Chapter 673: Teach Them a Lesson
Ian’s POV:
I was seething, desperately summoning my inner wolf, trying to muster any shred of strength. However, no matter how fiercely I called it, nothing worked. Claudio crouched beside me, patted my head patronizingly, and flashed a wicked grin. “Just sit tight and wait here for me, alright?” With that taunting farewell, he strolled toward the operating room under my furious watch. Moments later, the red light outside the room flickered on. It was too late to intervene now.
Trying to find some semblance of calm, I glared daggers at Hayley and Benjamin, who were sitting casually on the bench across from me. Benjamin, oblivious to my rage, tenderly took Hayley’s hand in his. It made my blood boil. I wanted nothing more than to shift into my wolf form and put them in their place, but my body would not cooperate. All I could do was shoot venomous looks their way, powerless to do more. Internally, I was screaming, Do you even have a heart? Here I am, paralyzed, and you’re flaunting your love right in front of me?
Benjamin seemed to catch the edge of my thoughts, giving me a brief glance with half-lidded eyes before coolly looking away, dismissing me as if I were nothing more than an inanimate object. Fury nearly drove me mad! If it were not for my lower rank and the fact that I could not overpower him as an Alpha, the first thing I would do once I regained strength would be to take Benjamin down!
After a while, I tried to catch Hayley’s eye, hoping she might offer some help. However, she just sat there, cold and detached, not even giving me a glance. Damn it all!
Hayley’s POV:
As I sat outside the operating room where Claudio was undergoing surgery, anxiety churned within me. I whispered silent prayers to the Moon Goddess, hoping for a successful outcome. Noticing my distress, Benjamin reached over and gently held my hand. The familiar warmth of his touch and his scent enveloped me, bringing a soothing peace reminiscent of Hera.
Reflecting on recent tensions, I glanced at his profile and ventured, “Are you not angry anymore?” “When have I ever been angry?” he quipped, raising an eyebrow in amusement. “You haven’t been talking to me much these days, nor have you been as close as you used to be,” I noted, feeling the weight of his absence. His deep eyes locked onto mine. “Do you need me to be close to you?” “Yes, I do,” I replied instantly, without a trace of doubt. He is my destined mate, my perfect match—I love him, so naturally, I need him close.
In the past, I prided myself on my independence. I could rely solely on myself, handling everything that came my way—whether as the Alpha of the Shadow Pack, a racer, or a singer. I faced all challenges with calm self-assurance. However, since Benjamin came into my life, things have subtly shifted. I have grown accustomed to his daily presence, to having someone to discuss decisions with… to having Benjamin around. In fact, he has become more than just a part of my life; he has turned into a habit, one that I had not fully acknowledged or accepted until now. Such habits, while comforting, can also be vulnerabilities—potential openings for those who wish to harm me.
Benjamin’s POV:
Seeing Hayley’s earnest expression and hearing her heartfelt response, a wave of warmth swept through me. She really does need me! Her love was palpable, and it reassured me immensely. Her words instantly lifted the restless feeling I had been carrying around these past few days. I had always wanted to be her pillar of support, ready to be by her side whenever she needed me.
Letting go of her hand, I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close into my embrace. “Those words sound so nice,” I murmured, my chin resting on her head as I revelled in her presence. “Darling, please, sweet-talk to me every day from now on. Will you try?” I asked, half-joking yet sincere. “Why every day? Can’t one sentence be enough?” she questioned, a puzzled look on her face. “Because I love hearing it,” I admitted with a smile.
She returned the smile. “Is this okay?” “Absolutely.” I pulled her in for another hug. “Everything you say is sweet talk to me.” She shifted slightly as if to counter, but I held her firmly. “No bargaining. Otherwise, you’ll have to double up—morning, noon, and night, two sentences each.” “Okay,” she conceded, nestling into my arms. As we shared this tender moment, I suddenly felt a piercing gaze on us…