Chapter 317
The Silent Ride
Third Person POV
(49)
+8 Pearls
John saw she wouldn’t take the cup, so he set it right down on the table before Aubrey and plopped himself in the seat across from her.
Leaning closer, lowering his voice, he asked, “Ms. Mary, do you know who the wolf is that’s been doing the live experiments? I’m really curious, but Dr. Gino and the others won’t tell me anything.”
Aubrey arched a brow. She hadn’t expected her identity to be kept so secret. By rights, John was Alpha Henry’s cousin―he should have clearance to know. But then, John had been wandering for years. Caution wasn’t a bad thing.
“You think I’d tell you?” Aubrey replied evenly, still eating.
John looked disappointed but didn’t push further. “Fine, I’ll find out eventually. When I do, I’m going to make him my best friend. He’s my hero!”
“What if it’s a she?” Aubrey asked, amused.
“Pfft… no way. A female wolf enduring experiments like that?” John shot back instinctively. But the second the words left his mouth, he saw Aubrey’s expression darken.
He realized his blunder instantly. How could he belittle female wolves right in front of one?
He hurried to apologize, but Aubrey’s face didn’t soften. She finished her meal quickly in silence and walked away, leaving the “drink” untouched on the table.
John clenched the cup in frustration. He had to find a way to get her to drink it. Justin had promised it was a magic potion–once she drank it, Aubrey would fall for him.
Aubrey, however, didn’t give the incident another thought.
After a brief night’s rest, she threw herself back into the lab, moving nonstop,
Three days later, Barry called her out. Adelyn wanted her and Alpha Henry to attend a banquet together.
Aubrey meant to refuse, but under Adelyn’s gentle, hopeful gaze, the word stuck in her throat. Besides, just last night the antidote serum had been completed. The hardest part was already behind them.
Chapter 317 The Silent Ride
49
+8 Pearls
She changed into a gown, and when she got into the car, she found Alpha Henry already waiting in the back seat.
She said nothing, just sat down and closed her eyes at once.
Henry’s throat tightened. The last few days had cooled his temper, but regret gnawed at him. He knew exactly what Aubrey’s feelings for him had once meant, and yet in his fury he had used them to wound her. It was sheer stupidity.
He stole a glance at her face. Pale, tired, shadows under her eyes–Barry had said she hadn’t been sleeping, working day and night to push the research forward.
Not that he was any better. Nights had become torture; every time he thought of her, he couldn’t rest. Still, pride forced him to mask it.
Halfway through the drive, Aubrey stayed so still she seemed to be meditating. Henry wrestled with himself, wanting to speak, unsure how. Finally, in a stiff, dry voice, he said, “I heard the antidote’s complete. Testing has already begun?”
Xavier had come to him yesterday, beaming with excitement. But Henry had felt no joy. This was the kind of news he wanted to share with Aubrey–but she hadn’t even come to him.
Aubrey cracked her eyes open, murmured, “Mm,” and shut them again.
What was he supposed to say to that?
Heat flared in Henry’s chest. But then he thought—she’s exhausted. Maybe she’s just too tired to talk.
Clinging to that excuse, he tried again. “When we get there, stay close to me. Don’t wander.”
It sounded harsh, so he added, almost awkwardly, “The York family is hosting. Harold York once competed with me for the Shadowmoon alpha seat. He lost, and we’ve been at odds since. But his daughter recently married the alpha King’s son. That makes this banquet unavoidable. Still… we need to be careful.”
This time Aubrey didn’t even open her eyes. “Mm.”
It was unbearable.
Henry’s breath came faster, his fists tight as he tried to rein in his fury. But he couldn’t. The more she ignored him, the more it cut.
“Are you even listening to me?!”
He reached out, seized her chin, and forced her face toward his. And in that moment, Aubrey’s eyes opened fully…