Chapter 276 Rain and Shadows


    Kirby’s POV


    When I woke in the morning, a light rain still fell outside, fine and gentle, soaking the cobblestones of the castle paths.


    +8 Pearls


    I rubbed my forehead, the wheelchair beside the bed a sharp reminder that I still had to keep up this charade of an invalid.


    Mch pushed me slowly down from the upper floor to the dining hall, the wheels squeaking softly against the wooden floor.


    My eyes swept the kitchen, but Leslie was nowhere in sight. A faint hollowness rose in my chest.


    I furrowed my brows, hiding the feeling, and lifted the coffee cup on the table for a sip.


    Across from me, Lars cleared his throat, his voice low. “Leslie went to visit the school. She’s already out.”


    His


    gaze was calm, carrying the weight of a Lycan king, as if it were a casual remark.


    My eyes flickered, heartbeat quickening. I coughed twice to cover it. “I’ll go as well.”


    I tried to keep my tone casual, but urgency stirred inside me.


    Lars’s gaze dropped to the wound at my lower back, his eyes so deep they made me restless. “You’re still injured. You think you can sit in that chair and roll around wherever you like?”


    His voice carried a faint edge of mockery, probing.


    My throat tightened. I coughed again, covering the difort of being seen through.


    The pride of a Crimson Moon Alpha refused to let me admit weakness. I kept my voice even. “Then send more people. She needs protection.”


    <i>You </i><i>just </i><i>can’t </i>let her go, Lance muttered inside me with a growl.


    “Rx, Shane is with her.” Lars’s tone softened, reassuring.


    I paused, then turned to Mch. “Take Mch as well.”


    That


    gamma bodyguard was reliable, but Mch’s worth went beyond simple protection.


    Lars gave him a quick nce before nodding. “Fine. One more is better than one less. Go.” His calm carried theposure of a king.


    9:08 Fri, Sep 19 B…


    Chapter 276 Rain and Shadows


    Mch immediately nodded. “Rest assured.”


    +8 Pearls


    As my beta aide for years, he and I had long shared a silent understanding. Some things didn’t need to be said for him to know exactly what to do.


    Leslie’s POV


    I had packed my things and stepped out of the castle, only to find Mch and Shane facing off at the entrance. The air between them was tense, like two wolves locked in a silent contest.


    I frowned, letting a trace of pine scent seep out. “What are you doing here?” My tone was edged with impatience as my eyes swept toward Mch.


    Shouldn’t he be with Kirby?


    Mch lifted his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips, his tone respectful. “Alpha Kirby asked me to serve as your temporary escort.”


    I pressed my tongue to my teeth, raising a brow. “You, a bodyguard?”


    I gave him a slow once–over. <i>He </i><i>doesn’t </i><i>look </i>like <i>he </i>can <i>fight</i>, Asphodel snorted in my mind.


    “Yes. Alpha Lars agreed another escort wouldn’t hurt,” Mch said evenly, as if stating fact.


    I twitched my lips, unwilling to argue further. “Suit yourself.”


    Turning, I strode toward the car.


    Mch followed at a measured distance, neither too near nor too far.


    After a moment of hesitation, he spoke quietly. “Actually,st night’s fireworks show… Alpha Kirby arranged it for you.” His pine scent wavered, as though testing my reaction.


    My steps faltered for an instant, a ripple stirring inside me, but I quickly smoothed it over and kept walking as if nothing had changed. “Got it.”


    <i>He </i><i>must </i><i>be </i><i>sulking</i><i>, </i>Asphodel sneered, <i>that </i><i>wolf </i>didn’t <i>tell </i><i>you </i><i>himself </i><ist </i><i>night</i><i>. </i><i>He’ll </i>be <i>disappointed</i>.


    I didn’t answer. My gaze turned to the car window. Raindrops streaked across the ss, blurring


    the view.


    The ride was smooth. Outside, European–style buildings loomed through the rain, old and solemn. The campus air carried a rigorous academic atmosphere, and the familiar sights tugged at old memories.


    My father, Lars, had once taken me to seek out masters all over the world. Most of them were reclusive, always traveling like Master Wei, but the one I hade to see now was different–he


    9:08 Fri, Sep 19 G.


    Chapter 276 Rain and Shadows


    lived here permanently.


    <b>89 </b>


    +8 Pearls


    This ce carried countless deep memories, etched into me like the Rogue Pack’s own mark.


    Mch and Shane kept a tactful distance, trailing behind.


    Atst, I reached a refined little building at the back of the school and stopped.


    Turning my head slightly, I said, “You and Shane wait outside. I’ll be back after I see my mentor.”


    Send Gifts