The youthful face before her overlapped perfectly with the sharp, commanding visage of the man who stood at the apex of power, ruthless and fearsome. As a werewolf, Isabella could sense an otherworldly power radiating from the injured boy, a power that was both familiar and terrifying. The young boy lay sprawled on the bridge, bloodied, his piercingly beautiful yet rebellious eyes darting around as if searching for a lifeline—like an abandoned wolf pup desperate for survival.
Tears welled up in Isabella's eyes as she knelt down before him. "Do you want to come with me?" she asked softly. Despite his tattered, dirty clothes, the boy exuded an air of elegance and nobility. Turning his head arrogantly, he asked, "What's your name?"
Isabella hesitated briefly. "Thea," she said, concealing her true identity. The boy’s gaze darkened slightly. "What characters are those?"
"'Nian,' as in 'to remember,' and 'Sheng,' as in 'prosperity,'" she explained gently. The boy suddenly clutched her hand with surprising fervor. His voice carried a maturity beyond his years. "Those are good characters," he said approvingly.
"My name is Theodore," he added, introducing himself. Isabella smiled faintly. "Well, isn't that a coincidence? Both of our names have the character 'Sheng.'"
"That must mean we're fated to meet," Theodore replied with a mischievous smile.
"In that case, why don't you consider me your elder Sis? What do you think?" Isabella's warm smile momentarily stunned Theodore.
"Elder Sis?" He scrutinized her skeptically. "You're so skinny and short—clearly younger than me."
"How old are you, then?" Isabella teased.
"I'm 23 this year," he said with a straight face. Isabella chuckled at his obvious lie. "So, will you come home with me or not?"
Theodore nodded. Isabella hoisted him onto her back. Though malnourished, he was tall and not exactly light. Her slender frame struggled under his weight, and she panted heavily after only a few steps. As a werewolf, she should have had more strength, but her recent hardships had taken a toll on her.
"Let me down, Sis," Theodore suggested, but Isabella stubbornly shook her head. "No, I won’t give up halfway," she replied firmly.
His expression froze momentarily. "Sis, since you saved me, I’ll be good to you for the rest of my life," he vowed. Her heart skipped a beat, but she knew better than to put stock in promises from someone destined to become a figure of untouchable prestige. "I helped you not for repayment. Just take care of yourself—that will be enough for me."
It was an arduous journey, but Isabella eventually carried Theodore back to her modest rented room. After settling him on the bed, she hurried out to buy medical supplies, food, and other necessities. By the time she returned, the once sparse apartment had been transformed into a warm and inviting space.
Sitting by Theodore's side, she carefully tended to his wounds. When she removed his shirt, the horrific sight of his injuries brought tears to her eyes. As a werewolf, she knew the pain he must be in, and her heart ached for him.
"How could anyone hurt you like this? You're just a boy," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Far from despondent, Theodore smirked defiantly. "They wanted me dead—hit me with all they had. Too bad for them I survived. They'll regret not finishing me off when I rise to power."
Though his stunning features exuded a natural nobility, the shadow in his eyes radiated a chilling darkness that made her shudder. Isabella couldn’t help but wonder if saving him was a blessing or a curse.
"Surviving such a calamity means you’re destined for great fortune," she said softly.
He looked at her with a rare vulnerability. "Sis, I have no place to go. Can I stay here for now?"
Isabella’s gentle smile didn’t waver. "If you stay here, you’ll have to listen to me. Go east when I tell you, never west. Head south even if you hit a wall. Can you do that?"
Theodore nodded earnestly. "Yes."
She handed him some iodine. "I’ve dressed your upper-body wounds. You’ll need to handle the rest yourself."
His eyes softened like those of a pleading puppy. "Sis, I can’t move. Please help me."
After a moment’s hesitation, Isabella grabbed a nearby scarf and draped it over his face before delicately removing his pants. The sight of the wound on his thigh made her gasp in horror.
"You were so close to losing everything," she murmured, her voice breaking. "How could they do this to you?"
For the first time, she began to understand why the future Theodore was so emotionally detached and solitary. A child who had never known love could hardly be expected to give it.
"Sis, don’t cry. It doesn’t hurt," he said softly.
Sniffling, Isabella forced her tears back. "Until your wings are strong enough, don’t provoke them anymore," she urged.
"I promise. I’ll listen to you," he replied.
"When your wounds heal, I’ll help you get into school. You’ll attend a top university, the very best."
"Okay," he agreed.
After finishing her ministrations, Isabella didn’t redress his lower half but simply pulled a blanket over him. Removing the scarf from his face, she said, "Rest now. I’ll make you some porridge."
"Thank you, Sis," he murmured.
As Isabella left, his gaze followed her slender figure, a shadow of complex emotions clouding his brilliant eyes.
Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
In the imperial capital, Nathan accompanied Victoria to the hospital for her routine check-up. While Victoria rested in the waiting area, he busied himself with registering her information, paying fees, and managing appointments—dutifully performing the role of a perfect boyfriend. As a werewolf, his heightened senses made him acutely aware of the curious and judgmental glances from those around them.
When he helped Victoria to the blood collection area, his considerate actions drew admiration from nearby women. One of them chided her own partner, "Look at that man—he treats his wife like a queen! And you? I’m carrying your child, and you can’t even get off your phone to help me."
Her partner didn’t look up from his phone as he retorted cynically, "How do you know that’s his wife? What if she’s his mistress? Men always act like saints around their mistresses. If you let me have a fling or two, I’d treat them just as well."
Nathan’s face turned an ugly shade of red. The woman, now suspicious, began scrutinizing Nathan and Victoria. "Are you two married?" she asked.
Nathan’s expression darkened further. Victoria quickly intervened, "You’re mistaken. I’m seriously ill, and my brother-in-law is just helping me with my check-up."
The woman’s parting remark, however, was a barb. "Your Sis must be so generous."
Victoria’s face tightened.
After the blood test, the pair retreated awkwardly. Away from prying eyes, Victoria tried to soothe Nathan’s wounded pride. "Nathan, don’t take their words to heart. We have nothing to hide."
Nathan's expression gradually softened as he assisted Victoria into the doctor’s office. After reviewing Victoria’s medical report, the doctor did not say much at first, but his serious demeanor shifted as he turned to Nathan.“Where is Mrs. Hill’s medical report?” the doctor inquired solemnly.Nathan Hill, who had just calmed down, felt his mood darken once again. Victoria quickly answered for him. “Oh, my Sis is abroad.”The doctor frowned. “Even though Mrs. Hill is the donor, her health cannot be neglected. Furthermore,” he continued, revealing a hidden concern, “the day she was discharged, I found her bed sheets and bedding stained with blood during my rounds. Several days post - surgery, there shouldn’t have been such heavy bleeding. This suggests a complication.”“Mr. Hill, could it be that Mrs. Hill has other health issues? You should urge her to return for a check - up to rule out potential hidden conditions. Truthfully, she was too weak to be discharged in the first place,” t
In a world where werewolves roamed alongside humans, hidden in the shadows of the ordinary, Isabella found herself at a crossroads. The untamed wolf that had yet to grow into its fangs was now an irresistible, doe - eyed pup in the form of Theodore. His presence was both a comfort and a temptation, but Isabella's thoughts were clouded by the memory of the dark emperor, a peerless figure of earthly beauty who reigned at the pinnacle of the werewolf pyramid, as unattainable as the lofty flower perched on the highest peak.Isabella ultimately backed down. She couldn't afford to take that risk, not in a world where the wrong move could lead to unforeseen consequences. "No need," she said lightly. "For now, I'll stick to what I know best—women's fashion."Theodore's face revealed a trace of hurt. "Fine, but when you start designing menswear, promise you'll use me as your model."Isabella humored him with a half - hearted response. "Sure."Throwing herself into a grueling work routine, Isab
In the intertwined world of humans and werewolves, as Isabella's health gradually mended, the new school semester dawned. Perhaps the tides of fate had shifted, turning sorrow into joy, for her once - beleaguered life seemed to be on an upward trajectory. In this world where werewolf - influenced fashion trends were starting to make waves, her career was finally beginning to bloom.Isabella’s designs quickly gained traction among her classmates, many of whom were attuned to the subtler werewolf - inspired styles emerging in the fashion scene. The allure of her affordable yet stylish clothing, with its undercurrents of the wild and mysterious, spread like wildfire. Word - of - mouth, a powerful force in both human and werewolf communities, worked its magic. Soon, her customer base expanded beyond the low - end market, reaching into the mid - tier. Her wallet grew plump, and with it, her confidence in forging her own path in the cut - throat world of fashion.Theodore, a young werewolf
In the complex tapestry of the werewolf - human world, Nathan couldn't shake an inexplicable sense of unease as he absently scrolled through his chat history with Isabella. The digital conversations, once filled with her daily musings, now seemed like a distant memory.Back in the day, Isabella, a human in a world where werewolves held significant power, would reach out to him almost daily. Her good morning and good night messages were a constant, and she'd eagerly share every little detail of her life—the scenery she witnessed, the food she tasted. To Nathan, a werewolf accustomed to a more reserved form of communication, her openness had felt annoyingly clingy. But ever since he had sent her abroad, it was as if she had vanished into the shadows, much like a human trying to hide from the werewolf gaze. She hadn't sent him a single message since then.How had he not noticed such a drastic change in her behavior until now? The depth of his neglect towards Isabella was becoming glaring
One of Nathan’s friends playfully slapped him on the shoulder and jested, “Nathan, you’d better hustle and bring Isabella back pronto. Imagine if one day she waltzes back, pregnant and demanding a divorce. You’d be left high and dry, bawling your eyes out.” “Plus, if the great Nathan gets ditched by Isabella, it’d be a real hit to your werewolf - enhanced reputation.” Nathan gritted his teeth, muttering, “She wouldn’t dare...” Ultimately, perhaps under the mounting pressure of the impending company gala, a significant event in the werewolf - human business calendar, Nathan decided to yield. “Noah, book me a flight to the U.S. And get some top - notch gifts for my wife,” he commanded, his werewolf pride slightly bruised but his sense of duty to maintain appearances kicking in. His assistant, whose face betrayed no emotion, replied, “Yes, sir.” The next day. Nathan boarded a flight to the U.S., clutching a ragdoll cat as a gift his assistant had procured. The cat, with its
Nathan returned to the capital alone, a shadow of his former self. The werewolf - influenced world he had once dominated now seemed to close in on him, the weight of his failure to retrieve Isabella pressing down on his shoulders.When Nathan's father learned that Nathan had not brought Isabella back, he erupted in a rage, his werewolf aura flaring. In the werewolf - human social hierarchy, maintaining appearances and family honor was of utmost importance, and Nathan's failure was a significant blow.He berated Nathan furiously:"I opposed your marriage to Isabella back then, but you insisted on marrying her to save your 'pure - hearted love.' Since you married her, you should have lived a good life together and worked as a team. In our werewolf - influenced society, such unions are meant to be strong and unbreakable.Though Isabella's family background isn't great, she is obedient and filial. We accepted her. Yet, you still entangled yourself with her Sis... You've broken Isabella's
Theodore stumbled out of his room, looking flustered. "Sis, what’s wrong?" Isabella glared at him, her eyes brimming with tears. Her shoulders heaved as she struggled to contain her anger. "You’re faking being sick just to avoid school... Do you even understand? Of all pursuits, studying is paramount! In our world, whether human or werewolf, knowledge is power. If you don’t want to be bullied anymore in the future, you must study hard!" Theodore instantly caved, his sharp peach blossom eyes drooping. As a young werewolf, he could sense the intensity of Isabella's emotions. "Sis, I was wrong." Isabella’s voice trembled with frustration. "Theodore, I am willing to shield you from storms, but the world is vast, and not all storms can be blocked for you. In the werewolf - human world, you need to be strong enough to face challenges on your own." "Reflect on this properly." She angrily grabbed his school bag and slammed the door on her way out. Theodore pouted. "Why is she so f
Theodore's voice was as cold as the frost on a winter night, carrying a werewolf's inherent authority: "This is my home. I come and go as I please. You have no say in the matter."The eldest master of the Sanchez family, a werewolf with a long - established presence in the pack hierarchy, glared at him, his face contorted in rage. His werewolf features, usually hidden beneath a human facade, briefly twitched with anger. "This is my home. I've lived here since I was a child. And you? This is probably the first time you've set foot here in sixteen years!"Theodore retorted, his werewolf instincts sharpening his tone: "You dare speak of rights when you're the intruder? In the werewolf world, bloodlines and legitimacy matter, and you lack the true mark of a legitimate heir."The eldest master turned red with anger, his werewolf blood boiling beneath his skin. "I'm a full twelve years older than you—my mother knew my father long before yours ever did—"Theodore cut him off, his voice
In the werewolf - centered world, where the pack's social order was as complex as a web of territorial boundaries, outside the hospital room, Victoria leaned weakly against the wall, her heart sinking as she overheard Mrs. Hill's demeaning words about her, like a low - ranking wolf being scorned by the alpha female. A bitter sadness washed over her.Was she really inferior to her sister in every way?She strained her ears, hoping to hear Nathan defend her, but for a long while, there was no response from him, as if the beta wolf was too weak to stand up for his mate against the alpha's wrath.Fear crept into Victoria’s heart. She was afraid that Nathan, soft - hearted as he was, might actually believe his mother’s words and start thinking that his ex - wife was the better choice, like a wolf doubting its current packmate in the face of the alpha's influence.Unable to bear the tension any longer, Victoria pushed the door open and entered the room, like a
In the werewolf - centered world, where family hierarchies were as rigid as the alpha's rule in a pack, when Mrs. Hill saw the couple rings on Victoria and Nathan's hands, her suspicions were immediately confirmed, like a wolf detecting a threat to its pack's purity.She went wild with anger and slapped Victoria across the face. “How dare you marry my son behind my back, Victoria? I really underestimated you. In the werewolf - centered over - protective - mother - outburst and territorial - claim, this is her fury.”Thea stepped back, adopting the stance of a bystander, ready to watch the drama unfold, like a wolf observing a power struggle from the sidelines.The slap made Victoria dizzy, her body spinning in place like a willow in the wind before she collapsed into Nathan’s arms, like a weak wolf seeking protection.“Nathan…” Victoria cupped her swollen face, her tears flowing like pearls from a broken string, creating a pitiful scene, much like a wound
In the werewolf - centered world, where the bonds of family and love were as changeable as the phases of the moon, Thea was genuinely surprised. After being cast out by both her birth family and her marriage, like a lone wolf expelled from its pack, she never imagined anyone would still care about her. This intrigued her, and she was curious about the person who reached out to her, much like a wolf sensing an unfamiliar presence in its territory. “Give me the address, I’ll come right over.”Under the fates’ design, as if guided by some unseen force in the werewolf - centered universe.When Thea arrived at the bar, it was already midnight.The bar was nearly empty, with only a few disheveled figures slumped over the tables, like weary wolves resting after a long hunt.After scanning the room, Thea didn’t spot anyone familiar, and she frowned in confusion, her wolfish instincts on high alert.At that moment, a waiter approached and gave her a soft sm
In the werewolf - centered world, where family bonds were as complex as a thicket in a moon - lit forest, Thea finally stood up from the recliner and walked to Madam Moore’s side. The grievances and frustrations she once held, like the howls of a caged wolf longing for freedom, seemed to have dissipated, leaving only a calm, almost indifferent demeanor, much like a wolf that has accepted its fate."Before yesterday, I still had some lingering feelings for you. But after yesterday, our mother - daughter bond has come to an end. You’re a smart woman, so you should understand what I mean. Why continue to force a relationship that’s already been torn apart? In the werewolf - centered family - bond - severance - declaration and rational - question, this is her statement." Madam Moore understood exactly what Thea was implying.Thea had heard that Madam Moore was ill, and had rushed to her side immediately out of filial duty, like a loyal packmate rushing to the
In the werewolf - centered world, where the power dynamics were as fierce as a pack's territorial disputes, Theo’s thin lips curled into a slight smile, the danger in his expression unmistakable, much like a wolf baring its teeth in a show of dominance. "I always thought Thea was an orphan. Turns out her parents are still alive... Well, if that's the case, Mr. Joe, why don’t you help her pay off the huge debt she owes me? In the werewolf - centered strategic - debt - claim and pressure - application, this is his demand." Master Moore stood there, stunned, completely dumbfounded, as if a weaker wolf facing an unexpected challenge from a powerful alpha.Theo continued to press: "The debt of a child is the responsibility of the father, Mr. Joe. You won’t deny that, right? In the werewolf - centered family - debt - responsibility - assertion and challenge, this is his statement." Victoria whispered to Master Moore, "Dad, Isabella owes
In the werewolf - centered world, where family bonds were as tenuous as a lone wolf's hold on its territory, Thea walked upstairs and stood in front of Master Moore. With a solemn expression, she corrected him, "I’ve changed my name. I’m no longer Isabella; my name is Thea. In the werewolf - centered identity - reclamation and break - from - past, this is her statement." Master Moore seemed deeply insulted. Anger contorted his face as he reached out and gripped Thea’s neck, almost mad with fury. "You’ve forgotten what your ancestors’ surname is? Isabella, if I had known you were this rebellious, I should’ve thrown you into the cesspool the moment you were born! In the werewolf - centered anger - and - rejection - of - change, this is his outburst." "You can strangle me now; it’s not too late," Thea gasped, but still retained her proud demeanor, despite the difficulty in breathing, like a wolf refusing to submit. &
In the werewolf - centered world, where the power dynamics and family bonds were as complex as a thick forest at night, Victoria had never seen Nathan so dejected. It was as though the once - proud heir, much like a powerful alpha wolf that had lost its pack, had fallen from the heavens, shattered into pieces like a puppet with no strings, entirely devoid of spirit. "Nathan, what will happen to your company?" Victoria asked with concern, her voice carrying the worry of a wolf cub for its leader. Nathan, who had once been so confident at the business table, was now utterly dispirited. "If Isabella doesn't withdraw from this competition, I will most likely lose. In the werewolf - centered business - defeat - prediction and vulnerability - admission, this is his lament." Victoria’s face turned as pale as a ghost. If Nathan lost, it meant their relationship would fall apart too, just as a pack breaks up when its alpha is defe
In the werewolf - centered world, where emotions ran as wild as a pack on a hunt, Thea suddenly removed her glasses. Her eyes, enhanced by light makeup, sparkled with anger and malice, much like a werewolf showing its fangs. "Try hitting me," she took a step forward, presenting her defiant face directly to Nathan’s fist. Nathan was taken aback by her cold glare and slowly lowered his fist, as if facing a more powerful werewolf in a dominance stand - off. "A pair of foolish old fools," Thea bit out, cursing under her breath. Seeing Nathan take a hit, Victoria quickly intervened. "Bella, we’re family. Families don’t hold grudges. What you’re doing is irrational. After all, the prosperity of Nathan benefits you too. If he falls, you’ll have no one to rely on. In the werewolf - centered family - bond - plea and practical - reasoning, this is her attempt to persuade." She reached for Isabe
In the werewolf - centered world, where the pack's social hierarchy and business rivalries were as complex as a moon - lit forest, Theo couldn't help but chuckle lightly when he saw Victoria. "I thought the designer hired by the heir was some big shot. Turns out it’s your sweetheart, huh? In the werewolf - centered mockery - of - nepotism and exposure - of - favoritism, this is his taunt." His teasing exposed Nathan’s foolishness for favoring relationship over merit, much like a wolf choosing a weak packmate over a stronger one due to personal ties.This, in fact, was the very thing Master Sanchez despised, as a werewolf alpha values strength and ability above all.Victoria eagerly handed her design portfolio to Master Sanchez. "Master Sanchez, please take a look." Master Sanchez placed his teacup slowly on the table and took Victoria's portfolio. He opened to the first page. The entire p