The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a golden hue over the room. Maggie stirred as her eyes slowly opened, only to find Aldrich seated in a chair by the window, his gaze fixed on her. Compared to his towering frame, the chair seemed comically small, yet his imposing presence remained undiminished.
With the morning sun bathing Aldrich’s robust figure, it accentuated his well-defined features, and his deep, enigmatic eyes held Maggie in their captivating spell. It was as if he possessed a power to enchant her soul.
Maggie felt an inexplicable allure, a magnetic pull that tugged at her heartstrings. A faint blush colored her cheeks. Her almost half-naked sleeping posture left her fair skin radiant, accentuating subtle freckles on her nose. Her chestnut curls, tousled from slumber, cascaded like a halo around her face. Her long, curving lashes framed her azure eyes, which held a seductive sleepiness. Her lips were soft and inviting, shimmering with a natural rose hue, leaving Aldrich entranced, his eyes reflecting a certain longing.
Their gazes locked wordlessly, conveying an unspoken understanding. The room was suffused with an undeniable tension, each heartbeat echoing in the air. Maggie tried to regain her composure, turning away, intending to head to the bathroom and divert her attention.
Unexpectedly, she found herself standing in a grand corridor. Maids greeted her with smiles, “Good morning, Miss Maggie. How can we assist you?”
Maggie felt perplexed as she questioned her memory. Had she lost her way? Didn’t she return to her own home last night?
Turning back, she glanced at the bedroom once more. Apart from Aldrich sitting on a mismatched chair, the furnishings in this room were identical to her own home.
Aldrich greeted her with a smile and approached, gently running his fingers through Maggie’s disheveled hair. “Good morning. How did you sleep last night?”
“It’s fine… but, where are we?” Maggie looked out at the corridor, feeling disoriented.
Aldrich, who appeared somewhat tired, responded, “I’m delighted to hear that, Maggie. I had Thomas arrange a room within the manor, replicating your bedroom at home. This way, you won’t feel out of place.”
Maggie’s smile faded as she absorbed Aldrich’s words. Her expression transformed into one of anger.
“You… Aldrich, I don’t think you understand what respect means at all! You’ve never treated me as an equal! You made all these arrangements without consulting me!” Maggie used every ounce of her strength to push Aldrich away, and to her astonishment, she succeeded in doing so!
There was a soft “thud” as the imposing man, over one and a half times her size, gently tumbled to the floor. Thomas, alerted by the commotion, entered the room, and the maids buzzed with concern. Maggie stood anxiously on the side, unable to believe she had caused harm to Aldrich. It was almost unbelievable.
The early morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a golden glow that bathed the room. Maggie began to stir, her eyes slowly opening to find Aldrich sitting in a chair by the window, his gaze intently fixed on her. The chair seemed comically small compared to his imposing frame, but his stern presence remained undiminished.
As the morning sun bathed Aldrich’s robust figure, it accentuated his well-defined features. His deep, enigmatic eyes held Maggie captive, as if possessing the power to enthrall her soul. Maggie felt an inexplicable allure, a magnetic pull that tugged at her heartstrings. A faint blush colored her cheeks.
Her nearly bare sleeping form left her fair skin radiant, highlighting subtle freckles on her nose. Tousled chestnut curls fell like a halo around her face. Long, curving lashes framed her azure eyes, which held a seductive sleepiness. Her lips were soft and inviting, shimmering with a natural rose hue, leaving Aldrich entranced. His eyes revealed a certain longing as their gazes locked wordlessly, the room filled with an undeniable tension, each heartbeat echoing in the air.
Maggie tried to regain her composure and turned to head to the bathroom to distract herself. However, she found herself standing in a grand corridor, where maids greeted her with smiles, “Good morning, Miss Maggie. How can we assist you?”
Feeling perplexed and questioning her memory, Maggie wondered if she had lost her way. Didn’t she return to her own home last night? Turning back, she glanced at the bedroom once more, which was identical to her own, except for Aldrich sitting on that mismatched chair.
Aldrich greeted her with a smile and approached, gently running his fingers through Maggie’s disheveled hair. “Good morning. How did you sleep last night?”
“It’s fine… but, where are we?” Maggie looked out at the corridor, feeling disoriented.
Aldrich, who appeared somewhat tired, responded, “I’m delighted to hear that, Maggie. I had Thomas arrange a room within the manor, replicating your bedroom at home. This way, you won’t feel out of place.”
Maggie’s smile faded as she absorbed Aldrich’s words. Her expression transformed into one of anger. “You… Aldrich, I don’t think you understand what respect means at all! You’ve never treated me as an equal! You made all these arrangements without consulting me!” Maggie used every ounce of her strength to push Aldrich away, and to her astonishment, she succeeded in doing so.
There was a soft “thud” as the imposing man, over one and a half times her size, gently tumbled to the floor. Thomas, alerted by the commotion, entered the room, and the maids buzzed with concern. Maggie stood anxiously on the side, unable to believe she had caused harm to Aldrich. It was almost unbelievable.
—
“Mr. Barrett rarely falls ill, but he’s not invulnerable,” Thomas instructed the staff to care for the unconscious Aldrich, and then took Maggie to the dining room.
Maggie fidgeted in her seat and said, “Aldrich, I did push him… I was just so angry. He promised to let me go home, but when I woke up, I found myself back here. Isn’t that deceitful?”
Thomas sighed. “Maggie, it was an unsettling night. What Aldrich did for you goes beyond your imagination. Please show him more kindness and understanding.”
“What happened last night?” Maggie inquired.
“That’s something you’ll have to discover for yourself,” Thomas replied. “Now, focus on having a proper meal to ensure your baby’s health.”
With a multitude of thoughts swirling in her mind, Maggie found it challenging to eat. She was increasingly concerned, suspecting that something significant had occurred last night, and Aldrich seemed weak, heightening her worries.
Evening arrived, and Maggie had not seen Aldrich yet. She decided to take the initiative to look for him.
“Thomas, may I take dinner to Aldrich?” Maggie set down her utensils and asked earnestly.
Thomas quickly finished giving instructions to the maids and turned to Maggie with a friendly smile. “Oh, Maggie, seeing your consideration for Mr. Barrett warms my heart.”
After contemplating for a moment, Thomas felt it necessary to create more opportunities for Aldrich and Maggie. He had a tray of lamb chops brought in.
“Maggie, if you could help deliver this meal to Aldrich, I would be greatly appreciative.”
Maggie approached and accepted the tray. “You’re welcome.”
Thomas led Maggie to the door of Aldrich’s room and then left. The thick curtains blocked the sunlight, and Maggie furrowed her brows. She suddenly yanked the curtains aside to find Aldrich curled up in a minimalist-style bed.
“Who’s there!” Aldrich exclaimed, startled, and quickly raised his head, his gaze alertly fixed on the intruder.
Maggie was taken aback by his piercing look and stammered, “Aldrich, I heard you were unwell, and I came to see you and brought dinner…”
Aldrich sighed. “Maggie, injured werewolves are always on high alert. If it had been anyone else, I would have pounced on them. Besides, I don’t need nutrition; I’ll heal myself if I can rest quietly.”
“Would you be willing to tell me why you got injured?” Maggie approached cautiously, noting that Aldrich showed no signs of rejecting her as she sat on the edge of the bed.
“It was those rogue wolves,” Maggie, now with a noticeable baby bump, carefully inspected Aldrich’s body for wounds. “You carry my scent, and I have many enemies. We are in a fierce competition right now, and many packs are monitoring me, looking for my weaknesses… Maggie, I haven’t told you all of this, because I didn’t want to frighten you. But I hope you’ll stay, stay by my side. I will protect you and our child.”
Maggie widened her eyes, scrutinizing Aldrich’s body for injuries. “Did you fight last night? I didn’t hear any noises…”
Aldrich chuckled. “You sleep soundly, and that’s my greatest relief.”
“Thank you,” Maggie felt remorseful for doubting Aldrich when she woke up this morning. “I’ve lacked trust in you from the beginning, always questioning you. I’m sorry.”
“Maggie, I, too, had my misconceptions at first, but now I understand the real you. We’ll get through this, won’t we?” Aldrich said gently.