Warren stared at me for a few seconds before finally saying, “Thank you for what you did just now.”
I was startled. My first thought was that he recognized me. That would’ve explained why he bowed his head and thanked me.
But on second thought, I had covered my scent before going out today, so it was impossible for Warren to recognize me. Realizing this, I secretly sighed in relief.
“You’re welcome. I’m just helping them expand their horizons.” With a dry cough, I subtly touched the mask on my face to make sure it firmly covered my face.
Warren smiled, but the smile soon faded. “I took you for someone arrogant. I didn’t think you’d speak for me.”
“Oh, it’s no big deal,” I said, waving my hand dismissively. I really didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t easy to deliberately lower my voice. If I was not careful enough, I would accidentally use my real voice. But it suddenly occurred to me that I hadn’t bothered to disguise my voice when I quarreled with that group of people just now. Warren must have heard it.
Thinking of this, I suddenly slapped my palm against my forehead. Shit, the imperial capital was making me stupid and reckless!
Warren smiled. “You don’t need to care about those people, but thank you anyway. I’ve heard that the border pack is getting better and better under your management. It seems you’ve done a better job at being Alpha than me. If possible, I’d like to be friends with you and ask you for advice.”
Crystal’s POV
Warren sounded sincere. I was a little surprised that he tried to keep the conversation going. I thought he would at most say a few words to thank me and left.
“It’s really no big deal. You don’t have to-“
“No, showing my gratitude is one thing. Besides, I do want to befriend you.” Warren interrupted me abruptly. He looked calm and serious, his eyebrows furrowed slightly. It seemed as though he had made up his mind to make friends with me. I figured that wasn’t a bad thing. Maybe I could even inquire about Flora in a roundabout way.
I had heard from Laura that Flora had a son, but I hadn’t heard of any other news. And I was also curious about the relationship between her and Warren.
I waved my hand awkwardly and said, “Okay, then let’s be friends from now on. If you need any help, you can come to me.”
Actually, even if Warren didn’t come to me for help, I would’ve done everything in my power to help him secretly if something happened to him or the Silver Moon Pack.
“Same. If you need any help, just come to me.” Despite smiling, Warren still looked extremely serious.
“Okay, thanks.”
After I answered, we lapsed into silence. I didn’t know what else to say, and I didn’t dare to bring up a new topic. Previously, when I met Harry, he told me that not only my aura gave me away; my body language, tone of voice, and mannerisms actually all exposed me.
Now Harry and Joanna knew about my identity, which was already very troublesome. In addition, the two kids followed me to the capital, which was also like a ticking time bomb. It’d be really hard to keep things under control if more people found out about my true identity.
It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Warren, but Rufus was already suspicious of me. If he sensed that something was off and interrogated Warren, Harry, and the others, we would all be doomed.
All of them had their own families and careers. I just didn’t want to disturb their peaceful life.
“Sore throat? Your voice is always hoarse.”
As expected, Warren suddenly asked about my voice.
I pulled at the collar of my dress uneasily, trying to come up with an excuse. “I have pharyngitis all year round, and I hurt my throat when I quarreled with those werewolves just now.”
“I see.” Warren didn’t ask any more questions and calmly watched the ongoing parade.
It was almost the time for the lycan king’s speech. I used this as an excuse to leave. After all, the longer I stood with Warren, the bigger the risk of exposing myself.
Warren didn’t stop me. He simply said goodbye to me and proceeded to watch the parade.
I didn’t think too much of it and wove my way through the crowd. Soon, I found a spot a little closer to the podium.
And just in time, too. Rufus was making his way to the podium. He wore a traditional black suit of the werewolf race, which had golden embroidery of intricate patterns. A leather belt cinched his strong waist, and a pair of black slacks covered his steady legs. He looked like a god that stepped out of an oil painting.
It was the first time I’d ever seen Rufus in the lycan king’s suit. Standing before the podium, his domineering aura was more powerful than that of the former king, Ethan.
The noisy crowd instantly quieted down. Awe was written on everyone’s face. In front of them was their powerful king.
I couldn’t suppress my excitement; my heart banged against my chest in anticipation. I didn’t dare to look straight at his handsome face, so I fixed my gaze on the flowers on the side of the stage.
Crystal’s POV
Although I had only met Rufus several times since coming back here, I could keenly sense just how much he had changed. He was much more indifferent than the Rufus I once knew. Now that he was king, he had become colder and crueler.
Perhaps that was what Rufus was like before he met me.
I felt bad, seeing Rufus again under these circumstances. I tried to comfort myself and thought about how lucky I was to have seen his soft side previously.
When I came to the imperial capital this time, I thought that I could restrain my feelings for Rufus. But the moment I saw him, I couldn’t ignore the love I had for him all these years.
Fortunately, the mask concealed the bitterness in my face and the unrequited love in my eyes.
I watched Rufus onstage and was deeply attracted to him.
Afraid that he’d remember me, I was always so nervous whenever I crossed paths with Rufus and never had the time to look at him carefully.
Now that I was standing amidst a crowd, I stared at Rufus intently, drinking in every detail about him.
When Rufus was still a prince, he had garnered a lot of fans. It didn’t help that he was handsome and elegant, which made the she-wolves swoon. Everyone loved beautiful things. So even though Rufus seemed ruthless and cruel now, there were plenty of noble ladies who wanted to take pictures of Rufus.
I was soon pushed to the corner and almost crushed against the wall. Although they didn’t dare to make a sound, these noble ladies still shoved and elbowed each other in an effort to find a good spot.
Someone even stepped on my high-heeled shoe and left a dirty footprint on it. I took out a handkerchief to wipe it, but just as I was about to squat down, someone pushed me forward again.
I lost my balance and was flung forward. My hat fell off my head and my forehead hit the marble floor closest to the stage.
Wincing, I stood up and looked back, only to find a group of well-dressed she-wolves busy taking pictures of Rufus with their mobile phones. They didn’t care that they shoved me at all.
I pursed my lips unhappily and walked away from them.
My forehead was still throbbing from the fall. The part that was hit seemed to be grazed, but I didn’t dare to take off my mask to check. Instead, I put on my hat again.
Just then, someone patted me on the shoulder. I turned around and saw Harry, well-dressed and smiling brightly, with Joanna next to him in a dress.
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