Chapter 140: You’ve Worked Hard
Hayley’s POV:
I looked over at her and smiled warmly. “Hello, Aunt Tara.”
Once Tara realized it was truly me, she excitedly transformed into a gentle she-wolf and trotted over, nuzzling her furry head into my embrace. “Alpha, it really is you! You’re finally back!”
Her voice was full of emotion, and after a moment, she shifted back to human form.
“For three years, I’ve been waiting every day, hoping you’d return. And now you’re here! I’m so happy. I don’t even know what to say!”
“How have you all been?” I asked. Tara nodded eagerly. “Good! We’re all doing well! Your great-aunt has been asking about you constantly, and Uncle Josh is also doing well… Oh, and Loki just had a litter of puppies—they’re nearly a month old now. Come on, let’s go inside the manor, and I’ll tell you everything.”
Tara and I walked arm-in-arm down the path through the manor grounds. As we passed, the staff noticed me and came forward, each one bowing and offering to carry my bags.
“Alpha!”
“Alpha, you’re back!”
One after another, they greeted me warmly, and I returned each greeting with a smile.
Just then, a small white dog came bounding up, wagging its tail happily. I knelt down, grinning, and petted its head. “Loki, you’ve grown so much!”
Tara watched me with a smile and said, “Alpha, I’ve been cleaning your room every day, and the sheets are all fresh and new. You should go upstairs and rest. I’ll head to the kitchen to have dinner prepared.”
I nodded. “Thank you, Aunt Tara. You’ve worked hard.”
“Oh, and Aunt Tara, when we’re in the manor, please don’t call me ‘Alpha.’ Just call me Hayley.”
Tara nodded and went off to the kitchen.
I picked up the little dog and headed up the stairs to my room. As soon as we got there, Loki squirmed to be put down, and I let him go.
I walked to the window and opened it wide. Outside was a breathtaking lavender field, stretching to the horizon, just as it was in my memories. I took a deep breath, inhaling the familiar scent, and even Hera felt soothed and content.
Hera loved the scent of lavender—but it was nothing compared to her infatuation with Benjamin’s scent.
Benjamin… Why am I thinking about him again?
Benjamin’s POV:
Chapter 140: You’ve Worked Hard
Mr. Josh… Finished.
Standing in front of a manor, I double-checked the address in my hand. It was correct, so I pressed the doorbell.
A housemaid opened the door, and seeing my unfamiliar face, she asked politely, “Sir, whom are you here to see?”
I replied in fluent French, “Is this Mr. Josh’s residence?”
At my question, her eyes lit up with recognition, and she bowed respectfully. “You must be the honored guest Mr. Josh mentioned—Mr. Benjamin, the Alpha of Midnight Pack?”
I nodded, and the maid led me inside.
“Mr. Benjamin, please step onto the carriage,” she said with a courteous gesture. Confused, I asked, “Where exactly are we going?”
She explained, “Mr. Josh instructed us to bring you somewhere if you arrived. You’ll understand when you get there.”
Intrigued, I climbed into the carriage, and the driver set off along a winding path through the manor grounds, giving me the chance to take in the surroundings.
The manor was enormous, with vineyards stretching as far as the eye could see, lush grapevines bearing clusters of green and purple grapes. There was a field of golden sunflowers, their faces turned toward the sun, and then… a stunning lavender field, its purple blooms painting the landscape like an ethereal dream.
“Mr. Benjamin, we’ve arrived!” The driver stopped the carriage in front of the castle and called to me.
I looked up at the castle, my curiosity growing. Who exactly was this Mr. Josh? I’d never heard Grandpa mention him before.
I got off the carriage, anticipation filling me as I stepped onto the castle grounds.
Hayley’s POV:
Out in the courtyard, I was pushing a bicycle with one hand and holding a paper kite in the other. Behind me, my loyal little dog, Loki, was following, wagging his tail happily.
“Aunt Tara, I’m taking Loki to fly the kite. We’ll be back soon.”
I had barely finished saying this when Tara’s voice came through our mind-link from inside the castle. “Be careful, Ms. Hayley, and come back soon.”
I hopped onto my bike, holding the kite in one hand as I pedaled slowly down the path.
Suddenly, I felt the unmistakable sensation of someone watching me. Hera, my wolf, grew unusually restless and excited.
My heart raced, and I cautiously turned around to see…