Chapter 260: Hidden Depths
Chapter 260: Hidden Depths
(Third person’s POV)
“Did you reject him?” Lily asked, her voice carrying a note of exasperation.
Rebecca Frost nodded slowly, her expression troubled. “Yes.”
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“Hey, what can I say about you?” Lily sighed deeply, wearing an “I knew it” expression that spoke volumes about her frustration with her friend’s romantic choices.
Their conversation echoed softly through the Shadowmere Courtyard as they relaxed in the warm thermal waters. The moonlight cast gentle ripples across the surface, creating a peaceful atmosphere that contrasted sharply with Rebecca’s internal turmoil.
After a brief silence, Lily leaned forward earnestly. “Rebecca, you could try getting along with Tyler Davis. I really think you two might be a good match.”
She gestured emphatically, water droplets catching the moonlight. “He’s successful, charming, and genuinely interested in you. You need to forget James Harper and give someone else a chance.”
Rebecca’s amber eyes filled with stubborn determination. “I can’t just forget James, Lily. He has so many wonderful qualities.”
Her voice grew passionate as she defended her feelings. “He’s academically excellent, always helping others, and incredibly ambitious despite his circumstances.”
“I know there’s a gap in our social status,” Rebecca continued, her wolf stirring with protective instincts toward her chosen mate. “But James has feelings for me too. I can sense it through our connection.”
She sank deeper into the thermal waters, her expression resolute. “I’m willing to wait for him, no matter how long it takes.”
Lily’s expression turned blunt and unforgiving. “Rebecca, you’re only seeing the good in James because you’re in love with him.”
Her tone grew harsh with brutal honesty. “He’s just trying to find a way out of his situation. Even if he works incredibly hard, he could only become a small business owner at best.”
Lily’s eyes flashed with frustration. “He can never cross the social class barrier to reach your elite pack status. You’re living in a fantasy.”
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< Chapter 260: Hidden Depths
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She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a serious whisper. “James is the son of your family’s housekeeper, Rebecca. Your parents will never accept him as a potential mate.”
“You’re a wealthy pack daughter,” Lily emphasized firmly. “You shouldn’t be wasting your time with someone so far beneath your station.”
Rebecca’s sadness deepened visibly, her shoulders sagging under the weight of reality. The harsh truths cut through her romantic idealism like silver through flesh.
Lily saw the depth of her friend’s sorrow and felt her heart soften. “Rebecca, short pain is better than long pain. You could try to love another person.”
Her voice grew gentle but insistent. “Tyler Davis could make you happy if you’d just give him a chance.”
Rebecca shook her head slowly, tears threatening to spill. “I’ve been in love with James for so many years, Lily. I’ve grown accustomed to this long–term pain.”
Her voice cracked with emotion. “It’s become part of who I am. I can’t just turn it off.”
Lily felt defeated, recognizing the stubborn set of Rebecca’s jaw. She wouldn’t turn back until she hit the wall completely.
With a resigned sigh, Lily gave up her persuasion attempts. Some lessons had to be learned through painful experience.
Lily changed the subject abruptly, glancing toward the Ancient Moonlight Courtyard. “Why has Olivia been bathing for so long?”
Rebecca also looked concerned, her maternal instincts kicking in. “Do you think something happened to her? She’s been in there for over an hour.”
“We should check on her,” Lily proposed, rising from the thermal waters. “Something might be wrong.”
Just then, in the Moonstone Thermal Springs, Connor’s lips landed on Olivia’s neck. His voice was sexy and hoarse with desire.
“Do you miss me?” he murmured against her skin.
Olivia’s face flushed crimson as she denied breathlessly, “No, I didn’t miss you at all.”
Their intimate flirting was interrupted by knocking on the Ancient Oak Gateway. “Liv, are you inside?” Rebecca’s worried voice called out.
“Liv, why have you been bathing for so long?” Lily asked with growing concern. “Did
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something happen to you?”
Olivia’s sanity returned instantly, panic flooding her system. She whispered urgently to Connor, “It’s Lily and Rebecca. I need to go open the door.”
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Connor chuckled low in his throat, his eyes dark with satisfaction. “We’re just about to be done anyway.”
Olivia looked worried about being discovered in such a compromising position. Connor assured her calmly, “I bolted the Ancient Oak Gateway. They can’t get in.”
He urged her gently, “You need to respond to your friends, or they’ll call pack security out of worry.”
Olivia steeled her heart and called out, trying to keep her voice steady. “I’m fine!”
Rebecca and Lily felt immediate relief at hearing their friend’s voice. “How much longer will you be?” Rebecca asked. “I wanted to play mahjong tonight.”
Olivia replied quickly, “You go ahead without me.”
Lily frowned, something nagging at her instincts. “Rebecca, doesn’t Olivia’s voice sound strange to you?”
Rebecca shook her head dismissively. “I don’t think so. She’s probably just tired from the long soak.”
Lily called out loudly, “Olivia, Rebecca and I are going to play cards! Come over anytime if you want to join us!”
After a moment of telling silence, Lily smiled meaningfully. Her wolf senses had picked up on something her human mind was just beginning to understand.
“Okay~” Lily said with deliberate emphasis. “I don’t want to play cards anymore actually. Well then, Rebecca and I will go back first. If you want to play, come find us anytime.”
After Rebecca and Lily left, about ten minutes later, Connor finally finished. Olivia was completely exhausted, her body trembling from their passionate reunion.
Connor wasn’t tired at all and easily carried Olivia ashore. The Alpha looked down at his mate with satisfaction gleaming in his ice–blue eyes.
“Livvy, how can you be so tired after only this little bit?” he teased gently. “I wasn’t wrong to tell you to strengthen your exercise routine.”
Olivia leaned weakly in the man’s strong arms. “It’s not my problem. It’s obviously you…
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< Chapter 260: Hidden Depths
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“But it’s still not enough,” Connor’s eyes darkened with his wolf’s lingering hunger. “I still want more when we get back to the room…”
“Stop! Okay, don’t say anymore,” Olivia reached out and covered the Alpha’s mouth with her hand. “I’m so tired. I’m going straight to bed when we get back to the room. You’re not allowed to sleep with me tonight!”
Connor smiled indulgently, his wolf purring with complete satisfaction. “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”
The well–satisfied Alpha was very obedient.
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