My ankle, injured earlier, occupied my attention for a while. The wound healed so quickly I barely noticed its complete closure before—

"Boss?"

I looked at Damia, smiling. "Get in the car. Let's go back to the hotel."

She nodded, entering the car. Sitting beside me, she softly took my hand. "Boss, I was scared. I thought I'd never get you back."

I chuckled. "Silly girl, it's just a forest; did you think it would eat me alive?"

She shook her head. "No, but you were lost as a child. Your family found you after years; if something had happened to you again…"

I patted her hand. "I'm perfectly fine. Don't worry."

The driver started the car, and we returned to the hotel.

Walking to the entrance hall, I saw Beta Patric.

He approached, a small smile on his face. "Hello, Natalia."

I nodded, confused. "Why are you here, Beta Patric?"

He looked surprised. "We're staying here, just like you."

I sneered, realizing how Adrian might have obtained my room number and sent the bouquet.

Damia looked perplexed, so I introduced her to Beta Patric.

"Boss, how do you know Alpha Adrian's beta?" she whispered after we'd excused Beta Patric and headed to our rooms.

"I met him…" I paused. As my personal secretary, she knew I'd never spoken to him at any pack meeting. "I talked to him at parties. He's a gentle man. Not like his Alpha," I said, thinking of Adrian.

I was curious about his persistent attempts to contact me.

"Boss, may I ask a question?"

"What?"

"W-Was the news right?" she asked, referring to Adrian's morning post.

Her gaze revealed her curiosity and desire for the truth. She'd noticed my neck last night and seen Adrian and me leaving the woods today. She likely had misconceptions.

"That news is fake. I have nothing to do with that man."

Damia grinned.

"Why are you so happy?" I asked.

"Boss, I was sure you and Beta Eric were… you know." She paused, clearly flustered. "So seeing Alpha Adrian with you shocked me."

I frowned. "I have nothing to do with Eric either. He's just a friend."

Her jaw dropped. I sighed; almost everyone in my pack thought Eric and I were lovers.

Back in my hotel room, I collapsed onto the bed, too exhausted to change or freshen up. Lifting my hand, I noticed a thin black line. Adrian's claw had grazed my burn scar; the makeup had been removed, revealing the scar faintly.

I stared at the ceiling. What was happening in my life? Why couldn't I have peace?

I wanted to leave my position at the pack company. Frequent encounters with Adrian would make my life miserable. But I couldn't resign overnight. My family saw me as a responsible woman.

'I am willing to do whatever it takes, even if it means walking on fire.'

As I closed my eyes, my wolf spoke.

"You shouldn't have clawed him."

I opened my eyes but didn't reply. She continued, "+16 покив" (This phrase appears to be out of place and in a different language. It needs to be removed or translated and integrated into the context.)

"You know he can't heal that wound."

Wondering about Adrian's reaction, I laughed.

"I'll claw his heart next time," I said, full of anger.

"What if he was trying to—"

"Nancy, what if one day you have to choose between him and me? Will you choose him?"

"How could that be possible? We're the same. We can't be apart. Just like him and his wolf—you saw it tonight."

I was silent, thinking about returning to my pack tomorrow. I don't know when I fell asleep.

Morning arrived. I freshened up, put on a long dress to hide my ankle, and told Damia to book tickets back to the Blue Blood Pack.

After packing, I left the room. Damia joined me, and we went to reception.

Checking out, a boy handed me a bouquet of red roses. I didn't need to guess the sender. The card read, "Goodbye, Natalia Hensley."

I frowned, spotting Adrian Miller on a nearby couch, sipping coffee. He watched me intently. I found a trash can, tossed the bouquet inside, and smirked at his angry expression. Turning back to a similarly surprised Damia, I said, "Let's go."

We took a cab to the airport. While waiting for our flight, I received a message from an unknown number: "Instead of thanking me for last night, you insulted me by throwing away my bouquet. But I promise you, we will meet very soon."