25. Forbidden Forest

"How about a beach vacation?" Leo proposed his idea to me and Sam.

Right now, Leo and Sam are in the TV room. I'm doing my work. Leo is watching TV, and Sam is reading a book.

"Haven't we already been to the beach? Go somewhere else. What about the mountains? Or a hidden lake?" I suggested my idea.

Leo immediately looked at me. "Mountain? Hidden lake? Where is the hidden lake? I just heard about it." Leo asked me.

"I also just heard about it from the employees in the office. I overheard their conversation when I passed by. They said the hidden lake was very beautiful. But it's in the middle of a very lush forest. Forbidden forest? Do you know where the forbidden forest is?" I asked Leo while still doing my work.

Leo was a little surprised. "Don't you know where the forbidden forest is?" Leo asked me.

I shifted my gaze from my laptop to Leo. "I don't know. I don't recognize this place," I replied.

"The forbidden forest was the forest when we first met. Do you remember?" Leo asked me.

I fell silent. I didn't realize that what those people called the forbidden forest was the forest I had been to. "Why do they call it the forbidden forest?"

"Even you can pass through that forest. That means it's not dangerous. The proof is that you survived until now. The Forbidden Forest and its dangers are just people talking. Isn't that so?" I asked Leo.

"Why are you so stubborn? It's obvious that the forest is forbidden. Why do you insist that it's a harmless forest?"

I fell silent at that remark. The one who spoke was Sam. Suddenly, Sam joined the conversation with a voice that seemed cold.

"But Leo made it out of that forest. Leo survived. Even when I met Leo at that time, it seemed like Leo didn't feel scared at all. That means the forest is dangerous; it is just a hoax. Isn't that right, Leo?" I asked Leo for validation.

Leo smiled awkwardly. "Something like that."

"Then how about we go to the forest next weekend? Get some fresh air and look for that beautiful hidden lake. We'll prove to people that the forest is forbidden and that it's just creepy." I was so excited. I hope Leo will agree to my request.

"No, no, no. It's just you. I'm not coming." Sam answered quickly.

I gave Sam a glance, and then I sighed. Sam is really an unpredictable person.

"Come on, Sam. The three of us have to break that baseless rumor." I persuaded Sam to come to the forbidden forest.

"No, no, no. It's just you. I'm not coming." Sam immediately rejected my invitation.

I was so sad. I looked down sluggishly. It was so sad to be rejected like this.

"It's okay. If Sam doesn't want to, you can go with me," Leo said suddenly.

I immediately turned to Leo. Surprised that Leo would comply with my wishes. "Are you kidding?" I asked to make sure.

"No. What am I kidding about? I'm telling the truth. I will accompany you. We'll go together." Leo smiled at me.

Really, I can't express Leo's kindness. Leo is really good. Good, smart, handsome, and rich, Leo has no flaws at all.

"Are you crazy, Leo?" Sam asked Leo with a sharp look in his eyes.

"No, I'm not. I'm not crazy. What's the matter? What Ana said was true. I came back safely from the forest. Come with us. We can have fun on the camping bike over there." Leo invited Sam to come with us.

"No, no, no. Just go alone. I don't want to come." Sam refused Leo's invitation.

"It's okay if you don't want to come. It'll be fun to go together too. You're so boring!" Leo mocked Sam in annoyance.

I was a little surprised that Leo was mocking Sam. His mood changed, which was very awkward for me. I'd better get out of here.

"My work is done. I'm going to bed. Good night." I stand up. I'm going to my room. I can't stand this tense atmosphere. It's like there's going to be a war between Leo, who's upset, and Sam, who's been looking at Leo with his murderous gaze.

I walk towards my room. Leaving Sam and Leo alone. I'd rather sleep than see the commotion between Sam and Leo.

Author Pov on :

After Ana left, Sam immediately walked over to Leo. Sam sat right in front of Leo.

"Why did you agree to Ana taking you to the forest?" Sam asked Leo.

"What can I do? Ana already knows that the forest is harmless. We met in that forest the first time, in case you forgot." Leo replied casually.

"Who said it's not dangerous? It's obviously very dangerous for Ana. Do you know that Ana is human? What if Ana's smell attracts the rogues to devour her? Didn't you think of that?!" Sam asked Leo with a bit of emotion.

Leo laughed awkwardly. "I mean no harm to me."

"For Ana, it must be very dangerous," Leo continued, feeling a little wrong about himself.

"Then cancel it. Don't let anything bad happen later." Sam told Leo to cancel Ana's invitation.

"Ana will be disappointed if I cancel." Leo didn't want to see Ana disappointed.

"Don't care about Ana's feelings. You'll be in more trouble if something bad happens to her in the forest later." Sam assured Leo.

Leo sighed. "Alright. I've thought this through. I won't cancel the plan to go to the forest with Ana. I will take good care of Ana." Leo nodded firmly with his decision.

"Are you crazy? There's no need to go into danger." Sam scolded Leo.

"I'm not crazy," Leo replied quickly.

"Have you forgotten? I am an Alpha. I'm not a weak Alpha who can't handle a rogue attack." Leo was adamant that he would still go to the forest with Ana.

Sam massaged his temples. Sam was frustrated that Leo was so stubborn.

"Can you listen to what I have to say just once?" Sam asked with a frustrated look on his face.

"I can't. I'm an Alpha. I'm not a weak Alpha, you know that. So there's no need to worry about me and Ana. I can take care of Ana." Leo smiled confidently.

Leo stood up, "I'm going to bed. Good night." Leo said goodbye to Sam, and then Leo immediately left Sam alone. Leo walked to his room.

Sam sighed tiredly. He massaged his dizzy head. Leo really always frustrated Sam.