Before, keeping his distance had never been an issue. But now, holding her this close, he realized he might be addicted. Letting her go was simply not an option.
“You still haven’t answered me,” he murmured, his intense gaze locking onto her striking blue eyes. He wasn’t letting this go until she gave him the answer he wanted.
Tessa met his stare, unflinching. “Landon, I’m not the kind of girl you think I am.”
She was no helpless little wolf in need of protection. She was a force to be reckoned with, a lone wolf who thrived on her own strength.
“So, what kind of girl are you?”
“The kind that…”
“You are who you are,” he interrupted. “I’m not here to define you. You can do whatever you want. And if you would rather not join Thorne Corp, I won’t force you.”
“I…”
“Relax.” His voice was smooth and steady. “I’ll take my time with you.” He wasn’t in a rush. “But for now, just let me hold you a little longer.”
Tessa had no way to refuse.
She allowed herself to lean into him, just slightly.
His arms were warm, steady, and dangerously comforting.
Most importantly, they were far too easy to get used to.
Ysabel’s most severe bone fracture had healed, but after enduring such a brutal beating and still limping, if anyone from the Thorne family saw her in this state, a massacre would be inevitable.
Landon had no intention of letting his grandpa worry. He would deal with those who had bullied Ysabel and Tessa quietly.
So, after Ysabel picked up her medication and was discharged from the hospital, Landon drove her and Tessa straight to Wisteria Apartment.
Being with Tessa filled Ysabel with pure joy.
However, exhaustion weighed heavily on her today. Despite her excitement making her toss and turn on the bed for a while, she quickly drifted off to sleep.
Once Ysabel had fallen asleep, Tessa stepped out of the bedroom and overheard Landon’s words. “I’ll handle Queenie.”
“Handle what?” She arched an eyebrow.
Why does he make it sound like he’s taking out the trash?
“That’s none of your concern.” As for Hector’s mercenary group, he would eradicate them as well; better to eliminate potential threats before they could trouble her again.
“You can deal with Hector, but as for Queenie, the grudge between us is mine to settle.”
“You…”
“Mr. Thorne, stay out of women’s affairs.” She refused to let him lower himself over something so trivial.
Noticing Landon’s wary expression, Tessa lazily raised an eyebrow. “Or do you not trust me to handle it?”
Landon met her gaze and chuckled softly. “I trust you.”
“Good. Then I’m going to bed.”
Tessa was about to return to her room when Landon caught her wrist.
“If things spiral out of control, please let me know. I won’t allow today’s events to repeat themselves.”
“I can handle it.”
It wasn’t until dawn that Queenie was discovered by a patrolling werewolf.
The moment she spotted someone, her sobs grew even louder.
“What happened? Why are you tied up here?” The man who found her was a middle-aged werewolf. He immediately loosened the ropes and asked in concern, “Oh, what happened to your nose? Do you need to go to the hospital?”
“No! I’m going to the police station! I need to report this!” Queenie shrieked, completely forgetting that she had once tried to put others in this exact predicament
…
Due to Ysabel’s injuries, Landon forbade her from attending school.
“Uncle Landon, I’m fine. With Tessa around, no one would dare lay a finger on me.”
Ysabel was indifferent. In fact, she relished the thought of spending more time with Tessa.
“Ysabel, your leg is injured. You need to stay home and rest.”
“Alright, I’ll listen to you.”
Landon raised an eyebrow. Since when is this little troublemaker so obedient? And what’s with that affectionate look she just gave Tessa? Why do I feel like Ysabel is trying to steal Tessa from me?
Landon couldn’t hold back. “Ysabel, just remember that Tessa is a girl.”
“I know that!” Ysabel looked at him in confusion.
Tessa coughed lightly, slung her bag over her shoulder, and prepared to leave for school.
“You stay home and rest. Someone will come by later to make you breakfast.” Landon finished his instructions and, with long strides, caught up to Tessa.
“I’ll take you to school.”
“No need. I’ll grab breakfast outside and walk there.”
It was barely a ten-minute walk, so she didn’t need company.
“Well, let’s have breakfast together.”
“Are you sure?”
She was just planning to grab something quick from a nearby cafe. Can he even stomach that?
“Yes.”
Tessa shrugged. Whatever. I got time.
She picked a small but clean breakfast joint and ordered a burger with a glass of milk.
“What about you?”
“The same as you.”
By the time she returned from placing the order, she found Landon had already wiped down both the table and chairs with a napkin.
The corners of her lips curled slightly. Who would’ve thought the mighty Alpha of the
Nightshade Pack would be so good at cleaning up?
After breakfast, Landon dropped Tessa off at the school gates before heading back to Wisteria Apartment to pick up his car.
Early that morning, Nathaniel was summoned to Thorne Corp by an unexpected phone call.
“Alpha, is there an emergency?”
It was only eight in the morning. If it weren’t urgent, Landon wouldn’t have called him this early.
“Have you heard of the Bladestorm Mercenaries?”
“Never. Are they famous?” Nathaniel strained to recall but came up empty. The name meant nothing to him.
“Erase them.”
“What? Did they offend you?”
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