r 307 The Candlelit Tug–of–War
<b>Eren’s </b>POV
I sat in the cushy backseat of the nanny van, ring across at the man opposite me.
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The nanny and the bodyguards were lined up beside me, quiet as mice, staring out the window like nothing was happening.
Across from me sat my dad, Adler, tapping away on his iPad, pretending to be busy with emails.
I puffed up my cheeks, hands on my hips, trying to make myself look bigger–like the future Alpha of Gold Pack ought to.
“Dad, get out!” I huffed. “This is my date with Muse, no third wheels allowed!”
I didn’t care who he was–tonight was <i>my </i>candlelit dinner with Muse!
He finally looked up, setting the iPad aside. His smile was all warm and gentle, the same one he used when tricking me into eating vegetables. “Eren, I happen to have some free time. I’ll talk business with Muse while we all eat. Nothing wrong with that, right?”
“Wrong!” I snapped, shaking my head hard.
Nobody could take my Muse away<i>. </i>Not even my dad.
His lips curved slyly, smile deeper. “If I don’t go, Kirby might show up and interrupt. Do you really want that?”
I froze.
Ugh. I definitely didn’t want Kirby there—always staring at Muse with that cold, creepy face. He was the <i>worst</i><i>. </i>But I still didn’t want Dad tagging along either.
Dad’s voice turned soft, coaxing. “Eren, you and I are family. If I get along with Muse, isn’t that the same as you getting along with her?”
He smiled like a cunning fox.
I blinked. Huh? That… almost made sense.
At least Dad wasn’t Kirby.
But then I straightened my back. “I can win Muse over myself. You don’t need to butt in!”
Dad’s smile froze. His face darkened.
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The nanny and the bodyguards peeked out the window again, their shoulders shaking like they were holding backughter.
I ignored them and pushed harder. “Dad, you should be focusing on making money. Muse and I–my wife, by the way–are gonna live off your inheritance!”
His face went darker still, his teeth clenched so tight I could hear it. His smile turned scary. “If you don’t let mee, you won’t <i>get </i>any inheritance.”
I gaped. No inheritance?
After thinking it over, I huffed. Fine. For the sake of the inheritance, I’d let this third wheel tag along.
But I still red at him. “You sit far away!”
<b>Leslie’s </b>POV
The nanny van rolled to a stop not far from Rogue Pack. Streemps bathed the road in amber, a faint citrus sweetness drifting in the air like ripe lemons.
I’d barely opened the door before a small figureunched at me, voice piping with joy. “Muse!”
I caught Eren easily, giving his soft cheeks a squeeze. Augh slipped from me. “Eren’s getting more handsome every day.”
His fruity scent was stronger up close, like sugared oranges, warm enough to melt something in my chest.
Asphodel muttered. <i>The </i><i>little </i><i>pup </i><i>knows </i><i>exactly </i><i>how </i><i>to </i><i>charm </i><i>you</i>.
Eren burrowed against me, cheeks flushed, eyes sparkling.
I lifted my gaze–and found Adler across from us. The nanny and guards kept their heads bowed, silent as stones<b>. </b>
I arched a brow. “Alpha?”
His presence was unexpected.
Adler inclined his head, smile calm as ever. “Eren invited me to join your dinner. You don’t mind, do you, Leslie?”
Before I could answer, Eren whipped around, ring at him with all the fierceness his tiny frame could muster. “Muse, if you mind, we’ll kick him out! Nobody’s allowed to bother us!”
His little fists clenched, eyes shining with determination as he all but begged me to send Adler
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Chapter 307 The Candlelit Tug–of–War
packing.
Asphodel chuckled low. <i>The </i><i>pup guards </i><i>you </i><i>like </i><i>a </i><b><i>treasure</i></b>.
I let out a softugh and smoothed his hair. “I don’t mind.”
His face immediately fell, puffed up like an angry bun.
I hid my smile, offering no further exnation.
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