Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Iris Bennett's POV

"I'm afraid your offer isn't quite tempting enough," I replied with a smile. I couldn't tell whether Lucas was joking or if he truly meant what he'd said.

"Well, I should head back to Silvermoon Pack now."

The two of us stood and walked out of the restaurant. But at the street corner, I spotted that man again—the one I'd seen embracing Claire earlier.

Why were they still here? Hadn't they finished their conversation?

"Moon Goddess, Iris, look closer!" my wolf shrieked in my mind. I was forced to turn my head and look at the pair again.

This time, the scene before me rooted me to the spot, unable to move.

The woman in the man's arms wasn't Claire at all—it was someone I didn't recognize.

She looked completely different from Claire. She appeared powerful and commanding.

"I can't believe you still haven't dealt with that situation. She loves you so much—why don't you just become her mate?" the woman said in an arrogant tone. Something about her manner reminded me uncontrollably of Zoe when her mask slipped.

"How should I know? We had everything settled before, but who knew she'd change her mind now?" the man replied innocently.

"You should've thought about that before you got involved with her," the woman said disdainfully.

"She's the one who seduced me! How could a weak wolf like her compare to you? You're a pack Alpha, and besides, you saved my life. I could never love anyone but you. I swear it on the Moon Goddess!"

I'd been about to leave, but his last words stopped me in my tracks. I clenched my fists, unconsciously biting my lip.

Those two sentences pierced my heart like swords.

So was this the answer Adrian should have given me all along?

If so, then everything would make sense.

"So rest assured, you're the only one I'll ever love," the man said earnestly.

"If you can sleep with other women while claiming to love her, then your love can't be worth much," I cleared my throat and spoke up, walking toward them.

Whether for my sake or Claire's, I had to say this.

Men like him deserved to be held accountable!

"Who is she? Did you find another one behind my back?" The woman's expression turned wary. She looked me up and down, her tone dripping with malice. "Didn't realize you were so irresistible."

"Of course not! I don't even know her! I have no idea why she's coming over here! Who are you?" The man's eyes widened, his face flushing slightly.

"That doesn't matter. What matters is what you've done," I said with a light laugh.

My mind was filled with all the things Adrian had done before.

Why had I fallen for a man like that? When his love clearly wasn't worth anything at all.

"What's it to you?" the man raised his voice, waving his fist. "Don't think I won't hit you!"

I instinctively raised my arm. Though I didn't think this man would actually punch me in the face, still—

A figure appeared behind him, swiftly grabbing his arm and twisting it hard.

"Ah!" The man cried out and fell to his knees.

"Come on, let's go." Lucas shook out his hand without even glancing at the man on the ground. He turned to me instead, his tone much gentler than before.

"Don't let him ruin your good mood today."

I'd never seen Lucas like this before.

Back at Silvermoon Pack, his personality had been incredibly gentle. After he returned to the King's palace, I hadn't encountered him much.

This feeling was utterly unfamiliar. It was as if I were meeting him for the first time.

"Okay." I stared at him in a daze and nodded lightly.

The man's curses still echoed behind us, but my mind was completely occupied by what had just happened. I couldn't process it all.

Not until the cold wind hit me did I fully come back to myself.

This matter had nothing to do with me—so why had I done that? Was it just because this man's behavior was too similar to Adrian's?

"Sorry, Lucas. I caused you trouble," I sighed, feeling embarrassed.

Lucas stopped walking and turned to look at me.

"It's nothing, really. Not a big deal at all." His tone remained as casual as before.

"He wanted to hurt you. That's enough. He should pay a price for that."

I nodded, but I still hadn't fully recovered from what just happened.

Did Adrian think the same way?

Besides, Zoe had done me a favor too. Even if Adrian didn't want her as his Luna, I shouldn't be the one occupying that position either.

"You've seemed preoccupied this whole time. We're friends—maybe you can tell me about it?"

"It's nothing. I just feel like your personality seems completely different from before," I shook my head.

"Really? Though I think I know why you're upset." Lucas's relaxed expression faded, replaced by a serious one as he sighed.

"Everyone's known about Adrian and Zoe for a long time. It's you becoming Adrian's mate that..."

Though he didn't finish the sentence, I already knew what he meant.

I just lowered my head without answering.

"I don't know exactly what happened between you two. But from what I can see, you're not happy with how things are now. If it's causing you pain, you can find a way to end it sooner."

Once all this was over, I could return to Silvermoon Pack, or go anywhere else and start fresh. I knew my friends would help me.

But how could things be that simple?

Behind Adrian and me stood two packs. Beyond that, there was Adrian's mother...

Though we'd grown up together, we'd experienced completely different things these past two years. I shouldn't share all of this with him.

Still, I knew his advice was sincere.

"I know, Lucas. Don't worry, I'll think it over carefully." I didn't want to continue this conversation, so I just smiled at him.

Of course things with Adrian should end as soon as possible. After all, he probably didn't want me to stay here any longer either.