Scott was too shocked by everything. Everything happened at once, and those things were something he had never experienced before.
Ciara greedily nibbled his lips. Her tongue swept across Scott’s lips, and the movement caused the lower part of his body to tense up. Scott widened his eyes as he felt this unfamiliar sensation. What was even more terrifying, his wolf growled in delight at Ciara’s treatment of him.
Realizing that this could escalate further, he immediately gathered his strength to free himself from her. He jerked her hands and legs and then leaped back out of her reach.
Scott wiped his lips with the back of his hand, exhaling roughly.
“Nova!” Ciara whined. Her face turned sad, as if someone had just taken away her favorite toy.
“I’m not Nova!” Scott yelled. “And don’t do that to me again, or I’ll kill you!”
His shout echoed and shook the walls of the underground prison. His status as the future Alpha of Silvercrest gave him the ability to dominate other werewolves who held a lower position. Instantly, Ciara shuffled back in fear. She crawled backward until her back hit the wall.
Scott panted after releasing his emotions. His body still remembered the sensation from that kiss, and he hated it. He despised his own body and his wolf for betraying him, all because of a girl he had just met.
Despite appearing frightened, Ciara still looked at him with hope. As if Scott would jump back to her, giving her a chance to do the same thing again.
He should kill her now.
He left her and went up to the ground floor. There, he searched for something he could use to kill a werewolf. He rummaged through closets and drawers, hoping to find a silver knife or a silver bullet pistol.
He yanked open the drawers and slammed them onto the floor when he didn’t find what he was looking for. Foolish. Of course, those things weren’t here, he thought. Those weapons were only owned by human werewolf hunters.
What was Scott really thinking now?
He just wanted to get rid of the girl from his sight forever, but his wolf had an equally strong desire to keep her by his side.
Both of his hands rested on the edge of the table. His eyes were fixed on the stairs leading to the underground prison.
Right now, he couldn’t think clearly. He would leave her here and go back to Silvercrest. He needed time to think about his next steps.
Scott didn’t go back down there. He left the cabin and walked to where his car was parked.
---
When Scott arrived home, Gordon was already waiting for him on the porch. He stood up and walked towards Scott as soon as Scott got out of the car.
“What’s going on?” Gordon asked. His face looked anxious. “I was just out and didn’t bring my phone. Seems like there’s something very important.”
Then he looked at Scott from head to toe. “Have you just been in a fight? Is there a problem?”
For a moment, Scott wanted to talk about Ciara and his encounter with the Alliance, but he immediately abandoned the idea. Somehow, he didn’t want anyone to know about Ciara’s existence. At least not until he could gather information from her. He would only share what Gordon needed to know.
“The Alliance provided information about a rogue on the loose. I just want to make sure our patrol team is ready in case of a sudden attack.”
“Rogue?” Gordon frowned, one hand touching his chin. “Is he dangerous?”
“No,” Scott replied quickly. Perhaps too quickly, causing Gordon to furrow his brow.
“Are you sure?” he asked again.
“I hope so,” Scott corrected himself. He patted Gordon’s shoulder, trying to reassure him that everything was fine. “Don’t worry too much. Just boost our patrol team and report if there’s anything suspicious.” After saying that, Scott walked into his house.
Just a few steps across the yard, Gordon called after him.
“Hey, Scott.”
Scott stopped. His fists clenched. He closed his eyes briefly before turning to look over his shoulder. “Yes?”
“I hope you treat my daughter well.”
Hayley must have reported the morning’s incident to Gordon.
Scott pivoted on his heel and offered a faint smile. “I’ll try my best.” It was a diplomatic answer. Yeah, Scott couldn’t really promise that. Gordon probably saw him as a jerk. Scott was sure Gordon knew his motive for accepting this arranged marriage.
Gordon stood his ground. “I’m not asking you to love her. Just... don’t hurt her.”
Scott hesitated. Honestly, he was surprised by Gordon’s confession.
So, it didn’t matter if Scott didn’t love his daughter?
“From the beginning, I supported you becoming the Alpha. Hugh shouldn’t have set that ridiculous condition. Didn’t he know you despise women?”
Scott frowned. Was Gordon implying that he was willing to let his daughter marry Scott, who didn’t love her, just so Scott could become the Alpha? Truly, Scott didn’t want to confirm that.
Scott clenched his jaw and looked into Gordon’s eyes. “Thank you for your support,” he said. “But I hope you won’t sacrifice anyone here just to pave the way for me to become Alpha.”
Gordon raised an eyebrow, then chuckled mockingly. “Are you sure your words aren’t misplaced? Aren’t you doing the same thing now?” Gordon pressed his lips into a thin line. “Do you think I’m unaware?”
The truth Gordon spoke rendered Scott speechless. He could only remain silent while attempting to maintain his gaze on Gordon.
The drizzle grew heavier, and they still stood in Scott’s house yard.
“I don’t have a problem with that. You’re using Hayley. But remember, treat her well.”
Scott’s shoulders tensed. His hands clenched even tighter.
Gordon sighed and relaxed his stern expression. “See you at the event tomorrow.” Then he turned around and walked away from Scott.
Scott didn’t wait for Gordon to disappear from his sight. He immediately ran into the house to shower and change clothes.
The conversation with Gordon earlier had disturbed him, but more than that, it was the girl named Ciara who was occupying Scott’s thoughts now.
The underground prison was cold, and Ciara had only a blanket on. She must be hungry too...
Scott growled and cursed at himself.
What was he really thinking now?
Ciara, that girl, was a rogue. She was dangerous. She had almost killed Scott. And what Ciara had done to Scott should have been more than enough to make him hate her. But why was his wolf now urging Scott to think about Ciara’s condition? They should share the same hatred for that girl.
Scott should—
A thunderous roar made Scott’s mind pause for a moment. He was having dinner in the dining room when lightning flashed from the window across the table. Thunder struck again, this time so loudly that it rattled the glass windows.
Was the cabin safe? If he recalled correctly, the underground prison would get wet during rain, and there were a few leaky parts on the roof...
“Argh. Fuck.”
Scott slammed the fork and knife from his hands and ran out of the dining room.
Scott ran out of the house while taking off his clothes, and as soon as his feet touched the front yard, he had shifted. His four wolf legs now stepped on the wet ground, and he dashed through the pouring rain that accompanied him toward the cabin at the border.His mind was blank during the journey. He just kept running and running, his human side obediently giving in to the dominance of his wolf side. The wolf had now taken over his entire being, leading him to the girl, like his life was depending on her existence.Upon reaching the cabin, Scott stopped and returned to his human form. He stood in front of the stairs that led to the front door. His eyes stared blankly at the closed door.What was he really doing here?Raindrops drenched his body, hanging on the edges of his eyelashes. Scott roughly wiped his face before ascending the stairs and forcefully swinging the door open.The first thing he noticed was that the roof wasn’t leaking. However, the air inside was indeed freezing.
The chirping of birds in the morning awakened Ciara. She opened her eyes and saw the sunlight streaming through the window beside the bed. The storm from last night had left a refreshing breeze that made her take a deep breath. She shifted on the bed, trying to change her position, but couldn’t.Then she realized she was becoming someone’s captive. She squinted towards the man who was dozing off in the armchair on the other side of the bed. If she wasn’t mistaken, his name was Scott. And he looked so much like Nova. However, Ciara’s wolf never reacted the same way as it did when she saw Scott. There was something about this man that made her wolf desperately want to be near him. The kiss was just a small example of how big her desire toward him was. Ciara only mentioned Nova’s name as a distraction. What she truly wanted... was to kiss Scott. It was all her wolf’s request.Ciara grimaced as she stared at his face. When he was asleep like this, he didn’t look too terrifying. She was st
Scott had made up his mind. Ciara was not a dangerous werewolf.He had heard about the contrasting personalities of humans and their wolf counterparts, and he saw that in her. She was so different when she was fully human compared to when she transformed into a wolf.Ciara looked very weak and frightened. Her body trembled incessantly every time she saw him, like now.Scott quickly returned to his house to fetch some food and then came back to the cabin driving his car because it would be impossible for him to carry all this food when he shifted. As he walked into the cabin, he half expected Ciara to be gone from the room, and he would have to search all of Silvercrest forest to find her.When he opened the bedroom door and found her still lying on the bed and fast asleep, he sighed.He paused for a moment, gazing at the girl, then he slammed the door so hard that she jumped.“Let’s eat,” he said, holding a package in his hand.Ciara, who still seemed shocked by how Scott had awakened
“Scott?”“Sorry, Mila. I haven’t found him yet.”Scott’s clenched fist relaxed, and strangely, he felt relieved after lying to Mila.He couldn’t help but steal glances at Ciara continuously. Hopefully, she didn’t realize that he was talking about her.There was a disappointed sigh on the other end, and Mila cleared her throat. “Alright then,” she said. “Keep me updated on the progress. I hope you can deliver good news soon so I can stop receiving calls from them.”“Of course.” Scott nodded, hoping his voice didn’t sound shaky, like someone telling a lie. “Mila,” he called suddenly. There was something he wanted to ask.“What?”Scott got up from his chair and walked away. He stood at the exit door, blocking it in case Ciara thought of escaping. From here, he could also keep an eye on her without her seeing his face.When he spoke again, his voice was quieter. “Can you give me more information about this rogue? Maybe you can inquire about it from the pack that’s hunting him.”“Is that i
Hugh, who was chewing his food, choked and coughed until his eyes teared up. Meanwhile, Gordon nearly sprayed his drink from his mouth. Scott himself froze upon hearing Esme’s words.Having sex with Hayley?It’s not like Scott didn’t know about the bonding ceremony. All this time, pack members who had met their mates and started families often raved about it, about how magical and pleasurable it was when two people bound by fate united their bodies and left marks on each other. And for the women, it was one of the most beautiful and romantic moments of their lives.But for Scott, the experience was as nauseating as eating rotten meat. There was no other effect except making him feel sick.The crease on his face must have been quite evident because Esme tilted her head while looking in his direction. The remnants of her earlier smile still lingered on her lips.“What’s wrong, Scott? You surely know about it, don’t you?” Esme asked. Her eyes widened and gazed for a moment, as if a mad p
The main patrol base is located to the north and can be reached on foot within ten minutes from Hugh’s house.When Scott arrived there, the members of the patrol team on duty that night were gathered in an open hall, receiving instructions from Godrick, one of the five main members of the Silvercrest patrol team.All the members immediately stood at attention upon Scott’s arrival, even though he didn’t do anything. He just stood quietly in a corner with his arms crossed, observing each member one by one and listening to the instructions given by Godrick.Although almost everyone noticed his presence, some of the female members couldn’t take their eyes off Godrick because, as usual, he was only wearing knee-length cargo pants, leaving his fucking perfect abs exposed for them to see.Godrick didn’t like wearing a shirt. He claimed that it slowed him down when he shifted, and he didn’t want his shirt to tear if he didn’t have time to take it off during a transformation.Scott thought it
Ciara thrashed about on the bed. The chain rattled and repeatedly hit the floor and the edge of the bed until the wooden objects shattered into pieces.“Ciara!” Scott threw the food he was carrying onto a chair and hurried over to her. Sweat dripped down her body, and her blonde hair clung to her wet skin. She widened her eyes upon seeing him. The delicate blood vessels in the whites of her eyes were clearly visible, and her iris appeared cloudy.“Let me go!” she screamed.“What happened?!” Scott cupped her face, and she almost bit him. He released his grip and jerked backward.Her wolf's fangs emerged.It seemed her wolf wanted to break free. The desire was so strong that the wolf could resist the effects of the chain that bound it.“Give me the drug or let me go!” She cried out hysterically. The pain was evident in her wide eyes, and veins bulged and strained in her neck and around her jawline.She grimaced, revealing her partially emerged wolf fangs.Something was not right.“Ciara
Scott leaped through the window, and as he found himself outside the cabin, he had fully shifted. He raised his snout and sniffed the air, searching for Ciara’s presence in the scent she had left behind. The wind carried it to him. She was running westward, towards the border between Silvercrest territory and that of another pack, Moon Ashes.Scott had to find her quickly and drag her back here before the other werewolves found her.He grumbled incessantly and cursed his foolishness for letting himself feel sorry for her and for letting his guard down when she escaped. Despite her appearing innocent, she harbored a wilder wolf within her than any wolf Scott had ever encountered. He should have stayed vigilant.His wolf growled and stopped as they approached the territorial border. Her scent grew stronger, and Scott was sure she was close.Just as he was about to decide which way to go, something lunged at him from the side and knocked him down. As he fell and rolled, he grabbed the at