually so perceptive, didn’t notice my distress. His gaze stayed locked on the woman as he said calmly, “Seraphina, don’t degrade yourself. There’s no need to sacrifice your dignity for me.”

He called her Seraphina with such ease, unaware of the intimacy with which she had once addressed him. “I have a wife now,” Adrian said firmly, “and I’ve promised her a lifetime of love. She is my wife, and I have no intention of marrying anyone else.” Adrian’s words were resolute as he waved a servant over to escort her out. After dealing with the situation, he took my hand, meeting my puzzled gaze. “Just an old acquaintance. She won’t trouble us again.” As I gazed at him, unwavering and formidable as always, a tremor of doubt seized me for the first time. His sharp features, those predatory eyes, and the faint scars etched into his cheeks spoke of a storied heroism. But as I traced the lines of his strong hands, I wondered—how many hearts had those very hands ensnared with their touch? How many whispered promises had they forged in shadows, only to leave a trail of broken dreams in their wake? When I first met him, my father was the master horse trainer in the Royal Stables, and I was the most skilled horsewoman in all of Stonehaven. I often helped my father with his work. Back then, Adrian had just achieved his first military victory, and the King had gifted him a fiery red stallion. The horse was wild and unmanageable, yet I tamed it and personally led it to Adrian. He fell for me at first sight and pursued me relentlessly, and I, too, found myself drawn to the young, handsome general. He treated me with utmost care, and our love became the talk of Stonehaven. Rumors spread that “if one must marry, let it be to Sir Adrian Stone, and if one must be a wife, let it be like Lady Elara.” My thoughts snapped back to the present, and I found myself gazing at him, his face eerily unchanged from three years ago. I lowered my eyes, struggling to steady my voice. “That woman’s feelings for you,” I said, my tone laced with tension, “seem so deep and sincere. It’s almost impossible to believe she was merely a passing acquaintance.” Adrian sighed heavily. “Elara, do you doubt me? I swear there’s nothing between us beyond what I’ve told you.” He then confessed the truth: years ago, while on a mission, he had rescued Seraphina from bandits and taken her into the camp as a servant. It was only later that he discovered she was a courtesan. Seraphina had once confessed her feelings to him, pleading not to be sent back, but he had refused her. “I was the one who sent her back,” he said softly. “How could I possibly have any feelings for her?” He reached out tentatively, drawing me into his embrace. “I’ve spoiled your mood today. I’ll make it up to you on your birthday. I promise to be with you, sharing all the important moments of our lives, growing old together.” But my heart was heavy with conflicting emotions, and the surprise I had planned for him remained unspoken. On the night of the winter festival, I was on High Street distributing food to the poor when snow began to fall gently from the sky. Adrian was inside studying military matters and did not join me. I, sensitive to the cold, couldn’t help but cough. “My lady, we should return inside. You’re not strong enough to endure this weather,” my maid Liana urged, wrapping my cloak more tightly around me. “No need,” I replied, glancing back only to see a woman covered in wounds, kneeling in the snow. It was Seraphina Dewhurst, the same woman who had disrupted our wedding banquet. She knelt silently before our gate, and then, without warning, she drew a dagger and slashed her wrist. The blood that seeped into the snow was stark against the white, making her frail figure appear even more pitiful. Before long, I saw Adrian rush out like an arrow from a bow, scooping her up in his arms. She lay weakly against him, her breath faint. “Without your love, I have no reason to live. I don’t want to trouble you any further, General, so…” Her voice trailed off, and she fainted in his arms. 3 He carried the woman straight back to the manor and immediately summoned the physician to treat her wounds. The snow outside was heavy, but the fire within burned as warmly as a spring day, creating a stark contrast to the world beyond. Seraphina finally awoke, lying softly in my husband’s arms, her beauty enhanced by the light reflecting off the snow outside. When our eyes met, hers were sharp and mocking. “The General may be able to leave without a care, but what shall do?” she asked, struggling to lift her head. Then, her eyes filled with tears as she quickly removed her clothing, exposing her pale shoulder where a tattoo was clearly visible—it was the name “Adrian.” “In the past, you pitied me for my tragic fate and personally marked me with your name, promising me a lifetime of protection. Do you still remember that promise, General?” Adrian finally lost his composure, pressing her head against his chest, his voice trembling. “Why are you doing this to me, Seraphina? Do you know how much you make my heart ache?” Soon, the physician arrived and found that Seraphina’s body had been weakened by the harsh winter chill, making her incapable of bearing children. It turned out that, to perform that dance for Adrian, she had taken a dangerous potion. This potion gave her the grace of a swan and a snow-like beauty, but the musk it contained had come at the cost of her reproductive function. Barely able to speak, Seraphina rasped, “Though I was surrounded by courtesans, my heart has always been yours, General. I could never belong to another. When my madam compelled me to take another client, I fled, choosing to die at your doorstep rather than betray my devotion to you.” “Seraphina, enough,” Adrian said, turning his head away, though the redness at the corners of his eyes was unmistakable. As expected, he pulled me outside, where the wind and snow howled around us. In our three years of marriage, we had never faced each other in silence like this. Finally, he broke the stillness with a strained voice. “Elara, this is a serious matter. I can’t just turn my back on her.” “Adrian, we should part ways,” I said calmly. “That’s impossible,” he interrupted me quickly. I smiled faintly, “It was know to all—the same General who vowed never to forsake me at our wedding banquet just days ago has brought a courtesan into our home and marked her with his own name. Do you want me to be the laughingstock of all of Stonehaven?” “If you can’t keep your promises, then let’s end this marriage and go our separate ways.” I turned to leave, but Adrian’s hand clamped down on my sleeve. The man who had never faltered in the presence of the King now stumbled over his words. “Elara, please, believe me. I only took her in out of pity. My heart—my heart is only for you.” I cut him off sharply, “How many women have you said these words to?” Seeing that I remained unmoved, he grew angry. “Elara Stonemore, there is no divorce between us, only death can part us. It seems I’ve spoiled you too much, making you forget that a wife must obey her husband!” With that, he stormed back inside, convinced I would never leave him, convinced I would eventually accept this, as other women did, and share him with another. Suddenly, I felt a deep sadness. How much better it would be if I had never loved Adrian, never cherished those moments of romance. The bitterness of his betrayal melted away like a snowflake on my fingertip. I calmly made a decision and instructed my maid, Liana, to procure two items for me: one, a potion to terminate the pregnancy, and the other, a concoction to ensure Adrian would never father a child again. Adrian placed Seraphina in the west wing, granting her no title but assigning two maids to attend to her, making her an exceptional presence in the manor. Meanwhile, I remained secluded, quietly executing my plan as the signs of my pregnancy became more apparent. One day, as I was admiring the flowers in the garden, someone I thought I’d never interact with again approached me. She looked well-cared for, her complexion radiant as she smiled and said, “Sister, how have you enjoyed these past three years, keeping my husband to yourself?” I didn’t want to engage with her, but Seraphina sighed and stepped back a few paces, her delicate steps as light as a whisper. “But now I’ve returned, so isn’t it time for you to step aside?” Before I could respond, she turned on her heel, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. Moments later, the sharp sound of shattering ice echoed through the garden as the pond’s surface gave way beneath her. Seraphina’s screams pierced the air as she floundered in the freezing water. She accused me of pushing her—a ludicrous, transparent scheme that once would have made me scoff at its sheer amateurishness. But Adrian, blinded by his guilt and her theatrics, believed her without hesitation. When he came to confront me, I remained calm and said, “I didn’t do it.” He frowned, finally relaxing his clenched fists. “Very well, I believe you.” Just then, a servant rushed in. “General, Lady Seraphina has taken a sudden fever and is now unconscious!” Once again, he left me to rush to her side and never returned. 4 That night, the snow on the roof melted, and the intricately carved bed Adrian had ordered for me sat unused in the west wing, creaking throughout the night. I touched my still-flat abdomen, feeling the two heartbeats within me. What had once been a life I longed for now felt like a burden of grief. The Moonrise Manor, which should have been closed and dark after the curfew, unexpectedly kept its lights on all night. I, unable to sleep, stared at it from afar, as if looking at the last flicker of light in a deep abyss. The next morning, Adrian was summoned to the King, and I heard he left with a spring in his step, looking pleased with himself. I knelt before the altar in the courtyard, reciting prayers, when I heard footsteps approaching. Seraphina came up beside me but did not kneel. “Are you praying for the General’s favor, sister?” I looked up at the idol above and kept chanting, ignoring her completely. But she wasn’t about to let it go. Leaning in close to my ear, she whispered, “The General was so strong in bed last night, and so considerate. He told me to be patient, and I couldn’t have been more satisfied.” I sneered, “He once despised you for being a courtesan, yet now that you’re back in his favor, you’re so certain your beauty will never fade, and his love will never wane?” Seraphina smiled mysteriously. “Sister, you are truly virtuous, but don’t you know? What makes a man remember isn’t just beauty.” I thought of the potion she had used and suddenly understood. Indeed, she was now truly captivating, her voice dripping with honey. No wonder even the most clever men couldn’t resist the allure of a beautiful woman. Adrian never came to my room again, his absence a cold and silent rejection. I heard that his management of the Royal Guard had earned him favor, and for his previous military achievements, the King had offered him any reward he desired. He knelt before the throne and refused land or gold, asking only to make Seraphina his second formal wife. The whole city marveled at his deep love and loyalty, admiring how he balanced his affections between his new love and old commitments. He declared his intent to give Seraphina the grandest wedding the city had ever seen. 5 On that day, with falcons as messengers and blossoms as witnesses, a luxious carriage made its way into the notorious Red Lantern Alley, where a young general was to marry a courtesan—an event rarely seen. Disguised, I slipped into the alley, coldly observing the spectacle. Adrian rode a magnificent horse straight to the Moonrise Manor, brandishing a thousand silver coins, arrogantly demanding to buy her freedom. “I demand to see the master of this manor. This should be more than enough to buy Seraphina’s freedom.” “How could that be enough?” A clear male magnetic voice drifted down from the upper floor. Pale fingers parted the curtain, revealing a face of unparalleled beauty. It was my first time seeing the master of Moonrise Manor. His jet-black hair and crimson lips, with long eyes drooping slightly with a trace of red at the corners, held an air of both elegance and nonchalance. As he moved, dressed in white robes, I realized that true beauty transcends gender. The handsome boss tapped his fan lightly against his chin, his eyes curving into a smile. “Seraphina is the most enchanting of all the girls at Moonrise Manor. The line of men wanting to be with her could stretch to the neighboring kingdoms. How could mere silver buy her freedom?” Adrian’s smile faltered, his face stiffening. “Then how much do you want?” The beauty unfolded his fan with a lazy smile. “I’ve heard that General Adrian turned down the King’s reward of gold and land to marry this woman as your second wife. Such devotion must be worth at least ten thousand gold pieces.” The entire Red Lantern Alley watched the scene unfold. Although they didn’t know the history between them, it was clear the handsome boss was humiliating Adrian. A strange sense of satisfaction welled up in me as Adrian’s lips twitched. For the sake of his pride, he gritted his teeth and agreed. In front of everyone, he signed and sealed the contract, paying ten thousand gold pieces to buy back Seraphina’s freedom. This was his entire savings from two years of military service and rewards, plus a substantial loan. Yet, despite his triumph, the boss’s demeanor was chillingly indifferent to the money. He instructed his men to count it with a detached air, barely glancing as he sneered, “You’re fortunate to have regained the beauty.” With an air of haughty disdain, he crumpled the contract and flung it over the high balcony, watching as it tumbled into the void below. “Take her away,” If there was a way to shatter a man’s spirit, this was it. … With this act, Seraphina’s status was firmly entrenched and known by all. After the grand wedding, her boldness grew even more audacious. She marched into my courtyard with an imperious air, demanding tokens of Adrian’s affection that he had once bestowed upon me. Her voice was a sharp command as she insisted I return every memento, as if reclaiming them would seal her victory and further cement her newfound power. “The General has declared that we are meant to be together for life. You may stay in the manor, but don’t cling to any illusions. You and the General are no different than being divorced.” Facing her provocation, I smiled faintly. “So be it. I only hope he truly cherishes you.” Seraphina, eager to prove her point, said, “He gave up all his military achievements just to make me his equal wife. If that isn’t true love, what is?” I didn’t respond. Instead, I pointed to the wooden box on the ground, where all the hairpins and jade ornaments Adrian had given me were stored. “Please, hand these back to him.” I lowered my gaze. “It’s just a shame that the kites he made for me, the summer fireflies he placed in my hands, the hurried love letters from the battlefield… those can never be returned.” In the past, Adrian would rise before dawn to train, regardless of the weather, and I would silently accompany him, handing him a towel when he was done. I knew he was the backbone of the kingdom, the guardian of the realm. But now, he spent day and night wrapped up in Seraphina’s company, taking potions to boost his stamina. It was as if he had been drained of life; dark circles formed under his eyes, despite being only in his twenties. As my morning sickness worsened, I had Liana procure a potion to terminate the pregnancy and arrange for a medical retreat. During this time, I had been secretly poisoning Adrian’s food with a concoction to render him infertile, ensuring he could no longer father children. It was time to end this. That day, while Adrian and Seraphina were lost in their daytime pleasures, I took the divorce papers I had already prepared, stamped them with Adrian’s seal in his study, and left decisively. As I reached the door, a sudden, excruciating pain gripped my abdomen, and I felt warm, sticky blood flowing down. I was struck by a sudden realization—how could this be? I hadn’t taken the potion yet. Who had poisoned me? Soon, Adrian rushed out, panic written all over his face when he saw me lying in a pool of blood. “Elara, what’s happening?” Then, with a loud thud, Adrian was kicked to the ground, coughing up blood. The pain was overwhelming, and as I curled up on the ground, tears blurred my vision. A cold drop fell on my eyelid, but it wasn’t my own. “Don’t be afraid, I’ll take you away.” I was lifted into warm arms, the heat of his body nearly stealing my breath. For a brief moment, my vision cleared enough to see the face of the man holding me. It was the beautiful master from Moonrise Manor, whom I had glimpsed that day. 6 This time, however, there was no trace of those vibrant or the seductive allure. His appearance had changed, now possessing a more masculine edge, though I recognized him instantly from the clarity in his eyes. He held me firmly as he stood, his gaze sharp as he glanced back at the man behind us. “Where are you taking Elara? Put her down! She is the lady of this house and must stay here to recover. She cannot go anywhere!” Adrian’s frantic shouts echoed behind us as he clung desperately to the man’s leg. But the master swiftly kicked him aside. Adrian, weakened by his excessive indulgence, struggled to stand, his face twisted in fury, yet unable to do anything

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After returning from a three-year business trip, Adrian had just stepped into the house when he saw Lucas sitting in a chair, staring at him with a dark, intense gaze. Lucas’s eyes were filled with a strong, almost predatory desire, as if he wanted to devour Adrian whole. “Long time no see, big brother,” Lucas said softly. Adrian swallowed hard. Oh no, his sweet little puppy had turned into a possessive wolf. 1 Adrian was standing in front of five large garbage bins, holding several bags of trash and looking confused. As he glanced at the last bin, he noticed something odd nearby. “Huh? What kind of trash is that?” he asked, pointing with his slender, pale finger. Mrs. Johnson followed his gaze. Next to the garbage bins was a small, dark figure, curled up with its face buried in its knees. Mrs. Johnson’s eyes widened in shock, and she nearly dropped the trash she was holding. “That’s not trash! That’s a person! Quick, call 911!” “What?!” Adrian exclaimed, finally realizing what he was seeing. He quickly dialed 91

Since he was the one who made the emergency call, Adrian accompanied the ambulance to the hospital. “Who’s this boy’s family?” a nurse from the emergency department called out urgently. Adrian, who had just returned from paying the bill, scratched his cheek awkwardly. “Um… I am,” he replied hesitantly. “What kind of brother are you?” the nurse scolded, her eyes blazing with anger. “Your brother fainted from hunger and is severely dehydrated. Not eating or drinking can be fatal, you know! He’s only seventeen!” Faced with the nurse’s accusation, Adrian was at a loss for words. Well… would you believe me if I said I just found this brother in a dumpster? “Fortunately, we got to him in time. Let’s start with an IV drip for now,” the nurse continued, her tone softening slightly. “Okay, thank you,” Adrian replied gratefully. Adrian sat by the hospital bed, using a warm washcloth to clean his newfound brother’s face. The boy was filthy – who knows what he had been through. As the nurse was inserting the IV, the boy on the bed seemed to feel the pain. His brow furrowed, and he slowly opened his eyes. Adrian, who had been watching him closely, noticed immediately. Seeing the boy’s pale face, he spoke softly to comfort him: “Don’t be afraid. Everything will be alright.” The boy’s eyes were unfocused, too weak to clearly see who was talking to him. He could only surrender to the overwhelming fatigue, closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep. All he knew was that the voice was gentle, the touch on his face was gentle, and the words were gentle. It made him feel inexplicably safe. 2 Lucas woke up in an unfamiliar environment. The room was small; he could see everything at a glance. By his bedside was a handsome young man, asleep in a single armchair. The morning sunlight fell on him, giving him a golden glow that highlighted his clean and gentle features. It must have been him taking care of me yesterday. Adrian woke up groggily, and as soon as he opened his eyes, he saw the boy staring at him intently. “Oh, you’re awake. Are you hungry?” he asked. Lucas nodded. He actually couldn’t feel hunger anymore, but he knew he needed to eat. Adrian got up and brought a bowl of porridge from the kitchen. “Your body is still weak. The doctor said you should only eat easily digestible foods for now, like porridge or noodles.” Lucas was about to reach out to take the bowl, but Adrian brought the spoon directly to his mouth. Adrian clearly saw Lucas freeze for a moment. “Is the plain porridge not tasty? I’m sorry, how about I make you some rice porridge tomorrow?” he asked apologetically. Lucas didn’t say anything, just opened his mouth and ate from the spoon. They fell into a rhythm, with Adrian filling the spoon and Lucas eating. Adrian would even gently wipe Lucas’s mouth between bites, causing the tips of the boy’s ears to turn red. Because Lucas saw that Adrian seemed happy when he ate, he unconsciously finished the entire bowl of porridge. In truth, the porridge wasn’t particularly tasty to him, but he felt a long-lost warmth. “The porridge was very good,” Lucas said softly. Adrian, who was wiping Lucas’s lips, paused for a moment. As if encouraged, he excitedly hugged Lucas. “This is the first time someone has said my cooking is good! Wait here, little brother, I’ll bring you another bowl.” With that, he hurried back to the kitchen, bubbling with joy. Adrian was the type to become radiant with just a little bit of sunshine. Lucas, still sitting stunned on the bed, now had not just red ears but slightly flushed cheeks as well. It had been so long since anyone had hugged him… But when he saw another bowl of plain porridge placed in front of him, Lucas’s brows furrowed slightly. However, seeing Adrian’s expectant eyes, he had no choice but to open his mouth and drink the second bowl… and the third… and the fourth! Finally, with a dark expression, he refused the fifth bowl. “Brother, I really can’t eat anymore.” “Oh, okay. How about some fruit then? I just bought some tangerines. They’re really sweet,” Adrian said with a sunny smile, eagerly recommending more food. Lucas: “…” If I didn’t die of starvation before, are you trying to stuff me to death now? 3 The entire living room was pitch black. Lucas sat at the dining table, a single desk lamp illuminating his face. The sudden light made him uncomfortable, and he shielded his eyes with his hand. “Tell me! Who are you? How old are you?” Adrian demanded, playing the role of an “interrogator” as he sat across from Lucas. “… Don’t you already know, brother?” After interacting with Adrian for the past few days, Lucas had let down his guard. His brother, aside from often acting silly, was just a sunny, pure-hearted young man in daily life. “Ahem!” Adrian coughed sternly a few times, insisting that Lucas play along. Lucas sighed helplessly. Even I, a teenager, don’t play these roleplay games anymore, but this adult seems to be really into it. Though he thought this, he still went along with his brother’s wishes. “My name is Lucas, and I’m 17 years old.” Adrian jotted this down in his notebook. “17 years old, nine years younger than me. Tsk tsk, youth is so nice. I’m jealous.” Adrian had a sour expression on his face. Lucas’s eyebrow twitched. What on earth was his brother comparing now? “How did you come to Clearwater City? And why were you at the garbage station in my community?” Adrian continued his questioning. “I was drugged and when I woke up, I was in Clearwater City. As for the garbage station, I was so hungry I felt dizzy…” “Ah! Were you going to look for food in the garbage?!” Adrian’s eyes welled up with tears. How pitiful! Lucas’s eyebrow twitched again. Couldn’t his brother let him finish speaking? The education he received from childhood meant that even if he were starving to death, he would never look for food in the garbage. “No, that’s not it. It was raining at the time, and I was just looking for a place to take shelter. I was so dizzy from hunger that I didn’t even realize it was a garbage station.” “Oh, I see,” Adrian nodded repeatedly, stroking his chin and making more notes on his paper. “What about your family?” he asked next. Lucas’s expression darkened. “I don’t have a family. And don’t ask about my past or call the police. You’ll get into trouble.” Adrian’s expression froze for a moment. Lucas’s serious expression didn’t seem like he was joking. But then Adrian looked troubled again, and Lucas knew why. He continued: “I’m not asking you to take care of me unconditionally. After I turn 18, I’ll find a job and give you all my wages.” Lucas’s hands, resting on his knees, unconsciously tightened. He knew he had no bargaining power right now. Adrian could completely kick him out if he wanted to, avoiding the trouble. “Hm? Work right after you turn 18? That seems too rushed. Shouldn’t you at least graduate from college? You can’t miss out on the campus experience,” Adrian said with a smile, turning on all the lights. The darkness was instantly replaced by a warm orange glow. Lucas stared at Adrian’s gentle smile in disbelief. The people he knew were all selfish, including himself. But Adrian was truly different. “Ah, I had prepared so many questions, but since you don’t want me to ask, I’ll let it go. Just tell me when you’re ready to talk about it,” Adrian said, looking a bit disappointed. So his earlier troubled expression was just because I wouldn’t let him ask about my past, wasting his prepared questions? “Pfft.” Lucas couldn’t help but laugh. Adrian clapped his hands as if he’d seen a world wonder. “Lucas, you look very handsome when you smile. Remember to smile more often.” “Okay, haha…” Lucas no longer hid his smile. He really had met a nice, silly big brother. “Let’s eat,” Adrian said. Soon, Lucas couldn’t smile anymore as he faced a table full of black, unappetizing dishes. Thinking back to the porridge from before, it must have been a successful product after who knows how many failures. Adrian’s culinary talent was truly zero. “Brother, next time, let me cook,” Lucas suggested. “You know how?” Adrian asked, surprised. “I can learn,” Lucas replied confidently. As Lucas had said, he really did learn to cook. He watched online videos and picked it up quickly. Adrian was instantly both in awe and proud. This was his little brother! He could cook! How smart and capable! In the future, Lucas took charge of every meal in the house, avoiding the high probability of food poisoning from Adrian’s cooking. One day, as Lucas brought out the last dish, he saw Adrian eating with great enjoyment at the dining table, his eyes shining. Lucas couldn’t help but smile, feeling like he could understand how his brother felt when watching him eat before. “Breaking news: The 17-year-old only son of Gu Family Group, the richest family in A City, has passed away…” The news report from the nearby TV instantly wiped the smile from Lucas’s face. The TV showed a couple crying in deep sorrow, but Lucas’s eyes gradually turned cold and vicious. “Disgusting,” he muttered. “…Wuu…” Adrian covered his mouth, trying to cry as quietly as possible. Oh no, the food was too delicious, and I forgot my manners. My little brother called me disgusting! Wuu wuu wuu! Crying! Boo hoo! Lucas heard the soft sobbing and looked at Adrian again. He saw that his brother’s eyes were very red, biting his rosy lower lip, looking extremely wronged. Lucas’s heart clenched painfully. “Brother, what’s wrong?” he asked, concerned. “I’m full. You go ahead and eat,” Adrian said, quickly getting up and returning to his room. He was afraid his eating would affect Lucas’s appetite and impact the child’s growth. Lucas was completely confused. Had he done something to make his brother angry? It didn’t seem like it, but it must have been his fault somehow. Lucas peeled a bowl full of tangerines that Adrian loved and knocked on Adrian’s bedroom door. “Brother, don’t be angry. I was wrong. I prepared some tangerines for you. Will you eat them?” he called softly. Lucas refused to leave, calling out to his brother in a gentle voice. Finally, he used his trump card: “Brother, if you don’t come out, I won’t eat.” Lucas had developed stomach problems from his previous ordeal. If he didn’t eat regularly, his stomach would hurt. Hearing this, Adrian anxiously opened the door. “Good children love to eat. You should be a good child, not a bad one.” Lucas smiled helplessly. Was his brother educating him like a kindergartener? “Okay, okay. Then this good child wants to ask, why is brother angry?” he asked patiently. “Because… because… Wuu… you said my eating was disgusting, but the ribs were really delicious,” Adrian said, biting his lip angrily as large tears rolled down his face. This was the biggest blow a foodie could take! For a moment, Lucas couldn’t tell who was the older brother and who was the younger one. However, knowing the reason, he felt relieved and explained: “I saw something disgusting on TV. Those words weren’t about you, brother.” “And I like watching you eat, brother. You look very good when you’re eating.” “Really?” Adrian asked hopefully. “Really,” Lucas confirmed. Adrian immediately stopped crying, his tears stopping as if on command. He opened his mouth to eat the tangerine Lucas offered, finding it very sweet – sweet enough to reach his heart. This little brother was quite good at comforting people. “Is there any food left?” Adrian asked hopefully. “Yes,” Lucas replied, amused. This made Lucas laugh. His brother was truly a foodie. In the future, he should just focus on eating. 4 Adrian sent Lucas to high school. Lucas was very smart, ranking first in every subject. This made Adrian very happy, like a proud father whose child had become successful. As for himself, he also encountered his own love. “Lucas, this is my girlfriend, Lily,” Adrian introduced. Lucas stared at the long-haired woman in front of him with a dark expression. This was the first time Adrian had brought a woman home. Lily felt uncomfortable under his gaze, feeling that the little brother didn’t like her and even held strong hostility towards her. “Lily, try my brother’s cooking. It’s delicious,” Adrian said, putting a chicken wing into Lily’s bowl. With a “clang,” Lucas put down his chopsticks and stood up to leave. “I’m full,” he said curtly. Followed by a loud “bang!” This child had learned to slam doors! He cooked for his brother to eat, but not only did his brother let an outsider eat it, he even gave her the first piece instead of Lucas. This feeling of being ignored was very uncomfortable, like being pushed out of Adrian’s world by an intruder. He didn’t like it at all. He only wanted Adrian to belong to him, to value only him. This meal was not enjoyable for Lily. After returning home, she suggested they should reconsider their relationship. Adrian was very disappointed. Why were both his girlfriend and his brother unhappy after just one meal? They eventually broke up. Adrian was sad for a while, but life had to go on, and he still had his brother by his side. Soon, it was time for Lucas to apply for college. Adrian was even more nervous than Lucas. This was a major turning point in life! Adrian took a day off work to wait anxiously outside the exam venue. No matter how well his brother did, he would give him a hug. These years of hard study weren’t easy. As it turned out, Adrian had worried for nothing. Not only was Lucas the first to walk out of the exam room, but when the results came out later, he had scored full marks in every subject. Lucas refused interviews from reporters, immediately spotting Adrian looking worried in the crowd. Of course he had to finish the exam quickly because someone was waiting for him. Adrian also noticed Lucas coming out after finishing the exam. His face lit up with a smile as he called out excitedly, “Lucas! Over here! Brother is here!” When Lucas approached, Adrian excitedly threw himself at him, hugging Lucas tightly. By now, Lucas had grown much taller, half a head taller than Adrian, and he steadily caught his brother in his arms. “How did it go?” Adrian asked. “Not bad,” Lucas replied confidently. “So confident! Come on, let’s go eat out to celebrate!” Adrian was so happy with Lucas’s exam results that he went around the neighborhood telling everyone. From 80-year-old seniors to 5-year-old kids, everyone in the area knew that Adrian’s brother had become the top student in the college entrance exam! However, the college Lucas chose to attend left Adrian greatly disappointed, and they even had a big argument about it. “With your grades, why do you insist on going to a local university?! Is this school even in the top three? Why stay in this small place when you could go to a prestigious university?!” Adrian sat on the sofa, his eyes red from crying, upset by Lucas’s decision. When he was a student, he wasn’t as smart as Lucas. He didn’t do well on his exams and didn’t have many choices, so his future path was narrower. Even now, he was just an ordinary office worker. But Lucas was different. Such a smart brother shouldn’t waste his talents in this small city of Clearwater. He should spread his wings and see the big world out there! Lucas knelt in front of his brother, taking Adrian’s hands that were resting on his knees. He gently rubbed the back of Adrian’s hand with his thumb, carefully choosing his words, trying to figure out how to avoid making his brother angry. He hated seeing Adrian’s eyes red from crying. “Brother, I just don’t want to leave you. The tuition for out-of-state universities is also high, and I’m not familiar with those places. What if I get bullied? You won’t be by my side, and no one will take care of me. Could you bear that?” Adrian didn’t speak, but his eyelashes trembled, seeming to consider this question. After so many years, Adrian had naturally grown accustomed to having Lucas by his side. Of course, he would be reluctant to part. But for Lucas’s future, even if he didn’t want to, he had to let go. As for tuition, he could work hard and afford it. Regarding bullying, with Lucas’s height of 6’1″ and his habit of working out, it would probably be difficult for him to be bullied. Adrian pouted, still dissatisfied with his brother’s decision. Lucas continued to persuade him: “I know what you’re worried about, but who says the future is definitely determined by attending a good university? My future, Lucas’s future, will certainly be in my own hands, not bestowed by a prestigious university.” “Brother, do you trust me?” Lucas rested his head on Adrian’s leg, looking up at him pitifully, like a small dog. Adrian finally sighed helplessly, seemingly compromising. “My little brother has grown up. I can’t control him anymore.” “How could that be? I only want my brother to take care of me for a lifetime.” Lucas nuzzled his cheek against Adrian’s knee affectionately. Adrian’s hand rested on Lucas’s head, stroking it gently. “You’d better not regret it.” “I’ll never regret it.”

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Adrian stood on the stage, basking in the spotlight. He was wearing a red velvet suit with no undershirt, exposing his muscular chest. A long, delicate silver necklace hung from his slender neck, disappearing into his suit. His hair was pure gold, making his skin appear very fair. Styled in a 70-30 side part, his eyes exuded a hint of languidness. With a high, straight nose and thin lips curved into a slight smile, his rosy lips glistened alluringly. “Thank you,” he said. “We heard that Mr. Adrian has been on a break recently. What do you usually do during your time off?” the host asked. Adrian chuckled softly, his eyes revealing an intense love as he replied, “I keep fish.” “Welcome to Leo’s live stream! Don’t forget to like and follow. Once you enter my fish tank, you’re mine, and there’s no escape.” On the live stream screen, a man wore a baseball cap and a black mask that covered most of his face. Only his almond-shaped eyes were visible, captivating and alluring. As he narrowed his eyes slightly, he gazed seductively at the camera. A beauty mark below his right eye added to his charm. “Today’s theme is drawing lines on my body with lipstick. As usual, the more you donate, the more you can draw. You can even specify locations.” “But right now, I’m wearing these bothersome clothes. I wonder which brother wants to help me take them off?” Leo’s slender fingers toyed with the shirt buttons on his chest, then raised an eyebrow as he watched the flood of donation messages popping up in the live chat. He smirked to himself. These old perverts, so easy to manipulate. “Hey? Is this all the love you have for Leo?” Leo shook his head, pretending to look hurt as he lowered his eyes, appearing pitiful. Suddenly, a familiar username entered the live room and immediately donated $10,000! Leo’s eyes lit up, his eyebrows arching in a smile as he concealed the excitement in his eyes. His big whale sugar daddy had arrived. “Daddy, I’ve only been streaming for a short while, and you’ve already donated so much?” [Aquarius: I want to quickly leave my exclusive mark on you.] Leo nodded in understanding and slowly unbuttoned his first button, revealing his exquisite collarbone. It was beautiful. Regarding this Aquarius, he had entered Leo’s live stream for the first time a while ago and donated frantically, becoming his top supporter in one night. Since then, whenever Aquarius came, that night’s stream was guaranteed to be highly profitable. This sugar daddy hardly ever missed a stream and never stopped donating, becoming Leo’s new ATM. Leo’s life had changed from riding a bicycle to driving luxury cars, from living in a 500 square foot apartment to a luxurious detached villa, with limited edition luxury goods all over his body. Naturally, Leo particularly liked and paid attention to him. He would chat with him and occasionally flirt and tease him. After all, who wouldn’t like money? During a casual chat, he had asked Aquarius about the meaning of his nickname. The sugar daddy said he was the water, and Leo was a fish that couldn’t leave the water, suitable to be kept in his tank. Leo nodded and agreed on the surface, saying that Daddy’s description was very apt. After all, his money came from these wealthy bosses with too much money, so he really couldn’t leave them. But internally, he was very disdainful. Don’t be so full of yourself. I can’t leave you? It’s clearly you who can’t leave me! Wait until I squeeze all your money dry, and see if I still pay attention to you! There are plenty of rich guys out there! Beautiful fish deserve to live in golden, glittering fish tanks, drinking golden water. If you don’t have money, just get lost. “You’ve donated so much, you could draw all over my body now, Daddy,” Leo called out to his sugar daddy in a coquettish voice. Anyone who heard it would feel their breath catch and their lower body tighten. Undeniably, Leo’s seduction skills were top-notch. All the shirt buttons were now undone, revealing his smooth, fair body. The shirt hung off his arms, exposing his shoulders. It was more tantalizing than being completely naked, making people want to help take it off completely. At this point, donation messages flooded the live chat again, but as long as they didn’t exceed Aquarius’s amount, Leo had to prioritize serving him. Leo exhaled softly, enticingly asking, “Where do you want to draw?” [Aquarius: From your neck down to where your heart beats on the left side.] Leo bit off the cap of the Dior 999 lipstick through his mask. The bright red lipstick started from his alluring Adam’s apple and continued down, stopping at his chest, waiting for the master’s next instruction. [Aquarius: Circle around the left chest to the right side, circle again and then go down…] More and more red lines wrapped around his body, the vibrant color stimulating viewers’ visual senses. [Aquarius: Your skin is so fair, very suitable for red ropes.] “Oh! You’re so naughty, I won’t let you see anymore.” After seeing the message, Leo coyly pulled his shirt closed, but only symbolically covered himself for a few minutes without buttoning up. After all, he couldn’t offend his sugar daddy. However, the visibility of his body was less than before. But internally, he was very contemptuous. This pervert, he felt something was off when circling around, but for the sake of money, he could only grit his teeth and go along with it. Seeing less to look at, other old perverts began to cry and complain, but Daddy remained calm and donated another $10,000! [Aquarius: Put your clothes back on properly.] Leo was a bit surprised. This was the first time someone had paid for him to put clothes on. Others were indignant, but what could they do without this kind of money? Leo obediently put his clothes back on. As for those poor old perverts, who cares about them! “Does Daddy want to chat with me?” Leo asked the screen affectionately, looking at the person behind the screen. Aquarius was silent for a few minutes before sending a message: [Aquarius: In college, I met my first love, but we only dated for three days before breaking up. He went to find someone else.] “Ah? He must have been blind to not want you when you’re so rich.” Leo was a bit shocked. A rich young master not wanted? If it were him, no matter how much he disliked the person, he would string them along until he had bought everything he wanted. [Aquarius: But I had no money at that time.] “Uh, I mean you’re so gentle and considerate.” Leo quickly changed his words with an awkward smile. That previous statement seemed to have accidentally revealed his true nature. [Aquarius: If it were you, would you break up with me to find someone else?] “Of course not! Daddy, you’re so good, I couldn’t wait to like you.” Leo immediately said he wouldn’t. This was his top supporter! Of course, he had to sweet-talk him. Until an even richer sugar daddy appeared, Leo could only act as a loyal dog. [Aquarius: Good.] After saying that, Aquarius actually left Leo’s live stream. Leo was stunned, wondering if he had said something wrong to offend his sugar daddy. Then he realized it was time for him to end the stream. “Alright, that’s all for today. Leo is going to take a bath and sleep~ You should all go to bed early too. Bye-bye.” Leo smiled and ended the live stream, completely ignoring the complaints in the chat room. “Tch, bunch of poor losers. If you have the ability, then throw money at me like Daddy to make me stay,” Leo muttered as he took off his mask. His face was small and delicate, like a porcelain doll. His lips were like rose petals, red and tender, full enough to make one want to bite them. Leo checked the backend earnings. Although the platform would take a cut, the profit was still incredibly impressive, thanks to Aquarius. Satisfied with a smile, he closed the door of the streaming room and went to the bathroom to take a shower. This villa was just moved into a month ago. The previous owner was in urgent need of money and only asked for a $1 million transfer fee, which could even be paid in installments! This was a detached large villa! It completely satisfied Leo’s vanity, and he immediately signed the contract and moved in. The villa was very large, and he had made an independent streaming studio for himself. The previous owner had also decorated it very grandly, so he didn’t need to buy many pieces of furniture and could use them directly. Except for the somewhat remote location, but since he didn’t go out often, it was acceptable. The hot water cascading over his body made him feel extremely relaxed and comfortable. “Ah, the lipstick.” Glancing at the red water on the ground, he remembered that he hadn’t wiped off the lipstick on his body. Today’s shower took longer than usual. He struggled with the lipstick marks for a long time before finally scrubbing them clean, though he had scrubbed so hard that his skin turned pink. In his heart, he blamed Aquarius again. Tch, what kind of pervert was he? After coming out of the bathroom, a chill entered the bedroom. It turned out that the sliding door connecting to the outdoor balcony hadn’t been closed, and it was raining outside. Some rainwater had even been blown in by the strong wind. Leo closed the sliding door and locked it, then lay down in the soft large bed. He turned on the TV, planning to watch for a while before going to sleep. Flipping through channels boredly, he finally found a TV series he liked. However, as soon as the male lead appeared, he instantly lost interest. “Why is it Adrian again? Damn, disgusting thing.” Adrian had graduated from the same university as him, but back in college, he was just an annoying poor boy who could only afford to treat people to meals at roadside stalls. He didn’t know what methods Adrian had used to become an actor. In recent years, Adrian had become hugely popular, starring in countless movies and TV series, with over 100 million fans, crowned as the nation’s heartthrob. Since then, he had been standing glamorously in front of cameras, receiving everyone’s praise without having to sell himself like Leo did. Leo even had to cover up his most beautiful face, afraid of being recognized, before daring to sit in front of the camera. This difference planted seeds of jealousy deep in Leo’s heart. He couldn’t allow others to live better than him. Especially not a former lover whom he looked down upon and had abandoned. Leo snorted coldly and turned off the TV. He tossed the remote control aside and buried his head to sleep. In his heart, Adrian was still just a worthless poor boy who could never turn his life around. Late at night, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled outside the window, but all this was irrelevant to the soundly sleeping Leo, who was sleeping peacefully and comfortably. Another dazzling bolt of lightning tore through the night sky, illuminating the room for an instant. A tall figure appeared by Leo’s bed. He stood there, wearing a raincoat, staring intently at the beauty on the bed. After the brief brightness, the room returned to darkness, and the figure disappeared into the night. “Disgusting…”

It was still raining outside, a drizzle that made it hard to distinguish between day and night. Leo woke up groggily, not knowing why he felt unusually tired and weak. There was also an uncomfortable feeling of restraint enveloping his entire body. He raised his hand, but his wrist was immediately pulled back. The red rope binding his wrist to the bedpost instantly tightened, and his arm fell back down powerlessly. He looked at the red rope on his wrist in confusion, not understanding what was going on. All four limbs were bound to the four corners of the bed with red rope. The length left for him was very short, forcing him to lie spread-eagled. His clothes had vanished, and the lipstick marks he had wiped off were replaced by red ropes binding his body. This must be a dream, right? He must not be fully awake yet… “You’re awake. Actually, you could have slept a bit longer.” The unfamiliar man’s voice struck Leo’s nerves, instantly awakening his consciousness, though his body still couldn’t muster any strength. Leo struggled to lift his head, looking towards the source of the voice. A man sat in an armchair, wearing a plush mask shaped like the Cheshire Cat on his face. He was grinning, showing saw-like teeth, like a demon, making one’s blood run cold. “But since you’re awake, let’s begin.”

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Adrian had fallen for Lucas. When this thought popped into Adrian’s mind, he was completely stunned. He must be going crazy! Holding his digital pen, he couldn’t bring himself to start drawing. The editor had already called several times and sent over a dozen messages on SnapChat. “For heaven’s sake, you’ve already missed the deadline. Your fans are eagerly waiting. Haven’t you been working on the draft lately?” “You must submit chapter 45 of the comic by 3 PM today. Otherwise, I’ll come to your place and watch you draw!” … Adrian, already irritated, felt even more annoyed seeing these messages. He tossed the digital pen aside, stood up, grabbed a clean set of clothes from the closet, and left his room. The shower in his en-suite bathroom was broken, and he hadn’t had time to fix it. He had to use the one in the living room. His mind was in chaos. How could this be possible? How could he have fallen for Lucas? Lost in thought, Adrian pushed open the bathroom door. The room was filled with steam. Sensing something was off, Adrian looked up. Lucas’s wild, wolf-like face suddenly came into view. The young man stood at 6’1″, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His six-pack abs and ruggedly handsome face were enough to make any girl turn her head. Adrian stood there, dumbfounded. Lucas, his body covered in water droplets, grinned mischievously when he saw Adrian enter. “Want to shower together…” Bang! Before he could finish his sentence, the bathroom door slammed shut. The beautiful – no, handsome – man with his cool demeanor had vanished. Adrian fled from the bathroom, his mind filled with images of Lucas’s body.

Adrian first saw Lucas in the park near his house. The 18 or 19-year-old boy was wearing a loose black T-shirt, cargo pants with a silver chain, and black lace-up boots. With his rebellious, wolfish face, he was feeding a stray cat with a stick of beef jerky. He was muttering to himself. “This is my last beef jerky. I’ll give you half.” “After you finish this half, don’t follow me anymore. I’ll be homeless just like you.” “Damn! Don’t bite the top part! That’s mine!” From Adrian’s perspective, the scene was quite amusing. The boy’s appearance gave him inspiration for the new male protagonist in his comic. Out of curiosity or perhaps sympathy, Adrian, who usually minded his own business, decided to intervene for once. “Do you… want to stay at my place?” The moment Adrian said those words, he immediately regretted them, but it was too late to take them back. Lucas looked up at the man standing before him. He wore a casual white shirt paired with plain black trousers, and his face was… beautiful. Yes, beautiful. The kind of beauty that blurred gender lines. If he hadn’t spoken, Lucas would have thought he was a woman. But his voice wasn’t feminine at all. Hearing the man’s offer, Lucas’s eyes lit up. “Really?” Adrian: … He wanted to say no. But seeing the puppy-dog eyes and that face, well, he shamefully softened. And just like that, Adrian, who had been living alone, gained a roommate.

Adrian flopped onto his bed, recalling his first encounter with Lucas. Now, Lucas had been living with him for almost two months. Time had flown by so quickly. Knock knock— While his thoughts were still wandering, there was a knock at the door. With only him and Lucas in the house, it was obvious who it was. Adrian got up, patted his face to regain his usual expressionless look, and opened the door. As soon as he did, the young man’s tanned chest came into view. As expected, this guy hadn’t bothered to dress properly again. He only had a large towel wrapped around his waist, and his hair was still dripping. Lucas grinned, “Can I borrow your hair dryer?” Water droplets slid from his hair to his shoulders, then down further. The air between them was thick with testosterone. Adrian coolly averted his gaze, turned around to find the hair dryer, and Lucas took the opportunity to slip into Adrian’s room. Adrian’s room, like the man himself, was immaculately clean. The overall color scheme was light blue, with a large bookshelf filled with books and comics. Next to the bookshelf was a large computer desk, currently holding a graphics tablet. The computer screen was on, displaying an unfinished comic. Adrian retrieved the hair dryer from his bathroom and came out to find Lucas, clad only in a towel, wandering around his room. Seeing him approach the computer desk, Adrian panicked. He quickly walked over, shoved the hair dryer into Lucas’s hands, and coldly said, “Get out.” Lucas was startled, but seeing Adrian’s cool, jade-like face and indifferent gaze, he immediately left the room with the hair dryer, thoughtfully closing the door behind him. As the door closed, Adrian went over and locked it. He operated the computer, switching the screen to display the character he had drawn. The image showed a wild, untamed young man with wolf ears, his hands bound by black leather straps, kneeling on the ground. The scene was incredibly intense, and given Adrian’s exceptional drawing skills, it was incredibly lifelike. Looking at this drawing, a faint blush crept across Adrian’s pale skin, even reaching his ears.

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What’s it like to accidentally hire your own boyfriend as a nude model? I just want to run away. Can someone tell me why the professor who’s supposed to be on a business trip thousands of miles away suddenly showed up at the fashion show?! And why did he have to pretend to be someone else?! Even more terrifying, I brazenly agreed to let him be my boyfriend. At the masquerade fashion show, I immediately spotted a model who looked somewhat similar to Professor Ryan. What should I do? My hands are itching to ask him to be my nude model. I touched my own belly, which still lacked visible abs despite months of training with Professor Ryan, and gritted my teeth in frustration. It’s really infuriating how some people are just naturally gifted! Seeing him about to leave, I hurriedly stopped him and boldly examined the muscles bulging under his sheer outfit. I had to admit, he really could give my Professor Ryan a run for his money. “Would you like to be my nude model? Name your price,” I propositioned. “How about being your boyfriend instead?” the man replied with an enigmatic look. “I’m a guy!” I stood on my tiptoes and glared at him angrily. Although I may look somewhat feminine, my masculinity is so obvious – is he blind or something?! The man chuckled softly. “I know.” I was shocked speechless. What kind of luck is this, randomly picking up a guy who’s into men?! I stared at his enviable abs. If it weren’t for Professor Ryan, I would have agreed on the spot. After hesitating for a moment, I texted the professor who was away on his trip: “Professor, I feel so empty and lonely without you by my side.” “Is it as cold as the Arctic where I’m doing research?” “No wonder I’m so cold – it turns out you took my heart with you to the Arctic!” After confirming Professor Ryan hadn’t returned, I turned off my phone and nodded enthusiastically at the man, unconsciously licking my lips. After all, my professor is too conservative to let me enjoy his abs. Can’t I at least appreciate someone else’s from an artistic perspective? Besides, although this guy seems a bit soft, he’s still clearly a top. I’m determined to tease him until he willingly becomes my free labor. The man snorted and suddenly leaned in close, his hot breath tickling my ear. “Are you sure about this?” A tingling sensation instantly spread through my body. Damn, should I push him away now? After all, before meeting Professor Ryan, I was quite the player myself. It’s enough that I’ve only ever submitted to the professor in this lifetime. I hooked my finger around his hand, taking control of the situation. “You’re in luck – I don’t have a boyfriend at the moment.” I figured I could just break up before the professor returned. No one would ever know. The man in front of me chuckled softly, then suddenly removed his mask. A familiar face appeared before me, and I pushed him away in shock. Professor Ryan took off his glasses, as if removing a seal. His aura instantly transformed from scholarly to dangerous. He grabbed my waist and stared at me with eyes as dark as obsidian, as if he wanted to devour me whole. I unconsciously took a few steps back and gulped. This is bad – my ass is going to be sore. But giving in just like that would be a waste of all my player skills, wouldn’t it?

I quickly put on a smile and hooked my arms around his neck, pouting. “You’re so naughty – I recognized you from the start!” Professor Ryan seemed to believe what I said and loosened his grip. But his fingers traced my lips, as if wanting to vent his anger. “Nonsense. If you really recognized me, you would have exposed me on the spot.” Damn, being understood so well by Professor Ryan can be such a painful thing! If I were a girl, I’d definitely try to charm my way out of this with some coquettish act. But as a guy, that would be too affected. There’s no choice but to go on the offensive! I pushed him away and deliberately turned my head, refusing to look at him. “That’s normally true, but I’m angry right now!” Professor Ryan crossed his arms and stared at me intently, like he was watching a student try to weasel out of trouble. He let out a skeptical “Hmm.” Now I was genuinely angry. My voice unconsciously took on a whining tone. “Don’t you love me anymore? I’m always the one initiating contact, sending you messages, but you never reply. Am I not even worthy of a good morning or good night text?” This relationship has always been maintained by my efforts alone. From first falling for him to successfully seducing him, he’s always been so indifferent. I’m always the one creating surprises, while he just passively enjoys them. Sometimes I get tired too, you know! If I hadn’t confirmed that Professor Ryan frequented gay bars, I never would have dared to boldly pursue him. But Professor Ryan just silently stared at me, not saying a word. How about that – feeling guilty now, aren’t you? Just need to push a little more! I tugged at Professor Ryan’s collar in feigned anger and huffed, “You should reflect on your behavior. How can you blame me for this?” Professor Ryan finally moved his lips. Just as I thought I had everything under control, he gave me an inscrutable look and suddenly started showing me screenshots of my past flirtatious conversations, one by one. His tone was ice cold: “I know you yearn for freedom and love. I thought I was the harbor where you’d finally drop anchor, but now I realize I’m just another fish in your pond.” “They’re all just friends! Even though I like men, I can still be friends with guys.” “Oh, is that so? The kind of friends you sleep with?” As he spoke, Professor Ryan calmly opened his SnapChat. Damn, Professor Ryan actually went to the trouble of adding them as contacts! My heart instantly plummeted. I opened my mouth to say something but realized any explanation would be futile. Professor Ryan had long ago discovered I was a player, but he still chose to trust me. This time I really let him down. “Didn’t you ask me to get to know you better? Which part of what you told me didn’t I listen to carefully? But what about you?” Professor Ryan stared at me, his gaze dark. It’s true – even when I was just joking around, Professor Ryan always took me seriously, gradually becoming more and more of what I liked. He became so good to me that I couldn’t bear to leave him. But I’ve always approached relationships with a playful attitude, treating love like a game to be conquered. “I’m sorry, I lost control of my emotions.” With that, Professor Ryan hurriedly left. “How do you know I’m not sincere this time?” I shouted after him. To my surprise, my voice carried a hint of tears. But he, who had always been the best at comforting me, walked away without looking back this time. Fine then, just leave! I kicked a pebble on the side of the road and stomped home angrily, immersing myself in my artistic world. But this time I couldn’t focus on my art. My mind was filled with images of Professor Ryan. I texted him, but he didn’t reply. I crashed his class like usual, winking at him, but he ignored me completely. I tried to corner him after class, but he maintained a strictly professional attitude. Just as I was at my wit’s end, a heavy rainstorm came to my rescue.

Looking at the pouring rain outside the window, I crouched down and sent Professor Ryan a pitiful cat emoji, begging him to come pick me up. Professor Ryan’s chat bubble showed “typing” for a long time, but no message came through. My spirits lifted – surely this meant Professor Ryan still had feelings for me. I immediately called him. “It’s raining, and this poor little kitten can’t find his way home. Won’t you help him, kind professor?” There was silence on the other end for a moment. Just as I thought he was going to hang up, the professor’s cool voice came through. “Poor little kitten, I sympathize with your plight. Unfortunately, I’ve injured my leg and can’t come. Besides, as a man, you shouldn’t always rely on others when facing difficulties. You need to learn to be strong on your own.” Me: ??? Is this really the Professor Ryan I know? He can’t even be bothered to come up with a believable lie? It seems I was overthinking things. How could Professor Ryan still have feelings for me? He was probably just thinking of how to reject me politely earlier. “I guess love really does fade away.” I dejectedly pulled the phone away, about to hang up. “Wait, give me your address. I’ll call you a delivery service.” The professor’s icy voice came through. My spirits lifted again. So the professor isn’t completely cold-hearted after all. I was about to launch into a string of praises when he abruptly hung up. Hmph, I’ve still got him wrapped around my finger! I happily sent over my address, but after waiting for ages, no one showed up. Just as I was starting to suspect Professor Ryan was messing with me, I finally spotted the delivery guy. I enthusiastically reached out to take the umbrella from his hands, but he just stared at me in confusion and handed me a green hat instead. I was dumbfounded for a moment, then frantically searched through the bag. Apart from the hat, there was only a note: “I’m returning the green hat you gave me.” Me: ???!!! What the hell, is Professor Ryan really this petty?! Whether intentional or not, I suddenly noticed Professor Ryan’s home address on the bag.

Clutching the green hat in my hand, I sped over to Professor Ryan’s place on my electric scooter and frantically pounded on his door. As soon as the door opened, all the anger in my mind was instantly displaced by the sight of Professor Ryan’s body. He really does have a deceptively fit physique under those clothes. I didn’t get a clear view last time through the sheer outfit, but now I could see everything in perfect detail. I could even trace how the water droplets traveled down his eight-pack abs before disappearing into the towel wrapped around his waist. “Had enough of looking? If you’re done, close the door and get out!” Professor Ryan raised an eyebrow at me. That snapped me out of my daze. I tossed the green hat at him and turned my head away in annoyance. “Who’s looking? I wasn’t! I’ll definitely be bigger than you someday!” “Oh? Bigger where exactly?” Damn perverted old man! I glared at him, but for some reason, my eyes couldn’t help but wander downwards. I suddenly felt dissatisfied: We do the same exercises, so why does Professor Ryan have such great abs! If I had a body like his, wouldn’t I be able to pin him down instead? “Still looking?” “Who’s looking at you! I couldn’t care less! You’re the one doing a wet body tease – I’m just playing along.” Professor Ryan snorted. “So I should thank you then?” I nodded and pointed at the green hat I’d thrown at him earlier. “I don’t remember ever giving you a green hat. I think you’ve been drinking too much and developed paranoid delusions.” Professor Ryan set down the wine glass in his hand. “Do I need to remind you of what happened last time?” Under Professor Ryan’s interrogating gaze, I instantly cowered. But I couldn’t lose face. I suddenly stood up, looking down at Professor Ryan sitting on the couch. “I know I was wrong. But as an artist, you know we have to sacrifice for love. How can you not understand that?” Professor Ryan pushed up his glasses and looked up at me. “Then you should understand me too. As a scholar of literature, I need to seal off my heart and devote myself entirely to my work.” The smile on my face nearly crumbled. I really shouldn’t try to play word games with a professor. Since the soft approach wasn’t working, time for the hard approach. “Don’t you have a heart? I’ve been thinking about you so much I can’t eat or sleep. I’ve lost so much weight.” As I spoke, I pinched the flesh on my face and gave him a pitiful look. Professor Ryan suddenly stood up and leaned in close. My spirits lifted and I tilted my head up towards him. Was he going to touch me? Was he going to take pity on me? Just one more push! The next second, my facade crumbled completely. Professor Ryan had reached past me to grab a scale from behind. “Come on, let’s weigh you.” His tone was casual, but I swear I heard a hint of anticipation?! I stared at him in shock, unable to say a word for a long moment. Looking at the scale on the ground, then at Professor Ryan’s mocking gaze, I took a deep breath. Fine, I’ll do it. My classmates have all been saying I’ve lost weight lately. But when I saw the actual number displayed, I wanted to curl up and die. I’d actually gained 5 pounds? “This can’t be right. The scale must be broken.” Professor Ryan raised an eyebrow and stepped on it himself. Damn, he’d actually lost 4 pounds. Wait a minute?! If Professor Ryan lost weight, doesn’t that mean he’s been thinking about me?

I looked up at him hopefully. Professor Ryan seemed to understand my meaning and pointed at the workout plan on the wall. Well, I guess I was overthinking things. “So tell me, how did you manage to gain weight while supposedly unable to eat or sleep? And weren’t you saying you wanted abs to show off your manly strength?” He’s definitely mocking me! Did he really have to say it out loud just because I was bluffing?! I glared at him. “Haven’t you heard of emotional eating?! Yes, when I’m really upset I binge eat. It’s normal to gain weight.” Professor Ryan raised an eyebrow at me and lifted my shirt, his warm hand touching the soft flesh on my belly. The heated sensation made my whole body feel like it was on fire. “You touched me, so you have to forgive me now!” Professor Ryan sighed helplessly and continued fondling the soft flesh on my stomach. “Looks like you got lazy again without me around.” I hugged Professor Ryan tightly. “That’s right, so you need to be my personal trainer for life.” Professor Ryan glared at me. I grinned and stroked his earlobe, feigning surprise. “Oh my, Professor, your ears are turning red.” The next second, the tips of Professor Ryan’s ears really did turn bright red. I smiled at him triumphantly. “Just kidding, but now they really are red.” Our eyes met, and the atmosphere suddenly became heated. Noticing the reaction down below, my face instantly flushed red. I tried to get up and flee. But Professor Ryan grabbed me, his warm body still damp from the shower pressing close. “You’re feeling it too, aren’t you?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “294567”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #玄幻Fantsy #狼人werewolf #擦边Steamy #励志Inspiring #现实主义Realistic

As I walked home, Abby hurled a burger at me, smearing cheese across my face. “Phony werewolf,” she sneered, her friends’ laughter ringing in my ears as they left me humiliated. Tina, once my closest friend, now delighted in my disgrace. Graduation was near, but with no wolf in sight, I was nothing but a target. My parents, though respected, were quietly disappointed by my failure to shift. With my eighteenth birthday looming, the future felt bleak. Deputy Dean Judi stormed into my math class, summoning me to her office while my classmates snickered. Tina blocked my path, smirking. “Father’s expelled you from the pack,” she hissed. I ignored her and entered the office, only to be soaked by a bucket of water. Soaked and humiliated, I stood as my mother arrived, her eyes locked on Tina. With a swift slap, she sent Tina fleeing in tears. “They’re not worth it,” my mother said, leading me to the parking lot where a moving van waited. “We’re starting fresh, up north.” “Are we kicked out?” I asked, nausea twisting in my stomach. “Yes,” my father said, lighting a cigar. “But don’t worry—we’re heading to a better pack.” “I won’t stay with a pack that rejects my daughter,” Dad said firmly. Guilt gnawed at me for uprooting them. Mom squeezed my knee. “Everything will work out. You’re just starting late. You’re still a werewolf.” “We’re heading to the Crescent Pack,” Dad continued. “Alpha Antony is offering us refuge.” “The Crescent Pack? The one at war with Mountain Ridge?” I asked, alarmed. “Yes, but Alpha Antony is a good man, despite his reputation,” Mom assured. “But he’s a monster,” I countered. “He’s infamous for slaughtering packs, even his own father.” “Don’t believe the rumors,” Mom said. “He must have had his reasons. Besides, no one else would take us.” Dad promised I’d be fine if I proved myself. When we arrived, the snow-covered landscape was breathtaking, but exhaustion weighed heavy. A beta with black hair and guards approached, his eyes narrowing at me. “Alpha Antony wants you at the packhouse immediately,” he said coldly. “Is this your daughter?” “Yes, this is Katrina,” Dad replied, offering his hand to shift the focus. “Beta Matthew,” he nodded curtly. “I hear you were a Beta at your old Pack. We could use your skills here.” Dad nodded, introducing Mom. “This is Dianna, my wife.” “Nice to meet you,” Mom said, shaking Matthew’s hand. His earlier hostility softened, though his wariness lingered. Matthew hurried us into his black Porsche. “Follow us.” We trailed him through the quiet town to the edge of the woods, arriving at a grand marble home with a snow-covered roof and ivy-clad walls. The house was stunning, a sharp contrast to the anxiety gnawing at me. Inside, the décor was opulent—marble floors, a portrait of Alpha Antony, and spruce wood trim. Mom admired it all, while I stood in awe and fear. Matthew led us to a guest lift, knocking on an office door. A deep, magnetic voice called us in, sending shivers down my spine. Dad entered alone. Mom stayed with me. “The Alpha will speak with each of us separately to verify our stories.” “What story?” I whispered, my heart pounding. “The story about me not being able to shift,” I said, fighting tears. “If he finds out, he might hurt us.” Mom hugged me tightly. “Shifting doesn’t matter to the Alpha. You’ll find your wolf eventually.” I nodded, terrified but resigned. Mom entered the office as Dad opened the door. “It’s not too bad,” Dad explains. “Just a small cut, mixing blood, and a pledge to bond with the pack.” A scream suddenly pierces the air—Mom’s. Dad rushes to the door as I hear the struggle and the handle rattle. Mom emerges, sobbing, clutching her head. Dad helps her, worry etched on his face. “Go on, Katrina,” Mom urges, her voice trembling. I shake my head, paralyzed with fear. Dad grips my arms. “We need this. Please, for us.” I nod, my heart racing. Dad opens the door to the Alpha’s office. Inside, Alpha Antony sits at his desk, his presence dominating the room. His jet-black hair, chiseled features, and intense gaze make him both handsome and terrifying. He eyes me coldly, sensing my lack of a wolf. “Come closer,” he growls. I shuffle forward, my blood running cold. “There’s a chair,” he says, pointing. I sit on the edge, my parents watching anxiously. “Your name?” he asks, his voice low and commanding. “Katrina,” I manage to reply. “You can call me Antony,” he says briskly. “How old are you?” “Just turned 17,” I answer, my voice barely steady. He examines my ID, confirming my age. “You haven’t finished school yet?” I nod, feeling the weight of his scrutiny. “I’m surprised you’re switching schools so soon,” Antony says, scrutinizing me. “Most students stay for academic reasons. You’ll finish your studies here with our pack.” I stay silent, letting Mom take the blame for the incident with Tina, though it wasn’t the real reason we left. “Your parents mentioned the trouble with the Alpha’s daughter, and your mother’s reaction?” Antony probes. I nod. “Good riddance to Nkosi,” Antony sneers, clear disdain in his voice. He stands and gestures for me to come closer. A shiver runs down my spine. “I promise, Katrina, I will never hurt you,” he says, though trust feels risky. He pricks my finger, letting blood trickle onto the table. “Sorry, it stings a bit,” he adds with a smile. He offers his wrist, and I realize the bond involves drinking his blood. Despite my fear, the taste is oddly sweet. He pulls me close, whispering, “Now, pledge your loyalty.” I nod, reciting, “In the name of Alpha Antony, I, Katrina, pledge everlasting loyalty and the fulfillment of all your wishes.” His scent overwhelms me, and when I nearly fall, he catches me, his grip firm. The bond snaps into place as the voices of my former pack fade. Antony smiles. “It’s done,” he says as I look up, dazed. His arms around me make me blush with embarrassment. My parents rush in as I pull away. Antony turns, and Dad tries to reassure me, though his words feel empty. “Tomorrow, Matthew will show you your new home. Katrina, start school tomorrow, and join pack training on Friday. Meet me Monday for your training.” “Pack training?” I ask, shocked. Antony’s gaze sharpens as Mom nudges me to stay quiet. “It’s mandatory,” he says. Mom steps in, shaking hands with Antony. “No problem.” Antony turns to her. “I’m interested in your experience with teens. Volunteer at the high school and keep an eye on Katrina.” Matthew leads us to a secluded cottage at the edge of town. As we approach, he offers the keys. “If it feels too remote, there are other options.” “This is perfect,” Dad replies. I stood on the lawn as Matthew curiously sniffed the air, his eyes narrowing. “You smell different from most wolves,” he remarked, making me tense. “I’m not sure what you mean,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “Your wolf scent is distinct, yet subtle,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “You smell… familiar.” Before I could respond, he continued, “Pack training is every Friday at 5:00. No pressure if you can’t make it this week, but the pack will feel more comfortable with newcomers who attend.” “We’ll be there on time,” my father assured him. I took my things and went upstairs. The house felt musty and dim, the rich brown carpet almost black, and the large fireplace dominating one wall. My mother opened the windows to let in fresh air and light. As we unpacked, Matthew gave precise directions for each room. My bedroom was at the far end of the house, overlooking the woods. It was peaceful, but the loneliness gnawed at me. Three days flew by as we settled in. On Monday, I woke up, dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt, and packed my bag with as many textbooks as it could hold. It was the first day of school. My stomach churned with anxiety as we approached the school. My mother watched me in the rearview mirror. “It’ll be fine,” she said softly. “Just keep your head down and behave.” I groaned and slipped out the back door, staring up at the brick building, dread settling in. How awful it would be if they found out I didn’t have a wolf. As soon as I entered the office, a striking woman in her mid-30s greeted me. Her jet-black hair brushed her shoulders, and massive oval glasses perched on the bridge of her perfectly straight nose. She had cherry-red lips, and her warm smile instantly put me at ease. Her dark eyes met mine as I approached. “You must be Katrina,” she said warmly. She scanned my ID, then handed me my schedule, student card, and locker key. The combination was written on the card, and my stomach flipped when I saw the daily training sessions listed. “Two hours of classroom teaching and one hour of wolf training each day,” she explained. Panic bubbled up—I couldn’t hide my lack of a wolf for long. I thanked her and hurried to my locker, dreading the week ahead. The locker opened easily with the right code. As I grabbed my books, I noticed a girl watching me. She had a nose ring, short black hair, and thick eye makeup. “Hey, welcome,” she said with a grin. “I’m Ella.” She glanced at my agenda. “Ah, Katrina.” She seemed nice, so I followed her as she offered to show me around. “Word is you’re from Alpha Nkosi’s pack,” she said casually. The rumor was already spreading. “Beta Matthew and Alpha Antony were talking, and you must have Beta DNA,” Ella smiled. “It’s surprising Alpha Antony allowed a move since he despises Alpha Nkosi. Your parents must be something special.” She paused at an open classroom door. “No new students in years. Mr. Swift, our English teacher, is nice.” The students inside were engaged in calm conversations, a stark contrast to my last pack. I joined Ella at her table, where many students glanced our way. “That group over there—total nerds, always studying. And Nina, the blonde—she’s the worst. Avoid her,” Ella whispered. The teacher didn’t single me out as a new student, which was a relief. During lunch, as students and teachers prepared the training grounds, I noticed my mom and Alpha Antony arriving, which made me uneasy. “Does our Alpha often help with training?” I asked. “Every day, unless he’s in meetings,” Ella replied. We watched as Nina clung to Alpha Antony, clearly infatuated. “She thinks she’ll be his mate,” Ella commented. It made me anxious seeing Nina so close to him, but I kept my feelings hidden. Ella might be right about her being rude. The age difference between Alpha Antony and my old Alpha, who was in his sixties, was striking. “At 31, Alpha Antony’s a great leader—stern but fair. Thankfully, he’s not as awful as his father,” Ella said. “He took over after his father’s retirement?” I asked. “No,” Ella replied, lowering her voice. “At seventeen, Alpha Antony had him killed and seized control. But everyone welcomed the old Alpha’s death. He treated women like animals and killed anyone who disobeyed, even his mate.” My stomach churned. “That’s terrible,” I murmured. Ella nodded. “He disgusted all the packs. But when Alpha Antony took over, everything changed. He allowed women to join self-defense classes. Maybe that’s why he wanted your family here—your Beta genes give you an edge.” “Maybe,” I said, unsure. At noon, Ella and I changed into workout clothes and headed to the training grounds. “You want to watch the training?” she asked. I nodded. Alpha Antony invited me to sit with him in the stands. I watched as he helped the trainees, offering feedback. When he returned, he asked, “What do you think of school so far?” Feeling uneasy, I forced a smile. “Everything’s fine.” My mom’s anxious glance made me wary of him. “How often do you train with your mom?” he asked. “She doesn’t want me to miss training,” I replied. He nodded. “Good. Rest today and tomorrow, but on Monday, you’ll join the team.” Nina, standing in front of me, stared intently, her presence unsettling. “Nina, focus on training and get back to the pitch!” Antony shouted. She pouted, “I was just seeing if you needed help, Alpha.” Her interest in him was obvious. She narrowed her eyes at me before leaving, and I knew she’d be trouble from the start. Antony turned to me. “I have to head back out there, Katrina. See you around.” He walked over to my mom, who was scolding Nina for leaving the pitch. After school, my mom grabbed my arm as soon as she saw me, pulling me away from the crowd. “Katrina, you need to stay out of sight, especially from the Alpha and his Beta,” she warned. “I didn’t seek him out, Mom. He came to me.” “That doesn’t matter,” she snapped. “Just because you’re my daughter doesn’t mean you can slack off. Now, get out there and start running.” “What? Mom, seriously?” I protested. Beta Matthew appeared beside us. “Is there a problem?” he asked. Mom lowered her head. “No, Beta.” She pointed to the field. “Get going, Katrina.” Reluctantly, I threw my jumper at her and started running. Her sudden strictness confused me. “Thirty laps,” she yelled. I groaned and rolled my eyes as I began. By twenty laps, my legs burned, and my lungs felt like they were on fire. I stopped to catch my breath. “Ten more, Katrina! I didn’t say stop,” she barked. “This is ridiculous,” I muttered. “Want more added?” Mom threatened. Shaking my head, I pushed through the final laps, aware that Antony was watching, clearly displeased. When I finally collapsed onto the grass, gasping for air, my mom looked down at me. “Remember, Katrina, everything I do is for your benefit. I might go easy on you, but the pack won’t.” I tried to calm my breathing with my arms above my head, water bottle in hand. The pain was so intense I whimpered. Alpha Antony approached, but I stayed still, embarrassed by my weakness. “I need to speak with you, Dianna,” he said, heading toward my mom. I averted my eyes, feeling self-conscious. Ella handed me water, and I managed to sit up, though my legs felt like jelly. After school, as I struggled to get to my locker, Nina confronted me. Her blonde highlights and sparkling chocolate eyes made her look attractive, but her harsh demeanor revealed her cruelty. She shoved me against the wall and yanked at my shirt. “Don’t mess with the Alpha or I’ll make your life hell.” I wriggled free, sarcastically thanking her, “Wow, thanks for the heads up!” “Nina, stop it,” I said. She grabbed my hair, pulling hard. I punched her in the back of the head, causing her to scream and cover her face. Following my mom’s advice, I slapped her, causing blood to spill down her chin. “What’s going on?” Beta Matthew appeared in the corridor. Tina, sobbing, said, “The whore attacked me!” Ella spoke up, “She grabbed Katrina’s hair and threatened her.” I stayed silent as my mom and Alpha Antony arrived. My mom looked at Tina and said, “You brought this on yourself. Behave, or you’ll face worse in my training sessions.” Despite her strictness, I respected and loved her. Watching Tina flee in tears, I felt a pang of pity but quickly moved past it. She had become more of a rival than a classmate. Mom shook her head, clearly frustrated. “Katrina, trouble on your first day—goodness.” Ella stepped in. “Tina attacked her first. Katrina was just defending herself.” That made me appreciate Ella more. Alpha Antony announced, “Katrina, both of you will have detention tomorrow.” I noticed Mom’s displeased expression, though I didn’t quite understand it. Ella peered curiously. “Beta Mathew will deal with Tina,” Alpha Antony said, nodding to Mathew. “Go ahead,” Antony added, and I packed up quickly, trying to keep up with my mom as she stormed down the hall. “Always drawing attention to yourself,” she fumed. I ignored her, saying, “But you told me to defend myself.” “Katrina, I meant it. Without this pack, we have nowhere else to go. Nkosi made sure no other pack would take us.” She sighed deeply. “It was a miracle Alpha Antony took us in.” On the drive home, Mom was silent, her frustration evident in the way she slammed the steering wheel and sped off. The next day, during detention, I tried to stay out of the spotlight. When I got home, Dad stopped me before I could head to my room. “How was your first day at school?” he asked. Mom had told him about the argument and the detention. “Did you win?” he asked, always eager to support me. I forced a smile. Dad asked Mom, “What did you do to my daughter?” “We got home late because she had to run thirty laps,” Mom replied. I slipped away, feeling miserable. Mom told Dad, “Tomorrow, Katrina will have detention with the Alpha alone.” Dad’s face tightened. “Detention? We mustn’t anger the Alpha. If he finds out you don’t have a wolf before we prove your worth, we’re in trouble.” I worried about the embarrassment and burden on my family if we were expelled. The idea of standing out or being kicked out was terrifying. “Can I go now?” I asked, desperate to escape. Mom said, “Even if you go, remember that packs don’t tolerate members without wolves.” Feeling overwhelmed by their constant supervision, I went to bed early, hoping for some peace. The next morning, Mom yelled at me to get ready. She handed me a pie for the ride, and I ate it as she lectured me on fitting in. I nodded along, pretending to be attentive. At school, Ella waved and called, “Katrina!” “Geometry first,” she said, and I grunted in response. Despite my good grades, the class was excruciatingly dull and gave me a headache. While Mom spoke with teachers, Ella and I made the most of the first period. When noon came, I dreaded detention, but Antony hadn’t specified where. At the bell, Alpha Antony stormed into my classroom. I was stunned and anxious, knowing I’d disappoint Mom. Ella gave me a sympathetic look as I hurried out, deciding to face the Alpha despite my fear. “Does geometry class drag for you too?” Alpha Antony asks with a grin. “Yeah, a bit. Why do you ask?” I reply. “I used to skip it and get punished. Your expression reminds me of that.” I force a smile, hiding that my pain is his fault. He barks, “Let’s go,” and heads out. As he opens my locker, he chokes me lightly. “I know everything,” I say, raising an eyebrow. “High pulse rate. Your parents’ story doesn’t add up. I bet they didn’t leave just because your mother hit the Alpha’s daughter,” he says, rubbing my back. I wince as his grip on my hand numbs my arm. “Um, Alpha, your grip…” I start to say. “Sorry,” he releases me, confused. “What’s detention like?” I ask, following him down empty hallways. “Don’t worry, you won’t get in trouble,” he reassures me as we enter the faculty lounge. I sit in his chair, breathing deeply to mask his strong scent. Mathew enters with a dish of roasted meat and places it on the desk, eyeing me curiously. “Lunchtime?” I ask, confused. “Detention can be different. What do you prefer?” Antony raises an eyebrow. “Not this,” I admit, surprised by the laid-back approach. The meat is surprisingly good. After we finish, Mathew clears the trays and asks, “How’s it going here?” “Pretty well,” I reply, trying to smile. Mathew drapes an arm over my shoulder, sniffing me. I glance at Antony, who seems uninterested. When I try to move, Mathew pulls me closer. “Hands off, Mathew!” Antony shouts. Mathew grins, raises his hands, and steps back, giving us space. “Before you go, I have a few questions,” Antony says after Mathew leaves. “Why did you really join our pack?” he asks. “I wonder why you allowed us to join if you think we have secrets,” I reply, feeling awkward. Antony continues, “I chose the best fighters from Alpha Nkosi. I’m curious about your potential.” I ask, “What if I don’t meet expectations?” “You’ve got Beta blood. Your mother is a strong fighter,” he says, making me worry about my secret. “Can I ask a question?” I ask. “Sure,” he replies. “Have you met your mate yet?” “No, I’m not eighteen.” Antony presses, “Why did your family move?” I feel tight and sweaty, but say, “What my parents told you is true.” Antony nods, “You can go, Katrina, but we’ll talk again.” Alpha Antony’s POV As I watched Katrina leave, I knew her family was hiding something. If she weren’t my mate, I might’ve reconsidered admitting them. The chance to end the feud with Nkosi was too tempting. It was odd that Philip and Dianna never mentioned their children despite their high status. Katrina seemed off, though she came from a strong family. Mathew entered through the back, as I’d instructed, to investigate her further. “She’s your mate, right?” he asked. I sighed, acknowledging it. “I want to spend time alone with her.” Mathew asked, “Why not ask her parents directly?” “I don’t want to upset them. She’ll hate me if I clash with them,” I explained. “What’s next?” he inquired. “I don’t want to seem like a freak around her,” I admitted. Mathew suggested, “Check on her tomorrow. A pack run will be held every Friday. Let her adjust to the group first.” “Fine,” I said. Mathew asked with a smile, “Are you planning to confront her?” “Nothing major. Tina’s been a nuisance, so I paired her with Katrina for training,” I said, irritated. “Are you trying to provoke me?” Mathew asked. “I’ll ensure Tina doesn’t overstep. Her skills are useful, but her dislike of Katrina complicates things,” I replied. Katrina is fierce, no question. Mathew says “She will get what it takes.” “You best hope so because if she gets wounded, you will be dead.” “Her father was Beta and her mother fought well. Nothing to worry about.” Tina fights unfairly, as I’ve seen in crew training. I knew my partner could handle herself even in her condition. Given her strength and stamina, it would be intriguing to watch her wolf transformation. I was excited to meet her wolf. Hidden among the spectators, I avoided detection. Mathew’s pairing was odd. Dianna seems to be conversing to her kid as she approaches the playground. Katrina seemed sick and sweaty. “What’s the deal, is she truly doing fine?” I see Katrina go to the closest garbage can and puke. Dianna’s mother is strict. After staring at her daughter for what seemed like a lifetime, she told her to return to fieldwork. Ella approaches and shakily touches Katrina’s arm. Ella is a great buddy, and I’m happy to have her. Besides Tina and her friends, she gets along with everyone. Dianna, Katrina’s mother, advises her to “get it together,” and she nods before leaving. Katrina shakes Ella’s arm sharply after telling her to leave. “Why don’t you see any problems?” Mathew leans forward when I tell him. “To me, she appeared fine.”He answers. I wait on the stairs edge to observe Katrina and Tina enter their square before descending. Tina stands steadfast while Katrina staggers from weariness. Katrina’s wolf growls, keeping its distance. As Tina lunges, Katrina rolls onto her back to dodge, then kicks Tina in the face, sending her stumbling away with a bleeding nose. Katrina, drenched in sweat, looks troubled. My wolf growls, “Wolfsbane,” and I catch the scent. Mathew notices, “Something’s wrong.” She moved before I could take two steps down the stairway. The Katrina Pov My mother took me into her office on my way to training. “You scared me to death.” Her expressionless, steely face stared at me coldly. “Where have you been?” “Place of confinement; where else?” “I went looking for you, and I found out that neither you nor Tina were in custody.” “At fact, I am in the Alpha’s office.” “This is the day when the wolves go through their training.” Mom remarked forcefully, appearing alarmed. I’ll tell them I’m unwell, she says, shaking her head. A pocket item she pulls gives me the willies; I haven’t seen it in years. “You have to go, “she continues, but “we can make up a tale for why you can’t alter your situation if you take one of them. ” “I’m sorry, Mom, but it just can’t happen.” “There’s no way around it; we can’t risk them finding out until you’ve shown your usefulness to the pack.” Although I had no wolf, my mother fed me nevertheless when I was younger to hide it from the Alpha. She then fed me them to get me used to them so I wouldn’t have any issues. Until my dad discovered it. He stopped thinking about it, and I stopped taking the most fatal medicine to werewolves. “Don’t tell your father.”She warns. I told her my dad will smell it on me since he’s done it before. She opens her black medicine container. She opens it and shows me the white tablets. She hisses quietly while clenching her teeth. She expects me to swallow it. “No! ” She looks disgusted when I tell her. “But just because you’re acting like a spoilt brat won’t mean I’m going to throw everything away.” “And how should I explain?” “Just say you ate it somewhere,” Mom says, shoving the tablet into my hand. I refuse the water. “Swallow it now!” she commands. I chew the tablet, feeling excitement and fear clash inside me. If the Alpha finds out the truth, I’m in trouble. Outside, pain hits hard. “Mum!” I scream, clutching my stomach. “Kick their ass, just like I taught you.” “No, Mom, they’re wolves.” “Don’t let me down,” she echoes as she drags me to the pitch. I stagger to the nearest trash can, clutching my aching stomach, blood, and sweat pouring from me. “What’s happening, Katrina?” Ella’s voice fades as I blur out, unable to respond. My mother and Tina’s shouts ring in my ears. I can’t keep up; my legs give out. Tina charges at me, and I barely dodge her punch. I kick her away, but everything starts to darken. My bones ache, and I reach out mentally, whispering to my mother, “I’m sorry, Mom. I feel so weak.” As claws and teeth rush toward me, I brace for the worst. I open my eyes to see the brown wolf, and then the Alpha, bloody from Tina’s attack.

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I Woke Up Trending, Labeled as the “Heartless Player” by the Entire Internet At night, the superstar I “abandoned” pinned me down. “Darling, you can’t escape this time…” 0 “Hello?” I answered the phone irritably. After spending the whole night out with friends, being woken up by a phone call left me with a splitting headache and in a foul mood. “Oh my God, young master, check the trending topics right now!” “What’s going on…” I mumbled as I opened the trending page. The top topic instantly jolted me awake. #AlexFosterComesOut #AlexFosterHeartbroken What!? My heart skipped a beat as a familiar handsome face flashed in my mind. Everyone knows that I, Zack Harrison, am a notorious spoiled rich kid in the capital city. Young but ruthless, I’ve built my own business empire at a tender age. Of course, I’m also quite the playboy. But no one knows that eight years ago, Zack Harrison was just scrounging for food in dumpsters, struggling to find his next meal, barely surviving. It was during one of those dumpster dives that I found Alex. I was 19, and he was 17. “Come with me,” I said to Alex. My mentally ill mother had committed suicide by jumping off a building when I was 16, leaving me with nothing but scars all over my body and a run-down house for shelter. Perhaps I saw a reflection of my former self in Alex. I didn’t ask where he came from or why he was there. I only asked his name before taking him home. 0

At 16, Alex still needed to continue his education. I paid his tuition fees. It turned out he was an excellent student. I couldn’t understand what his parents were thinking. It was already difficult enough to support myself, and now with Alex, I had to work multiple jobs every day. Alex didn’t say much, but he somehow managed to find ingredients to cook. Every time I returned home, there was always a hot meal waiting for me. Used to eating leftover takeout from restaurants, I suddenly felt this broken-down house become much warmer. After dinner, Alex would dutifully start washing the dishes. Looking at his skinny frame, I noticed that Alex was tall – even at 16, he was already slightly taller than me. But he was just too thin, seemingly malnourished. However, this didn’t detract from his handsomeness. As a first-time guardian, I made a mental note to ensure the kid got a balanced diet. I was actually starting to take on the role of a parent. At first, Alex didn’t like to talk much, and I didn’t force him. Sometimes I would just chat away, and gradually Alex began to open up. We weren’t that far apart in age and had similar experiences, so living together, we didn’t feel so lonely anymore. “Alex, call me brother,” I said with a grin, a cigarette dangling from my lips. Alex was doing his homework nearby, the dim light casting a glow on his handsome face. He looked up, frowning slightly, and walked towards me. That handsome face zoomed in before my eyes, and I froze. But Alex just took the cigarette from my mouth, put it out, and tossed it in the trash. I finally reacted, “Hey, what are you doing?” “Smoke less, it’s bad for your health,” Alex said without looking back, returning to his desk to continue his homework. I rebelled, “Who are you to tell me what to do?” Alex looked up, his beautiful eyes gazing at me, and simply said, “Brother.” That was enough to render me speechless. I mumbled as I quickly tried to escape the situation, “Fine, I won’t smoke.” Little did I know, Alex smiled after I turned my back. 0

Although both Alex and I were very frugal, money was still a headache, especially with Alex’s school fees and various expenses. To cover these costs, I took on as much work as I could. I was smart, young, hardworking, and not picky about jobs, so many middlemen liked working with me. But unknowingly, this started to infringe on some people’s interests. Every day, I was thinking about Alex – what to feed him to improve his nutrition, buying new clothes for him as the weather turned cold, getting some milk because he seemed stressed with his studies lately… Little did I know, I had already been targeted. Once, while serving food, a customer found a toothpick in their dish. They immediately slapped me across the face. I had been working so hard lately, day and night, that this slap made me see stars. My fair cheek immediately swelled up. But I kept apologizing with my head bowed. The manager came out to handle the situation, and in the end, the customer’s meal was comped. Back in the kitchen, the manager frowned as he questioned me, finally saying that the cost of the customer’s meal would be deducted from my wages. I looked up, “Why? It’s not entirely my fault, is it?” The manager, irritated by my defiance, shouted, “If you can handle it, stay. If not, get out!” I could only silently endure it. After the night shift ended, I confronted a few people who had been sabotaging me, “It was you guys, wasn’t it?” They laughed it off, but stopped when they saw me in the darkness. The leader spoke bluntly, “Working so hard, thought we’d teach you a lesson.” I smiled, which confused them. I suddenly charged out from the darkness, swinging a brick at them. It was several of them against just me, but having grown up fighting, I held my own. Finally, they couldn’t take it anymore. The leader gritted his teeth, “Damn, we’re done. You got lucky today!” But I wasn’t in great shape either, my injuries no better than theirs. I felt dizzy and worse than before, sitting down to rest with my eyes closed. “Are you okay?” A voice woke me up. It was a female student. I recognized the uniform; Alex had the same one. The student was very concerned about me and even bought some medicine from a nearby pharmacy to help bandage me up. I waved her off, “It’s not necessary.” “No, your injuries…” Our conversation was suddenly interrupted. “Zack.” A familiar voice. I looked up, and there was Alex, his face full of anxiety. Was it my imagination, or did his expression seem a bit cold? The girl blushed when she saw Alex and softly said, “Alex.” I frowned. Alex took me home and crouched down to help bandage my wounds, silent all the while. I felt something wet on my hand. Alex was crying. The usually strong and quiet Alex was crying. I was at a loss, “Don’t, don’t cry. It’s not like you’re the one who got beaten up.” Alex suddenly pulled me into his arms, using all his strength, as if trying to meld me into his bones. He cried on my shoulder, saying between sobs, “I won’t go to school anymore. I’ll get a job, I’ll earn money…” I got angry, “Don’t even think about it. Your brother is working so hard just so you can study. You can’t just decide not to go to school. It’s not possible…” Before I could finish, my mouth was covered. Alex pressed his lips against mine. I was stunned. The bitterness of tears exploded on my taste buds, and my mind exploded too. 0

After that kiss that day, I started avoiding Alex. Alex seemed to sense it, and we both tacitly agreed not to disturb each other. The nightclub was a kaleidoscope of flashing lights and writhing bodies – the most famous club in the capital city. I was quite satisfied with my new job. The patrons were either rich or powerful. With my good looks and sociable nature, I always got the most in drink commissions and tips. Although I occasionally had to put up with some groping, thinking about how this money could help Alex and me live better, I endured it. I just treated it like being bitten by a dog. Alex’s birthday was coming up, and it was his coming-of-age celebration. I had my eye on a watch that cost several thousand dollars, but I was worried about how to afford it. “Zack, take this to Room 302,” the manager called me over. I picked up the bottle and headed to Room 302. Seeing the people in the room, I knew I could make a lot of money today. They were all dressed expensively, each with beautiful men and women on their arms. They clearly weren’t short on cash. I started drinking games with the people in the room. If I drank ten bottles, they’d give me $5,000. Not bad, $500 a bottle. This money was too good to pass up. My alcohol tolerance was incredibly high, built up over time. I downed five bottles in a row, not noticing that the expressions of the leading men had changed as they watched me. But by the seventh bottle, I couldn’t take it anymore. My mouth burned, my stomach churned, and I could barely stand. But looking at the three bottles left, I gritted my teeth, opened the cap, and started pouring it down my throat. “That’s enough, you don’t need to drink anymore,” a refined voice said. “I can still…” I thought the man was trying to back out of the deal. The man interrupted me, “No need to drink more. Five thousand, I’ll still give it to you.” Only then did I put down the bottle. The man gave me five thousand and shooed me out. Although I was confused, I had the money in hand, so I didn’t think much of it. But as I walked, I felt something was off with my body. I felt weak all over, and there was a strange heat burning through my entire body. I hid in the bathroom, unbuttoned a couple of buttons, and splashed cold water on my face. But it didn’t help at all; instead, I felt even hotter. I leaned against the cold tiles, panting. “Zack—” A familiar voice. Seeing Alex was like seeing a lifeline. I didn’t even wonder why Alex was here. I threw myself at him, my voice trembling, “Alex, help me, help your brother…” I saw Alex’s eyes darken, “Okay.”

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In my dream, I was chained and collared. A tall man gazed at me with an almost manic look in his eyes, burying his face in my neck and inhaling deeply. “My puppy…” he whispered. “Don’t try to escape me.” I woke up with a start. I had heard from a coworker that the new general manager was mixed-race and supposedly very handsome. We were going to meet him this afternoon. When I saw that face, identical to the one in my dream, the blood in my body seemed to freeze instantly. I stood rooted to the spot, unable to move. Then I saw the man smile at me before turning to greet everyone else. “Hello everyone, I’m Maxwell.” I remained stiff, not daring to move an inch. I opened my eyes to find darkness all around me. The damp, gloomy atmosphere made me frown. I raised my hand, hearing the sound of chains rattling. The cold touch made me uneasy, and I began to assess my current situation. I was restrained by chains on my hands and feet, unable to move. There was also a collar around my neck. This feeling of being trapped made me very uncomfortable. Suddenly, the sound of leather shoes on the floor appeared, getting louder and softer. I tensed up, cold sweat dripping from my forehead. After about ten seconds, a pair of leather shoes appeared in my line of sight. I looked up to check the person’s appearance, and when our eyes met, my body froze. The man before me had thin lips and wore a black suit. His tall, muscular frame fit the suit perfectly, showing off his flawless physique. Just as I was about to speak, my chin was grabbed. “Mmph!” The man’s eyes darkened. “Who… are you? Why are you here?” I wanted to say I didn’t know either, but the hand on my chin was like an iron clamp, not giving me any chance to speak. Just when I was about to suffocate, the man finally let go. I gasped for air, my eyes fixed on him. He was quite handsome, just not very human-like. As I was sizing him up, the man was also examining me. When I finally caught my breath, I spoke, “I don’t know where I came from. Do you know where this is?” The man replied in a deep voice, “This is my home.” His tone implied that I was trespassing. I: “…” I was about to speak again when a familiar sound suddenly rang in my ears. “Ding ding ding ding ding—” The sound of the alarm clock woke me up. As I recalled the scene just now, it felt as real as if it had actually happened. At first, I thought it was just a nightmare, but on the second night… Seeing the man appear before him again, my body stiffened, and I didn’t even dare to speak. The man simply leaned down and gently sucked on my earlobe, looking down to observe my reaction. My ears were very sensitive, and I would never let anyone touch them normally. But now, with someone holding it in their mouth, my reaction was intense. I don’t know if it was my imagination, but I thought I heard a soft chuckle. That laugh made my face even redder. “Don’t… don’t touch my ears…” I protested weakly, but the person on top of me didn’t stop at all. I wanted to speak again, but my open mouth was filled with two fingers, gently stirring inside. “Mmph!!” I was forced to keep my mouth open, tears welling up in my eyes from the physical reaction. “Be good, don’t resist.” … I suddenly opened my eyes in bed, gasping for air. It was still dark outside, and the dim room reminded me of the scene in my dream. My face instantly turned red. There was a sticky feeling down below. I lifted the covers to look. “…” I ran off to wash my underwear, my ears burning red. At the same time, in another place, Maxwell got out of bed with a dark expression and walked into the bathroom. In the bathroom, hot water poured over Maxwell’s body as he recalled the dream he just had. He felt like a spectator, watching himself make love to the man he had dreamed about yesterday. Was he really so desperate that even his dreams were about this? The recent events were indeed strange. Maxwell changed into his clothes, not bothering to go back to sleep. He directly opened his phone to search. [What does it mean to dream about the same person two days in a row?] The search results were varied and unreliable. Maxwell irritably closed his phone and got into bed, starting to ponder… I was still doing the same as usual, ordering takeout after work and lying on the couch scrolling through videos. I came across a video about formal wear, and suddenly some erotic images flashed through my mind. The phone fell onto the carpet with a muffled thud. My voice, gritting my teeth, echoed through the living room. “Caleb, you’re hopeless!” That night, I fell asleep again. Familiar place, familiar chains and collar. I felt like I was getting used to it. The man walked in. This time, he didn’t make any physical contact with me. The strange atmosphere made me a bit uneasy. The man knelt down, looking at me with an almost manic gaze. He buried his head in my neck, constantly inhaling my scent. It tickled a bit, but I didn’t dare move. The man’s current state scared me a little. The man’s low voice sounded strange in this dark, damp basement. “My puppy…” “Are you going to leave me too?” I turned my head with difficulty to look the man in the eye, but the emotion in his eyes made me pause. Was he… sad? A pain made me look down. A knife gleaming with a silver light entered my vision. Before losing consciousness, I heard the man’s vicious voice. “Don’t try to escape me.”

“Ah!” I woke up startled, cold sweat dripping from my forehead. The pain felt too real. The suffocating feeling of death made me fearful. I gasped for air, taking a long time to come back to my senses. I didn’t know what to say. The events in the dream were too bizarre. I opened my phone and saw that the gossip group I was in was chatting. They’re still not asleep at this hour? “New general manager? Mixed-race? And very handsome???” I looked at the messages popping up in the chat, picking out the keywords, feeling a bit confused. Whatever, I’ll see him this afternoon anyway. I didn’t feel excited; I still hadn’t recovered from the dream just now. Just thinking about being stabbed made me feel pain. On the other side, Maxwell woke up. Today he didn’t dream about that person again, and he felt a bit empty inside. But Maxwell quickly adjusted his state, preparing to wash up and go to the new company in the afternoon. The morning passed quickly. I was holding my lunch box when the conversation from the break room reached my ears. “I saw him! I saw him! He’s really incredibly handsome! Great body, handsome face, I feel like my HP is about to be cleared.” “Really?” Another person obviously didn’t quite believe it. “Oh come on, you’ll see for yourself this afternoon!” I quickly finished my meal and walked back to my seat, thinking about what to do after work tonight. Lost in thought, time passed quickly, and soon it was time to get off work. However, I received an order from my superior. “…We have to go welcome the new general manager?” I was speechless but had to obey. The location was a somewhat hidden barbecue restaurant, not easy to find. I circled around a few times before finding it. I silently prayed that the food would be good… Actually, it was nothing special, just eating some food and waiting for the main character to arrive. But the main character seemed to be late. I didn’t care, I was about to stuff a skewer of beef into my mouth when the door of the private room opened. I heard the rising and falling gasps around me and looked up, meeting the eyes of the man who walked in. For a moment, I felt like I was back in that dark, damp basement, with shackles on my hands. I felt like the blood in my body froze instantly. I held my breath, my hand involuntarily starting to tremble.

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The night was bitterly cold, and no matter how fast I ran, they would find me. “Fucking bitch.” I had to wait until their fury subsided as they hurled insults at me. Time dragged on. After nearly an hour, the last one spat at me and left. Shivering, I curled into a ball. I tried to summon happy thoughts, but nothing came. Since my parents left me at the pack, kindness was a stranger. The Alpha refused to let me go, no matter how many times I begged. The pack used me as a punching bag. Even though my wolf healing abilities were strong, I believed it only fueled their hatred. Not even the Alpha could heal as quickly as I did. I took a deep breath, feeling the heat in the air. It would end soon. One month later I sat with my wrists bound, the sounds of wailing filling the air. This wasn’t a miracle. The entire pack had tried to escape the massacre. I kept my eyes low, but I couldn’t help but notice the lead attacker standing near my Alpha’s fallen monument. Pathetic, my Alpha groaned on the ground. The man with his foot on the Alpha’s chest caught my attention. I licked my dry lips, eyes tracing from his head to his torso. He wore nothing but trousers and boots, his massive chest bare, scarred, but without ink. That scent—I knew it well. Why would he attack our pack if he was one of us? “You,” he commanded, pointing at the men. I followed his gaze to William, who was dragged to the center where the attacker waited. They’d tried to escape, but it was futile. He wasn’t alone. Men just as imposing surrounded him, smirking. The women were roped together, the men shackled. I hated being tied up, the restraints biting into my wrists. My breath caught as the man—now clearly the Alpha—drew a blade and plunged it into William’s stomach, driving it up to his heart. Blood pooled, and I had to look away before it made me sick. “You think your Alpha will save you?” He sneered, glaring at the others. “He’s weak, groveling on the floor like a coward.” I dared to glance up as he pounded his fist against his chest, the sound echoing like thunder. “You’ll pay,” he growled, scanning the crowd before signaling one of his men. They grabbed me—resistance was pointless. My pack wouldn’t save me. But they lifted me gently, one of them supporting my back as they led me to Charley. My pulse raced as they released me. I stood, waiting for his verdict, praying for a quick death. The ropes fell away. I stared at Charley, searching for a sign, but his expression was unreadable. His eyes, nearly black, bored into mine. Long brown hair framed a face that was both cruel and captivating. He flicked the blade, offering me the handle. “Finish him.” My wolf quivered in fear. “What?” “You heard me.” He kicked the moaning Alpha, curled up like a coward. I’d seen my Alpha beaten, but I knew he was no leader. He had ordered my own thrashings, and I had endured. William laughed, his voice cutting through the tension. “Well, well, I’m surprised.” Charley’s gaze never left mine. “Do you think I don’t know what this man has done?” He leaned in, his breath hot on my face. “I smell you. It’s alright, kid. I’m used to driving women wild. You’re not the first, won’t be the last.” “I won’t kill him.” “Why not? He’s tortured you for years. Has he broken you so much that you won’t seek revenge?” “How do you know?” “Why do you think I came here, Susan?” His voice was dark, persuasive. “I’ve seen it all. These monsters stood by, doing nothing, or helped in your suffering. You must avenge yourself—kill them.” William had always been different, sharp senses setting him apart even in foster care. He could hear whispered conversations from feet away. He was always prepared for an attack. Years of survival had hardened William. He’d learned to hunt, to adapt, to thrive. But being an Alpha? It was a burden he never wanted. Rogue wolves were dangerous, and he was their leader, whether he liked it or not. He caught my scent, his wolf growling with a need he couldn’t ignore. Mates were powerful, binding—but he didn’t want one. He’d bedded plenty of eager women, both human and wolf, but none made him feel this way. He noticed the mark on my neck, burned into my skin before my first shift. The Mark of the Unwanted. It was a curse, a brand that would repel other packs. Fury ignited in him. How could they do this? William had never seen a wolf heal so quickly. What took others weeks, I managed in hours. It stunned him, and his desire flared, his body betraying his restraint. “No,” I whispered, stepping back from the sword. His eyebrows shot up. “No?” “I won’t.” He threw his head back and laughed. “You won’t kill those who made your life hell?” “No.” “Do you understand these monsters hurt you?” “I’ve seen it all,” William growled, kicking the Alpha again. Hatred burned in his eyes, rare even for him. “Stop,” I pleaded. William seized the back of my neck, pulling me against him. His wolf craved me, the urge to claim overwhelming. As his lips brushed my neck, he struggled to control himself. “I had to watch them hurt you,” he murmured, voice thick with desire. “Never fighting back made you a coward. I know why you didn’t stop them—the Alpha commanded you to take the beatings like a good bitch.” “He won’t live for what he did to you.” “I don’t want his death on my conscience.” I stood before him, battered, branded, healing right before his eyes. My strength was undeniable. “Please, I want to leave without hurting the pack.” “Leave?” “I’ve begged him to let me go, but if I kill him, I’ll be trapped here forever.” William hoisted the Alpha, his legs shattered, unable to fight back. With a cruel grin, William gripped the man’s crotch, knowing he could rip it off with ease. “You can leave and never return.” For the first time, I smiled as William dropped the Alpha to the ground. “I can leave?” “Yes,” he said. “Go. Run.” I didn’t hesitate. I bolted. William branded every face that had ever hurt me with a flaming rod. This pack would bear the mark of shame and rejection forever. A month later, I walked into my tiny apartment, singing as I locked the door. Freedom had never felt so good. The place was small—just one bedroom, a bath, and a little kitchen. But it was mine. For the first time, I slept peacefully, breathing deeply without fear. I thought about William often. The crazy man. Even late at night, I imagined him nearby. Sometimes, I was sure I could hear him or feel his presence. Rogue wolves were always a threat without the pack, and I knew the dangers. But the peace was worth it. After my shower, I wrapped myself in a towel, my stomach rumbling as I headed to the kitchen for some spaghetti. I grabbed a knife, turning around—only to see William. My heart pounded at the sight of him. The knife slipped from my hand. “Why are you here?” “I came to check on you.” “You followed me?” William stepped closer. “I guess I stalked you. Your scent—it’s even more intoxicating now.” “Why are you here?” “Didn’t you miss me?” I stayed silent. He chuckled, pressing his body against mine. “That’s fine. No need to say it. Your body speaks for you.” “How did you get in here?” “The beast in me has many skills.” “And you’ve mastered invading privacy. I should’ve known.” He chuckled. “Don’t lie. Your pussy got wet the moment you saw me.” “I just want to sleep.” He grumbled, squeezing my ass. How could I want him? But I let him. I whimpered as his cock pressed against my core. His lips grazed my shoulder, teasing my neck. It took just one flick of his finger to drop the towel. Would he hurt me? The thought made me queasy, but his groan said otherwise. His brown eyes gleamed, filled with hunger. Was this real? William looked at me like he wanted to devour me. “I planned to take this slow, but I need a taste.” He scooped me up, carrying me to the bedroom. I lay helpless as his eyes roved over me, his hands sliding up my thighs, so close to my pussy. I didn’t stop him. I wanted him. My mind went blank as his fingers brushed my clit. “Oh, fuck,” he muttered. He stroked, gliding over me. “Now, let me taste.” I didn’t think pleasure could be greater until his lips met my clit. His tongue was pure bliss, sending me spiraling into ecstasy. But he’d waited too long. His cock strained against his trousers, his wolf desperate to claim me. Still, he held back, sliding his tongue over my clit, teasing until he smelled my arousal. Then he took me, riding me hard, filling me with his come and my own virgin blood. He reveled in my surrender. William kissed my clit, drawing out my orgasm, then swiped his tongue over my breasts before kissing me deeply. “And you have one tasty pussy.” I tried to push him off, but he was too strong. “You intrigue me.” He breathed deeply, sensing my wolf near. “Why?” “How long have you healed so quickly?” “Did you watch me?” “Yes. I was near your woods. I smelled you, saw what they did to you. They punished you for nothing.” “I did something wrong.” “Yet you heal in hours, but their marks remain in your mind.” “I’m fine.” “Now you’re lying. I hate liars.” “I’m being honest. I just want to forget. This was my chance to live my dream. I begged to leave.” “For how long?” he pressed. “No need to tell you.” “Why does it matter?” I shot back. “You know why.” “Get off me.” “Why? You like me on top. You like it.” I growled. “This is my apartment. I didn’t invite you.” “You’ve got a nice pussy.” “Don’t say I intrigue you. You could have any woman.” “But Susan, we both know no other woman will do for me. You’re my mate.” “We’re not mates.” “No? Then why do you get wet every time I’m near? I’m hot, but you ignored all the other guys around you.” “You never hurt me.” “Yes, but the body wants what it wants. We’re not human. You crave me, calling out in the night. Your body’s heat says it all. It wants me.” “Why did you demand he free me?” He grumbled. “I have no intention of taking anything from you. I’m yours, and you’re mine. You can’t change that.” He inhaled deeply. “I can feel your heat.” “What?” “You’ve never felt heat?” “I don’t know what you mean.” He smirked. “We’ve got a lot to discuss. But first, that lasagna isn’t going to eat itself, and I’m starving.” His stomach growled as he got out of bed. “What are you doing?” I asked. “See you in the kitchen. You grabbed a salad at the store. I’ll make it while you think, then we’ll talk.” He glanced at my body, struggling to hold back a groan. Full moon’s coming—wouldn’t be long now. A woman in mating heat was a dangerous thing. My wolf demanded his presence, the last few months a torturous build-up. Soon, his wolf would claim his mate. Humming, he headed to the fridge. The meager items inside were enough for supper—his mate needed good food. He chopped lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber with surprising ease. I quickly changed into sweatpants, glancing in the mirror before heading to the kitchen. Seeing William so at ease in the kitchen shocked me. He looked up, catching me staring. “You like what you see, little wolf?” Something under my skin itched. I grabbed a cold water bottle, pressing it to my neck. It helped, but not enough. William appeared behind me as I closed the fridge, his cock’s firm ridge brushing my back. “I know exactly what you’re thinking.” His voice was dark, knowing. “Don’t doubt me.” My wolf whimpered. I breathed deeply and stepped away, already missing his touch. “Dinner’s ready, my lady,” he said, carrying a salad dish. My body began to burn. “Have you experienced mating heat?” “No, and women only bear heat with their mates.” He chuckled. “Your wolf’s not quiet.” “Tell me,” he pressed. “How did you feel with my lips on your pussy?” Arousal surged between my thighs. “It’s impossible. You’re not my mate.” “Would you really say that? I’m amazed you’ve held on after everything they did to you—so stubborn. I half expected to find you at the pack’s edge, fighting yourself.” “I know what they did. I felt their pain.” William cut the lasagna in half before serving me. I devoured it, confused by my need, my hunger, my thirst. “I don’t understand why you let them live,” he said, his eyes darker than usual. “Revenge is natural, but you didn’t want it. Why?” “I’ve seen their marks.” “You noticed their tattoos?” “You want to examine my whole body?” “No, that’s unnecessary,” I replied. “Not a problem.” William shed his shirt and pants. He didn’t wear boxer briefs, and I couldn’t help but notice his firm cock before looking away. “Don’t mind me, dear. I’m yours.” “I don’t understand,” I whispered, the need overwhelming. I avoided his gaze as he approached, mocking. “My placid little wolf has some strength after all.” “I don’t know what you’re doing to me, but stop.” “It can only be stopped by giving in. You know that, but you resist. Why?” “I want you gone.” “Why?” “This isn’t your flat, and I’ll call the police if you stay.” He chuckled darkly. “How could you threaten innocent people when you can’t even harm the pack that tortured you?” “If you say I’m your mate, you’ll leave because I ask.” His grin disappeared, replaced by something darker. He stepped closer, his cheek brushing my neck. “One day, you won’t be able to push me away. I hope you’re ready for that day.” His hand gripped my neck, but I didn’t feel fear. Not until he leaned in, kissing me with a force that ignited every nerve. Then, just as abruptly, he pulled away, leaving me breathless as he walked out the door, shutting it behind him with a finality that made me flinch. I collapsed against the wall, hugging my knees, pulse racing. The heat that had flooded my body ebbed away, leaving me cold. If William brought the heat, it meant he was right. He was my mate. But why didn’t he claim me? Why didn’t he do it in front of my pack? “You’re in a mood,” Leon remarked, glancing up from his game. “Not in a mood.” “You’re practically vibrating. I’ve known you long enough to recognize when you’re struggling to control your anger.” In human society, letting rage take over was dangerous. He could kill or scare others in this state. “It’s nothing,” William muttered. Leon didn’t buy it. “It’s that woman again.” He sniffed the air, returning to his game. “I can smell her on you. Maybe try using the front door next time, or court her like a human.” William scoffed. “You mean meeting them at a pub?” “A drink isn’t worth it to wolves. The smells alone are foul.” He paused the game and looked up. “You look crazed again.” “You’re too into that game to notice.” Leon didn’t flinch. “You’re too busy avoiding claiming your mate. Does she even know she’s going into heat because of you?” William’s roar echoed through the room. The frustration, the need, the battle within him to keep from taking what he knew was his, all came to a head. Leon met his gaze calmly. “You’re losing control. She’ll feel it soon enough. What will you do then?” William clenched his fists, jaw tightening. “I’ll handle it.” “You’d better. Before she finds out the hard way.” “Want me to set up the castle?” “No.” William’s voice was sharp. The castle was a fortress, perched on a remote island, accessible only by aircraft. He hated flying, but he’d bought the place as a gamble. A secluded sanctuary, perfect for a mated pair. Their solitude would protect them. No one would hear their battles, their hunts, or their lovemaking. The idea had been intoxicating when he first realized what having a mate would mean. Someday, he wanted to call it home. “Think she’d like it?” Leon asked, watching William’s brooding expression. “What now?” William snapped. “Her heat risk goes up every time I’m near. If human guys start responding to her, things will get bad.” “Just pointing out the obvious. Is it working?” William’s jaw clenched. “I have all the answers.” But if men responded to her, his control would slip. The beast inside him would emerge, and if that happened, humanity would be wiped out. He liked his spotless record—never killed anyone, despite what the alphas thought. They didn’t understand him, and that was how he preferred it. He had learned long ago that money spoke louder than anything else in this world. And he’d made sure to have plenty of it. “You getting coffee?” Leon asked, as William poured himself a cup, the dark liquid swirling in the mug. “Why are you here?” William’s voice was a low growl. He didn’t need coffee to stay awake; he rarely slept since he’d met her. The dreams of demons haunted him, and he hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep in ages. “Does she know you sneak into her room at night? Cuddle her to keep the nightmares away?” William’s roar echoed through the room, vibrating with barely contained fury. “So, she doesn’t know, and you didn’t tell her.” Leon paused his game, a smirk playing on his lips. “I’m surprised.” “Mates don’t need to be told everything,” William growled. “The start’s always rough. I enjoy a challenge, but I didn’t realize how much.” “Why keep me around then?” “Maybe for the fun. You’re probably the only one I haven’t killed yet. Plenty tried, though. Remember?” Unfortunately, it was true. Leon had been found by William at eighteen, bleeding and crawling up a steep slope. He had been thrown over the edge by a group of men who thought they’d seen the last of him. William, only twenty-one then, had murdered them, taken their things, and hidden Leon in a remote cabin, treating his wounds. It was the first time William had seen the brand of the unwanted—a mark that filled him with rage every time he saw it. When William had seen it on my neck, he’d felt that same fury. I tried to hide it with makeup or a scarf, but he’d noticed. Leon, on the other hand, had wanted to kill his tormentors. I was different. I didn’t crave revenge like the others. William glanced at Leon, who had gone still. “Don’t go back to that day,” William said, setting down his coffee. He moved closer, resting a hand on Leon’s knee. Leon shuddered at the touch. “They—” “Don’t think about it. You’re alive, they’re not.” William’s grip tightened on Leon’s neck. “I sent them over the edge alive. You know that.” “Why didn’t she want them dead? Why didn’t she want them all killed?” “I don’t know,” William replied, his voice thick with frustration. Leon’s eyes darkened. “I’ve been there, William. They beat me, they hated me. They tried to break me. My transition was agony because of them.” “I never healed like her,” Leon continued. “Her life must have been hell. But she healed so fast.” “I know,” William whispered, his voice tense. “I know.” Leonabruptly stood, saying, “I need to go for a walk.” They have experienced this numerous times. Leon was too hurt by his background to recover. He let it take control, and he had to run or walk it off. “Are you okay?” Wiliam asks. He couldn’t accompany him. Leon needed solitude. “I’ll be fine.” William sipped his coffee, trying to find calm. After pouring a second cup, he set it down and headed to her flat. He locked the door behind him and copied her key, returning it during her busy lunch. In the bedroom, he found me sobbing, nightmares haunting me. He lay beside me, wrapping his arms around me. The full moon was coming, and her flushed face told the story. Work had been brutal. Surrounded by men, young and old, all vying for victims. No one stopped me from leaving work. I kept my head down, but men bumped into me, leaning in to touch and smell me.  panic took over when i returned to my flat. I gasped . He looked arrogant and crossed his legs. “Why are you here again?” “I stayed in case something interesting happened today.” He showed her a watch on his wrist,. Wolves hardly noticed time. “you’re four hours early. Any reason?” “i had to leave town. ” William caught my wrist and pulled me into him. Arm heat subsided. “You know what happens.” “The first full moon away the pack. Only that. This is what they warn about.” He snorted. “Oh, please. That rogue nonsense again?” I tried to leave, but he stopped me. “If you were rogue, you wouldn’t have been with all those men today. I get your struggles.” Confused and angry, I snarled, “You did something to me!” “I did nothing. My presence affects you.” I tried to hit him, but he laughed and grabbed my hands. “Violence won’t help.” “I can’t stay,” I said. “You’re not leaving alone.” “Why?” “I need to do this alone.” “Are you stubborn?” “Yes. I need to show I’m not their prey anymore. A month of this is all I can handle.” I didn’t fight back as he dominated me. His kisses were irresistible. I struggled but gave in. I needed him. William lifted me, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, craving his touch. Surprised by the intensity, I tore off his shirt, and he fell onto the bed. I straddled him, kissed his neck, and stroked his firm cock. “You’re hard,” I said, momentarily halting as I regained my composure. I pulled away, but William stood up. “No,” I tried to shut off my feelings, but it was impossible. His touch burned my back, and I recoiled. I bolted from the flat, not looking back. I had to escape, find peace. Apologizing to someone I bumped into, I ran into the busy street, men’s eyes devouring me. Darkness fell quickly. Sweat coated my skin. I stopped abruptly in the woods, its artificial scents jarring. William found me there, calm. “Done running?” he asked. “Leave me alone,” I snapped. “Why? Think you’re crazy?” “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” “I’ve been alone too. No one kicked me out. I’ve never lost control. I haven’t killed anyone.” “You have a pack,” I retorted. “They kept you down.” “I met my first wolf at twenty-one. His pack was trying to kill him. I took him in. I grew up in foster care, alone until then. I’m telling you the truth.” “Why?” “Because wolves would flee if they knew the truth. Strong packs need strong members.” William had fought the alpha role. He sought out the unwanted. Rumors of his resistance were well-known. He looked at me. “We’re bonded by mating heat. You’re not crazy. I promise.” I hugged him, sobbing. “I just want freedom and a mate. Someone to love me.” William’s beast roared inside him. He held me tightly, knowing his pack was the only protection I had. “We’ll go to the cabin tonight. First turns away from the pack should never be alone.” “Have you helped many?” I asked. “More than you’d think. Evil exists everywhere,” he said, tucking my hair behind my ear. “Sorry for earlier.” “For riding you with our clothes on?” I flushed. William smirked. “I’ll remember you’re a virgin despite your attitude.” “Does everything seem like a game?” I asked. “No, not everything. One day, you’ll trust me. I won’t bite until you ask. I only kill those who need it.” He touched my cold hand and called Leon. “Bring the car,” he said, giving the location. Leon pulled up and William helped me into the car. As we drove to the cottage, he told me Susan had already moved my things. I nestled into William’s side as Leon and Susan greeted each other. “Are you okay?” Leon asked. “I’m fine.” William said, “She’s not rejecting me. She’s just unsure.” Leon, dealing with his own sorrow, understood the struggle. Wolves bond deeply, their emotions setting them apart. Packs are meant to connect. Leon said, “The pack’s got your back every step of the way.” “Will you help her?” “Leon, you know her pain. Mating heat is agony. She needs a leader. It might not be me.” Leon sighed. “You undervalue yourself.” “I want to be prepared for everything. She’s confused by mating heat, thinks she’s losing her mind. She’s hurting in ways I can’t even grasp.” I added, “You don’t have to stay by my side.” I was exhausted. At the cottage, I fell asleep immediately. The next morning, I felt a chill. William cooked breakfast. The smell made her hungry. i recalled waking up to find William wrapped around me and wanted to be less dependent. “Why wouldn’t I stay with you?” “Don’t you have more important things to do?” “Being with my mate is everything.” The word “mate” hit me hard. I rubbed her chest, feeling anguish. The mating bond was still absent. “Stop overthinking,” William said. “You need to get used to the pack.” A knock at the door made her jump. “It’s fine,” William said, opening the door. Three more people entered, followed by Leon. There were two women and four men. Most had scars like hers. “Hello,” one man said. “Introduce yourself so she can learn your names.” “Ashley,” the short, brown-haired woman said. “Rainy.” “Peter.” “Texts.” “Nice to meet you all,” I said, glancing at Texts. “Is that a nickname?” “No, miss. It’s my real name. They denied me a nickname, so I’m called Texts because I like texting.” He smiled. “Best day of my life being found by this pack.” William chuckled. “Don’t get too comfortable. He takes in all the strays.” “Not true. I don’t house anyone. They find me, not the other way around.” “We’re just the unwanted,” Rainy said, nodding at my neck. “That mark must be painful.” “It is,” I said, tears welling up. “They all are,” William said. “It never stops.” Leon added, “We all have stories. Doesn’t make the pack sound like a great place to live.” “Yeah, but ours is the exception,” Texts said. “We live among humans, like spies. No one knows who we are.” Ashley muttered, “Be careful with him. He thinks he’s got the next big thing.” “I could,” Texts said. “And be a giant pain in the ass,” Ashley replied. The group chuckled. “What? We need to be inclusive now that the miss is here. Right?” Texts asked. Everyone looked at me. “What?” “What kind of drama shots do you like?” Texts asked. “Er, I don’t know.” “You’ve never watched drama shots?” “I didn’t have money for a TV . I didn’t think watching by payment was worth it.” “Ah, your pack is terrible.” Texts said. The pack laughed. “Enough,” William said, handing me a plate. “You’ll join us for night.” I took the knife and fork, waiting. “You can eat,” William said. “I can wait.” “Is that a pack rule?” Ashley asked. “You can’t eat until everyone else?” Her palm trembled. “We won’t starve you,” Rainy said. “Eat before it’s cold. Alpha cooking is important.” I cut mushrooms, dipped them in tomatoes, and ate. “Good food,” I said to William, biting into a sausage and moaning. Everyone laughed. “Honestly, I was a street rat. William helped me out and then left. I didn’t want to stay in my old life. My pack was cruel, starved me for fun,” “He’s the shit.” “Ew,” Ashley said. “Can’t you say something nice about him?” “Fine. He’s dog bollocks,” Liam replied. I laughed, not quite understanding but not questioning it. I relaxed, enjoying breakfast and watching them. They felt like family. William prepared tea and sat back, feet up, hands behind his head, smiling. “Now this is life. Cabin, pack, peace.” “Some of the pack?” I asked. “Yeah, there are more of us,” Rainy said. “The others are busy working,” Ashley added. “We’d need a bigger place otherwise.” “Are you guys staying here?” I asked. “Yes,” they said. “Oh.” “Don’t worry. We won’t undercut you,” Leon added. “We’ll be nearby, just in case.” I nodded, still adjusting to the pack’s constant presence. “Do you want to explain your deal?” Leon asked, bringing a tray of coffee. “My deal?” I asked. “We all have a vague idea why we’re unwanted. What’s your story?” Leon pressed. “We don’t need to dive into that,” William added. “I’m just… weird,” I replied. Everyone moved to the sitting room. William stood by the window, arms folded. “A freak?” Texts asked. “What does that mean?” I grabbed a knife from the kitchen, stabbed it into the table, and cried out. The pain was relentless. “What the fuck?” William rushed to me, and the pack intervened. I yanked the knife out, holding it up to show them my recovering body. “A freak.” Breakfast had gone smoothly until my outburst. William asked everyone to leave for a bigger cabin. “Holy fucking shit,” Texts said. “Did you see that?” “I saw,” Rainy said, arms crossed. “She calls herself a freak? Does she realize her strength?” “Is this common?” Texts asked. “It’s rare,” Rainy said. “I knew one in my old pack. They were revered. Their healing delayed aging.” “Wait,” Leon said. “You’re saying she could be much older?” “She looks about twenty,” Rainy replied. “But it could be longer.” “How old was your elder?” “About two hundred. Time slows down after they mature.” “I saw what they did to her,” Ashley added. “She didn’t resist.” “Because she was ordered not to,” Leon said. “Alpha’s rules are law.” “She’s damaged,” Rainy said. “And she’ll be a fucked-up woman.” I was nervous during dinner. “You want us to do what?” Peter asked. “I want you to stay back while Susan adjusts. We should keep our distance,” William replied. “Is hiding the heat normal?” Ashley asked. “Not sure,” Rainy said. “In my old pack, the elder was revered. I’ve never seen such pain.” “I’m heading back. Don’t stray far, and if you hear cries, stay alert. Rush in if they’re mine.” William entered, seeing me on the couch, my wound already healed. “Sorry I sent your pack away,”I said. “You didn’t send them away,” William reassured. “They worry about you.” “They call me a freak.” “They don’t. They’re concerned.” I shrugged. “I’m fine.” “‘Fine’ doesn’t explain stabbing yourself.” “All gone, like it never happened.” “No scar doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.” He was furious at my wrongdoers. “You bruised.” “They faded eventually.” “Did your healing abilities annoy them?” “Yes,” “They hated that nothing they did could last.” William paced, then drank heavily. “Does it help?” “Nope, but it stops me from killing everyone,” he said, throwing back another drink. “I need to walk.” “I’m coming with you.” “Please, let me go alone.” “No,” he said, drinking more. His body metabolized the alcohol quickly. “Fine. Do what you want.” I stormed out, and William followed a minute later, tracking my scent. He found me by an ancient tree and tackled me. I gasped as we fell to the ground. He kissed away my tears, then nuzzled me. “William?” “I know your needs,” William said, tearing my jeans with his claws. He spread my thighs, touched me, and focused on my clit with his tongue. I begged and rocked against his face, crying out his name. He held my ass tight, savoring every drop of me. “Thanks,” I gasped. “That’s just the start, baby,” he grinned. The next morning, I watched him sleep, remembering his touch and the heat between us. I was anxious about the pack’s absence—did they dislike me? William woke, catching me staring. “I can feel you thinking all the way from here.” I blushed. “I didn’t know you were awake.” He smirked. “I didn’t want you to think I was just admiring your tits and imagining what I could do between them.” His fingers traced my thighs, making me moan. I closed my eyes, feeling his passion. “No,” I whispered. “Why stop?” he asked, his touch persistent. “I want to give you something,” I said, straddling him. “I’m a virgin. Only you have been with me.” “I’m the only man you’ll ever be with,” he assured. “Let me please you,” I offered. “Get off me then,” he said, eager to make love. “I want to taste you,” I said, lowering myself cautiously between his legs. “Don’t bite,” he warned. “Touch me first.”

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On the night of my 80th birthday, my husband of 55 years stabbed me 10 times, each blow fatal. After the final stab, he finally let go with satisfaction. The knife clattered to the floor. “Rachel Lee, I’m finally free of you,” he said. Pain spread throughout my body. I had no strength left to cry out. Bright red blood flowed from my heart onto the floor, staining my favorite floral jacket. Gabriel Gray stood before me, hunched over, carefully wiping the blood off the knife with his sleeve. At 81 years old, his movements were unsteady. I wanted to remind him that the blood left on his sleeve would still be evidence and he’d be convicted anyway. But I didn’t have the strength to open my mouth or lift a hand. Perhaps it was a final moment of clarity before death, but I saw visions of Gabriel at different ages before my eyes. 10-year-old Gabriel, 20-year-old Gabriel, all the way up to 81-year-old Gabriel. They all smiled at me and gently called me “Rachel.” But behind those smiles was a cold knife, piercing my heart. As I felt my body growing colder, Gabriel and I’s life together flashed before my eyes like a montage.

Gabriel and I had indeed been entangled for a lifetime. By the time I was ten, I was already the little girl who followed Gabriel around everywhere. Although we weren’t in the same elementary school, every holiday I would shamelessly go to Gabriel’s house to do homework together. Perhaps it was because my resentment was too strong, but after death my soul began to drift through various scenes of my interactions with Gabriel. Although I could only watch helplessly as everything unfolded, fortunately I could now hear Gabriel’s inner thoughts. Before my eyes was a little girl chewing on her pen and staring blankly at a difficult problem. She looked to be about 10 years old. Across from her sat a boy diligently working on his own problems. This was 10-year-old me and 11-year-old Gabriel. “Gabriel, how do you do this one? Can you teach me?” “I” finally gave up on the difficult problem and looked at the boy across from me with pleading eyes. He didn’t say anything. The air fell into a brief silence, but at that moment I heard his inner voice: “So annoying. She still can’t do two-digit addition and subtraction at this age. Why is she pretending?” Hearing those words, I froze in place. In my memories, the young Gabriel had been like a gentle older brother. Those harsh words would never have come out of his mouth. I had grown up without a father’s love, so I was more likely to show my vulnerable side to a boy my age. Seeing the boy hadn’t responded, the girl continued speaking. She pushed her workbook in front of him with a pitiful expression. “I really don’t know how to do it. I’m not lying.” “Just do your homework quietly,” the boy still didn’t look up at the girl. “So annoying. I wish she would leave already.” At the same time, I heard his inner voice speaking again. The scene ended with the girl leaving with red-rimmed eyes, her backpack slung over her shoulder. What had seemed like a heart-warming moment ended with such an abrupt and careless conclusion. The “stage” was now empty, with both the male and female leads gone. But as an audience member, I still couldn’t process what I had seen. Because I clearly remembered that I really had been stuck on those two-digit addition and subtraction problems back then. I never imagined Gabriel had been so annoyed with me even then. So why did he agree to my requests?

After a moment of silence, I could feel my soul being forcibly torn away. The white light became a vortex that swallowed my soul whole. When I came to, the first thing I saw was the asphalt road in front of the school gates. It was early summer then. The cicadas were buzzing loudly. The shadows of the evergreen trees dappled our bodies. Everything seemed too beautiful to be real. Gabriel was a year ahead of me. At this time we were in high school. “Gabriel, how are your studies going lately?” he asked. That day, my voice suddenly became halting and stumbling as I answered his question. I forgot what I said in the middle, but I ended with “I like you.” That day I confessed to Gabriel. But after hearing it, Gabriel only responded with an expressionless “Mm” and said nothing else. He was known for being a cold, aloof top student at school. So when I heard that “Mm”, I was overjoyed. He usually wouldn’t even acknowledge me, so maybe I had a chance? That’s what I thought. But now I heard Gabriel say in an impatient tone: “Can you stop following me around all the time? You’re like a fly.” I didn’t understand. I had only asked him one question. How had it turned into this? Although I couldn’t feel any physical pain, the place where my heart should be still ached. But the young woman before me was still immersed in her supposed happiness, coyly asking Gabriel: “So how have you been lately?” We rarely saw each other since Gabriel had moved. The young man paused in his steps. A gust of hot wind blew past him. I caught a glimpse of a blush on his face. “Fine,” he said. But I heard another cold voice in my ear saying: “It would be even better without you.” The young woman also stopped walking. Just as she was about to pull out the chocolate hidden behind her back, she was interrupted by a male voice. The owner of the voice slung his arm around Gabriel’s shoulder and said: “Come on, let’s go study.” Gabriel’s eyes lit up at that moment. Without responding to the girl behind him, he was about to link arms with his friend and leave. The girl’s beautiful confession had been abruptly cut off. Still unwilling to give up, she timidly asked: “Can I come find you during summer break after exams are over?” “Sure,” Gabriel’s retreating figure replied. The world froze again. At the same time, that cold voice appeared again: “This should get rid of her, right?” I was stunned for a long time. I never imagined that the man I had loved for nearly 70 years actually hated me so much. Thinking back on everything I had done, I still couldn’t find a reason for Gabriel to hate me.

Click-clack. The previously shattered world reassembled itself. This time we were at a college class reunion. At this point, “I” was being pressured by friends to play Truth or Dare. My luck wasn’t great – I kept drawing “Truth” cards. Having a crush on Gabriel seemed to be my secret. Even after four drinks, I still wasn’t willing to reveal it. When the wine glass pointed at me again, the cheering from the others seemed even louder than before. My best friend grabbed my hand. “We agreed, you can’t drink five glasses in a row.” I clutched my phone, my head a bit fuzzy from all the alcohol. The “Dare” I drew was: Call the first person on your contacts list and tell them “I’m drunk, can you come pick me up?” The ringing of the phone had everyone on edge. “Hello? What’s up?” It connected! Gabriel’s cool voice came through. Even though I knew Gabriel didn’t like me, my non-existent heart still skipped a beat as a disembodied soul. My friend nudged me and mouthed: Say it! Only then did I speak up coyly, my voice tinged with real drunkenness: “Gabriel, I’m drunk. Can you come pick me up?” My face visibly reddened. I was about to say something else when my friend snatched the phone and hung up. According to her, this was the way to hook someone – just enough ambiguity to be intriguing. Sitting on the couch, I clutched my phone tightly, my heart pounding. I wasn’t sure if Gabriel would come. Gabriel was a surgical resident who had just graduated two years ago. It could be said this was his busiest time. In the end, Gabriel didn’t come. The one who came was Luke, his classmate who had competed with him for top of the class. “No, don’t go with him.” When I saw Luke’s face, the defenses I had carefully built up suddenly crumbled. I tried desperately to grab myself, but my hands just passed through my body over and over. Only then did I realize I truly couldn’t do anything.

Unable to face the pain directly, I wanted to see what Gabriel was doing at that moment. Why did Luke come when I had called Gabriel? I floated out about two meters before being forcibly pulled back. After several attempts, the result was the same – I came to a conclusion that I couldn’t leave my past self. I didn’t want to watch the next scene. I crouched down and covered my head in pain, but I couldn’t block out the sounds. Accompanied by the noisy voices, painful memories were awakened. Images automatically floated through my mind. “She’s so pretty, how could Gabriel not want her?” Luke carried my half-drunk, half-conscious body out of the bar. As he looked me up and down, his hands started roaming over my body. “Ah! What are you doing?” My drunken self felt something groping my body. I opened my eyes to find a strange man trying to molest me. Luke gripped my hand tightly. I had no way to escape. I could only use my last bit of reason to take out my phone and dial Gabriel’s number. “Gabriel! Help me!” That pale, desperate cry for help was truly the only action my past self could take to help herself at that moment. At this moment, it was as if I had overcome my inner demons. I stood up and coldly watched the scene. Luke snatched the phone and tossed it aside. “Gabriel doesn’t even want you anymore. Why are you still calling him?” I floated over to their side, looking at my half-unconscious self who was in shock. I reached out to wipe away her tears, but my hand passed through her face again.

A force kicked Luke flying. He let out a cry of pain. Only then did I see the man approaching in the moonlight. When Gabriel arrived, Luke had already stripped me down to my underwear. “Gabriel, are you crazy…” “Get lost.” Gabriel dismissed Luke with one word. Gabriel looked at me, who had fallen into a deep sleep. He took off his coat and gently wrapped it around me before carrying me away. The scene froze again, leaving only a mess on the ground. The second half was like rewatching a movie. I focused on finding various details I hadn’t been aware of at the time. Like my dependence on Gabriel. Like my trust in Gabriel. Like how I couldn’t hear Gabriel’s inner voice. From when Gabriel entered until he left, I could only hear that one word: “Get lost.” Perhaps the situation was too urgent and he didn’t have time to think. The world reassembled once more. The clock ticked. This time we were at a wedding. I was holding Gabriel’s arm, my face filled with happiness. “Gabriel, we’re finally married.” This was 3 years after that drunken night. After I sobered up, I confessed to Gabriel again and he agreed. 3 years had given us time to stabilize our careers. The day before, I had proposed marriage and Gabriel had gone to get the paperwork done the very next day. I knew Gabriel was a workaholic, but I didn’t want him working too hard, so I suggested to him: “Gabriel, can you come home for dinner in the future? And don’t work yourself too hard.” Gabriel just frowned slightly, then his expression smoothed out again. After a long while, he finally spoke: “Okay.” I happily held Gabriel’s arm tighter with one hand, while holding up our marriage certificate to look at in the sunlight with the other. “Gabriel, do you think if my past self knew I really married you, she would be impressed with me now?” The sound suddenly stopped. The scene paused on the marriage certificate backlit by the sun. I didn’t know what this scene was for. I only knew that I truly couldn’t hear Gabriel’s inner voice anymore. In those few seconds when he frowned and was silent, my world was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The next few scenes had very short time intervals between them. The clips were also very short, with similar content – me quietly waiting for my husband after making dinner, and the doorbell ringing as Gabriel arrived home on time. Over these 55 years together, Gabriel could absolutely be called a dutiful, responsible husband. He was considerate to his wife, successful in his career, and never philandered. It’s just that this wife could have been anyone. Until Gabriel stabbed me to death, we had never been intimate or had children. The familiar white light flashed. A table and two people appeared before me. The lights were dimmed, with only candlelight flickering. This was Gabriel’s 30th birthday. I was very afraid of childbirth. My only relative, my mother, had also passed away from cancer. There were no direct relatives left to pressure me about having children. Gabriel’s mother had gently brought up the topic of having children multiple times, saying it would be good to have someone to take care of us when we were older. This time, I brought it up: “Gabriel, do you like children?” I had cut my steak halfway. I put down my utensils and looked at Gabriel’s face in the dim candlelight. Gabriel swallowed his bite of steak. “I don’t like them.” I hadn’t noticed before when I was blinded by love, but now I really felt Gabriel’s manners were too good. I could clearly see the disgust on Gabriel’s face for a split second before he looked up. Perhaps seeing my probing expression, that disgust was replaced by indifference. He could even hate my breathing, yet he still responded to me, not letting me feel he didn’t care about me, giving me enough dignity and fantasy. The play had just reached its climax, and the actors continued performing. I lowered my head, not daring to look at Gabriel’s eyes. “Then is it okay if we don’t have children?” There was no response. I lowered my head in shame. Soon, I felt a force on my shoulder, then a hand caressing my face. Gabriel bent down, his breath tickling my ear: “If you don’t like it, we won’t have any.” “I’ll talk to my mom about it.” I happily grabbed his large hand, pulling us even closer together. “Mm, thank you Gabriel. Happy birthday.” As if to repay him, I made him a promise: “I’ll celebrate every birthday with you from now on.”

I The final scene was of interlocked hands, like a couple deeply in love. I stared intently at the image, not noticing any flaws. After that day, Gabriel’s mother never brought up the topic of children with me again. I had thought Gabriel was respecting my wishes, but now it seems he probably couldn’t wait to be rid of me. But why didn’t he divorce me and instead lived with me until we were 80? A piece of information flashed through my mind. It wasn’t that I couldn’t hear Gabriel’s inner voice anymore, but that my words no longer provoked any reaction from him. He didn’t even feel disgust towards me anymore. The scene before me blurred, then came back into focus. Surprisingly, it was 81-year-old Gabriel wiping the knife. This was when I went to get the cake! Gabriel was alone at home. He sat in front of the coffee table, carefully wiping the knife. Each movement was very gentle, as if he was handling some precious treasure. The knife gleamed as he polished it, reflecting his wrinkled face. This time I could hear Gabriel speaking again. “My darling, my precious darling.” “My darling, my precious darling.” He seemed to have gone mad, repeating this phrase over and over. The door opened with a click. I had just picked up the cake from the floor when I was startled by the gleaming knife in Gabriel’s hand. “Gabriel… there’s a knife here to cut the cake.”

I walked forward slowly and with difficulty, holding the cake. I didn’t understand why he had suddenly picked up a knife. Gabriel didn’t speak, but approached me step by step with the knife. In his mind, he was still saying: “My darling, my precious darling.” Watching this scene sent chills down my non-existent spine. Until Gabriel pushed my physical self to the ground and plunged the knife straight into my heart. As a surgeon, Gabriel aimed precisely to kill me. But his advanced age seemed to have weakened his strength. He pulled out the knife, bright red blood splattering onto his face. Gabriel paid no attention to it and raised the knife again, stabbing viciously into the same spot. After ten stabs, the old woman lying on the ground had long since stopped breathing. Only then did Gabriel let out a sigh of relief. He slowly stood up, supporting himself on the sofa. The knife clattered to the floor in the pool of blood. “Rachel Lee, I’m finally free of you.”These words he spoke aloud.

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