The two turned abruptly. It was Patrick, Rory could still see another person. Harry was there too.
Emma wanted to let go, but Rory held on tighter. They saw Patrick charging towards them, Emma’s eyes widened. Patrick was furious and also very agitated.
Her heart raced. Had something happened?
As Patrick approached, seeing Rory and Emma holding hands tightly, he roared loudly. His eyes filled with anger, Emma looked at him puzzled.
“Patrick,” she was puzzled. “How could you suddenly come over? I thought I told you I’m not coming home. Has something happened?”
He didn’t respond. He came close, Rory and Emma hadn’t reacted yet, Emma felt herself being pulled away, falling into an embrace.
She gasped for air, the sudden fright made her tremble in Patrick’s arms.
“Rory, how dare you! I told you taking Emma away requires my consent!” Patrick shouted.
“She’s not of age, and without her own wolf, far from my territory, what kind of danger will an underage she-wolf face, don’t you know!”
Patrick once again exuded the same momentum as before, his wolf was coming back, Rory stared back at him, refusing to back down.
The confrontation of the two adult male wolves emitted an intimidating air, making Emma feel intimidated and unable to move, this primitive sense of being dominated was really uncomfortable.
Patrick held her tightly in his arms, growling low in his throat, threatening Rory to leave quickly.
Emma felt she could clearly feel his heartbeat, Patrick’s scent made her legs weak, involuntarily closing them. Being enveloped in Patrick’s presence made her feel safe.
“It’s okay, Patrick,” she forced herself to speak, though Patrick’s pressure was making it hard for her to breathe. “Rory takes good care of me. Nothing will happen. I’ll be fine.”
He looked down at Emma.
His gaze made Emma rarely fearful. She didn’t know what was behind that look. For the first time, she realized that Rory was right, she didn’t understand Patrick, and perhaps she wouldn’t have a chance to understand the real Patrick.
“I’m taking you home now,” he growled low. He looked at Rory, his jaw tightening. “You both must come with me now.”
Rory was clearly resisting. He didn’t want to obey such ridiculous orders, “I didn’t take her away without permission.”
“This is an order, Rory,” Harry quickly interjected to prevent any further conflict.
Emma turned to look at Rory, seeing him frown. He didn’t speak, just looked at Emma, as if waiting for her response.
“You can let her go, Alpha Patrick,” Rory said. “I can take care of her.”
“I can’t let her go!” Patrick roared again, “I won’t risk her getting hurt.”
Emma swallowed, about to tell him she wouldn’t get hurt, but before she could speak, he looked at her.
“Don’t speak, Emma,” he muttered softly. “I’m ensuring your safety.”
But why? Why was he so concerned? Patrick turned and began to walk back. Emma looked at Rory following behind us. His fists clenched, a look of anger on his face.
“Don’t do this again, Emma,” Patrick said sternly, making Emma turn to look at him. “You can’t put yourself in such danger.”
She wanted to ask him why he cared, but his expression told Emma not to ask, she sighed and turned to look at Rory.
Emma could feel the complexity on Rory’s face, she turned to him. But this time he didn’t look at her. It made her feel guilty. She felt she had ruined this hiking trip.
After getting in the car, Patrick hoped Emma would lean on him. But Emma said Rory didn’t look good and she wanted to sit in the back with him. Patrick wanted to say something, but Harry pulled him into the car without hesitation.
This couldn’t continue to go off track. He thought.
Emma’s gaze always followed Rory, he seemed like he might faint at any moment.
“Sorry,” she didn’t know what to say, “I’ve put you in this situation.”
Rory was still angry. The years of hatred towards Patrick were brought up again, and Harry was there too. It brought him back to that dark and oppressive period for a moment.
But Emma awakened him.
Emma quietly asked about his condition, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let things get to this point.”
She looked very regretful. “I don’t know why Patrick suddenly did this, he didn’t used to. At least not the Patrick I knew, I didn’t expect this to happen. Maybe I shouldn’t have told you these terrible things. Then you wouldn’t have been involved.”
Rory hadn’t fully recovered fromthe suppression of the Alpha’s pheromones, his body still stubbornly stiff, “I’m fine. You don’t need to apologize, it’s not your fault.”
Emma finally seemed to relax.
“I’m really worried,” her young face was filled with genuine concern, “you looked like you were about to pass out just now. Are you really okay?”
“I’m fine,” Rory still felt a tinge in his throat, not sure if it was due to the Alpha’s pheromones, “you don’t need to look so concerned.”
He once again revealed a smile familiar to Emma, pushing aside the strands of hair in front of her eyes.
“But are you okay going back now?”
Emma looked down, somewhat disappointed, “I don’t know. Let’s talk about it when we get back.”
“You have to talk about this. I can’t let you go back alone to face Jennifer,” he whispered to Emma, “he hasn’t even noticed the swelling on your face.”
Emma subconsciously touched the injured side of her face. She sighed, “Perhaps it’s the cold air out there making both sides look swollen, or maybe it’s the hat getting in the way.”
Rory looked at her disapprovingly.
“And I don’t want him to find out. It’s not necessary, I don’t want to evoke sympathy. I told you because only you will keep my secret, you’re a gentle and loyal friend.”
Rory felt Emma had a way of understanding everyone’s psyche.
“It’s precisely because we’re friends that I can’t let you get hurt again.”
Patrick’s gaze was full of murderous intent as he watched the two in the rearview mirror. Harry coughed lightly, making sure that only the two of them in this cramped space could hear, “Don’t be like this, Patrick, you seem to be losing control. Your wolf is taking over.”
“I’m not,” Patrick replied stiffly.
“You’ve already lost control, your pheromones have affected Rory. Contain your anger, Emma is too young to withstand your pheromones. When she gets home, she will experience dizziness.”
Indeed, now only matters related to Emma could make Patrick regain his composure. Harry sniffed again, and the strong pheromones finally dissipated a bit, “You all need some fresh air.”
Emma gratefully smiled at him, “Thank you, Harry.”
Harry looked nervously at Patrick, fearing that he might lose control again because of a casual remark from Emma. Fortunately, he didn’t, although his brows and eyes still suppressed anger, he was able to calm down.
Very well, Harry thought, let him stay in this state until they get off the car and go their separate ways.
But this hope was soon shattered.
Before getting off the car, they saw Jennifer standing outside the estate.
“Goddess, what a terrible day it’s been!” Harry felt that today was truly a disaster.