As Aldrich entered the flower shop, two werewolves greeted him, their expressions mixed with concern and respect. They bowed their heads to acknowledge his presence.
“Alpha Aldrich,” one of them said, his voice filled with reverence. “When we arrived here, we didn’t find any signs of rogues, but Mrs. Jenkins and Maggie were injured.”
Aldrich’s gaze immediately found Mrs. Jenkins, and he saw the claw marks on her arm, causing his eyes to widen. He walked over to her, wearing a worried expression. “Mrs. Jenkins, you should let me take you to the hospital. Proper examination is crucial.”
But Mrs. Jenkins’s face displayed determination as she gently shook her head. “Oh, don’t worry, Alpha. I have my own special healing methods for these scratches. They’ll heal quickly.”
Aldrich shifted his attention to Maggie, his eyes filled with anger, and his heart pounding with concern. He carefully examined her, his hands gently exploring her body. Apart from the obvious bruise on her neck, he didn’t find any significant injuries, which relieved him.
Aldrich sighed with relief and met Maggie’s gaze. “Other than these bruises, your body seems fine. I’m glad you’re safe.”
Maggie nodded, her voice filled with gratitude and lingering unease. “I… I fought back. She was a woman; she had her hands around my throat, but Mrs. Jenkins came to my rescue. The woman made a strange, almost sorrowful sound and then vanished into the night.”
Aldrich furrowed his brow, his mind racing, processing the situation before him. “Do you know who this woman is, Maggie? Why would she target you?”
Maggie shook her head, shivering all over, the recent encounter still fresh in her memory, leaving her visibly shaken.
Aldrich squinted, inquiring about the woman’s appearance. “Can you describe her, Maggie?”
Recalling the harrowing encounter, Maggie’s voice quivered slightly. “She had short black hair, a sensual yet muscular physique, tall and lean, her eyes were initially deep red but changed to blue.”
Aldrich absorbed the details, his thoughts swiftly piecing together the identity of the attacker. This wasn’t a typical rogue wolf attack. The displayed level of power indicated something far more sinister was afoot.
At that moment, Charlie hurried over, his face filled with concern and urgency. “Alpha, I’ve conducted a search, but there’s no sign of the rogue. However, Maggie’s bodyguard was found dead in a nearby alley. The attacker is incredibly powerful, far from the typical rogue.”
Aldrich furrowed his brow, digesting this information, his thoughts focused on the severity of the situation. He turned to Charlie, his voice determined.
“Charlie, does the description match anyone you know? Is there anyone who fits this description?”
Charlie pondered the question, his expression growing pensive, his gaze shifting through memories. After a while, he answered hesitantly, “This… it sounds extremely similar to the person who disappeared three years ago.”
Aldrich’s shock was evident, and his thoughts raced, vehemently denying the possibility. It couldn’t be true. That person couldn’t possess such power.
Aldrich furrowed his brow, digesting this information. “Charlie, take me to the scene for an investigation. The rest of you stay here to guard my Luna.”
Maggie grabbed Aldrich’s sleeve, anxiously. “You might need help…”
“Maggie, you’re the only one safe for me. There’s nothing that can threaten me,” he kissed Maggie’s hair tenderly, his eyes filled with affection for her, and his trembling hands conveyed his excitement at her safety.
“Don’t stay away from the flower shop for too long; check and come back,” he said.
“Alright, I’ll be careful.”
As Aldrich and Charlie went to examine the fallen wolves, Mrs. Jenkins sat by Maggie’s side, watching over her and deep in thought.
Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Mrs. Jenkins finally voiced her question, her voice tinged with concern and curiosity. “Maggie, why are you involved with the wolves?”
Maggie’s face briefly displayed surprise at Mrs. Jenkins’s understanding of the wolves. She hesitated for a moment, collected her thoughts, and replied, “Mrs. Jenkins, I didn’t expect you to know about them. How did you… How do you know?”
Mrs. Jenkins’s expression softened, remembering her past experiences. “Many years ago, I had an encounter with the wolves, at a different time and place. The wolf packs have a strict bloodline system, with powerful Alpha leaders to guide them. They were very kind to me, and I experienced beautiful moments.”
“Aren’t you shocked or afraid of the existence of werewolves?”
“In this vast world, just because something isn’t known to people doesn’t mean it isn’t real. The existence of werewolves connects you with them, providing you with a sense of belonging, Maggie. In your future, you will encounter more extraordinary things, so keep an open and accepting heart, and you’ll discover a more wondrous world.”
Maggie listened attentively, captivated by Mrs. Jenkins’s words, absorbing the weight of the old woman’s knowledge. She realized Mrs. Jenkins had a deeper understanding of the supernatural world than she had imagined.
With trust and vulnerability, Maggie opened up. “Grandmother, you don’t know. I can’t reveal anything about the werewolves to anyone, not even to Alisa. Unexpectedly, becoming Aldrich’s descendant’s mother bound me to him. In order to ensure a happy future for our children, I have to earn the acceptance of the wolf pack…”
She shared her story of her connection with Aldrich and the challenges they faced. Mrs. Jenkins listened with sympathy and wisdom, her eyes showing clear understanding.
“Maggie, you’re incredibly brave. Though you’ve chosen a path filled with thorns, blessings and dangers often go hand in hand. As you and Aldrich overcome these trials together, your bond will become stronger than any diamond. Grandma will always support you.”
Feeling Mrs. Jenkins’s gentle yet firm support, Maggie was filled with gratitude. Outside the door, Aldrich returned. He saw Maggie and Mrs. Jenkins engrossed in conversation and waited politely for a while before speaking, “Maggie, everything has been taken care of; we can go home.”
Reluctantly, Maggie released Mrs. Jenkins’ hand and gazed at the disheveled flower shop and the silver-haired elderly woman. Concerns about Mrs. Jenkins’ health began to trouble her. The thought of leaving the injured and fragile old lady behind was unbearable.
She tentatively suggested, “Mrs. Jenkins, why don’t you come back with us to Barrett Manor? You’ll be safe there, and we can take care of you.”
Mrs. Jenkins declined Maggie’s offer, her gentle smile tinged with a hint of melancholy. “No, dear. I have my own way of tending to these wounds. But thank you for your concern.”
“Alright, Grandma. I’ll come to visit you often.”
At the flower shop’s entrance, Mrs. Jenkins watched as Aldrich and Maggie drove away. The old woman gazed at the departing car with a mixture of pride and longing. Her voice was barely audible as she murmured to herself, “Master, I may have finally found your lost child.”