It took a lot of hassle to get out of the hospital. The reporters followed our car for quite a while after gradually losing us as Caspian drove the car far away skillfully.
Caspian brought me to a beach house. I took a deep breath standing on the balcony, as the salty breeze touched my body. It was indeed healing for one's soul.
"Since the reporters are already aware, I can't take you to the Alpha Lord's residence before the Lord makes an official announcement," Caspian said.
"Why don't you say that you don't want to because the test reports have not come out yet," I said calmly, staring at him, leaning on the wooden banister.
"Do you believe it will make any change?" Caspian asked, giving me a cheeky smile.
For the first time, I saw his smile. Dimples appeared on both of his cheeks, revealing his perfectly aligned teeth. It was indeed the prettiest smile I had ever seen.
I couldn't deny that the man was someone to drool over. If only he were a bit more sensible with his words.
"I don't want to make any changes,'' I said calmly, tucking a lock of hair behind my ears. ''I only wanted to find my family," I said.
For a moment, I saw warmth in Caspian's eyes. But soon, they turned as cold as piercing ice again.
"Your uncle, he was aware of everything, wasn't he? Yet he chose to raise you as a rogue," Caspian said, staring at the beach aimlessly, placing his hands in his pockets.
"He had his reasons. But is it bad? Why do you despise the rogues so much?" I asked curiously.
Caspian seemed unprepared for my question. He raked his fingers through his blond hair.
"That is not of your concern. You should get concerned about the reports. If you appear to be a fake, I will take your life myself," he said coldly, turning to me.
The unexpected incident occurred suddenly. The banister cracked.
I lost my balance as soon as it broke. I was about to fall. A sharp scream came out of my mouth subconsciously.
Within a blink, Caspian grabbed my arm, preventing my fall. His hands snaked around my body as his eyes met mine. He gently pulled me inside the safe zone.
Caspian stared at me in disbelief. I couldn't fathom what I had done to offend him again.
"You can't unleash your power?" Caspian asked skeptically.
"Power?" I repeated his words. My head was still spinning. Soon, it hit me as I remembered that the wolves possessed abilities.
However, before coming to this city, my uncle had told me that he had kept my wolf suppressed for a long time. Hence, it would take time to regain my abilities and awaken my wolf.
"I can't," I said calmly.
"Talk about being useless," Caspian said sarcastically.
"It should be assuring for you though," I said, clenching my mother's pendant on my neck.
Caspian gazed at me intensely as if I had said something to pique his interest.
"Why should I be assured?" Caspian asked.
"I won't come your way of being the next leader of my grandpa's pack," I said in a tiny voice.
Caspian, to my surprise, broke into laughter. The mockery was apparent in his attitude. I frowned, not fathoming what was so humorous in my words.
Suddenly, Caspian pinned my arms over my head to the wooden wall, pressing my body with his. He leaned down, bringing his face closer to mine. I could feel his fruity, warm breath falling on my skin.
"Should I take this as your boldness, or are you just this naive?" Caspian asked in a low-pitched voice.
"You are hurting me," I hesitantly said as I tried to free my wrists from his grip. However, his grip only tightened.
"You can't even move your body against my grasp or can't unleash your powers. And yet, you are bold enough to assure me not to get worried about you seizing my throne. Are you even aware of your situation right now?" Caspian asked, bringing his face even closer.
I pursed my lips. I felt our lips would touch if I moved my lips even a bit. Caspian let go of my arms with force, shoving my body against the wall.
''Since I have devoted my life to the Alpha Lord and the white wolves, it doesn't matter to me if I become the next Alpha Lord or not. However, I will not let the throne get passed down to some worthless rogue appearing out of nowhere. That sacred crown only belongs to the deserving," Caspian said, staring at me coldly.
When he saved me earlier from the fall, I felt like he cared for my safety. However, his words contradicted his actions. Perhaps, my possibility of being the granddaughter of the Alpha Lord was the only thing preventing him from taking my life.
I wondered what could have happened in his past to make him loathe the rogues so much. My uncle intentionally raising me as a rogue was something that made him disdain me even more.
The atmosphere got heavy. Caspian's phone suddenly rang, piercing the cold air.
"One of our factories has been blasted, Alpha."
I could hear the panicked voice coming from the other side of the phone as Caspian picked up the call. His eyes glowed up again.
"Blast!" I mumbled. "A bomb blast?" I asked.
Caspian turned to me hastily and said, "Don't leave this place no matter what. You are safe as long as you are here. It's all because of those reporters!" Caspian said, gritting. "They are probably already aware of you because of the news. I will come to take you soon. You must stay here," Caspian said before leaving me puzzled.
"Aware of me? But who?" I questioned myself.
I remembered my uncle's words. The people who assassinated my parents would come after me if they found out.
I felt a sharp pain rising in my chest. Sweat appeared on my forehead. Since my childhood, I would get panic attacks often while stressed.
I gasped for air though the beach was right in front of me. Shortly, I lost consciousness.
****
I opened my eyes slowly as an unfamiliar ceiling appeared before my eyes. Exquisite Renaissance paintings were all over the ceiling. I hastily got up on the bed to find my grandpa sitting by my side.
"You are awake!" my grandpa said, pulling me into an embrace. "I was afraid. I thought I would lose you like my little girl," he said, caressing my head and my back. I could feel his fingers trembling.
"There's nothing to worry about, lord," a voice pierced through the air.
I raised my gaze upon hearing Athereld's voice. The phenomenally handsome doctor from earlier was standing at the back with a few papers in his hands.
My grandpa let go of my body, fixing his coat and leaning back into his chair. None of us noticed when the doctor entered.
"Congratulations, young lady, on passing as the Alpha Lord's granddaughter," Athereld said, placing his hand on my head, and patting me affectionately.