Chapter 16 Do I Like Her Scent?


    Henry’s POV


    “Aubrey!”


    I suddenly stood up and growled her name.


    in Pears


    That split second–when she kissed me—I actually felt something like an electric jolt? What the hell kind of joke was that? Over a shameless woman like her?


    “You have no shame!” I snarled.


    Aubrey looked up at me, those amber eyes wet and wide like an innocent <i>doe </i>in the forest–but the words that came from her cherry–pink lips were anything but innocent.


    “Alpha, if you say I’m ying hard to get, then I’ll prove you right. If you say I have no shame, then I’d better get my money’s worth.”


    She grinned slyly, speaking fast. “If you find me disgusting, you can just avoid me from now on.”


    She shed her little canine teeth when she spoke, like a small she–wolf baring her ws. I narrowed my eyes. Aubrey used to cling to me all the time, but she was timid to the bone. How did she turn into apletely different person in just one day?


    I was about to ask her when my mother suddenly walked in. The moment she saw how close we were standing, her whole face lit up with joy.


    Damn it. She definitely thought we were whispering sweet nothings to each other…


    I instinctively stepped back–but that little woman in front of me backed away even faster, with a look on her face like she couldn’t wait to get away. That irritated, dismissive expression made my chest feel tight for


    no reason.


    “What were you two talking about?” my mother asked with a smile.


    “Nothing, Madam…”


    Aubrey instantly switched back to her obedient mode, her voice soft as honey. “I should be going. I’ve been out too long–my father might worry.”


    Mom reluctantly walked her to the door, reminding her over and over to visit often. Aubrey nodded sweetly to every word,pletely docile–like that sharp–tongued little wild wolf from earlier was nothing but a dream.


    Watching her walk away, I suddenly started wondering… which one was the real her?


    “Callen?” I called out to my wolf in my mind. “What the hell happened back there?” As an Alpha with top- tier hunting instincts, my wolf should’ve sensed the kissing before it happened.


    It was a long time before Callen finally responded, a little uncertain.


    “I… I don’t know. In that moment… I think I kind of liked her scent?”


    Aubrey’s POV


    Chapter 16 Do Like Her Scent?


    The butler sent someone to drive me home. I didn’t turn it down–mainly because I was broke. I didn’t even have money for a cab.


    Kind of funny, actually… who would’ve thought the former fiancée of an Alpha was t broke<i>? </i>


    Everything I’d saved up came from the little allowances my grandparents gave me when I was a kid. I hardly spent any of it and had saved it all up.


    Butter, I spent everyst cent on installing the security system.


    Dad never cared about household finances, and my stepmother definitely wasn’t giving me a dime. The school tuition and dorm fees had all been paid upfront. The clothes I wore were cheap, ugly knockoffs picked out by my stepmother. At school, my sister and I both had the samest name<i>–</i>Mary–but no one ever knew we were sisters. The difference was just too stark. And my dad actually thought I liked those clothes, thought I liked dressing old–fashioned.


    Every time I had to go to a formal event, my stepmother would reluctantly help me clean up a bit for the sake of appearances. Dad would see me and say things like, “You should dress like this more often. You look nice.”


    Every single time, I stayed silent. I didn’t have nice clothes to wear. The dresses I wore to those events were always “borrowed” from my sister. But back then, I never dared to speak up. I didn’t even know how.


    Sitting in the Miguel family’s luxury car, watching the scenery roll by outside, my mind was all over the ce. In this second life, I was determined to bepletely independent. I’d never be that passive girl. again. First step: financial independence.


    Money really is the foundation of freedom…


    Soon, the car reached a wealthy district inside the pack. I got out at the gate.


    Our house was a gorgeous, high–end vi. From the outside, it looked rich and luxurious. But I knew better. than anyone how dark it was on the inside. I’d rather live in a cottage in the woods than step back into that ce.


    But the cottage was gone. So now, I had to return to the battlefield and take back what was mine.


    “Well, look who actually came back. I thought you went off the rails and decided not toe home.”


    Bailey blocked my way the moment I stepped inside, her face twisted with mockery.


    “Had fun with those two werewolvesst night, did you?”


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