An idea sparked. I crouched a little and reached out gently. “Come here, boy.”
The wolfhound paused for a heartbeat… then took off again. It crashed right into me, tongue out, licking my face like we were long-lost friends.
I stumbled back a few steps under its weight.
This dog was huge.
I barely managed to wrap my arms around it, my voice muffled in all the fur.
“Look how much he likes me! You sure you don’t want to let me inside?”
…
Luis’ POV:
I had just stepped back into Hollyvale Estate when one of the staff came rushing up.
Apparently, Puddy ran straight to the main gate earlier. Then he jumped all over a lady – wouldn’t come down no matter what everyone did.
I frowned, thinking that it didn’t sound like him.
I have had Puddy for years, and never seen him take to any woman like that.
Could it be…
The Healer?
They say the Healer had some sort of natural energy – animals adored her and couldn’t resist being near her.
But if the elders had located her, wouldn’t they have informed me?
Still thinking it over, I walked toward the garden.
And that was when I saw her.
Slender figure. Silky hair. Familiar posture.
Even from behind, I knew exactly who it was. At that moment, I finally understood why Puddy was acting so out of character.
It was none other than Deanna.
She wore a light grey, one-shoulder dress, looking elegant and sharp.
The fit showed off every curve, the hem brushing just above her knees. Long, graceful legs were anchored in heels.
She had her back to me, but her laughter rang out, soft and clear.
Puddy’s excited barks echoed in return.
The two of them lit up the entire garden.
A slow smile crept onto my face.
So, Puddy, you’re thrilled to see your mom, too, huh?
Makes sense.
It’s been thirteen years.
Watching the two of them play made something ache in my chest.
I took a step forward and walked straight toward them.
Deanna’s POV:
At first, I was just using this wolfhound as an excuse to get inside and track down Luis.
But the longer I played with it, the more I got pulled in.
I crouched beside it, gently running my hand through its soft fur.
“Why are you called Puddy? Is it short for Pudding? You don’t look like one, though… Did Luis pick that name?”
Woof! Woof! Woof!
Before I could say another word, Puddy suddenly took off, bolting behind me.
I turned around and froze.
Golden eyes, intense and wild like a wolf’s, locked with mine.
He stood there, one hand casually tucked into his pocket.
Tall, effortlessly confident. A few buttons at his collar undone, looking infuriatingly laid-back and… distracting.
Puddy rushed over and leapt into his arms like it belonged there.
Luis caught the fluffy beast with practiced ease and walked toward me.
My heart did a small, traitorous flip. I tore my eyes away before I embarrassed myself.
Honestly, this alpha’s charm was lethal.
Every time I saw him, those ridiculous, flirty memories would crash into my brain. And just like that, my ears started heating up again.
Luis approached, calm and quiet, with Puddy in his arms.
“You came to see me?”
Just five words, but the air around him felt charged.
Even my breathing started to go tight.
I steadied myself. “Yeah. I need to talk to you.”
“What about?”
“Can we speak somewhere private?”
He looked at the wolfhound in his arms, then nodded at the housekeeper. “Take Puddy for a wash.”
The housekeeper, already nearby, stepped forward and took the dog gently.
Once they were out of sight, I cleared my throat. “How old is Puddy?”
“Thirteen.”
I smiled. “Really? He looks amazing for his age. You must’ve taken great care of him.”
Luis gave me a long look. “You don’t remember him at all?”
I blinked, a flicker of confusion on my face.
Remember him? What did he mean? I mused.
Thirteen years old? I definitely never had a dog that long.
“Never mind. So – what did you want to talk about?” Luis’ expression was unreadable as he turned away.
I nodded slightly. “Sorry for showing up like this. I actually went to your office earlier, but you weren’t in… so I thought I’d try my luck here.”
He raised a brow. “You went to my office, then came to my house? Sounds urgent.”
“It is,” I admitted. “The Mistbane Pack just launched a new Moonline Expansion Project. I thought it might interest you. It has a strong ROI and checks all the boxes for your investment strategy.”
…
Luis’ POV:
The entire time she spoke, I found myself watching her more than listening.
She was completely focused – eyes sharp, tone clear. That serious look of hers when she talked business? Unreasonably attractive.
But what really got to me was that she came to me for investment. Not Jake.
That alone made something stir in me, though I played it cool. “Mm.”
She was still mid-sentence when I cut in, “With those numbers, I’m sure Jake wouldn’t turn you down.”
“I think the Mooncrown Pack has a better reputation when it comes to investing.”
That answer irritated me.
“Deanna,” I said flatly, “if you’re serious about pitching this, go through the investment team like everyone else. Let them vet it.”
I turned to leave, but then I heard her behind me.
“Luis, what about the promise you made me? Can I use that to ask for a four billion investment?”
“Deanna.” My voice came out sharper than I intended.
She immediately straightened. “I’m here.”
So that’s it. She actually wants to trade that one wish for money.
Of course.
All that talk, that night she said she wanted to be mine, meant nothing.
“You already used your wish,” I said.
She blinked. “When?”
A slow smirk pulled at my lips. I leaned in, just enough for my breath to skim her ear. “That night.”
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