Night of the century

Night of the century

Flora's POV

Before either of us could say anything else, there was a sudden knock on the door.

We both froze as we heard three slow knocks.

I exchanged a glance with Lucy.

“Were you expecting someone?” she whispered.

I shook my head.

Another knock came.

This time, it was harder.

I stood.

“Who is it?”

There was no answer.

A chill ran through me.

Lucy grabbed my arm.

“Flora, don't open it.”

I moved toward the door anyway.

“Maybe it's Malcolm.”

I placed my hand on the handle.

Then a voice came from the other side.

“Flora.”

My blood ran cold.

I knew that voice.

It wasn't Malcolm.

It was one of the body guards.

“What's wrong?” I asked.

“There’s a problem.”

Lucy and I exchanged another worried look.

“What kind of problem?” I asked.

The guard hesitated.

“Someone was seen near the eastern boundary.”

My heart began racing.

“Who?”

There was silence.

Then he answered.

“We don't know yet.”

I opened the door.

The guard looked pale.

“Alpha Malcolm has been informed,” he said quickly. “He told me to make sure you both stay inside.”

Lucy stepped closer.

“Is the pack under attack?”

“We don't know.”

I felt a knot form in my stomach.

Just moments ago, I had been thinking about marriage.

Now, the past seemed to be creeping back toward us.

I looked down the corridor.

Somewhere downstairs, I heard Malcolm's voice.

He sounded angry.

Very angry.

The guard bowed his head.

“Please stay here.”

He hurried away.

Lucy closed the door behind him.

Neither of us spoke.

Then she looked at me.

“So…”

I frowned.

“So what?”

She smiled nervously.

“You were saying something about a wedding?”

I laughed softly, though my heart was still racing.

“I think the universe wants me to suffer before I can answer that question.”

Lucy shook her head.

“Whatever happens, Flora, you don't have to face it alone.”

I looked toward the door.

For the first time that night, I wondered if Malcolm's proposal had come at the worst possible moment—or the most important one.

Because deep down, I already knew the answer.

I loved him.

I just needed to be certain that loving him wouldn't put everything we had built in danger.

And as another distant growl echoed through the night, I realized something terrifying.

Whatever was waiting outside that house might soon force me to make my choice.

I froze the moment I saw Alpha Malcolm’s expression change.

One second, he had been standing calmly in front of me, listening to Lucy and me talk. The next, his entire demeanor had shifted. His shoulders stiffened, and his eyes became sharp as he stared toward the entrance of the house.

Something was wrong.

I looked at him nervously.

“Alpha Malcolm,” I whispered, “what is happening?”

He turned to me, and the moment his eyes met mine, I knew he could see the fear written all over my face.

“What’s the problem, Flora?” he asked.

I swallowed hard.

“I think…” My voice trembled. “I think the pack is under attack.”

His eyebrows lifted.

“Under attack?”

I nodded quickly.

“I heard that strange noise earlier, and then I saw some of the guards moving around. Everyone suddenly looked tense. What if someone has entered the territory? What if they’re here to hurt us?”

Alpha Malcolm stared at me for a few seconds before letting out a small sigh.

“Flora, you get scared so easily.”

I frowned.

“I’m not being scared for no reason.”

“I know.” His voice softened, but there was still a hint of amusement in it. “But you’re already imagining the worst.”

Lucy stepped closer to me and gave me a reassuring smile.

“He's right, Flora. You should calm down.”

I looked between them.

“Then why are the guards acting strangely?”

Alpha Malcolm’s expression became serious again.

“Because we noticed some suspicious activity near the eastern border.”

My stomach twisted.

“What kind of suspicious activity?”

“We’re not sure yet.”

My eyes widened.

“You’re not sure?”

“That’s why the guards are investigating.”

“But if you don’t know who it is, how can you say the pack isn't under attack?”

“Because we haven't seen any sign of an actual attack,” he explained. “No warriors have crossed the boundary. No one has attacked our patrols. There’s simply something unusual happening, and I intend to find out what it is.”

His calmness should have reassured me.

Instead, it made me more nervous.

“What if whoever is there is waiting for the right moment?”

Alpha Malcolm gave me a look.

“Flora.”

“What?”

“You’re doing it again.”

“Doing what?”

“Panicking.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but Lucy suddenly laughed.

I glared at her.

“This isn't funny.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, trying to suppress her laughter. “But your face—”

“Lucy.”

She immediately stopped.

Alpha Malcolm shook his head before looking toward the door.

“I need to speak with the guards.”

I stepped forward.

“Are you going out there?”

“Yes.”

“Alone?”

His lips curved slightly.

“I’m the Alpha, Flora. I won't be alone.”

“That doesn't mean you can't get hurt.”

The words escaped my mouth before I could stop them.

The amusement disappeared from his face.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

His eyes softened.

“You’re worried about me.”

I looked away.

“Of course I am.”

He walked closer until he was standing directly in front of me.

“I'll be fine.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

I nodded, although the tight feeling in my chest remained.

Alpha Malcolm turned to Lucy.

“Take Flora to the room and stay with her. I’ll be back soon.”

Lucy nodded.

“Come on, Flora.”

I reluctantly followed her, but I kept looking over my shoulder at Alpha Malcolm.

He was already speaking to one of the guards.

Something about the way he spoke made my heart race. He wasn't frightened.But he was definitely concerned.I sat on the edge of
the bed, staring at the door.
Lucy was beside me, scrolling through her phone as if nothing had happened.

“You're going to make yourself sick if you keep worrying like this,” she said.

“I can't help it.”

“You can.”

I sighed.

“Alpha Malcolm said he'd be back soon.”

“And he will.”