Chapter 166
Elena examined my face with the insight only a mother could possess, seeing through my assurances to the exhaustion I couldn’t hide. ‘Your eyes tell a different story, dear. But I won’t press.” She patted my hand gently, ‘Go upstairs and rest. I’ll call you when dinner is ready.
I woke the next morning with sunlight filtering through the curtains. I felt more refreshed than I had in days. For a moment, I smiled, catching the remnants of a pleasant dream–Derek visiting my mother, bringing the best doctors of the Darkwood Pack to examine her heart condition.
Then I remembered everything. The humiliation at the party. Derek’s cold proposition. My reluctant agreement–my smile faded as these thoughts flooded my mind.
My phone vibrated on the bedside table. I had received several messages from someone in the administrative department about an important meeting tonight at the Darkwood Club. Why hadn’t anyone informed me of this beforehand?
The phone rang, and I answered, my voice still tinged with sleep. “Hello?”
“Good morning, Miss Blackwood. I apologize for calling so early, but there have been important changes to the Alpha’s
schedule that I forgot to tell you about last night.”
“The Alpha’s schedule?” I felt confused. “I thought I had already…”
“Oh, I forgot to mention. The Alpha instructed me to temporarily handle his scheduling until you returned to your position. So these responsibilities fell to me while you were absent.”
“There’s an important meeting scheduled for tonight,” the colleague continued. “It will be held at the Moonlight Club. As the Alpha’s personal secretary, you must accompany the Alpha. I’ve already sent you the details.”
After ending the call, I checked my messages to find the information about the meeting–an important gathering of pack. members and business partners at the Moonlight Club, starting at 8 PM. I would need to assist Derek throughout the evening, taking notes and making introductions.
I felt nervous at the thought of spending the entire evening by Derek’s side, especially in public. What would people think? What would they say? More importantly, how would I handle being so close to him for so long when my body reacted so strongly to his presence?
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my phone. I didn’t want to acknowledge that I looked forward to seeing him again. I hated myself for feeling this way, hated that even knowing what he truly wanted from me, I still craved his attention.
Downstairs, I found Mom preparing breakfast. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of venison sausage. As I sat down, I checked my phone again, finding a dozen missed calls from Aaron. My wolf grew uneasy at the thought that my brother might have discovered I’d returned to work at Stone Group.
“Where are you going today? I can smell your nervousness,” Mom said, placing a plate in front of me.
“I have an important meeting tonight, I said, sipping the tea she had prepared.
“What’s wrong, my little wolf cub? Is there something you need to tell your mother?” She placed her hand over mine, warm and familiar.
‘I’ll be home very late tonight. Please don’t wait for me for dinner, and don’t worry about me.”
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Mom frowned. I’m beginning to regret letting you work at Stone Group. Your brother called me. You know what Aaron is like when he’s angry. He somehow found out about your position at Stone Group. He asked me why I was allowing you to put yourself in danger there.”
I nearly spat out my tea. “Mom, Aaron called you recently?”
“Yes, last night. He said he’s been trying to reach you many times, but you haven’t responded.”
- felt a knot tighten in my stomach. If Aaron knew I had agreed to Derek’s proposition, he would be furious. How would I explain my decision to my overly protective brother?
I wanted to tell Mom everything–about Derek being my Soul Bond, about his proposition, about my confused feelings. But I couldn’t add to her worries, especially with her heart condition.
“I’ll be home late tonight,” I said, squeezing her hand. “Please don’t worry, and remember to take your medication on time. I don’t want you to forget to take care of yourself because you’re worried about me.”
“Alright, be careful,” she said, kissing my forehead.
The hallways of Silvermoon Academy were already crowded with students when I arrived. I hurried to Professor Wilson’s class, knowing I was already a few minutes late because I’d spent too much time talking with my mother.
I knocked on the door, then entered. Everyone turned to look at me, and I immediately felt uncomfortable.
“May I come in, Professor Wilson?” I asked, standing in the doorway.
Professor Wilson looked at me over his silver–framed glasses, his expression stern. “Blackwood, why have you been absent
from my classes repeatedly?”
“I’m very sorry, Professor. I wasn’t feeling well,” I lied, trying not to appear nervous.
“Strange, because you look perfectly healthy. I don’t smell any illness on you.” The professor’s voice was filled with
sarcasm.
I felt my face heat as everyone stared at me. “I apologize. It won’t happen again. May I go to my seat now?”
“Wait. Why are you walking in that direction?” Professor Wilson raised an eyebrow.
“Because that’s my seat?” I stopped, not understanding.
“In my classroom, students must sit with their assigned research groups. Those are the rules, which you should know.” He spoke with the authority of an older Beta wolf. “Erin Blackwood, sit next to Bradley Stone. Your group project has been delayed long enough.”
My wolf growled inside me, not liking being ordered around. But I knew the professor had authority in the classroom. Reluctantly, I walked toward Bradley, who watched me with an expression that mixed satisfaction and nervousness.
As I crossed the classroom, I heard the whispers:
*Did you hear? She’s dating the Alpha now.”
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“I heard he fired her yesterday.”
“No, look how confident she is. She must have regained his favor.”
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