Chapter 60

Iris Bennett's POV

The next morning, when I arrived at the dining room, Adrian was already eating breakfast. Ryan tactfully excused himself, leaving just the two of us alone.

Adrian looked up at me.

"Don't worry. Tonight, I definitely won't tell her we're about to separate." I stood at the landing, smiling at Adrian.

I raised my hand naturally in front of him, just like I used to.

"Though, Adrian, you should change your tie to a different color. People might think I picked that one for you."

This was what I'd done before Zoe appeared.

But my mindset then was completely different from now. Now, my heart was utterly dead.

Adrian studied me coldly. But he said nothing in the end, just turned and quickly left.

He must be going to see Zoe.

I felt inexplicably relieved. At least until sunset, we wouldn't have to endure more of these awkward conversations.

I didn't want to fight with him, but his every word seemed laced with gunpowder. Considering Silvermoon Pack was still in chaos, I had no time to dwell on these issues.

I quickly started my car and drove toward Silvermoon Pack.

"What a coincidence, Iris?"

I'd just parked when someone called my name. I followed the voice.

"Didn't expect to see you here again." Lucas rolled down his window, greeting me.

Why would he be at Silvermoon Pack at this hour? With the vampire situation, they should be swamped.

"Don't you trust me? Don't worry, I won't let it affect my work regardless."

He still wore a smile, but I seemed to understand him less and less.

"Well, I'm just a bit surprised." I felt no embarrassment at being read so easily.

"You're still the same—can't hide any emotion on your face." He chuckled softly.

"But since we've run into each other, how about we grab lunch together?"

I didn't really want to.

I thought of what Adrian had said before. At this stage, Lucas and I really shouldn't be too close.

"I just want to talk to you about Silvermoon Pack matters. After all, after what happened, the previous partnership will be hard to maintain, won't it?" Lucas stayed close behind me.

"After all, this is where we grew up. I think we feel the same way."

"Yes, of course I understand." I sighed.

He was right.

Whether or not I was coming back to Silvermoon Pack as Alpha, this was something I needed to consider.

Though Silvermoon Pack had gradually recovered, it still couldn't do without Adrian's help. If I could get Lucas's help, that would obviously be best.

After all, what safer choice was there than allying with the future King?

"So you'd better show some sincerity, Iris. Consider my proposal, how about it?"

I nodded, finally giving in and getting into his car. I still had to shoulder Silvermoon Pack's responsibilities.

"How's Zoe's injury?" He started the car, asking casually as if making small talk.

But this was the last thing I wanted to hear today.

"If you want to know, why don't you ask Adrian?" I didn't want to continue this topic. Everyone cared about Zoe who'd framed me, but no one cared about me.

Fortunately, the scratch on my face had mostly healed by now.

Still, this question made me wonder about Lucas's real reason for coming here today.

I worked to steady my breathing. At the very least, he would indeed help Silvermoon Pack. I should stay calm.

"You want me to ask him? Iris, the way things are now, I'm probably the last person he wants to see." Lucas chuckled softly.

"At the palace, he looked like he wanted to tear me apart with his eyes!"

"Yet you keep bringing it up in front of me." I muttered quietly.

This hurt too. I didn't want to remember any details from that night.

"Oh, I thought you really didn't care about these things anymore." Lucas shrugged indifferently.

"If you don't care about Adrian, Zoe's business should have nothing to do with you."

I turned to look out the window, not wanting to continue this conversation.

Silvermoon Pack had recovered to almost what it was before my father left. At least that was good news.

"Hey, Iris, with your current relationship with Adrian, you should act like you don't care at all. But you look angry enough to jump up and challenge me to a duel." Lucas answered with a laugh.

He was playing me!

I turned to look at him, but suddenly realized he was right.

If I'd truly let go, I shouldn't be angry about this at all. Because these things had nothing to do with me anymore.

"I really should be. After all, Zoe saved Adrian. If he has to choose someone to be Luna, he doesn't need to choose me at all."

"Gratitude isn't love, and besides, Adrian isn't the type to tolerate someone he doesn't like becoming Luna. He showed that quality clearly years ago, didn't he?" Lucas sighed.

"Maybe this whole thing isn't what either of us thinks, Iris."

Earlier on, Adrian's father had actually arranged a marriage alliance for him, but he'd refused.

The reason was simple—he didn't like that woman. After that, she left and went to live somewhere far away.

Back then, I thought Zoe would become his Luna, but in the end, I was the one standing in that position.

"Perhaps it's just because she's too important to him." I smiled bitterly.

After all, what could be more important than someone who saved your life? Even if he didn't love her, he'd do everything to make her happy.

If I were Adrian, I'd do the same.

"Alright, here's the place we're going. They have great desserts here." Lucas suddenly stopped the car. I instinctively looked up at him.

Adrian lived with me every day, but he never paid attention to my changes.

Yet Lucas, after just a few meetings, had remembered all these things.

A complex emotion suddenly spread through me.

Wait, why was I expecting Adrian to do all these things for me? After all, we were just business partners, weren't we?

"The doctor said I can't eat too much." I answered reflexively. But I still couldn't control my craving for sweets.

"But thank you. I think just tasting some should be fine."