Chapter 23
23 Why
Aubrey’s POV
+8 Pearl
What! I was utterly shocked–Alpha Henry was my fate mate? This was ridiculous; I had just decided to stop loving him and had already broken off our engagement!
Oh, he’s so handsome; so powerful; I love him! Ella had fallen head over heels and urged me to get closer to him.
I frowned; at that moment, Alpha Henry glanced at me out of the car; he frowned as well.
“I should be asking why you’re here; are you following me?” he sneered, in a tone cold enough to lower Arctic temperatures.
I gave a bitter laugh; but Ella blurted excitedly, Oh, my Lunar Oath–look at him; even when he’s being mean, he’s so handsome!
I suddenly felt completely drained of strength and composure.
In werewolf school textbooks, I had studied the concept of fate mates. I knew that Lunar Oath paired each werewolf with one, and the bond between them carried an irresistible attraction; but surely, that didn’t apply to me and Alpha Henry.
Ella, calm down. He’ll never be with me; he despises me, I explained helplessly. Under Ella’s insistent questions, I promised that once this matter was over, I would tell her everything about my past with Alpha Henry. Finally, she quieted down.
“Answer me, Omega.” My silence had clearly displeased Alpha Henry; he stared me down.
“Why not say you’re following me, Alpha?” I shot back.
Alpha Henry raised a brow; he seemed a little surprised at my tone. He looked into my eyes and said slowly, “I got here first.”
My face flushed slightly.
Just then, a man who looked like a bodyguard approached and reported to Alpha Henry.
“Alpha, Vivian isn’t home; there are no signs of forced entry, but there’s a note on the door. It looks hastily written says she went back to her hometown for a few days.”
Alpha Henry frowned sharply; he replied without hesitation, “Vivian isn’t someone who would leave without a word; notify her family…”
“She’s still here!”
I raised my voice, cutting him off.
I looked at him, my expression complicated. “So, Vivian is your chief secretary?”
Back in the werewolf research institute, when I’d been lying on the hospital bed having blood drawn, the wolf doctor had tried to distract me with the news; so I had watched the entire victim list on TV. Vivian’s profile had been listed–she was a powerful career woman. The broadcast hadn’t mentioned her position; now I learned she was Alpha Henry’s chief secretary. The world truly was small:
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15:50 Sat, 9 Aug
23 Why
Alpha Henry noticed I hadn’t left; hearing me mention Vivian’s name, he sneered.
“What business is it of yours? You seem to know an awful lot about the people around me.” sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ƒindNoᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access s of novels early and in the highest quality.
+8 Pearls
His tone and attitude were nasty; but I had no time to explain. I walked past his car toward the apartment; saving her came first!
At Vivian’s door, I knocked; there really was no one home.
But Vivian had clearly died here–in her own home….
Suddenly, I remembered the crime scene photos from the news; Vivian had been killed in a narrow space- which meant her home likely had a hidden room!
Of course; as Alpha Henry’s chief secretary, there were probably things too unsafe to store openly; a secret space would be the perfect solution…
With that thought, I calmed down; I knew that just beyond this door, the killer was probably watching me!
“Saul; I know you’re in there.”
My voice was steady–not too loud or soft. This door was well soundproofed, but not that good.
Since I couldn’t pry open this reinforced electronic security door, I had to make him open it himself.
There was no response inside. I remained patient and continued.
“The werewolf police have surrounded your home and already found the head you hid; I reported it. I’ve been tracking you; so I know you’re in there. Are you sure you won’t let me in?”
I took out my powered–off phone. “I came here alone; I only want to talk. Or… shall I call the police?”
At that moment, I heard a faint click–the door actually opened!
My heart leapt. I pushed the door wide open; the long entryway appeared empty. I took a deep breath and stepped inside–but after only a few steps, something felt wrong!
I turned sharply; a shadow flashed–then everything went black as a werewolf figure leaped down from above, claws slashing toward my face! He had been hiding above the door; and without a word, he intended. to kill me to silence me!
Ella! I screamed in my mind.
But faster than Ella’s response came a powerful Alpha aura from behind; arms wrapped around me, pulling me swiftly away–then that figure charged inside alone, transforming midair into a wolf and slamming Saul violently to the ground!
The scent of blood grew thick; looking down, I saw three deep claw marks on Henry’s left arm–gashes down to the bone. Blood ran down his slender fingers, blooming red across my skirt.
Why… The word caught in my throat; my voice no longer sounded like my own. If not for protecting me- he wouldn’t have been wounded like this.