Chapter 3
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It was a busy day for Leila. She had received so many texts about ordering cupcakes and cookies. It made her so busy that she almost forgot about what happened to her yesterday.
Well, almost, but not quite, for the moment she went to her gate, and she had seen the massive mansion just beside her house – everything just popped into her head like a fleeting mockery to her.
She pouted and let out a deep sigh before shrugging her shoulders. Maybe, she wouldn’t ever forget how he treated her cookies!
She’d made sure to avenge her poor cookies when the time came!
She chuckled at her own joke and slightly shook her head. She wasn’t that morbid, though. Maybe, she’ll just put some stimulant laxatives in his food – nothing more.
Leila bit her lower lip as her mind drifted towards the man who had occupied her mind the entire night. She let out a frustrated sigh before driving towards the arc where her customers were waiting for her pastries and cupcakes.
“You’re such a talented young woman, Leila. Josefa and Emilio would be so proud if she’s still here with us.” An old woman tenderly told her as she smiled at her.
Leila reciprocated it with a sweet smile.
“That was so kind of you, Mrs. Gomez. Thank you.” She softly replied.
If her grandparents were still alive, they may have looked like the old woman in front of her. She just missed them so much.
“By the way, I just want you to be careful. You’re living alone and your nearest neighbor was just so snobby and mysterious. Be careful, okay?” Mrs. Gomez worriedly reminded her.
“No worries, Mrs. Gomez. I have my baseball bat with me.” She jokingly stated as she pointed her bat at the back of her bicycle.
The old kind woman giggled at her funny remarks.
“By any means, do you know who the man living in that mansion is?” She curiously asked.
Mrs. Gomez’ forehead creased as she tried to remember something.
“Well, I heard his name was Hunter Black and he was just living with his butler named Henry. They were just so aloof that not anyone in this village had always seen them. Anyway, what I know of was they just moved in recently. They didn’t attend to any of the invites that we sent them, so…” Mrs. Gomez shrugged her shoulders.
“They were just so distant and mysterious.” She simply added.
Leila just nodded her head. So, the gorgeous rude man’s name was Hunter Black. It suited him well. She bit her lower lip as she remembered how stunningly handsome, he was – if not for his rude behavior.
She instantly thanked Mrs. Gomez and went home. She needed to clean up her mess. She was her last customer for the day. She was so glad, though. She had four of them, which was very satisfied with her pastries. They even told her that they’d recommend her to their relatives.
“Oh, wait, I still have my carrot cake.” She, then, remembered and immediately went to her fridge after cleaning up the mess in her kitchen.
Her perfectly baked six-round carrot cake was standing proudly there. And she thought of a bright idea. She immediately placed the cake into a box. She would try to talk to her rude neighbor once again.
Well, she was certainly too persistent that way.
Though she wasn’t that heartless, she didn’t put any type of laxative in her cake. She mentally chuckled.
She pressed the doorbell once again, but no one went out. She’s been pressing it thrice, but to no avail.
“What kind of mansion is this? Was no one around?” She suddenly thought as she tried to push the gate, and to her surprise, it was open.
Leila shrugged her shoulders and peeked into the gate.
“Hello?” She softly whispered.
She saw a vast lawn with various plants around it. The brightly colored flowers were blooming attractively, and their fragrance filled her nose. She was undeniably awed!
Leila was just so amazed and curious that she walked towards the stone pathway that led towards the mansion. She was just right. It was so beautiful, and the design of the mansion was just so intricate and stunning.
She swallowed the lump in her throat as she tried to grasp the magnificence in front of her. Not until she had heard a loud eerie scream coming from the second floor of the house. She gasped in horror.
A loud painful cry resonated in the entire mansion once again and it made her more worried and scared at the same time.
Did someone need help? – She mentally thought as she felt doubtful whether to go up or just walk away.
She went there unannounced anyway.
Leila was so agitated until a loud painful groan echoed throughout the entire mansion once again.
With that, she slowly walked towards the grand staircase.
Her heart was pounding so loud because of mixed nervousness and concern.
She heard a hurtful panting followed by a loud crashing sound and then a painful growl.
Leila swallowed the lump in her throat as she found a huge wooden door where the noise was coming from. She held her breath as she held the doorknob – when someone had grabbed her hand.
She flinched and almost screamed out loud if the man didn’t cover her mouth.
“Who are you?”
His voice was hoarse – full of unsaid accusation and coldness.
It was an old man wearing a black waistcoat over his white long sleeves and tie paired with black trousers and black shiny shoes.
A typical uniform for a butler.
He must be Henry!
Leila was staring at him with her eyes widened.
He was maybe in his mid-fifties, yet still muscular at his age. His gray eyes were like piercing the hell out of her.
She bit her lower lip and played with her fingers, the moment he removed his hand in front of her mouth.
“Uh…” Leila couldn’t find the right words to say.
Her eyes widened when she heard the loud screams once again. She stared at the closed door and then at the butler standing in front of her. She saw a bit of concern that flashed in his eyes but immediately changed into coldness – as if she was just hallucinating.
“Who are you? What are you doing here?” The man strictly interrogated her.
Leila cleared her throat.
“Uh, I’m Leila. I live in a bungalow house just beside the mansion. I met Hunter yesterday and I just wanted to give you this – only to find out that the gate wasn’t closed. I heard loud screams that led me here. Your Butler Henry, right?” She swiftly said those words without a pause – as if some horses were tailing her.
She took a deep breath right after.
The man held the box that she gave and nodded his head.
“Yes. I’m Henry and I think you need to go now, Miss Leila. Master Hunter didn’t want any visitors in the meantime. He was resting.” His hoarse voice sent shivers down her spine.
She looked away because of the embarrassment she felt.
Butler Henry led her downstairs. He was just a few inches taller than her – for she had just reached his shoulders.
“Uh, what is h-happening inside? Is someone hurt?” She nosily asked while slowly following him.
The butler’s forehead creased and let out a deep sigh.
“Master Hunter likes to watch suspense and thriller movies. His room wasn’t soundproof yet.” Butler Henry simply replied.
Leila just felt her entire face turn bright red because of the pure humiliation she felt. The loud screams were just the sound effects of what Hunter was watching?!
What the heck was she thinking anyway?
She harshly bit her lower lip as they reached the gate.
And before she even took a step out, she gathered all her strength to face the butler.
“Uh, sorry for barging in.” She sincerely apologized.
The butler just nodded his head, and she immediately went out of the gate.
Leila slightly knocked her head twice for the embarrassment she felt.
“So much for being so nosy, Leila.” She lowly whispered and marched towards her house.
On Hunter’s mansion, Butler Henry heaved a deep sigh before proceeding urgently towards the second floor, where the woman named Leila almost caught Hunter’s shifting.
He immediately opened the huge wooden door and found Hunter lying naked on the cold floor. He instantly went near him and covered him with a huge blanket.
“I smell someone entered in my territory.” Hunter seriously commented while gritting his teeth.
Butler Henry’s eyes widened.
He wanted to hide Miss Leila’s trespassing escapades, but Hunter had advanced senses – even more advanced than their Alpha Hudson, his father, had.
Butler Henry cleared his throat.
“Our neighbor went inside the mansion.” He plainly stated.
With that, he saw how his deep ocean blue eyes darkened – because of fury.
Chapter 4 *** Content Warning: This chapter might contain violence, abuse, crime, or triggering factors that may be harmful, disturbing, or traumatizing to some. Reader’s discretion is advised. Thank you. *** “You’re such a great baker, Leila. Thank you for this.” Mrs. Johnson proudly commented as she stood beside her. Mrs. Johnson contacted her to create a customized cake for her daughter’s birthday. She was slowly building her name in the community and words were easily spread all throughout. Those words brought her back to reality and gave the kind woman a gentle small smile. “I really love baking. Thank you for trusting me on this, too.” She sincerely replied. “I’ll surely help you market your pastries and cakes, then. Maybe you can give me your portfolio so I can share it with my friends.” Mrs. Johnson excitedly told her. That made Leila ecstatic. “Sure, Mrs. Johnson. I’d do that. Thank you for giving me an idea.” Her voice was filled with happiness and anticipation. Le
Chapter 5 *** Leila was dumbfounded, but she tried to stand up with her trembling knees. She had no idea why, but she followed the massive wolf that actually… rescued her! She couldn’t believe that there’s a meek wolf like that – not to mention that it was so huge and bulky. She had seen them on television, and they were predators – mostly wild and fierce. Leila ignored the bruises that were throbbing in some parts of her body. All she could think about was following the massive wolf and finding out who owned it. She wanted it! She wanted one for herself! Well, that might serve as her best friend while living here in the village. Her mind was clouded with the gratitude towards the wolf that saved her. She couldn’t believe that during that hard, awful, and hopeless time – she could find someone unexpectedly. She was panting inaudibly – breathing in her mouth as she tried to keep up with the wolf, which was slowly walking like it had nowhere to go. The owl cooed, and it echoed
Chapter 6 *** It happened so fast that Leila couldn’t believe how she had come this far. She was flabbergasted upon discovering that it was Hunter Black, whom her mother had been indebted to. Well, technically, it was all her stepfather’s fault, but her mother had been his collateral. That man really had to give them a headache after what he had done to her! She couldn’t believe him! A heartless beast if she might add! But what’s worst was that she couldn’t believe how she had come this far and how fate was truly playing her right now. She stared at the huge mansion in front of her as she managed to press the doorbell. Butler Henry’s cold and blank expression welcomed her and ushered her towards the pathway. She mentally heaved a deep sigh. Now, she was welcomed here already, and that was because she had no other choice but to be the one who would pay for everything instead of her mother. “There are few rules that you had to remember while working here, Miss Leila.” Butler Hen
Chapter 7 *** Leila was so guilty that she couldn’t just leave Hunter’s mansion. She wasn’t allowed on the second floor of the house, and she hadn’t seen Butler Henry go down. She had eaten the steak that she had cooked, and she had a tiny tinge of pain, thinking that she hadn’t even asked for Hunter’s food preference. How could she ever forget something as important as that kind of information?! “I should’ve asked…” She murmured under her breath. Then, a loud bang of the door suddenly interrupted her thoughts. Her eyes widened like a saucer as fear and worry instantly attacked her. She hadn’t heard the doorbell, and she knew that no one would enter the place – for it was only Hunter and Butler Henry leaving in this huge mansion. “Then, who the heck is this?” She asked herself as she immediately held the vase just beside her. Whoever, this intruder was, she would instantly shout to Butler Henry and alarm them. But that also meant that her life would be in danger. Her heart be
Chapter 8Leila didn’t know how many times she had heaved a deep sigh as she plopped down the comfy sofa.Everything that happened that day was already wearing her out.However, what made her more perplexed was about what Butler Henry told her about a while ago.***Flashback…“But Hunter – err, I mean Master Hunter – seems like he is pushing his brother away…” She inquired nosily.She even corrected herself as Butler Henry shot her a knowing look.‘When can I ever get used to calling him ‘Master’? Tsk!’ She rolled her eyes inside her head as she mentally thought.Butler Henry heaved a deep sigh – like he was already worn out. She had been asking him too many questions since Hector went out of the mansion, and he might have cut his cord of patience because of her prurience.She swallowed hard – hoping that Butler Henry wouldn’t throw him out of the mansion for being too meddling.Leila just wanted to drop that topic when his next words made her more curious.“Master Hunter didn’t want
Chapter 9In the forest, the eerie silence was being broken by a loud and fierce growl from a hurt animal. The owls’ hooting suddenly stopped – afraid that they might disturb the creepiness growing around the place.“You are not going to get away with this! You skank! I swear they will know who you are eventually!” A man furiously screamed as blood flowed into the corner of his lips.Behind his eerie black mask, a man wearing all-black jeans and shirt with a hooded long cape smirked.“Just try. I have already eradicated half of all the packs in here. No one will come my way, especially since I already handled the group.” He plainly stated – using his low and cold voice.He saw how the dying man in front of him suddenly looked so worried and scared.The man in his mask let out a loud bark of laughter.He was suddenly amused by how the dying man tried so hard to pretend that he was strong enough to stand in front of him. ‘What a fool…” He mentally thought.“Don’t make me laugh, you idi
Chapter 10“I need you to do something.” Hudson said using his serious and cold tone.Hunter was all ears at his father’s words. He surely wouldn’t want to miss any of it.Right after his brother’s wedding, he instantly went towards their house. He didn’t want to be seen with his parents – more with Myrtle and Hector. It was too awkward for him to see the curious eyes of the people in their pack again.He let out a sigh inside his head.Apparently, his father decided to go home right after, too. So, that only means that this is something important. He was just too curious as to what it was.He had been away from the pack for a bit long and only Butler Henry was the one who visited the pack. He didn’t want to go home, as he tried to live independently.“What is it, Dad?” He coldly inquired as he looked at him with his serious eyes.Alpha Hudson let out a deep sigh. He looked a bit problematic despite his grim expression.Now, he felt like he needed someone to help him with this.“A lot
Chapter 11“Why am I thinking about it anyway? As if it does matter?” Leila muttered under her breath as she walked towards Hunter’s mansion.She was thinking about Butler Henry’s words. And it was her third time thinking about whether to continue to go towards the mansion or not.But she had to go… as if she had a choice.Leila rolled her eyes at the mere thought of it.“Did he really marry someone already?” She said unconsciously as she pouted her lips.That certain thought made her heart sink.“Wait, why am I thinking about it anyway?” She still couldn’t stop herself from taking her monologues, and she frowned.“Why would I even be surprised? He’s handsome, tall, and hot… not to mention that she was also hot-tempered, snobby, and…” She tried to create her own inside joke about it but the sulking feeling attacking her system just wouldn’t budge.“He might not come home now, huh? Because… he’s married. Now, what?” Her lips pouted at that.“Why am I so bothered about it anyway? Ugrh!
Chapter 128Mother***Content Warning: This chapter might contain violence, abuse, crime, or triggering factors that may be harmful, disturbing, or traumatizing to some. Reader’s discretion is advised. Thank you.***Leila felt like everything was slowly crumbling down right in front of her very eyes.Especially when she finally saw her mother… full of tears inside the prison cell.She chose to be in the prison cell with her – well, before the servant omegas, who were left to serve Donovan, finally get her out of there to prepare for the upcoming wedding.“L-Leila…” Her mother called her name brokenly.She wanted to break down in front of her, too. But she wouldn’t. She couldn’t. She had to stay strong. So, she immediately blinked the tears that were slowly blurring her eyes.&ldq
Chapter 127Letter***Content Warning: This chapter might contain violence, abuse, crime, or triggering factors that may be harmful, disturbing, or traumatizing to some. Reader’s discretion is advised. Thank you.***Leila smiled at her reflection in the mirror.Myrtle helped her prepare for her date with Hunter.She couldn’t stop smiling as she remembered Hunter’s face a while ago when he asked her to go out with him.Well, it wasn’t really “going out” – just a small dinner date with him near the Black mansion. It was what Hunter only told her a while ago. He was trying to be secretive about it.Actually, he was doing a great job at that. She really didn’t know where they were going. He simply asked him to go out with him and have a date – and that’s all.And of course,
Chapter 126Gone***Everyday kept on getting better and better for Leila.Hunter’s parents were very kind and accommodating – that she couldn’t asked for more.She took a deep breath – as she looked at the scenery of the garden in front of her. She just wanted to take a break and reflect about her life now. She was thinking that she needed to visit her mother and younger brother soon.Especially now that Donovan is dead.Everything was still slowly dawning her.Sooner or later, she had to tell them. And looking at the Blacks – she just missed her family so much. And she had to tell them the truth. She had to – in order for her to be at peace.However, despite everything that happened – and that even if she knew her mother so well, she still couldn’t stop thinking a lot of what ifs.What if she wouldn’t believe
Chapter 125Blessing***Leila opened her eyes the very next day – with a bit of a heavy feeling.The truth was finally revealed.Well, it was such a roller coaster of emotions for her. She couldn’t stop thinking about everything. Even when she went to bed last night.Heck! She didn’t even know how she managed to get back to her room.Her mind was in haywire – and so was today.The sunlight was already peeking inside her room.She took a glimpse at her bedside clock – only to see that it was just five in the morning. She only has a few hours’ sleep. Well, it was a good thing that she did sleep anyway. She couldn’t afford to think of the things over and over again – especially that she was already feeling so exhausted physically, emotionally, and mentally.However, even though she wanted to stay in her bed and think about everything that Hunter’s parents told her, she had to stand up and face the day.Besides, if she stayed that way – she could not stop herself from thinking more. She
Chapter 124Forgotten Memories***Content Warning: This chapter might contain violence, abuse, crime, or triggering factors that may be harmful, disturbing, or traumatizing to some. Reader’s discretion is advised. Thank you.***Leila bit her lower lip – as she tried to calm herself. She even closed her eyes – however, that only made her memories became more vivid to her mind.Her head was throbbing in pain – but this time, it was as if her memories had triggered, and it was flowing in her mind like a river.“Leila… Are you okay?”She could hear Mrs. Black’s voice – but the excruciating pain was just too much for her to bear, that she couldn’t even nod or open her eyes, just so she could assure her that she is fine.“Stay with her… I will call Doc Fridger…&
Chapter 123Played Trust***Mrs. Black let out a deep sigh – as she was looking at her intently.Even Mr. Black stared at her the same way.Leila felt like the emotions floating in the air didn’t change. It was still light – but a bit gloomier. This time, she saw some pain and sadness written in their eyes.It only added guilt into her heart – which she didn’t know for what or for who.She didn’t know but there was something in the way they looked at her – something that made her heart a bit heavier.“Lindon Mercado…” Mrs. Black called her father’s name – as she was slightly nodding her head.Then, she looked at the huge window on the right side of the room.It was as if she was lost in her own thoughts all of a sudden.“Leila…” Mr. Black called her seriously &ndash
Chapter 122Blame***Silence filled the air – as Mrs. Black called her in the library instead of staying in the living room.Leil agreed.It was better that way since what they might be going to talk about was all serious and private. And it seemed like they were both thinking the same thing.Mrs. Black is a light conversationist.“We heard that Hunter is already awake, but we just arrived. Maybe we can talk to him tomorrow.” Mrs. Black told her – as they sat on the single couches.She sat across from her while Mr. Black sat on the other side.Mr. Black rested his elbows in the armrest – as he intertwined his fingers right in front of his chest. He was staring at her and his wife. His eyes were dark.This time she realized where Hunter got his features.The first time she met them – she couldn’t look at them that i
Chapter 121Conversation***Hunter just wouldn’t let her go – not until Leila threatened him of not baking his favorite tart again. Well, she all knew that if he had another choice, he wouldn’t let her go. But he knew that his body is still frail – and he was easily exhausted.Well, Leila was just so happy that Hunter was fine now.He only needs to rest peacefully – and rejuvenate fully.His wounds were still fresh and no matter how much he tried to spend time with her – the medicine that Uncle Bob gave him made him drowsy.So now, he was already fast asleep.Leila looked at how peaceful Hunter was while sleeping.She couldn’t stop herself from smiling from ear to ear.After everything that happened to them – she thought that they deserved to take a break and have this peace of mind.Finally, Donovan was dead.They could breathe properly now.Leila looked at Hunter once again – before planting a soft kiss on his lips.“Good night…” She murmured under her breath.She still couldn’t st
Chapter 120Medicine***Leila’s face was still in bright red – while looking at Hunter being checked by Uncle Bob.She couldn’t believe that she could be such an aggressive woman.‘Damn it, Leila… You really have to do that a while ago? You should have asked him if he was okay – not kissed him right there and then.’ She murmured inside her head.Then, her face turned redder when she realized that if Hunter didn’t groan in pain – she wouldn’t stop the kiss yet.“You are really an aggressive one, Leila…” This time, Silver tried to throw her a playful remark.Her lips protruded.Well, she had no excuse for that.She was just so happy – that she couldn’t stop herself.However, seeing how Hunter looked at her with that playful smirk on his face –