6 Are You Just Heartless?

Adeline slowly came to consciousness as the morning sun’s rays streamed through the window, shining directly at her face. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she let out a groan as she turned her head away from the blinding light. She blinked against the brightness and rubbed her forehead, feeling a bit dizzy. 

Sitting up slowly, she took in her surroundings. The room was expensively decorated, with rich furnishings and luxurious curtains hanging over the windows. She ran her hand over the massive bed she had been lying on. "Where on earth am I?” she murmured to herself. She stared down at nothing, trying to piece together how she had ended up in such a place. 

Gradually, the memories came flooding back—the attack, the gunshots, her father. She looked down at her arm, which was wrapped in clean bandages, and nodded. “So it wasn’t a dream after all.” 

Throwing the blanket aside, Adeline swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. She glanced down at the dress she currently had on. It was simple yet elegant, unlike what she remembered wearing before she had passed out. "This wasn’t what I was wearing." She sighed and simply shrugged it off. She had more important things to think about, for example, getting out of there.

Adeline approached the door slowly, reaching for the handle, her legs shaking as if she were going to fall. As she pulled it open, she was startled by the figure standing on the other side. She screamed, stumbling back and landing on her butt. 

Looking up, she saw a muscular man, about a hundred and ninety-five centimeters tall. He was glaring down at her with his hands clasped behind his back. Behind him, a maid entered the room, carrying a tray of food. She walked over to the desk near the bed, set the tray down, and gave a quick bow before exiting the room without a word.

Adeline watched in stunned silence, her brows cocked with confusion and something else. Who was this scary-looking man before her, and where exactly was she? The man closed the door behind the maid and moved to a chair in the corner of the room, taking a seat.

He stretched his sleeve before clearing his throat to speak, breaking the silence. "So, you’re finally awake. How are you feeling? With how long you've been unconscious, I was starting to think you were in a coma or something, but I'm glad that's not the case."

Adeline, still trying to process everything, scrambled to her feet, careful not to jostle her wounded arm. “I’m... fine,” she replied cautiously, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Who are you? And how did I get here?”

The man sighed, an irritated look crossing his face. “So many questions at once. How irritating,” he muttered, as if her inquiries were a minor inconvenience rather than a natural reaction to waking up in a strange place.

Adeline frowned, a surge of frustration rising within her. She clenched her fists, staring at him. Who the hell does this guy think he is? Does he not know that she's the daughter of the Crimson Pack's leader to be speaking to her in such a manner?

She took a deep breath, calming herself down. There was no point in getting angry anyway. It would just end up making things more confusing for her than they already were. “Look, I have no idea who you are or where I am, but I really need answers.”

Enzo scoffed, rolling his eyes as he stood from his seat. He stepped closer, looming over Adeline. She was tiny compared to his height. “My name is Enzo Laureati. I am the Supreme Alpha of the Moonlit Pack, which is where you currently find yourself.”

Adeline took a step back, tilting her head to meet his gaze. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, but not with fear. 

Enzo continued, “I found you lying in the middle of the road, your arm bleeding out before you passed out in front of me. I must say that was rather pathetic.”

Adeline gasped, her cheeks flushing red with anger. Pathetic? Oh, this man was really asking for it now. Her hands clenched into tight fists, and she fought the urge to retort. Why was he being such a pain in the ass?

Enzo glanced down at her balled fists and chuckled. “Cute.” He shook his head, stepping back to give her a little space. He pointed at the bed, snapping his fingers. “Sit down.”

Adeline’s eyebrows shot up in confusion. “What? Why? I'm fine where I am.” 

Enzo sighed, clearly exasperated. “I said sit,” he repeated, snapping his fingers again. “Are you deaf?”

Adeline let out a baffled scoff, her teeth gritting in frustration. What is up with this man’s attitude? She was trying her best to be civil, but he wasn’t making it easy. With another scoff, she marched over to the bed and sat down on the edge, crossing her arms. “Fine, I’m seated. Now what?”

Enzo nodded, satisfied, and dragged the chair he had been sitting on earlier closer to her. He sat down, his eyes boring into hers with an intensity that made her shift uncomfortably. “Now, explain who you are and why you were in that condition when I found you.”

Adeline’s frown disappeared, and she bit her bottom lip, trying to gather her thoughts. “I’m Adeline Smith,” she said quietly, slightly stuttering, “daughter of Baron Smith, leader of the Crimson Pack.”

She constantly glanced up at Enzo, who was staring at her intently as she explained. “Yesterday, my pack was attacked by the Blue Moon Pack. They... they wiped out every single one of us. I’m the only survivor.”

“Your pack was wiped out?” Enzo chuckled softly, “Well, that’s unfortunate.” 

Adeline’s head snapped up, her eyes locking onto his face with a mixture of disbelief and anger. Her left eye twitched as she tried to contain her frustration. “Excuse me? Is this funny to you? Or are you just heartless?”