<b>Leslie’s </b>POV
+8 Pearis
Adler and I stepped out of the restaurant, the stench of Leiss and Ruben’s little performance still hanging in the air like smoke after a fire.
My pine pheromones carried an edge, sharp as my mood.
Asphodel snarled inside me. <i>Crimson </i><i>Moon’spdogs </i><i>dared </i><i>to </i><i>nder </i><i>you</i><i>, </i>Leslie. <i>Next </i>time<i>, </i><i>teach </i><i>them </i><i>properly</i>.
I ignored her, breathing in the night air.
Adler took me somewhere quieter afterward—a small countryside bistro, modest, grounded. Simple food, no prying eyes. It gave me a moment to exhale after all that noise.
When my phone buzzed–business as usual, always urgent–he offered to drive me back. I didn’t refuse.
At thepany doors, he turned to me, sandalwood warm and steady, his voice carrying weight. “Until next time.”
I nodded, though Leiss‘ clumsy words still echoed in my head–his attempt to weaponize my past with Kirby, to scare Adler off. Those barbs stung more than I cared to admit.
Asphodel bristled. <i>That </i><i>Beta </i>worm <i>dared </i><i>call </i><i>you </i><i>weak</i>? <i>Let </i><i>me tear </i><i>his </i><i>tongue </i><i>out</i><i>! </i>
I pressed her down, hesitated, then decided this was the moment to make my stance clear. “Alpha, what Leiss said… not all of it was a lie.”
I searched his eyes, waiting for a flicker of doubt. Instead, he only smiled, calm and unwavering. “Only those who drown in the past are truly pitiful. Leslie, you don’t seem to trust me. That makes me a little sad.”
The words caught me off guard, striking a chord I hadn’t expected.
I raised a brow<i>, </i>ready to respond, but the phone buzzed again–this time sharper, insistent.
A nce <b>at </b>the screen, then I inclined my head to Adler. “I have to go.”
Without another word, I left him at the curb.
The elevator doors closed around me. I answered, tone clipped. “What is it?”
11:04 Sat, <b>Sep </b><b>20 </b>
Chapter 324 The Wave Pack’s Visit
<b>74 </b>
+8 Pearls
Liam’s voice came steady but edged with tension. “Leslie, Charlotte from Wave Pack is here. And she brought Amelia.”
I froze. My mind sharpened instantly.
Wave Pack.
Charles, their Alpha, had humiliated me overseas. My retaliation had been simple–I turned to their sworn rivals, Thunder Pack. Apparently, Wave Pack couldn’t sit still anymore.
Asphodel gave a contemptuousugh. <i>“</i><i>Sea </i><i>dogs</i>. <i>They </i><i>bite </i><i>hard </i><i>in </i><i>their </i>own <i>kennel </i><i>but </i><i>yelp </i><i>when </i>
<i>cornered</i><i>. </i>
I’d known this day woulde. Not so soon, perhaps, but inevitable.
Charlotte was no fool, but Amelia… poor Amelia was just a pawn, dragged here to y her
“Understood,” I said coolly. “I’ll handle it.”
part.
At the door of the reception room, I paused.
Charlotte’s shrill scolding carried through, each word barbed. Amelia’s silence was a contrast- tight, tear–heavy, like a trapped fawn.
Asphodel sneered. <i>Don’t </i><i>let </i><i>Omega </i><i>tears fool </i><i>you</i><i>, </i><i>Leslie</i>. <i>How </i><i>many </i><i>times </i><i>have </i><i>you </i><i>already </i><i>been </i>yed?
I lifted a brow, letting my pheromones ripple–pine sharp with impatience.
Liam stood nearby, shoulders shrugged, voice dry. “They’ve been at it nearly two hours. You used to it.”
I gestured for the door <i>to </i>be opened and stepped in.
get
Charlotte had Amelia by the arm, nails digging into flesh, her words venomous. “You’re nothing but trouble. Can’t even seduce a man properly, and now you’ve crossed the wrong one! Cost us tens of millions–and I have to clean up your mess! Listen to me: if you can’t win Leslie’s friendship, don’t bothering back to Wave Pack!”
Amelia hunched, face flushed red, eyes shining with unshed tears. She bowed her head low, silent, her sweet pheromones so faint they were barely there–fragile, pitiable.
Asphodel’s growl was edged with disdain. Pathetic act. <i>Don’t </i>be taken in.
Liam cleared his throat, polite but firm. “Miss Amelia, Miss Leslie will see you
now.”
<b>11:04 </b><b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>20 </b>