Chapter 132
I stared at the tissue in Serena’s hand, my mind racing. There was no blood, no wound–nothing but perfectly smooth skin where a thorn had clearly punctured me just minutes ago.
“That’s… strange,” I mumbled, examining my ankle more closely. The skin where the thorn had plerced was completely healed, not even a trace of the injury remained. Even for a werewolf with enhanced healing abilities, this was unusually
fast.
“Boss?” Serena’s voice snapped me back to reality. She looked concerned, her brow furrowed as she studied my face.
I plastered on a reassuring smile. “Let’s go. We need to get back to the hotel.”
“But your ankle-”
“Must have just been dirt,” I cut her off, unwilling to discuss this particular mystery with my assistant, no matter how loyal she was. “Get in, please.”
Serena hesitated before climbing into the car beside me. O trembling slightly.
“Boss, I was really scared. I thought I’d never find you again.”
inside, she reached over and gripped my hand, her fingers
I laughed softly, squeezing her hand. “Silly girl. Did you think the forest would swallow me whole?”
“No, but you went missing as a child once…” Her voice trailed off, eyes dropping to our joined hands. “If something happened to you again, I just-”
“I’m fine,” I assured her, touched by her genuine concern. “No need to worry.”
***
The brightness of the hotel lobby assaulted my eyes after the darkness of the forest road. I blinked, adjusting to the light as we stepped through the revolving doors. That’s when I spotted him–a familiar figure lounging in one of the plush chairs near the reception desk.
“Good evening, Lysandra.”
Beta Varian rose from his seat, a slight smile playing on his lips. His presence caught me completely off guard.
“Varian?” I frowned, suddenly feeling exposed and disheveled. “What are you doing here?”
He looked surprised by my question. “We’re staying here, same as you.”
I mentally kicked myself. Of course they were. I’d been so focused on avoiding Tristan that I hadn’t cons staying at the same hotel as other pack representatives.
“Right,” I muttered, forcing a polite smile. “Of course.”
od they’d be
This explained how Tristan had known which room to send those red roses to. My lips tightened at the realization.
After exchanging brief pleasantries, we continued toward the elevators, leaving Varian behind. Once we were out of
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Chapter 132
earshot, Serena leaned closer.
“Boss, how do you know Alpha Tristan’s Beta?” she whispered, curiosity evident in her voice.
I paused, considering my response. “We talked at a party. He’s a gentleman, unlike his Alpha.”
I couldn’t help wondering why Tristan kept appearing in my life. What did he want from me? His actions were increasingly confusing–one moment threatening, the next seemingly protective. None of it made sense, especially given our bitter
past.
“Boss,” Serena ventured as we approached my room, “about the news this morning… is it true?”
I glanced at her, immediately understanding her implications. She’d seen the mark on my neck last night before I’d concealed it, and today she’d witnessed Tristan carrying me out of the forest. No wonder she was confused.
“That news is completely false,” I said firmly. “There is nothing between that man and me.”
Serena couldn’t quite suppress her smile. “Boss, you know what the office girls are saying? They think Silverblood’s Alpha and our Kieran are ‘fighting‘ over you.” Her lips quirked mischievously while maintaining respectful boundaries. “I shouldn’t say this, but yesterday at the party, if looks could kill, there would have been two dead bodies on that floor.”
I nearly stumbled, caught off guard by her forwardness.
“Honestly, Boss,” she continued cautiously, “if I had to choose between an ice–cold Alpha and a sunshine Beta, I think most women would pick Kieran.” Then she added with professional playfulness, “Though Alpha Tristan is certainly… commanding.”
I raised an eyebrow, both amused and exasperated by her gossip. “That’s enough, Serena. Office rumors are always exaggerated about a hundred times.”
Serena’s cheeks flushed slightly. “Sorry, Boss. I just… I always thought you and Beta Kieran were together, so seeing Alpha Tristan with you was quite shocking.”
always wind of
I frowned, clarifying once again, “Kieran and I don’t have that kind of relationship either. He’s just my friend.”
Serena’s mouth fell open in surprise.
I sighed, realizing almost everyone in the pack had misunderstood my relationship with Kieran. My brother’s not–so–subtle matchmaking attempts had clearly fueled these misperceptions.
The moment I got to my room, I collapsed onto the bed without bothering to change or wash up. Exhaustion seeped into my bones, the events of the day finally catching up with me.
Staring at the ceiling, I wondered how my life had become so chaotic.
Maybe I should resign from my position at Ravencroft Enterprises. Step back from the spotlight. Remo Tristan’s orbit entirely.
self from
But I couldn’t just retreat. My parents and Alaric had such high expectations for me. The pack respected me as a responsible female leader. My children needed to see their mother standing tall, not cowering from challenges.
No, I would face whatever came my way. I’d walk through fire if necessary.
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Chapter 132
I closed my eyes, trying to quiet my racing thoughts. That’s when Astrid, my purple wolf, spoke up.
You shouldn’t have clawed him.
I opened my eyes but didn’t respond.
You know he can’t heal that wound.
A small smile tugged at my lips as I imagined Tristan discovering his injury wouldn’t heal with his usual werewolf speed. Good. Let him suffer a bit. Next time I’d claw his heart.
If he wanted to-
“Astrid,” I interrupted, speaking aloud to my inner wolf, “if you ever had to choose between me and him, would you pick
him over me?”
How could I? We are one… just like he and his wolf, as you saw tonight.
I fell silent, thinking about tomorrow’s return to our pack. What would Alarie say about the news article? How would I explain everything that happened? My eyelids grew heavy as these questions swirled in my mind, and before I knew it, I’d drifted off to sleep.
***
Morning arrived with harsh sunlight streaming through windows I’d forgotten to close. I dragged myself to the bathroom, showering quickly before slipping into a long summer dress that conveniently hid my ankles. No need to invite questions about miraculous healing.
I called Serena to arrange our flight back to Moonshade Pack, packed my bags, and headed out to meet her by the elevators. Together, we made our way to the reception desk to check out.
As the receptionist processed my payment, a young boy approached, holding a bouquet of deep red roses identical to the ones I’d received before.
“Miss Ravencroft?” he asked tentatively.
I nodded, already knowing who they were from without needing to ask. Taking the bouquet, I glanced at the small card tucked among the blooms.
Goodbye, Lysandra Ravencroft.
My eyes narrowed as I scanned the lobby, quickly spotting Tristan Wolfbane sitting in the lounge area, coffee cup in hand, watching for my reaction.
Without hesitation, I located the nearest trash can, walked over with deliberate steps, and dropped the tire bouquet
inside.
Turning back toward Tristan, I saw anger flash across his face at my public rejection. I offered him a smug smile before returning to Serena, who stood frozen in shock.
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