Chapter 4

“I promise, I will get the biggest diamond ring in the world for you once we go home,” Henry consoled Ashley and hugged her.

Julian and Genesis laughed as they heard what he said. Ashley became even more embarrassed after she saw them laugh at her.

“Stop it. I don’t want such big rings. All I want is only you. I didn't even ask for a ring from you, did I? I am not materialistic.” Ashley said and hugged him back.

“I know. That’s why I love you,” Henry said and kissed her head.

As Ashley’s head was facing down Henry couldn’t see that her face had turned grey. She closed her eyes and tried to control her temper. 

‘I have to bear with you just for a few more days. Once I marry you, I will become the daughter-in-law of the most powerful hunter family. All I care about is only the title you would give me after our marriage and not whether you get me a ring or not,’ She huffed in her mind and clenched her hands.

…

“Hey, so, where is this new fellow we were talking about on the phone?” Erin asked her.

Anayka had just parked the car in front of her clinic. When she was on her way, Erin had called her to know about her whereabouts. At that time, she had informed him about the wolf she was bringing to the clinic. 

So, he was waiting near the parking lot. When he noticed her car, he rushed towards it. The minute she parked her car, he tried to peek inside by inserting his head into the car from the driver’s side. 

“He could not drive the car. So, go look at the back seat. And get your face away from the window. I may close it with your head stuck in the gap,” Anayka complained and pushed his face away from inside the car. 

Erin immediately pulled his head away as she did once close the window with his fingers on the rim. Once he opened the back door, he saw the white wolf lying on the seat comfortably.

He bent down to lift him up. But as soon as he tried to take him, Drake extended his leg and gave him a kick in between his legs.

“Ouch!” He held his manhood and squatted on the floor.

“What’s wrong with you?” Anayka asked when she came out of the car.

“He kicked me,” Erin complained.

“What are you saying? He did not move an inch from the time I found him. So how could he have kicked you? Stop trying to get sympathy from me. If you are unwilling to help me, then let it be. Stop blaming the innocent wolf,” Anayka glared at him and lifted the wolf from the back seat.

A small smile crossed across Drake’s mouth and he half opened his eyes to look at Erin who was still squatting on the ground.

“Do you need any help?” Erin asked while trying to stand up from the ground.

“No, I am good! Thanks,” Anayka said and pushed the clinic’s door with her shoulder.

Erin rushed towards her and held the door open for her. She brought the wolf into her cabin and placed it on the bed that was put on one corner of the room. She got the ultrasound machine near the bed and tried to do a full scan of the wolf.

“Let me help you,” Erin pulled the device from her hands.

He did not find anything wrong with the wolf. He looked at the smug look on the wolf’s face and unknowingly, he got irritated.

Intentionally, he pressed Drake’s stomach hard and made him howl. Anayka, who stood slightly away examining the display on the screen dashed towards them.

“What happened? What did you do?” She inquired.

“I did not do anything. Didn’t you say he did not move an inch from the time you found him? Look at him now, he has his eyes wide opened and even made a sound. Doesn’t it look like good progress from his side?” Eric asked her.

Anayka turned around and looked at Drake. His blue eyes mesmerized her and she forgot to blink. She kept on staring at the wolf until Erin poked her shoulders to bring her back to the world.

“What are you thinking? I have been talking to you for so long.” Erin asked.

“I am sorry, what did you ask me earlier?” Anayka asked after she came out of her daze.

‘I asked you when are you going to come with me for a dinner date? It has been two years since I have been asking you. Don’t you think I am handsome enough for you? Or do you want to be single forever?’ Erin wanted to ask her that question but did not.

Instead, he said, “Nothing, I was just asking you what we should do with this wolf. Either we can go and leave him back into the forest or hand him over to the forest authorities.”

“No! I mean, let’s keep him on observation for the time being. He looks malnourished too. As it looks like he was abandoned by his pack, I highly doubt if they will take him back.” Anayka said.

By then, Drake had once again gone back to his slumber. He closed his eyes but his ears were sharp. He listened to their conversation while wondering, ‘why is she interested in me? Maybe she is attracted to me? Oh! What should I do now? I am always famous with women.’

“Still, we cannot keep him in this clinic. We don’t take in wild animals. If the management knows, then they may create an issue. I think it is better to let him go,” Erin suggested.

Drake opened his fiery eyes and glared at Erin. He could not understand why this idiot guy is still here and disturbing his sleep? When Erin felt a chill down his spine, he turned around and looked at the wolf.

“Hey look, his eye color changed from blue to orange,” Erin shouted.

But by the time Anayka turned towards his face, Drake closed his eyes once again. Anayka shook her head but did not comment.

“Are you not trusting me? I saw it. His eyes changed from blue to orange and then almost turned red,” Erin said while trying to pry open Drake's eyes.

Anayka got annoyed with Erin. She knows he has an interest in her and has always expressed his liking towards her in every available opportunity. She had always maintained a distance from everyone including him. And never responded to his approaches. 

She believed that he would understand that she was not interested in him and move on. Today, she was already too tired after all the hiking and she lost her patience instantly. 

“What do you mean by his eyes keep on changing? Is he an octopus? Even an octopus can only change its skin color. So stop blabbering. I am going home,” She said and swatted his hand that was trying to open Drake's eyes.

Then she took out a few probiotic supplements from her desk drawer for the wolf. She kept them inside her bag and lifted the wolf from the bed.

“Where are you taking him?” Erin asked.

“To my home,” Anayka replied.

“It’s not safe to bring him to your home. What if he wakes up and bites you? He is a dangerous animal.” Erin said.

Anayka wanted to shout, ‘You are the most dangerous animal here.’

But she controlled her emotions and said, “I have been with him for many hours now. He did not do any harm to me. Even if he tries to do something to me, I will take care of it. You do not have to worry.”

“But…” Erin hesitated.

“Please, I am tired. I want to go home and rest. We will meet tomorrow. Good night,” Anayka said and walked out of her room.

“Good night. At least let me drive you home,” Erin suggested.

“Then what about my car? And how will I come to the clinic tomorrow?” Anayka asked him.

“I will come and pick you up from tomorrow onwards. I mean I will come and get you tomorrow. I don’t think it is safe to travel with the wolf alone at this time of the night.” Erin said.

When Drake heard that he wanted to roll his eyes. Anayka took a deep breath and said, 

“No thanks. I can drive back home safely. You do not have to worry about me. See you tomorrow.”

“Still, I will follow your car from behind. Just in case, the wolf decides to wake up and try to jump on you.” He suggested.

“Do as you wish,” Anayka said and struggled to open the door as she had the heavy wolf in her hands.

Erin rushed forward and held the door open for her. Then he ran towards the car and opened the back door for her to place the wolf in the backseat.