“Maybe now you’ll learn your lesson. Next time, it won’t be this simple.”
Tessa turned away and strode toward Ysabel, the icy hostility in her gaze melting away. “Are you okay?”
Ysabel nodded.
“Tessa, untie me.”
Noticing that Tessa was about to leave, Queenie panicked. They were in the middle of nowhere, and there was no telling how many vicious Rogues lurked in the shadows. She didn’t want to be left here alone.
But Tessa didn’t even spare her a glance as she walked out of the decrepit factory.
In the distance, eerie wolf howls echoed through the night. The rumors about Rogues devouring people – leaving not even a single bone behind – flashed through Queenie’s mind. Her stomach twisted with dread.
Tears spilled down her face.
Someone, please save me!
Ysabel had twisted her ankle on the way here, and now she was limping. Seeing this, Tessa reached out and took hold of her arm.
“I’m fine,” Ysabel said quickly, not wanting her to worry.
Tessa ignored her and, without warning, scooped her up.
Ysabel froze, then her eyes widened with admiration.
Tessie is unbelievably charming!
“Tessie, I love you! I swear, I’m going to marry you.”
“Quit fooling around. I’m taking you to the hospital.”
Tessa’s tone was firm. She wasn’t in the mood for jokes.
Ysabel stuck out her tongue. “Tessie, I swear I’m fine. I just got slapped and twisted my ankle.”
Tessa didn’t acknowledge her words. Holding her securely, she activated her Mind Link, summoning Emma to covertly scan Ysabel’s body.
The moment Emma completed her scan, Tessa’s expression darkened.
Ysabel hadn’t just twisted her ankle, her bone was fractured.
A fresh wave of cold fury surged through Tessa.
She should have snapped those b*stards’ legs while she had the chance!
But right now, getting Ysabel to the hospital took priority. She didn’t waste time hunting down Hector’s fleeing subordinates.
On the way, Tessa discreetly had Emma use her healing abilities to mend Ysabel’s fracture, making it appear like nothing more than a minor sprain.
As for the smaller injuries, she left them untouched.
Ysabel might not have a wolf and couldn’t sense what had happened, but she wasn’t stupid. If her wounds suddenly disappeared, anyone with the slightest sense would find it suspicious.
After arriving at the hospital, Ysabel called Landon.
“Uncle Landon, I can’t go home tonight. I’m at the hospital. If Grandpa asks, just tell him I’m with you, okay?”
The hospital again…
Landon was in the middle of handling pack affairs when he received Ysabel’s call. Without hesitation, he dropped everything and drove straight to the hospital.
When he saw Ysabel’s swollen face, his expression turned ominous.
“What happened?” Who had the audacity to lay a hand on the member of the Thorne family?
Ysabel gave him a quick summary of the situation.
“Uncle Landon, you have no idea how incredible Tessa was,” she gushed, still caught up in admiration.
Landon’s face darkened further.
While the doctor tended to Ysabel’s injuries, Landon stepped out and found Tessa, who had assisted with Ysabel’s hospital admission.
The corridor was nearly empty, leaving only the two of them. Without hesitation, Landon strode forward, blocking Tessa’s path. He raised an arm, caging her between his chest and the wall.
She had already caught the familiar scent of pinewood clinging to him. Strangely, she didn’t resist. Instead, she allowed him to trap her in place.
Lifting her gaze, she met his smoldering, anger-laced stare.
“Why didn’t you call me?” His voice was low, edged with restrained frustration.
“I can handle it,” Tessa replied dismissively.
Those men had never been a threat to her.
Her indifference only deepened Landon’s exasperation. No matter what she faced, she always bore it alone, never seeking help, never leaning on anyone.
Recalling the information he had uncovered about her, an ache tightened in his chest.
Has she always had to rely solely on herself? Or is there simply no one she trusts enough to lean on?
Landon forced down his frustration, softening his tone as his eyes swept over her. “Are you hurt?”
“No.”
In one swift motion, he pulled her into his arms.
Even though he knew she was unharmed and fully aware of her strength – how effortlessly she could take down fifteen elite Werewolf Mercenaries – he still couldn’t stop himself from worrying.
“Let me know next time something happens,” he murmured, his voice a deep, husky command laced with an intoxicating allure.
Tessa stiffened.
She had never liked physical contact, especially with men she wasn’t particularly close to.
If it had been anyone else, they would already be on the ground, writhing in pain, unable to get up.
But she didn’t mind with Landon. She didn’t reject his touch.
His arms were firm, his presence overpowering, his scent surrounding her, making it difficult to think.
She realized, with a slight sense of alarm, that Landon affected her too easily. Her heartbeat had become erratic, slipping from her control.
“You hear me?” His voice reverberated against her. “I want to be your shield.”
Heat spread to her ears. If this continued, she might actually lose control of herself.
“Landon…” she murmured.
“Yes?”
“Let go of me.”
She felt suffocated. Not by force or fear, but by something far more unsettling.
Landon’s gaze flickered over her face, catching the telltale flush dusting her skin, the faint redness at the tips of her ears. His lips curled into a smirk.
Through the Mind Link, Flex’s voice echoed in his mind. Tessa looks adorable when she blushes. Is she shy again?
Yeah, Landon responded, amusement coloring his tone. I like it when she’s shy.
Unable to resist, he leaned down and pressed a brief, lingering kiss to her forehead.
His hold loosened slightly, but he still had no intention of letting her go.
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