I looked up at Kael. The pain in his eyes was so obvious that they were bloodshot from restraint. He looked terrifying, as if he might devour me the next second.
But instead, he buried his head in the crook of my neck. His lips brushed against my skin, and his warm breath lingered with each exhale.
“Seraphina, whatever you need, I’ll give it to you. I can give you money, material things, help you stay in school peacefully, find you a decent job…” Kael paused, his voice softening. “I can give you all of this, but… can you not leave me?”
His voice grew quieter, his tone filled with sadness.
This man, who was admired by the entire school, seemed so humble in front of me. Even though I had initiated our breakup, seeing him like this made me feel uneasy. I didn’t want to hurt him.
“Kael, listen. One day, you’ll find someone who matches you. Look at us-we don’t match in looks, background, or anything. How long do you think love can last in this situation? So many beautiful girls adore you. One day, you’ll tire of me,” I said, trying to reason with him.
“No, I won’t, Seraphina. Maybe you don’t understand what it means for a werewolf to love someone. Werewolves are loyal to only one mate, always. We’re different from humans. Humans may be fickle, but werewolves never are.”
His fiery gaze locked onto me. It made me feel like if I rejected him again, I would be the one causing harm.
“Please, Seraphina. Be with me. I’ll love you for the rest of my life,” Kael murmured.
I was sitting on the bed while he knelt on the floor, looking up at me. His emotions were overwhelming, and I could feel how deeply he loved me.
“Then what about your past as a playboy?” I asked, thinking of how he used to spend nights with any girl.
Kael’s expression turned awkward. “I didn’t care about them. I was just playing around.”
“And Vivienne?”
“I never liked her.”
Even so, I couldn’t bring myself to be with Kael.
“Kael, let me think about it. I’m too tired. I think we should take some time apart. Maybe you’ll find someone better,” I said.
I never believed I was special.
My ex-boyfriend, Lucian, didn’t have as many admirers as Kael, and yet he still ended up in bed with Vivienne.
Kael, surrounded by temptation-girls sexier than Vivienne-would eventually leave me.
Besides, we weren’t the same. He was a werewolf, and I was human.
I didn’t want to believe Kael’s words, but they still made me waver.
Could I really be adopted?
Why had I never heard about this before?
If Kael was lying, it would be easy to expose. There was no reason for him to deceive me with such a simple lie.
The thought left me in turmoil.
“Seraphina, take your time to think, but I want you to return to work at the Eagle Club,” Kael said.
“Absolutely not!” I snapped. I hated that place. After being fired, how could I go back?
“Fine, but if you don’t, I’ll fire Magnus.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “You’re so shameless! How can you make such a threat?”
I yelled at him, but Kael didn’t seem angry. Instead, he smiled.
“Think whatever you want, but Seraphina, you must return to work at the Eagle Club. To make up for it, I’ll double your salary, and no one will dare fire you again,” he said, pulling me into his arms and planting a kiss on my cheek.
“I’ll give you more time to think, but the condition is that you must return to the Eagle Club,” he added.
“Fine, I agree.”
Kael smiled, but I could hear the iciness in his laughter. He didn’t seem genuinely happy.
He hugged me tightly, almost crushing me in his arms. I gasped in pain, and he quickly loosened his grip.
“Since you’ve agreed, Seraphina, you can’t go back on your word. You know how powerful I am,” he warned.
“Fine, but I’m worried about Lucian and Vivienne bothering me,” I said, frowning. If Kael was using Magnus to threaten me, I had no choice but to negotiate.
“Vivienne won’t trouble you anymore, and I’ll make sure Lucian stays far away,” Kael assured me.
Hearing this, I felt a little more at ease.
I struggled out of his embrace. “We’re done talking. I’m leaving.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
“No, I can go alone.”
I didn’t want to stay a moment longer, nor did I want Kael to accompany me.
Kael’s expression turned sorrowful as he watched me reject him. “Alright, Seraphina. I’ll respect your decision.”
I turned and left without looking back.
At first, I had felt a little guilty toward Kael, but the thought of his threat filled me with anger.
He had dared to use Magnus against me!
As I descended the stairs, I saw Vivienne.
She was smoking, her frustration evident from the pile of cigarette butts on the ground.
When she saw me leaving Kael’s apartment, her face darkened. She stormed toward me.
“Slut! Do you really think you have Kael’s love?”
“At least he loves me more than he loves you,” I retorted.
“But he’ll never marry you! A girl from your background? Never!” Vivienne sneered.
“His father decided long ago. He’ll either marry me or the daughter of another wealthy family-not someone as ordinary as you.”
“Do you think Kael will give up his family status for you? If you’re smart, you’ll stay away from him!”
“Thanks for the advice, but I don’t want to be with Kael either. Why don’t you put more effort into winning him over and leave me alone?”
Vivienne’s face twisted in rage.
“How dare you talk about him like that!” she shrieked, raising her hand as if to hit me.
“If you touch me, Kael won’t let it slide,” I reminded her.
She froze, not daring to act.
I walked away, deciding I needed to sort everything out.