Claire P. O. V
“Why’d you bring me along?”
“You’ve asked this more than five times. Is it that interesting to keep asking?”
“There are a lot of inconsistencies in your reasons for bringing me. But it doesn’t sound too bad if Lady Torrance isn’t at the packhouse for a while like you said.”
Ethan was affected by my words. He glanced at me with a sharp look that should have scared me as usual, but I tried not to be influenced this time. So I looked at him as if I was never afraid of him.
“You’re too bold to speak like that in front of me, Lady Halle.”
“For the first time, you call me that. Does it feel like we’re someone who knows each other in an honourable condition? Oh, of course not. You raped me on the second day we met, and you are the only one responsible for me right now.”
“Why should I do that?” he asked.
I should have answered immediately. But instead, I just rolled my eyes, looking out the window, showing a cityscape I didn’t recognize. The Philippines, a country that seemed like just a stopover for Ethan Randall. I didn’t know why he brought me here, but I knew a little about Ethan’s illegal business.
The last time we went to Shanghai was for arms deals and some types of narcotics. And this time was the same. I even heard from someone talking in one of the packhouse corridors that Ethan came here to discuss a new type of narcotic his people were working on.
I don’t know why we had to go this far to make illegal goods, but one thing I know about Ethan Randall. He is indeed a strong Alpha Pack and is respected by the Alphas who work with him because besides providing benefits, they also provide security, just like Ethan gives them. Fear.
“Because until now, you haven’t told me who killed the nuns and orphans,” I said, continuing my previously interrupted words.
I could see Ethan gasp. He seemed surprised to hear my question. Of course, I knew he already knew the killer, but I couldn’t believe Ethan told me anything.
“What would you do if you knew those people?”
“If you tell me, it will add a little revenge to my life. Because my goal in following you is not to sit on your throne as a Luna.”
“Why aren’t you interested?”
“From the beginning, I was nobody. When you came and my inner wolf said I was your fated mate, it didn’t instantly change my goals and identity,” I replied.
This might sound arrogant to him, and I, a lower-class woman, shouldn’t think about such things. Even imagining that I would be a Luna someday would only make me laugh at this man endlessly.
“You know your place,” he said. I knew it was a mockery. But I didn’t care.
I looked at Danny sitting in the front seat with the driver. I was sure he was listening, and I was also sure that Danny’s silence was Ethan’s order. If I got a little answer from Danny, it would be useful.
The car we were riding in stopped at a house in a slum area on the outskirts of the city centre. Ethan got out with Danny. Initially, I didn’t want to leave because I felt the place was dangerous. But even if I stayed in the car, it didn’t guarantee I would be safe.
After considering a few things, I got out and walked towards Ethan, hoping our distance would never separate because if I stayed close to this man, I would remain safe; at least, that’s what I had to do if I wanted to stay alive.
“You’re not usually this clingy to me?” he asked in a whispering tone.
“Is it wrong if I try to survive in a foreign place?”
“Does being near me keep you alive?”
“At least I’m still breathing until now, even though I’m in that packhouse.”
“Hmm, I can’t deny that,” he replied proudly.
I might not be able to deny that, either. No matter how dangerous Ethan Randall is, he is a good, experienced alpha who can keep his pack safe. I still remember when he lowered his ego during discussions about the territorial boundaries that The Silver Fire Pack should have, along with the Rogue Wolves.
In that shabby building, we met quite a few people, some of who invited Ethan to talk directly. Finally, I saw one of them pointing to a rotten wooden door, with holes in some parts, that termites may have eaten.
“Sit down; you can’t come with me inside there,” he said, looking at the rotten wooden door.
I immediately refused. “You’re going in there while I’m left here with people I don’t know. If you intend to kill me, why didn’t you do it when we were still on the plane? You could have pushed me off, then had fun after that.”
Hearing me speak, Ethan immediately frowned. He might not believe why I could be this brave when talking to him. But Ethan just sighed.
“If you go in, you have to wear a special mask. I don’t dare to bet if you’ll be okay after leaving that place.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Inside, there is a place for mixing new types of narcotics. You might not like it when you inhale the aroma of chemical mixtures and pure marijuana. It will cause a drunken effect due to addiction for those who are not used to it.”
“Will it be bad for me?”
“If you don’t mind becoming an addict after this, then let’s do it. If not, then sit here with people you don’t know,” he said, then really left me.
However, what Ethan said was not true. The man just went alone, while Danny was staying with me.
“Why didn’t you go with your Alpha?”
I asked, but in reality, my question seemed like a mockery to him. Indirectly, Danny appears to show that he is not trusted to go with Ethan inside.
However, because Danny didn’t go inside the rotten wooden door with Ethan, I could ask a little about something that made me curious. Is this good or bad? What if I take a gamble here?
“Do you think guarding me, nobody, will benefit you?” I asked, starting a word game between me and Danny.