Chapter 20: The lull before the storm.

The encounter with Helen simply passed by. Both Bridget and Layla remembered it but didn't care much.

However, just because the tree wishes to remain still doesn't mean the wind will stop. Some people wouldn't accept that.

"Miss Helen, we heard you got injured?"

Helen sat surrounded by a group of people inquiring about her well-being. Her sharp features showed a hint of sadness, but she forced a smile. Helen gently replied, "It's nothing."

"How can it be nothing! Miss Helen is the brightest and strongest flower of our tribe!" The one speaking to Helen was a male werewolf, who always idolized the beauty before him. Now that his goddess was injured, how could he not be agitated?

"Even during hunts, we've never seen you get hurt!" another werewolf nearby hesitated before speaking, "This time, did Miss Helen encounter some terrifying monster? Is that why you got hurt?"

In reality, the injury that everyone saw was just two small scratches on her wrist, barely bleeding. Yet, in the eyes of her ardent admirers, it was as if it were a deep wound reaching the bone.

Helen looked at those around her, their eyes filled with infatuation and daze. The beauty knew that even if she smirked triumphantly, to these puppets, their goddess would still be an incomparable bright spot.

However, true puppets are rare. If her self-satisfaction were discovered by Bridget's subordinates, then... both the beauty and her father would be doomed.

Therefore, the beauty forced a difficult smile and stammered:

"It's nothing really. It's just a small wolf... ah, never mind, everyone forget about it." Helen pursed her lips painfully, stood up wearily, waved goodbye, and left.

Although she didn't speak clearly, the key words were already there.

Small wolf.

Could injure the most beautiful and powerful woman in the tribe.

Who else could it be but the beast adopted by the chieftain!?

The people initially concerned and enthusiastic about Helen now had somber expressions, as if demons from hell.

When enthusiasm is properly exploited, it can become a blade for its master to wield.

...

Layla had no idea someone was plotting against her.

At this moment, she was awkwardly enjoying Bridget's bathing service.

Yes, that's right, bathing.

She didn't understand why a man could have such an enjoyable look on his face while bathing his pet.

She really didn't want to call this guy crazy anymore. She had scolded him so much that she started to fear the word "crazy."

Layla had never seen anyone who could exploit the word "crazy" as proficiently as Bridget. Others might worry about being called crazy. However, Bridget didn’t; he was even prouder and sought out unique things to throw himself into.

It was as if he had to do something different from everyone else to prove his strong existence.

Of course, for someone so unique, the people around him would split into two types of acceptance.

One was disgust. When living in a group, if there is a different and prominent existence, the first reaction of everyone is to exclude it. Then, it is to isolate it.

The second is curiosity. For this group, they will observe the different individual. If that individual becomes outstanding, they will turn their observation into approach and companionship.

The survival world is like that.

Not attacking from behind already makes you a good person.

Therefore, for Bridget, it was natural that some people coveted his chieftain's position, always lurking to discover his weaknesses.

As for his subordinates, Bridget helped and guided them, but he never showed the hidden sides deeply buried within him.

Perhaps adopting a pet was also good. At least at this moment, Bridget seemed to have a breath of life and real emotions.

However, Layla could put herself in that troublesome man’s position to speculate because she was also a leader; she could guess some of his actions… but no matter how much she guessed until her brain overloaded, she still couldn't understand… what was the satisfied smile and the thoughtful look on his face about???

Layla rolled her eyes at the man; she even intended to dodge his large hand to wake him from his world.

She was a poor little wolf who needed comfort and caressing. Please don't frighten her weak soul like that!

...

Bridget felt the softness and warmth in his hands. Seeing how this fur used to be ugly but now was so cute that he could knead it a few times, he smiled unconsciously.

A sudden surge of accomplishment made him feel strangely satisfied.

Then, the image of a beautiful girl flashed in his mind.

Bridget's deep eyes remembered his subordinates who had scouted the area around that place; they reported that there were no traces of the person he was looking for. That girl appeared and disappeared mysteriously.

This was a conspiracy.

He was sure of it. He didn’t know whether he should be glad that the girl just left that day instead of taking advantage of his momentary infatuation and then launching a fatal attack, or if he should despise her for having some plot but fleeing in confusion?

It was hard to choose.

Therefore, Bridget's intention to tie that girl to him was greater than ever.

Even if she was a scheming girl with a calculating mind, he would still tie her up and imprison her in his place. Break her wings so she could no longer fly anywhere.

Bridget licked his dry lips, his golden eyes growing darker.

He smiled.

And… he would make that girl submit to him, completely.

...

And while the man's thoughts gradually drifted toward some wet direction.

The scheming girl he wanted to find was shivering cold in his hands.

Layla shook her head to shake off the water droplets on her body. She angrily glared at the man who was irresponsible yet always claimed to be a good owner.

Layla: ...Could you please dry me first before pondering? Also, he's been massaging my back for a long time now! I feel like it's about to swell!!!