Chapter 284 Venice


    Leslie’s POV


    I lowered my gaze. Adler’s steady sandalwood pheromones still lingered faintly in the air, carrying a calmness that could almost soothe.


    But using that calm trust to stir another storm… that wasn’t my way of doing things.


    “Forget it,” I murmured, my voice edged with a weariness only I could hear. “I won’t drag someone else into this just for my own selfishness.”


    Because I knew well–Kirby’s paranoia and possessiveness targeted everything tied to me.


    He wouldn’t be swayed by a single photo. What had just happened was nothing more than him losing control in the heat of anger, Alpha instinct surging until reason snapped.


    I pulled my eyes away, lips curving into a faintly distant smile.


    “Good night, Alpha.”


    “Good night.” Adler inclined his head, his voice warm as ever, before turning down the hall, his tall frame fading into the dim light.


    I returned to my own room. The familiar pine scent of Rogue Pack surrounded me, loosening the tension in my shoulders.


    After a bath and slipping into a silk nightdress, Father Lars’s call came through, my two brothers visible on the screen beside him.


    Thorbane was speaking to me about Western Territory business, his brows knotted in their usual stern line. Even as we worked out details, the heaviness on his face never lifted.


    Before we could finish, Carl shoved his handsome face into the frame, loud and nosy as ever. “Leslie, is it true? Are you really with Adler now? That old Gold Empire Alpha–and hees with baggage!”


    I immediately felt a headache forming. In our family, Carl was the greatest source of gossip


    “No!” My tone carried a trace of impatience.


    “Good!” Carl exaggerated a sigh of relief before switching to his usual yboy charm. “Men are just for fun, don’t take it seriously. If you fall hard again, it’ll be hopeless. Remember how pathetic you looked, tiptoeing around Kirbyst time? None of us want to see that again”


    “Carl makes sense.” For once, Thorbane actually agreed with him.


    <b>9:09 </b>Fri, Sep <b>19 </b><b>G</b>…


    Chapter 284 Venice


    To them, no Alpha alive was worthy of me.


    +8 Pearls


    Father Lars, off to the side, finally ended the call with visible exasperation. Clearing his throat, his Lycan king’s pine scent flowed steady and reassuring. “Ignore those two brats. Leslie, whoever you choose to be with, your father won’t mind. Our family can afford it.”


    I blinked, thenughed aloud.


    “Yes, yes. But I still think strength matters more. With power, you can have as many men as you want, isn’t that right?”


    Lars nodded gravely. “That’s exactly the way to think.”


    I ended the call smiling, feeling lighter than before.


    The next morning, our journey continued.


    Kirby’s arrangements had been meticulous. Even though Adler was scheduled to leave that afternoon, he joined us for the morning leg of the trip.


    We arrived overseas. The air smelled of the sea, carrying a romance as soft as the sunlight glittering on water–like a jewel sparkling in the day.


    Here there were no noisy cars, only ancient buildings whispering stories of the neenth century, where time seemed to slow down.


    Without noticing, Father Lars and Adler walked side by side, absorbed in a discussion about governing their respective territories.


    Meanwhile, Eren clung tightly to my hand, his sweet, fruity scent brimming with joy, refusing to let go for even a moment.


    Send <b>Gifts </b>