Chapter 64: Midnight Encounters
Chapter 64: Midnight Encounters
(Elena’s POV)
The night was deep, the warm yellow indoor light cast a misty glow on the glass, blending with the cold tones of the street scene, as if filtered through moonlight. After a satisfying dinner, I called the server to settle the bill..
The waiter approached with the check, and I handed over my card without hesitation. Nathan had been generous with his time and company tonight, and I was determined to keep my promise about paying.
As the bill was se
ttled, Nathan Sterling leaned back in his chair with his fingers interlaced and resting on his chin. He smiled playfully at me.
“You finally treated me back,” he remarked with obvious amusement.
I smiled, feeling genuinely content for the first time in weeks. “I told you I would keep my word.”
The evening had been exactly what I needed – light conversation, good food, and the company who didn’t make me feel like I was walking on eggshells.
of someone
As we exited the Crimson Rose Tavern, Nathan gallantly opened the door for me. The cool night air hit my face, refreshing after the warmth inside.
“Thank you,” I said, appreciating his thoughtful gesture.
He inquired about my car’s location, and I replied that I had parked it ahead on Shadowpeak Descent due to
the lack of parking spaces near the restaurant.
“The streets were completely packed when I arrived,” I explained.
Nathan offered to accompany me, his protective instincts showing. “I’ll walk you to your car. It’s late.”
As I turned to respond, a motorcycle suddenly sped towards us from the darkness. The engine roared loudly.
and the headlight blinded me momentarily.
Nathan swiftly pulled me toward him, and I collided into his embrace, narrowly avoiding the motorcycle. My
heart hammered against my ribs from the shock.
“Be careful,” Nathan said, his arms steadying me.
I crashed into Nathan’s arms unexpectedly, feeling the solid warmth of his chest against my cheek. For a moment, time seemed suspended as the motorcycle’s engine faded into the distance.
Once the motorcycle had passed, Nathan asked if I was alright. His hands remained on my shoulders,
checking for any signs of injury.
I was still shaken but grateful for his quick reflexes. “I’m fine, just startled. Thank you for pulling me out of
the way.”
My voice trembled slightly from the adrenaline rush. Without Nathan’s intervention, I could have been
seriously hurt.
Nathan glanced in the direction the motorcycle had vanished, his expression darkening with disapproval.
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“Some young people are so reckless these days. They could have killed someone”
I adjusted my bag, trying to regain my composure after the near miss. “I’m almost at my car now. I can manage the rest alone.”
Nathan shook his head firmly. “I insist on watching you leave to ensure your safety. After what just happened, I’m not taking any chances.”
His concern touched me deeply. It had been so long since someone had shown such genuine care for my wellbeing.
I reached my car and got in, starting the engine with hands that were still slightly unsteady. Through the windshield, I gave Nathan a final glance and a small wave.
He watched my car disappear from sight before looking down at a message on his phone. Even from a distance, I could see his expression change as he read whatever had arrived.
The drive back to Moonhaven Estate gave me time to process the evening. Nathan’s company had been a welcome respite from the constant tension at home.
But as I approached the familiar gates, reality came crashing back. I would have to face Marcus again, and the complicated web of emotions that surrounded our failing relationship.
I pushed open the bedroom door of the Alpha’s Private Chamber, only to find Marcus emerging from the
Alpha’s Private Bath Chamber.
Marcus was only wearing a bath towel wrapped around his waist. Water droplets clung to his muscled chest
and shoulders, and his dark hair was damp from the shower.
I was visibly taken aback by his presence and his state of undress. “You… are you home?”
The question came out more surprised than I intended. I had assumed he would be out late as usual.
Marcus ran his fingers through his damp hair, his golden eyes meeting mine with amusement. “If I’m not
home, where would I be?”
His tone carried that familiar hint of mockery that always set my teeth on edge, I averted my gaze from his
bare torso, feeling heat rise in my cheeks.
“I’ll go to the Shadow Wing Guest Suite,” I said quickly, turning toward the door.
Marcus then asked where the hairdryer was, his voice casual but expectant.
“It’s on the shelf,” I replied without thinking.
“Which shelf?” he pressed, and I could hear the slight confusion in his voice.
I turned back to look at him, puzzled by his question. “Don’t you know?”
It seemed strange that he wouldn’t know where basic items were kept in his own chamber.
“How did you use it before then?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“Air dry,” he replied simply
The admission surprised me. In all our years together, Marcus had never used the hairdryer. I realized he had probably never even noticed where it was kept.
Without thinking, I went to the Moonhaven Wardrobe Chamber and retrieved the hairdryer from its usual spot.
<Chapter 64 Midnight Eve
My movements were automatic, born from years of familiarity with this space.
I handed the hairdryer to him, our fingers brushing briefly as he took it. The contact sent an unwelcome jolt through my system.
“Here,” I said, pulling my hand back quickly.
I left the chamber without another word, my heart beating faster than it should have been.
The next morning, before I was fully awake, my phone rang insistently. Legal Advocate Barnes’s name appeared on the screen, and I answered groggily.
“Elena, we need to discuss something urgent,” Barnes said without preamble. “It’s about photos.”
I sat up straight in bed, suddenly wide awake. “Photos?”
The legal advocate’s voice was tense with concern. “You’re trending on the internet. Although your mating with Marcus is a secret, being caught in an affair before the mate bond severance could be detrimental to your settlement.”
My blood ran cold as I reached for my laptop. I quickly checked the trending topics, finding a photo of Nathan pulling me into his arms to avoid the motorcycle.
The image was captioned “#Young Master Sterling’s Rumored Mate Revealed#“. The photo had been taken at the exact moment Nathan had saved me from the speeding motorcycle.
Although disoriented at first, I forced myself to calm down. The photo was taken out of context. My
relationship with Nathan isn’t like that.”
I explained the situation to Barnes, describing the near–accident and Nathan’s protective response.
The legal advocate acknowledged my explanation but stressed the power of public opinion. “I understand the circumstances, but perception matters in these cases. You need to address this issue to secure your mate
bond severance settlement.”
I acknowledged his advice and hung up, contemplating the situation with growing dread. The timing couldn’t
have been worse.
I anticipated a difficult conversation with Victoria Blackwood due to the scandal. She would undoubtedly have strong opinions about her son’s mate being photographed with another Alpha.
As for the mate bond severance itself, I was indifferent to the financial outcome. I was willing to leave with
nothing if necessary.
My primary motivation for the settlement and the Moonhaven Estate’s house was to provide for David and repay the Blackthorne family’s kindness in raising me.
After washing up, I walked to the Moonhaven Estate Great Hall, I saw Marcus was still there, which surprised
- me.
Marcus sat at the dining table, talking on the phone while casually eating his breakfast. His voice was low and authoritative as he conducted what sounded like pack business.
After a while, he hung up the phone and set it aside. Catherine Hayes walked out of the kitchen with a plate. of fresh fruit, her movements efficient and practiced.
I pulled out a chair and sat down across from Marcus. The silence between us was thick with unspoken
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Chapter 64 Midnight Enco
tension.
No one spoke for several long moments. Marcus leaned back in his chair and loosened his collar, his golden eyes studying my face.
“The trending search, he said finally, his voice matter–of–fact. “I have already had it removed.”
I was genuinely surprised by his admission. I had expected anger, accusations, or at least some form of confrontation about the photos.
Marcus calmly drank water and continued to stare at me. “One scandal for you, one for me, we’re even. But don’t let it happen again.”
Before I could respond to his unexpected declaration, he set down his glass with deliberate precision. He grabbed his coat from the back of his chair and headed toward the door.
Catherine Hayes, finishing her work in the kitchen, looked up in confusion. “Alpha… eh? Why did he leave so early?”
She turned to me with concern in her eyes. “Luna, Alpha left a bowl of venison stew for you. I’ll warm it up for you.”
I lowered my eyes, processing Marcus’s words and actions. His behavior was completely unexpected.
“Catherine, you’re up early,” I said quietly, trying to make normal conversation.
I never said anything meaningful from beginning to end of our brief encounter. In the past, Marcus might have ignored such a scandal entirely, but he definitely wouldn’t have personally Intervened to remove it..
“Even…” I smiled mockingly to myself. What was this talk about being even?
My situation with Nathan had been a complete accident, a moment of protection from danger. But Marcus and Sophia were willing participants in their relationship.
The nature of the two situations was completely different, yet he acted as if they were equivalent.
The online trending searches were quickly suppressed by other celebrity revelations. Within hours, there was no trace of the scandal involving Nathan and me.
(Sophia’s
POW
I sat in my Sophia’s Healing Office, frustration building as I monitored the internet. No matter how hard all the hired internet trolls I had paid worked, they couldn’t get the popularity of Elena’s scandal up again.
I immediately knew that this was Marcus’s doing. His influence and resources far exceeded anything I could
muster.
My face turned ugly with anger and disappointment. Recently, when I sent messages to Marcus, either he
didn’t reply, or he said he was busy with pack affairs.
But he had appeared at the pack gathering with Elena. His car was parked at Moonhaven Estate, and he was clearly living with her.
Even Elena’s scandal with Nathan hadn’t worked to drive a wedge between them. Marcus had actually
protected her reputation instead of using it against her.
It seemed that I could only carry out the plan I had thought about last time. Although it was a risky move, at
least I had to win once.
Chapter 64 Midnight Enco
I picked up my phone and called Heidi Cross, my voice dancing with anticipation Didn’t I say last time that i had a plan to deal with Elena? But I still have to trouble you to use your connections to help me get the phone numbers of Elena’s parents.”
Rachel Thompson was passing by the office when she heard my voice. Her face turned pate in an instant as she realized what she was overhearing
Director Sophia was actually the culprit who had harmed Healer Elena’s younger brother! The revelation hit
her like a physical blow
I unintentionally raised my eyes and saw a figure at the door. I stood up suddenly, my voice sharp with alarm.
“Who’s there!”
Rachel met my gaze and was frightened by the fury in my eyes. She turned and ran away in a hurry, her footsteps echoing down the corridor.
I chased out into the Institute Corridor, only to see the back of a nurse fleeing. My heart pounded with the realization that someone had overheard my conversation.
The anxious voice of Heidi Cross came from the other end of the phone. “What’s wrong. Miss Sophia? Could it be that someone overheard us?”
I was silent for a few seconds, considering the implications. Then my red lips hooked into a slight smile.
“It’s okay, just a mouse,” I said with cold confidence. “As long as she is still under my nose, I can find her
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