Third Person's POV
Judy put down her glass and grabbed a towel to wipe the wine off Camellia's neckline.
The incident caught everyone's attention.
Lionel's expression turned serious, and his brow furrowed.
Bentley looked annoyed and snapped, "Judy, how could you spill wine?"
Judy appeared frightened, her hand trembling as she wiped Camellia's dress, panic evident on her face.
"Sorry... Mr. Cobb..."
Camellia, noticing Judy's pale face and remorseful look, said, "Mr. Cobb, it's fine. I'll clean up in the restroom."
She didn't want to embarrass Judy over a minor accident.
"Alright, my fault for poor staff management. Apologies," said Bentley.
Camellia left the room.
In the restroom, she was about to clean her dress when she saw Judy following her.
"Miss Marshall, accidents happen," she said, trying to ease the tension.
"Miss Sanders, thank you," Judy replied.
Camellia turned back to the si
Lionel's POVOn hearing that Camellia was taken away, I rose to my feet abruptly.Leroy's fangs pierced my skull as the ancient wolf spirit roared within, "Tear out the traitor's throat!"Bentley's neck muscles twitched—this pitiful human didn't realize his veins reeked of deceit.Leroy's claws scratched at my vision, urging me to peel off his skin and expose his lies."Where did you take her?" My voice boomed with an Alpha's authority, making the windows hum.I knew Judy wouldn't dare harm Camellia without Bentley's approval.Bentley resembled a deer trapped by wolves, his fear stemming from the innate hierarchy of the pack.Leroy sneered, "He thinks his shivering is from the air conditioning."Bentley stammered, "Mr. Dalton, there must be some misunderstanding..."Before he finished, I gripped his throat.My anger threatened to overpower my control. Only Leroy's shift was restrained.Bentley
Lionel's POVMy knuckles cracked like wolf claws on the doorknob, Leroy's roar deafening: "Tear him apart!"As the pine door splintered, fangs pierced my gums.I burst in to see the man on top of Camellia.In that instant, my right hand shifted into a wolfish claw.Moonlight streamed through the curtains, glinting off my talons as Leroy cackled madly, "Yes! Gut him with these claws!""Please..." The man's scream mixed with the coppery scent of blood.I kicked the man off Camellia. Seeing her swollen face, disheveled hair, and torn clothes, my heart clenched.I quickly covered her with my coat, then stood and approached the quivering man in the corner.The man shook violently as I neared."Spare me... Ah!" I stamped between his legs, and his scream echoed throughout the sixth floor.When Bentley and Judy were thrown in, I'd already retracted my wolf claw, but it was too late—they'd seen the man's grues
Camellia's POVKonstantin entered with a stack of documents."Alpha Lionel, Miss Sanders' discharge procedure are ready," he said.Lionel nodded. "Put them there."I looked at Konstantin. "Mr. Carroll, may I see the bill? I'd like to know the cost."Before Konstantin could respond, Lionel said, "You don't need to worry about the hospital fees. This is considered a work-related injury, so it's covered."I met his unwavering gaze and fell silent.Half an hour later, we headed to the airport.En route, Konstantin filled me in on Judy and Bentley's outcomes.Judy and the man she hired were arrested for criminal charges, Bentley was fired from Ruiosent and also faced jail time for embezzlement and abetting crimes.Konstantin didn't disclose the specifics of what happened in the room after I lost consciousness, fearing it might upset me.I was satisfied with the outcome and felt no sympathy for Judy and the other
Camellia's POVI stepped around Esmond and reached for the keys to open the door. He suddenly grabbed my wrist.I felt a sharp pain at the back of my neck.The moment Esmond grabbed my wrist, the smell of pine and verbena hit me. Lyra, at the base of my spine, scratched restlessly.This hybrid, who once exchanged vows with me, now had pupils flickering in amber colors."Cam, I have another reason for coming today," he said, his Adam's apple betraying his suppressed wolf.The broken bond between us crackled with static, and the pine pheromones hammered into my temples like rusty nails."Spit it out, and don't touch me," I shook off his hand, irritation rising."You should notice that Lionel treats you..." His molars ground with the distinctive werewolf sound. The fractured mate contract gave his words a double tone—human voice underlain with a young male wolf's growl.Lyra suddenly lunged, hitting my diaphragm. It w
Camellia's POVAfter Eugenia left, I was about to get my car when I heard someone calling me from behind.I turned around and saw Konstantin and Lionel walking toward me.Lionel seemed to have had some alcohol, his face a bit flushed. The top two buttons of his white shirt were undone, revealing his well-defined collarbone, and his suit jacket was casually draped over his arm. His inborn aristocratic aura made people involuntarily focus on him.The back of my neck suddenly felt scorching hot, and Lyra was restlessly arching in my ribs. The cedar cold scent had already pierced through the neon lights before the sound wave reached me.At the sight of him, I was reminded of the odd words Esmond said to me the other day.'Does Lionel have some ulterior motive toward me?''Since Esmond and I haven't rejected each other yet, he shouldn't be able to tell that I'm his true mate.''Anyway, he has never shown any signs of it.''Ev
Camellia's POV"Thank goodness you're up. That photo was taken by a well-known photographer. He casually posted it on his personal Instagram after coming back, and unexpectedly, it went viral. People are praising you and Lionel as a good-looking pair, a perfect match," Eugenia said.I was left speechless.Even though the photo only captured our profiles, anyone who knew us could easily recognize us. No wonder Esmond was so angry earlier."It's just a matter of shooting angle. I'll contact Lionel. Talk to you later."If this incident gets blown out of proportion, it won't benefit me in any way.After hanging up, I thought for a moment and contacted Konstantin instead of Lionel directly.Upon learning that I was inquiring about the photo, Konstantin hurriedly said, "Miss Sanders, our team is already in contact with the photographer to resolve this. Please don't worry.""Alright, please let me know once it's settled," I replied.
Camellia's POVI finished breakfast, put on my shoes, and was about to leave for work.As I turned the lock, the smell of rotten pine and verbena remnants flooded my nostrils.Lyra bristled at the base of my spine. My pheromones crystallized from shock.Esmond's pupils flickered with the Ironclaw Pack's signature amber slits, signaling impending loss of control.I frowned and asked, "What do you want..."My words died in my throat as his palm erupted with pine needle pheromones, piercing my skin like rotten thorns.Lyra arched her back, emitting a silent howl only I could hear—the broken mate bond was retaliating through the contact point, searing the contract scar on my tailbone.Esmond grabbed my hand, yanked me against the wall, and pinned me there."I told you to stay away from Lionel. You seem to have ignored me completely."One hand held me down while the other slowly moved down my face, his eyes glint
Camellia's POVI was about to continue my experiment in the lab when I received a message from Blanche, asking me to go to her office.I entered the office. Blanche smiled as she asked me to sit down."Camellia, how was your business trip to New York with Mr. Dalton?"I pursed my lips and replied, "It was okay. What do you need me for, Blanche?""Here's the thing. Headquarters highly values the project you're developing, and since it's funded by Pioneer Tech, they want to send you to work at their company for a while. This way, Mr. Dalton won't have to keep running back and forth to follow up on the experiment's progress."I was surprised and my eyebrows furrowed."How long will I be there? And does Pioneer Tech have a lab?"Blanche smiled and said, "I'm not exactly sure how long you'll be there. Probably until the project has made some progress. As for the lab, don't worry. Pioneer Tech bought a building next to their group he
Lionel's POVI was reviewing lab surveillance footage when my suit pocket vibrated with an incoming satellite call.I answered, and Konstantin's urgent breathing filled my ear. "Alpha Lionel, Miss Sanders has gone missing!"My knuckles crushed a pen, splintering wood into sharp shards. "What's the situation?"Leroy whined anxiously in my mind."Her place is a mess. Her phone's on the sofa, but she's gone."Fabric rustled as Konstantin investigated. "There are drag marks on the hallway carpet, and in the kitchen...""Check it out." Cedar scent froze on my tongue as I loosened my tie and headed to the garage.A sudden pain seared my neck—my true mate was in danger.Unfortunately, without her marked, I couldn't pinpoint her location.Leroy's claws scraped my nerves."Let me take over," it growled."Shut up. Not the time to shift," I snapped back.Oddly, a flicker of anxiety stirred within m
Camellia's POVFrom Connor's conversation with that man, I figured out he kidnapped me for money.In a flash, everything became clear.Claire wanted me dead but didn't want to get involved, so she arranged for Connor to kidnap me. If I died, Connor would take the blame.She might even plan to kill him too. After all, dead men tell no tales.Seeing I didn't respond, Claire sneered, "If you don't call, you'll die right now."I knew calling Esmond was my only chance to survive.If I could hold on until he came, I might live."Alright, I'll call.""You give the number, I'll dial. But think carefully about what you say."She put Esmond's call on speakerphone.But it wasn't Esmond who answered. It was Hazel."Who's this?"Recognizing Hazel's voice, my heart sank."It's Camellia. I need to speak to Esmond."Hazel giggled. "Esmond's taking a shower. You can tell me what you want, and I'l
Third Person's POVAt the Pioneer Tech Group's CEO office, Konstantin rushed in with a document."Alpha Lionel, our cooperator returned this file, claiming issues with the experimental data. I can't pinpoint the exact problems."Lionel scanned the document and said, "Call Camellia."Konstantin nodded and dialed Camellia's number."Buzz, buzz, buzz..."The phone vibrated in the dark living room, eventually stopping.After several failed attempts, Konstantin suggested, "Shall I bring the document to Miss Sanders?""Okay."Camellia's POVI woke to the suffocating darkness of what felt like a trunk, my pulse roaring in my ears. Panic and fear gripped me.Kidnapping was unheard of in my world.They might kill me at any time.I forced steady breaths despite the panic, registering the vehicle's movement.Where are they taking me?I dwelled on the possibilities. I lived in an old residen
Camellia's POVAs I sneered, a burning pain surged in the back of my neck.Lyra growled threateningly in the depths of my consciousness, her fangs scraping against my spine.Each word I uttered carried the low - frequency tremor characteristic of werewolves, "If you dare go to my dad again, I'll expose your infidelity."The broken mate bond exploded in my chest like thorny bushes. The remnants of verbena's cloying sweetness in Esmond's cuffs stung my olfactory nerves."Are you not afraid of worsening his condition?" he said with a shrug, fueling my anger as my fists clenched."How could you become so shameless?" I exclaimed."Shameless?"Esmond's pupils swirled with the Ironclaw Pack's bloody totem. The fingertips gripping my jaw exuded a murky blend of pine and verbena."Cam, I merely wanted you back and to keep your distance from Lionel. You're the one provoking me," he said.I stumbled backward against the wall
Camellia's POVAt noon, I headed to the cafeteria and was stunned by its luxury.The food at each window looked exquisitely prepared, making my mouth water.I queued at a Thai food stall, ordered pineapple fried rice and tom yum soup, and sat in a corner.The first spoonful of soup tasted as good as what I'd had at a five-star restaurant before.I'd once thought it was an exaggeration that Pioneer Tech's cafeteria rivaled five-star venues, but now I saw it was true.Back in the lab, I started the afternoon's experiment.As the reaction began, I sat nearby, timing and recording.Suddenly, a message from Esmond came in."I'm downstairs at Pioneer Tech. Come down now, or I'll come up myself."I frowned, surprised he'd found out I was here so quickly.I called him.After two rings, he answered but stayed silent."I'm here on company business. You coming here won't change anything.""You cou
Camellia's POVI was about to continue my experiment in the lab when I received a message from Blanche, asking me to go to her office.I entered the office. Blanche smiled as she asked me to sit down."Camellia, how was your business trip to New York with Mr. Dalton?"I pursed my lips and replied, "It was okay. What do you need me for, Blanche?""Here's the thing. Headquarters highly values the project you're developing, and since it's funded by Pioneer Tech, they want to send you to work at their company for a while. This way, Mr. Dalton won't have to keep running back and forth to follow up on the experiment's progress."I was surprised and my eyebrows furrowed."How long will I be there? And does Pioneer Tech have a lab?"Blanche smiled and said, "I'm not exactly sure how long you'll be there. Probably until the project has made some progress. As for the lab, don't worry. Pioneer Tech bought a building next to their group he
Camellia's POVI finished breakfast, put on my shoes, and was about to leave for work.As I turned the lock, the smell of rotten pine and verbena remnants flooded my nostrils.Lyra bristled at the base of my spine. My pheromones crystallized from shock.Esmond's pupils flickered with the Ironclaw Pack's signature amber slits, signaling impending loss of control.I frowned and asked, "What do you want..."My words died in my throat as his palm erupted with pine needle pheromones, piercing my skin like rotten thorns.Lyra arched her back, emitting a silent howl only I could hear—the broken mate bond was retaliating through the contact point, searing the contract scar on my tailbone.Esmond grabbed my hand, yanked me against the wall, and pinned me there."I told you to stay away from Lionel. You seem to have ignored me completely."One hand held me down while the other slowly moved down my face, his eyes glint
Camellia's POV"Thank goodness you're up. That photo was taken by a well-known photographer. He casually posted it on his personal Instagram after coming back, and unexpectedly, it went viral. People are praising you and Lionel as a good-looking pair, a perfect match," Eugenia said.I was left speechless.Even though the photo only captured our profiles, anyone who knew us could easily recognize us. No wonder Esmond was so angry earlier."It's just a matter of shooting angle. I'll contact Lionel. Talk to you later."If this incident gets blown out of proportion, it won't benefit me in any way.After hanging up, I thought for a moment and contacted Konstantin instead of Lionel directly.Upon learning that I was inquiring about the photo, Konstantin hurriedly said, "Miss Sanders, our team is already in contact with the photographer to resolve this. Please don't worry.""Alright, please let me know once it's settled," I replied.
Camellia's POVAfter Eugenia left, I was about to get my car when I heard someone calling me from behind.I turned around and saw Konstantin and Lionel walking toward me.Lionel seemed to have had some alcohol, his face a bit flushed. The top two buttons of his white shirt were undone, revealing his well-defined collarbone, and his suit jacket was casually draped over his arm. His inborn aristocratic aura made people involuntarily focus on him.The back of my neck suddenly felt scorching hot, and Lyra was restlessly arching in my ribs. The cedar cold scent had already pierced through the neon lights before the sound wave reached me.At the sight of him, I was reminded of the odd words Esmond said to me the other day.'Does Lionel have some ulterior motive toward me?''Since Esmond and I haven't rejected each other yet, he shouldn't be able to tell that I'm his true mate.''Anyway, he has never shown any signs of it.''Ev