After Julie left, Maggie’s concerns about the Spring Hunt gradually subsided. Her thoughts were consumed by intimate images of kissing Aldrich, making her blush uncontrollably.
“What are you thinking about? So mesmerized?”
Aldrich’s voice, rich and magnetic, suddenly sounded by her ear. When Maggie looked up, she was met with the striking sight of Aldrich. Maggie felt a rush of embarrassment that quickly brought her to the peak of shyness. She screamed and tried to push Aldrich away. “You pervert! Back off!”
Maggie’s strength was no match for Aldrich, who effortlessly caught her arm. He pulled her into his embrace, and his other hand held her back to prevent her from feeling off balance. His face inched closer to hers, their noses touching, and his sharp canines suppressed the urge to nip Maggie’s rosy lips. He controlled the teasing and released her gently. “Pervert? I just returned, and you’re already missing me?”
This realization softened Aldrich’s heart, which had been cold and exhausted throughout the day. What could be more wonderful than finding out that the one he deeply loved also missed and cherished him?
“No way!” Maggie denied hastily.
Aldrich’s throaty laughter reverberated as he held her closer. He caressed her cheek, his warm breath enveloping her. “Maggie, you’re a terrible liar.”
“Your voice is trembling!” Maggie felt surprised. As she spoke, she leaned down slightly and unintentionally kissed Aldrich’s neck.
Aldrich’s body shuddered, and he couldn’t suppress a joyous and passionate howl. This sound reached Thomas, who was about to enter the living room to inquire about dinner. He halted his steps, exchanged knowing glances with Elizabeth, and silently recognized what was happening in the room.
Thomas and Elizabeth both walked away, leaving the two lovers to their privacy. Thomas sighed contentedly. “I haven’t heard Aldrich’s laughter like that in years, ever since his mother passed away.”
Elizabeth hadn’t been at Barrett Manor as long as Thomas, and she arrived after Grace became the lady of the house. During that time, the mansion was cold and solemn. “Maggie has brought warmth to Barrett Manor, and she’s brought Aldrich back to life.”
In the living room, Maggie was completely lost in Aldrich’s passionate kisses. Their desire had gradually intensified, and their hands roamed recklessly in the dangerous territory, igniting fires. Reason told them to stop; the time and place weren’t suitable to continue. But once the floodgates opened, how could desire and reason be contained at this moment?
Their fervent encounter was interrupted by a strange sound, causing Aldrich to raise his sturdy upper body. “Are you hungry?”
In front of Aldrich, her stomach growling was embarrassing. Maggie refused to answer that question, choosing to bury her furry head in Aldrich’s embrace instead.
Aldrich held her like he was gripping a kitten by the scruff of its neck, lifting her out from underneath. He playfully pinched her cute, round nose and said indulgently, “Alright, it’s me who’s hungry, actually. Will you accompany me for dinner, Maggie?”
Maggie nodded and, while Aldrich got dressed, couldn’t resist a few strokes of his powerful muscles.
Aldrich gazed at Maggie with bright eyes. “It seems Julie shared some critical information about the Spring Hunt with you. Did you agree to it, Maggie?”
Maggie put on her clothes, avoiding eye contact. “Agree to what?”
She was acting as if she didn’t remember anything after getting out of bed!
Aldrich wrapped his arms around Maggie from behind, nipping her earlobe teasingly. “You know.”
Maggie put on her clothes, avoiding eye contact. “Agree to what?”
She was acting as if she didn’t remember anything after getting out of bed!
Aldrich wrapped his arms around Maggie from behind, nipping her earlobe teasingly. “You know.”
“Hiss… You hurt me!”
“Wanna bite back?”
Maggie pushed away Aldrich’s large face that was inching closer. “No!”
“Spring Hunt, hunting, marking. You agreed, right?” Aldrich excitedly repeated, wanting a definite answer.
“You’re so annoying, just like a silver wolf!”
“Is that so?”
“I’m not telling you!”
“Then I’ll let the silver wolf ask you!”
“No, Aldrich, I’m going to tell Thomas you’re starving your mate!”
“Haha, Maggie, perhaps you’re a cunning fox. It’s my fault for loving you too much.”
“Conceited!”
“Aldrich loves Maggie very much, you know?” Aldrich beat Maggie to the response. “Don’t even think about saying you didn’t know!”
“I know, I know. Are you satisfied now? Mighty, proud, and aloof Alpha?”
Aldrich was finally content. He took Maggie with him to the dining room. “Thomas reported that you’ve changed your appetite and are craving steak now. So what would you like for dinner?”
Maggie thought for a moment, and following her heart’s desire, she blurted out, “Steak!”
“Alright.”
“But I want the steak from my memory.”
“It’s not a problem at all. I’ll have someone get it for us.”
Maggie shook her head. “It’s too much trouble. Our chef’s steak is delicious too.”
“Aldrich, have you realized a significant issue?”
“What is it?”
“You’re my deeply cherished mate, and I’m willing to indulge you completely. Please don’t hold back or make sacrifices.”
Maggie had never experienced such affection, and she felt a warm current flooding her heart.
Maggie took Aldrich’s hand. “Aldrich, would you take me to enjoy that memorable steak?”
“Of course, there’s no need to hold back. What do you want?”
Aldrich had a more important role in his heart, and Maggie took precedence over everything else.
In order not to draw attention, Thomas arranged a regular car, but it had exceptional anti-explosive security measures.
Following Maggie’s directions, they arrived in a somewhat rundown district. Maggie was so immersed in her joy that she didn’t notice Aldrich’s increasingly brief replies. The bodyguards all assumed a vigilant stance.
Once they reached their destination, Aldrich warned the bodyguards with a subtle look and followed Maggie, who remained oblivious.
Aldrich casually inquired, “Why come here? Anything special?”
“At the end of this street, there’s a restaurant. The owner makes the best grilled steak.”
“Better than the head chef’s skills?”
“Naturally, it can’t compare.”
Maggie was lost in her memories. “Back then, Alisa had just started working at the hospital, and my restaurant’s boss disappeared without paying our salaries. We were penniless, and we’d stand outside the restaurant’s window, watching the steaks for three months. One snowy night, the restaurant’s chef brought us a fresh steak. I’ll never forget that taste.”
Aldrich tenderly kissed Maggie’s forehead. “Maggie is lucky. Thank the chef for that.”
However, when Maggie and Aldrich arrived at the restaurant, they found it was already closed. Maggie sighed with disappointment. “It’s still early. They usually stay open until late.”
“Perhaps the restaurant has something going on today. Let’s head back.”
Maggie was held by Aldrich as they walked back, and she wondered, “Aldrich, don’t you find it strange that there are so few people on this street? There are plenty of good food options here.”
“Maybe people went elsewhere.”
“Perhaps.”
Maggie lowered her head. “I wanted to buy a steak to surprise Alisa.”
“No!” Aldrich immediately refused.
Maggie stopped and looked at him. “You’re acting a bit strange. Why not?”
“We didn’t manage to buy the steak, did we?”
“But Alisa wouldn’t mind. She lives just up ahead.”
“Alisa works at the hospital and must be exhausted. Would you want to disturb her?”
Maggie hesitated. Today was indeed a workday.
“If you want to see Alisa, we can arrange to meet with her later. You don’t have much time these days, and the day after tomorrow is the Spring Hunt,” Aldrich reminded Maggie.
“Alright, you’re right.”
“I’ll take you to another steakhouse. I’ll make sure it’s a surprise.”
Aldrich held Maggie as they got into the car. What Maggie didn’t know was that as soon as they got into the car, a bodyguard headed in the direction of Alisa’s house, where signs of a scuffle were evident. The walls were smashed by a savage’s fists, and there were traces of blood in the corners that hadn’t been cleaned up…