Chapter 66

Chapter 66

Iris Bennett's POV

I finally understood why Adrian was acting so strange. After all that talk, he was just testing me.

At the end of the day, he still didn't trust me.

"So what exactly are you trying to say, Adrian? I don't understand." Looking at his face, I couldn't help but laugh.

I had to admit, his face was almost too perfect. Even at this moment, I still found him handsome enough—he looked exactly like the perfect mate I'd once imagined. I couldn't truly get angry at him.

That was exactly why I'd fallen for him back then. But that didn't mean I would sacrifice everything for him.

Our story could end here.

"You don't need to worry about that, Adrian. As long as I'm your Luna, I won't cheat. I'll fulfill my contract properly." I kept a polite smile on my face, though my heart felt like it was bleeding.

"Besides, I was never your fated mate, was I? Once we separate, it'll have nothing to do with you."

Adrian's expression grew more complicated. He clenched his fists, then quickly released them.

We'd spent so many years together—I knew this was a sign he was angry.

If I were a rogue wolf, I'd probably already be torn to shreds by now.

"Then who is your fated mate? Lucas? Or someone else?" he roared at me.

"Think whatever you want, Adrian." I yawned.

He seemed like a stranger. I'd known him for so many years, and I'd never felt he was someone so curious about others' privacy.

But even so, he'd never once mentioned the baby in my belly.

That was odd.

Unless...

A terrible possibility formed in my mind.

"You should answer my question quickly." Adrian's voice suddenly grew louder. While I was thinking, he'd moved beside me. His presence surrounded me, forcing me to look up at him.

His impossibly handsome face loomed before me. If we weren't in this situation, I might even think he wanted to kiss me.

My heart pounded so hard I could barely hear what he was saying.

I didn't want to fight with him. After all, tomorrow we had to take his mother to the hospital for her checkup, and that was all I could think about right now. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my emotions.

"I don't like anyone. How's that for an answer?" I lay down with my back to him.

"Don't forget, tomorrow morning we have to take your mother to the hospital. We should get some sleep."

He didn't lie down beside me, but he didn't leave the bedroom either. He just stood there quietly. I could feel his gaze on my back.

What did he want? Was he planning to stand there all night?

But that had nothing to do with me anymore. I had a baby in my belly—I needed proper rest. I wouldn't tolerate his behavior without limits anymore.

Adrian Stuart's POV

"I can't believe she actually fell asleep like that." My wolf burst into laughter in my mind.

I stared hard at Iris.

She hadn't just fallen asleep—she was sleeping soundly. Her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, and moonlight fell across her body, making her seem to glow.

This was too strange. How did she manage it? Half an hour ago she was arguing with me, and now she was already asleep. For a moment, I even wondered if everything that just happened had been an illusion.

She'd changed too much recently. To me, she was practically a stranger. I had so many questions I wanted to ask her, but looking at her face, I couldn't say anything.

We'd known each other for so many years—we were the closest of friends. But precisely because of that, there were things we couldn't discuss.

If I asked all my questions outright, we probably couldn't continue getting along like this. Even our original relationship would start to deteriorate.

That was a price I wasn't willing to pay.

So I could only choose this approach. She'd guessed what I wanted to ask, but she hadn't given me the answer I wanted, and I simply couldn't sleep.

All I could do was stand there quietly, continuing to watch her.

I even wished time could stop at this moment. She was so eager to leave me, and I had no way to force her to stay by my side.

"Even so, it's fine. At least you're not unable to see your own heart clearly." My wolf's voice sounded more excited than before.

"I'll only ask you one question now, Adrian. If Iris really finds a new mate after leaving you, can you accept that?"

My throat felt like someone was strangling it with both hands. I couldn't breathe. My ears filled with a faint ringing sound.

"She'll wear a wedding dress and stand before the King with her new mate to receive their blessing. They'll live together, kiss, sleep together, and have their own heir. When that time comes, will you still be this calm?"

Just imagining that scene made me feel sick.

Who else besides me could stand by her side?

I would make that person pay! I clenched my hands hard, my knuckles making soft sounds.

"Well, it looks like you have your answer now." My wolf chuckled.

"I only asked you the question, and you've already lost control of your emotions. So, Adrian, while it's not too late, go do something. Don't wait until it really happens to regret it."

I looked toward Iris. I didn't know when it started, but she'd begun sleeping with her back to me—as if she never wanted to see me.

Yes, what if it really happened?

Iris wanted to revive Silvermoon Pack, so she'd probably look for another marriage alliance. When that time came, it wouldn't be something I could control.

I got up and carefully left the bedroom.

Since Iris didn't want to talk about this with me now, I should leave.

Tomorrow we'd be together all day. When that time came, we'd have a chance to discuss these things properly.

I lay down on the sofa and closed my eyes wearily. My mind was full of images of her.

I couldn't lose her.