The two of them waited together in the cold wind for the tardy Patrick.
Harry couldn’t help but complain, “He really doesn’t care about us, his friends, at all.”
Nicola was curious, “Haven’t you always been hanging out together?”
“No,” Harry denied, “We haven’t been in touch for a long time. I’m just his beta, that’s all.”
“Why?” Nicola felt puzzled. “You guys used to be the closest of friends from when I first met both of you.”
“We were indeed best friends back then,” he mumbled. “But it’s not the same anymore, especially when Patrick stubbornly refuses anyone to get close.”
“I once thought you two were destined mates bound by the moon goddess,” Nicola joked.
Harry exaggeratedly exclaimed, “Are you crazy?”
Nicola half-jokingly, half-seriously said, “Back then, you always had to be together wherever you went. Remember? Once Aunt Jennifer wanted to separate you two because Patrick had to undergo a trial alone in the forest. You cried and threw a fit, not letting him go alone. In the end, everyone couldn’t pull you apart, so they just let you both go in together.”
Harry thought how embarrassing that history was. If Patrick were here, he’d surely want to dig a hole and hide.
“I was naive back then, thinking they were sending him to do something dangerous.”
“Isn’t the Silver Moon Pack’s forest dangerous? Fog, beasts, miasma. I wouldn’t dare to go in.”
Harry didn’t remember if the Silver Moon Forest was as dangerous back then when they went in, but he did recall that at the time, he was determined to go in and die with Patrick. From that perspective, Nicola’s misunderstanding wasn’t entirely unreasonable.
“This time you’ve come back, is it to become someone’s mate?” Patrick hadn’t arrived yet, so Harry decided to ask in advance to be prepared for Patrick’s clarification later.
Speaking of mates, Nicola’s smile faded. “As far as I know, probably.”
Harry fell silent for a few seconds, looking at Nicola’s expressionless profile. Her face had been stored in his memory for many years. He didn’t have a single photo with Nicola, yet her features hadn’t faded in his mind at all.
“Is it Patrick?” he asked.
Nicola said lightly, “I’m not a noble, not as important as you in status. I’m just an ordinary omega’s daughter. What status does an omega have in the werewolf society? Either slaves or living off hard labor. I have no say; whether I can become an alpha’s mate isn’t up to me.”
“If you don’t want to, I can help you. You do have a say.”
But Nicola laughed, “And if I say I want to? Would you help me then?”
It was the expected answer, yet at that moment, Harry’s heart felt like it was being stabbed at its softest part. His breathing became difficult, unsure if he might faint at any moment. He didn’t, he remained standing, fully conscious, and only a few seconds had passed.
He said, “If you want to become his mate, I’ll help you.”
“Idiot,” Nicola scolded him. “Can’t you respect Patrick’s own wishes?”
“Don’t you want to become his mate?”
Nicola looked into the distance. “I used to want to, not so much now. I’ve been living freely and happily outside. Luna means power, but it also means responsibility, it’s a restraint. I know I’m not someone who can achieve great things. I’m just a mediocre girl, not even with much werewolf blood. I just want to be myself, not anyone’s appendage.”
“It seems right that they sent you to the human world to study. You fit in better there.”
“Yes.”
She was very beautiful, fitting into the human world like a fish in water. Despite thinking she couldn’t accomplish much, she was sensitive and intelligent, hardly troubled by any difficulties. In the werewolf society, however, she was the least respected. She would never receive the respect and kindness in the werewolf society that she did in the human world.
“I don’t like a life of restraint.”
Suddenly, Harry said, “Don’t you want to ask how Patrick has been these past few years?”
“No,” Nicola refused decisively. “You all have been living better than me, I’m not interested in the lives of people who have it too good.”
Regardless of her refusal, Harry continued, “Don’t you think he’s become very indifferent now?”
Nicola rolled her eyes. She knew Harry well.
“He’s never been particularly kind to me, so I’m fine. He never truly considered me a friend. So I don’t have high expectations of him.”
“Although that may sound like a lie to you.”
“Hmm?”
“But, Patrick and I reallyhave considered you a friend. Patrick himself said you are his friend.”
Friend. Uttered from the mouth of an alpha, it felt absurd and ironic.
Nicola turned to look at Harry. “And you? Do you really just consider me a friend?”
Harry didn’t know what Nicola meant, but his heart began to beat violently, the trembling frequency making his ears ring with only his own heartbeat.
Before he could answer, Patrick arrived.
“Sorry, I lost track of time, that’s why I’m late.” Patrick stood in front of the two, a hint of apology in his tone, carefully sizing up Harry. He felt there was something subtly different about him compared to when they had met earlier in the day.
Nicola wasn’t too concerned. Their conversation had already passed the time, and there was nothing to argue about. “It’s okay, let’s go in together.”
Patrick softly asked Harry from behind, “Are you different from earlier today?”
Harry glanced at him, “How so?”
“You just seem less relaxed than when I saw you during the day.”
Harry didn’t respond and instead stepped into the restaurant ahead of him.
The restaurant’s owner was an acquaintance of Patrick’s family and also knew Harry and Nicola. Seeing the three of them enter, he deliberately led them to a secluded corner where they wouldn’t be disturbed. It was like a corner, but with a great ambiance, more resembling an open private dining area surrounded by towering greenery, leaving only a small path for serving.
Nicola looked around at the restaurant’s decor. The owner had spent a fortune renovating to keep up with the trends of the new era. It now looked more grand and magnificent, and she felt a bit psychologically burdened.
“I probably can’t afford the bill for this restaurant,” she laughed, casually opening the menu.
Patrick said, “This place was Harry’s choice, you don’t need to worry about the bill. If you really want to pay, next time you can choose the place, and Harry and I won’t compete with you.”
Harry caught Nicola’s glance and, feeling somewhat guilty, touched his nose, remembering the unanswered response from earlier.
“Order whatever you like,” he busied himself with changing the subject. “Don’t worry about saving money. Patrick will pay you back.”
And thus, he missed the fleeting smile at the corner of Nicola’s lips.