Chapter 3

Ariella's POV

The car started up again, and the street scenes outside the window continuously receded.

"You're looking for Crystalroot Leaf, aren't you?" 

The moment I got into the car, Matthew's pleasant voice came through. It was deep and sexy, and for some reason, it provided me with a sense of security.

I nodded and said, "Alpha Matthew, can you help me find it?"

"What, do you have money to buy it?"

I shook my head somewhat awkwardly. However, I had no intention of giving up this glimmer of hope.

"I don't have money right now, but I'll save up and pay you back slowly. Alpha Matthew, please. My mother really needs this herb to get better."

As I spoke, I started to choke up a bit.

He glanced at me through the rearview mirror but said nothing.

My heart sank a little bit.

That's when his voice rang out again.

"That ten dollars you threw on the floor, that was yours, right?"

I was taken aback for a moment and instinctively nodded. Then I realized something and shook my head, apologizing hurriedly.

"Alpha Matthew, I'm sorry..."

"Why apologize? I just want to tell you that since you gave me that ten dollars, I'll consider it as you buying the herb from me. What do you think?"

I was stunned for two seconds before I immediately realized what he meant and waved my hands, saying, "Alpha Matthew, that's not what I meant. In fact, I'm a medical student. I know Crystalroot Leaf is very expensive. You don't have to help me because of what happened between us that night."

Matthew parked the car by the roadside and turned slightly towards me, his eyes carrying a huge sense of oppression. I couldn't help but shiver.

"Then how about I introduce you to a job? My pack's finance department is short-handed recently. If you're willing, you can pay off the debt with your wages."

I nodded eagerly, thinking it was a good idea.

"That's great, Alpha Matthew. I've done some supportive financial work in my father's pack before, so I think I should be able to get started quickly. Alpha Matthew, thank you."

Matthew nodded and turned back, starting the car again.

"Are you going home? I can give you a ride."

His voice was as deep and moving as a cello playing, and I was instantly captivated.

"Ariella? Do you need a ride?"

He asked me again, pulling me back to reality.

I was a bit surprised that he had remembered my name.

Shaking my head, I said, "Alpha Matthew, could you please drop me off at the library? I want to borrow some books. Thank you."

The car turned left into a wide avenue. The sunlight filtered through the shade of the trees, and when I looked up, I felt everything was full of hope again.

Soon, we arrived at the library. I got out of the car and expressed my gratitude to Matthew. He didn't say anything, just handed me a business card and drove away.

I walked into the library.

I suddenly remembered that this library was funded and donated by Matthew's Thorn Pack. I secretly marveled, no wonder it was built so magnificently, like a piece of architectural art.

Before I knew it, I had been reading until late at night. When I realized it, I hurriedly packed up my things to go back to the cabin.

I walked out with several very heavy medical books. I hadn't gone far when I encountered a few drunk men coming towards me. They looked quite intoxicated, barely able to walk steadily. As they passed me, they were filled with lewd remarks, teasing me.

I didn't want to linger and just wanted to leave quickly, so I picked up my pace.

Just as I thought I had escaped, a man's hand pressed down on my shoulder.

"Hey girl, where are you going? How about we give you a ride?"

"You're so pretty. Let us kiss you."

"Wait, I remember she's the daughter of that Alpha from the Starmoon pack! Her father's dead, and the pack's been disbanded. Who's going to protect her? Tonight's a great opportunity!"

They dragged me into an alley. One of the men's hands was already inside my clothes.

"No!"

I struggled with all my might, but I wasn't strong enough. I couldn't transform into wolf form in my panic, so I could only close my eyes in despair.

Two men held down my hands and feet. Another man approached me with a lecherous smile. I was in so much pain that tears flowed.

"What are you doing?"

Suddenly, that deep and magnetic voice sounded again.

I snapped my eyes open and saw Matthew's face.

He stood at the entrance of the alley, backlit by the light, his silhouette looking tall and mighty, his aura cold and distant, daring no one to approach lightly.

Coming to my senses, I took advantage of the men's distraction and kicked the man directly in front of me as hard as I could in the groin.

He howled in pain, clutching his crotch and kneeling on the ground, completely incapacitated.

The other two men released me in fear. I took this opportunity to flee and ran to Matthew's side.

"Who are you? Mind your own business!"

The men's eyes revealed a sinister and murderous gaze. As they spoke, each of them pulled out a small knife.

Matthew's long trench coat flapped in the wind, his hands in his pockets, showing no fear at all.

They charged at Matthew. I assumed a fighting stance, ready to assist Matthew.

Matthew kicked one away, who fell to the ground and passed out instantly.

I smashed my backpack into the head of one of the men with all my might, knocking him unconscious.

The last one remained. He seemed very agile, engaging in a brief struggle with Matthew.

I was about to step forward to help when, without realizing it, the man had already circled behind me.

"Watch out!"

Matthew stretched out his arm to embrace me. The next second, his arm was cut by the knife, blood spattering onto my face.

He reached out with his other hand to choke the man, snapping his neck with a crack.

Blood gushed from his arm. I panicked and quickly tore a piece of my shirt to bandage his wound.

Clearly, the knife was coated with wolf venom, otherwise Matthew should have recovered quickly, but now the bleeding wouldn't stop.

"Come on, let's get out of here."

He naturally took my hand and ran towards the forest.

The night breeze was cool, the moon in the sky was bright, and the forest was silent.

Soon, he led me to the door of a log cabin.

Opening the door, I was taken aback. Inside, the space was warm and comfortable, as if it had been meticulously decorated. The walls and tabletops were adorned with numerous handmade accessories, adding a personal touch to the cozy ambiance.

Holding some herbs I had picked along the way to alleviate the effects of wolf venom, I was stunned.

These accessories were so exquisite, even the pillows on the couch were hand-embroidered.

"Ouch—"

I turned around and saw that Matthew had already torn the makeshift bandage off his wound. The wound was still bleeding profusely, looking very serious.

I slightly furrowed my brow, keeping my calm. There was a bottle of high-concentration alcohol on the shelf, so I reached for it and gently cleaned his wound with a clean piece of cloth.

After that, I applied the herbs to his wound.

"It will heal in a few days. No big deal."

After I finished, I looked up at him. We were so close, I could even feel his breath.

To my surprise, his eyes were filled with emotion, as if he was about to kiss me in the next second.

Wait...

I remembered, among the herbs I put on his wound, there was one that could act as an aphrodisiac!

Oh my god, am I digging a hole for myself to fall into?

Just as I was about to get up and flee, he immediately embraced my waist and kissed my lips.

I gradually lost myself in the kiss, sinking into the warmth he gave me. He kissed from my neck down to my chest. Unconsciously, we were both lying on the couch.

"Ariella, I'm sure you're my mate..."

He murmured, his hands wandering over my body until he stripped me of my clothes.