I met my uncle at the hospital. It had been a long time since I last saw him smiling brightly. My uncle's complexion had improved a lot compared to the past.
I placed the lilac orchids on the table, knowing how they fascinated my uncle. I turned to find my uncle spreading his arms on his bed.
It didn't take me more than seconds to fall into his arms, hugging him like a child. My uncle patted my back lightly as my hands tightened around him, making it apparent how much I missed him.
"I am happy for you, Bailey," my uncle said calmly. "You have found your home. Now I can live the rest of my life peacefully. Though the doctor said this disease is curable if my body becomes compatible with wolf energy," he assured me.
"Grandpa said you can live with us from now on," I said in a tiny voice, burying my head in my uncle's chest.
"I am already indebted to your grandfather for doing so much," My uncle said calmly.
"Shouldn't it be the other way around?'' Athereld's voice interrupted our conversation as he shortly entered the room with the test reports.
I hastily moved away from my uncle's bed, fixing my uniform as Athereld's aqua-blue eyes swerved on me. Since I went to the hospital from school, I didn't get a chance to change into casual clothes.
"Our pack should be grateful to you for taking care of her all these years," Athereld said, smiling at me gently.
"I ran away with Bailey barely in my teens. Since then, I have raised her as my daughter. Hence, it was not a selfless effort," My uncle said.
"Then, curing you is like returning Bailey to her father. It is not entirely selfless of us either," Athereld said, caressing my head.
"Your uncle needs to rest. We should get going," Athereld said.
"We?" I questioned, getting confused.
"I promised to take you out another day, remember?" Athereld asked, smiling.
My uncle stared at us skeptically. "Shouldn't Bailey return to her grandpa's place? It's dusk already, and Bailey looks exhausted," My uncle said, staring at Athereld.
"Do not worry about it. I am a doctor," Athereld answered, showering us with a Duchenne smile.
"How is that related to going out with Bailey?" My uncle flatly asked as Athereld grabbed my wrist.
"Don't act like a jealous father to his daughter's boyfriend," Athereld blithely said.
"Whom are you calling my boyfriend?" My uncle questioned, panicking. "Return my daughter to her grandpa already!" My uncle continued nagging as Athereld pulled me out of the room, ignoring his complaints.
I wanted to calm my uncle. However, Athereld was way stronger to free my wrists from his grip.
"I think I should return home today," I said in a tiny voice as we came out of the hospital.
I failed to look into Athereld's eyes strangely. I was depleted of energy after finding out about Caspian's fiancee and dealing with Eleanor in the shooting club.
I noticed an unfamiliar expression in Athereld's eyes as he stared at me for a few seconds.
"Are you hurt anywhere?" Athereld asked abruptly, leaving me puzzled.
"Why would I get hurt?" I asked, staring at Athereld confusedly.
"It's good to make a lot of new friends at school. However, you shouldn't let them get too close to you. We are werewolves, after all," Athereld said, getting close to me as his tall figure towered over me.
I stood there blankly, not fathoming anything Athereld implied. I barely even made any friends at school. If Cassidy hadn't approached me first, I wouldn't have had anyone to even talk to.
"See? When you get too close to humans, you smell like one of them. They possess such a strong scent," Athereld said in a low-pitched voice, cupping my face.
What is it like to smell like a human? I wondered. Since I was groomed my entire life as a human, I never realized if they smelled different.
"Your wolf is suppressed. Hence, you can't use the wolf abilities yet. It's comprehensible if you can't differentiate the two species yet. However, that human boy's smell all over you is quite annoying," Athereld said, lowering his tone. "Let me cover you with my pheromones," Athereld said, leaning close to me.
My entire body stiffened at the sudden approach. It felt like an illusion as I noticed a light blue ambiance from Athereld's body. It disappeared within his body shortly.
Athereld's face was only a few inches away from mine. I noticed his eyes for the first time from up close. It was more winter gray rather than blue. Nevertheless, his eyes were oddly cold, considering his bright personality.
Athereld straightened his body, smiling at me again. "You must be hungry. We won't go far away today. Let's take a walk. I assume you haven't enjoyed the panorama of the city at night yet," Athereld said.
My eyes sparkled as I had always wanted to take a walk inside the city. However, Caspian would never allow me to for security issues. Caspian seemed not to trust anyone but himself.
Athereld and I took a walk inside the city as the moon was gleaming brightly like a white bowl in the sky. The street lights and the busy streets captivated me entirely, making me forget everything for a moment. It felt so surreal as I walked holding hands with Athereld.
Athereld took me to a mart where we bought a lot of groceries.
"Why did we buy these?" I asked Athereld, flatly staring at the bags.
"I wanted to cook for you tonight," Athereld said calmly.
"Ah- cook for me?" I asked, awkwardly staring at Athereld.
"I live nearby. Since we are already here, why don't you come to my place tonight?" Athereld asked, providing me the Duchenne smile from earlier.
I stood there like a statue, not knowing how to answer him. Indeed, my grandpa wouldn't mind if I went to Athereld's place. But I didn't even want to think of Caspian's temper after finding out I went to Athereld's place.
Athereld shook me by my shoulders as I came back to my senses.
"What happened?" Athereld asked. Suddenly, I noticed Caspian coming out of a Celine store with a few bags in his hands.
Caspian looked baffled, noticing us. Shortly, Aphrodite came out of the shop. The atmosphere became heavy as we stared at each other cluelessly.
It was my first time meeting Aphrodite. I noticed the girl's captivating beauty. I had barely seen anyone looking so good in a plain sundress. The girl's eyes were dreamy.
Caspian's face turned cold as his eyes met mine. Aphrodite broke the silence first as she excitedly asked, "My my! Should I consider myself lucky to get to meet the heir of the White Wolves before her debut?"
Athereld was oddly quiet as his eyes hovered over Aphrodite and Caspian.
"My apologies! I didn't notice you, doctor," Aphrodite said, turning to Athereld. "It's been a long time since we last met each other.''
I could see the bitterness on Athereld's face as he stared at Caspian.
"I thought your marriage was a part of the business deal. I wasn't aware this beautiful young lady had business with you in a shopping mall," Athereld said, smiling at Caspian. He was back to his bright self again.
"Why have you coated her with your pheromones?" Caspian coldly asked, ignoring Athereld's mockery.