Chapter 24 You Seem Terrified


    Hayley


    "Not feeling well?" Benjamin asked, his tone almost clinical.


    Finished


    Before I could reply, Ivana intervened, “Hayz might still be recovering. Perhaps you should take her home.”


    Her underlying motive was clear-she was trying to par us off. I sighed inwardly, wondering what made her think Benjamin was a suitable match for me.


    "Alright," Benjamin agreed, without a hint of reluctance.


    “Thank you,” I managed, forcing a smile as I nced at his unyielding expression.


    The situation was undeniably awkward. My aunt''s actions made it seem as though some divine force had. deemed Benjamin my destined mate, and failing toply would result in dire consequences.


    The driver took the front seat while Benjamin and I sat in the back.


    Instinctively, I edged away, trying to create some space.


    Benjamin noticed and frowned. "Are you afraid of me?


    Iughed awkwardly. “No, I just didn''t want you to sit on my clothes.”


    He smirked, a rare and unsettling sight. "Is that so?"


    Was that a smile?


    It caught me off guard, making him seem almost intimidating.


    I coughed, trying to shift my focus away from him. Eventually, sleep overtook me.


    Half-asleep, I saw a familiar sign sh past the window,


    Forgetting Ranin


    was beside me, I blurted, "Stop here, I want to get some snacks."


    Benjamin paused, then instructed the driver. “Turn around and stop at the snack bar we just passed"


    The driverplied, and we parked in front of an old sign.


    "Sorry, this won''t take long." I said, leaping out of the car and heading straight for the shop.


    “Shopkeep, I''ll have this, this... and this... I ordered enthusiastically, only to realize Benjamin was standing behind me.


    "Why did you get out?" I asked, surprised.


    I''m hungry too. Is that a problem?” Benjamin replied, his tone matter-of-fact.


    "No, no problem. I wiped my brow and paid. “Shopkee, another set of the same, please."


    Chapter 24 You Seem Terrified


    “This one''s for you,” I said, offering Benjamin his share


    a


    #Finished


    He frowned slightly, and I quickly exined, "It''s just thank you for hosting my aunt for dinner. If you think it''s too cheap, I can treat you to a proper meal next time."


    Benjamin nced at the food, took it, and said, “Spare me.”


    I dug into my food, savoring the rich vors. The best meals often came from the most unexpected ces.


    Benjamin watched me, his icy demeanor softening a fraction. He then turned to the owner. "Pack this up, please."


    I couldn''t shake the feeling that Benjamin was missing the point of good food. “Don''t you know the best way to enjoy these snacks is to eat them fresh, right after they''re made?"


    "I didn''t realise that," Benjamin admitted, contemting my words with a thoughtful expression.


    I blinked in surprise at his response, then returned to my food.


    Once we were back in the car, I ignored his look of disapproval and deliberately pressed a piece of snack toward him. He hesitated before mimicking me, taking a cautious bite and chewing slowly.


    Astonished, he remarked, "It''s actually rather good...


    I grinned. “Of course it is." A new sense of warmth toward him began to grow.


    Without warning, the driver mmed on the brakes to dodge a wounded werewolf that had appeared. suddenly. "Sorry about that,” the driver said apologetically.


    I was jolted forward, my snacks nearly flying out of my grasp as I tumbled into Benjamin''s arms.


    "Watch yourself," he said, steadying me by holding my shoulders.


    As I settled against him, 1 became aware of a strange, almost intoxicating scenting from him.


    My wolf, Hera, stirred within me, restless and eager.


    "What is this?" I asked Hera, my voiceced with confusion.


    "Could Benjamin be our destined mate?"