Chapter 4

Adrian moved back into Silvercrest Pack's main estate.

I had once asked him if driving back and forth every day was exhausting. The estate was much closer to the council hall, making it far more convenient to handle pack affairs.

But he'd rather spend an extra hour driving every day than leave my tiny apartment.

He'd always said it meant he could spend a little more time with me each day.

Now, perhaps because my sudden decision to hold a marking ceremony made him feel suffocated, he'd chosen to move back on his own.

That was fine. It spared us both a lot of trouble.

Quietly, I began putting everything in order.

I listed the house we were living in for sale.

While cleaning the study, I found a set of meeting documents. He must have left them behind a few days ago.

After hesitating for a while, I drove them over to the pack's main estate.

The familiar manor was brightly lit.

Soft laughter drifted from a reception room beside the council hall.

Just as I raised my hand to knock, I heard a familiar voice.

"Adrian."

It was Emily.

There was a hint of helplessness in her voice. It was mixed with something almost coquettish.

"Ever since today, so many people have been asking me questions.

"They all want to know whether we're fated mates.

"Otherwise, why would you have given me the moonstone?"

My raised hand froze in midair.

Before Adrian could answer, someone else burst into hearty laughter.

"You can't really blame them for misunderstanding. If I didn't already know that you and Elena are fated mates, I almost would've believed it myself."

Laughter filled the room.

Emily chuckled softly.

"That's exactly what's giving me a headache. If these rumors keep spreading, how am I ever supposed to find a mate?"

Suddenly, I recalled something from over a year ago.

Back then, rumors had also begun spreading that Adrian and I were fated mates.

That very night, Silvercrest Pack had released an official statement.

It denied every rumor.

I'd asked him then why he hadn't simply made our relationship public.

He'd said, "Every werewolf knows what a fated mate means to an Alpha.

"If I announce it now, you'll become everyone's target. When the time is right, I'll tell the whole world myself."

Back then, I'd believed him.

I'd even convinced myself he was protecting me.

At last, Adrian spoke in the reception room.

His voice remained calm.

"There's no need to explain. In time, everyone will forget about it.

"Emily, stay at the main estate as much as possible for now. I'll assign a few people to protect you personally. It's only a precaution."

The warmth slowly drained from my fingertips.

So he did know how to protect his mate. That person simply had never been me.

Adrian's Beta suddenly asked, "Alpha, what's going on with Elena? I received the invitation from her pack this morning."

Another voice chimed in.

"We got one too. She's not really planning to hold the marking ceremony this week, is she?"

After a brief silence, Adrian chuckled.

"Let her."

There wasn't a hint of emotion in his voice.

"I've spoiled her for too long. This time, she needs to learn that throwing a tantrum doesn't solve everything."

His Beta laughed. "So you're really not going to next week's marking ceremony? Then I'll send our official reply to her pack."

Adrian didn't answer.

His silence was answer enough.

The room fell silent for several seconds.

Another Alpha who had remained silent until now finally spoke.

"Adrian, I've looked into her family's situation. It's not looking good. Some members of the Council of Elders are getting restless, and I hear her uncle is making moves.

"That may be why she's so eager to hold the marking ceremony. You should really sit down and talk to Elena."

Emily chuckled.

"I think Elena is probably just too attached to Adrian.

"After all, a fated mate means everything to every werewolf. After what happened at the Moon Goddess Festival, it's only natural she'd panic."

The reception room fell silent for a moment. Then everyone laughed.

Adrian said nothing.

Sometime during the conversation, the motion-sensor light outside had gone dark.

I looked down at the documents in my hands.

I gently placed them outside the door and turned around to leave.