Chapter 4

Brian POV:

While punishing Kate, I spotted Kelsey upstairs; she witnessed everything. It seems like I scared her because she's been avoiding me since then, not daring to raise her head when talking. In the past, she and I did not speak often; just a few times when we met, she would look up at me and smile. And now, she is like a little rabbit, always afraid and looking for a hole to hide in.

Does she think I'm too cruel to be with Kate like that? Doesn't she realize I'm helping her vent? Or comes from another cause? Is she afraid to do the same to her?

I remember that I was the one who threatened to break her bones if she made a mistake.

I wonder why she is so shy. Being beaten and tortured by others can't even cry or protest. Should she say she's honest or say she's silly?

If I hadn't heard the sound and gone down, I wouldn't know what she would look like. I know my mother would only order a stop if she were satisfied.

My father, Alpha Arnold, used to say it when I was a kid. He didn't love her because she was too cruel. But I know it's a fallacy because before marrying my mother, he also had an affair with Vyna; even Richard was six months older than me.

Sitting in front of the window, still unable to sleep, I opened the door and went out, involuntarily standing in front of Kelsey's door. I hesitated momentarily, then gently opened the door to her room. I don't know what's wrong with me; I feel uncomfortable in my heart, want to look at her for a while, want to see if her injury is severe.

'You're caring for her; that's no shame, Brian. She's our mate; it's our duty to protect her.' My wolf, Andrew, was talking excitedly and encouraged.

I ignored him; I chose to leave my wolf alone after what happened four years ago. I always felt that I was not worthy of commanding him, nor to be his friend. I also decided not to transform into a wolf anymore. Andrew always longs to go outside; he has the right to run fast on the grass, lie on the rocky snout, watch the moon, and enjoy the wind. But I selfishly locked him up for four years because of the psychological ghost in my heart.

The story of that year was always like a sharp thorn that existed in me, it couldn't be pulled out but left behind, and it hurt more and more. At that time, I had just turned 18 years old, was famous everywhere, was named the strongest warrior of all time, and was also about to inherit the noble Alpha position.

I am arrogant and the strongest, so I look down on everything. Also, because I was so confident that I fell into the enemy's trap, I inhaled a specially prepared amount of smoke that caused my nerves to start producing hallucinations. Those who are loyal to me trust me completely, but I am the one who takes their lives.

I gritted my teeth, and those images still haunt and haunt me every night; that's why I haven't slept for many years.

Suddenly, there was a slight groan in my ear, and the memory startled me awake.

Looking at the girl curled on the bed made me feel better. This room has been abandoned for a long time since she moved in; it has been cleaned up to become a warm place to lie down, and it smells of her everywhere; it's like an essential oil. It can help my nerves relax.

'Brian, I feel like she's strange.' Andrew reminds me he's worried. 'Come and see how her.'

I didn't answer but still took a step forward; under the light, I saw her forehead covered in a cold sweat, her body twitching; sometimes, she couldn't help but groan in annoyance.

I put my hand on Kelsey's forehead; she has a fever. Probably because the wound was treated lightly and she was overworked.

'Hot...' Kelsey furrowed her brows as her cheeks flushed red against her white face.

I feel incredibly uncomfortable inside, like being stabbed by thorns.

I turned to go outside, grabbing a basin of hot water and a clean towel. I had no experience caring for sick people, just instinctively doing everything, but lucky Kelsey had a fever after that.

Her small face, which was still wrinkled earlier, began to relax. I felt hypnotized; I could sit motionless and look at her for a long time without getting bored.

I think I've gone crazy.

After a while, I stood up and wanted to leave the room when suddenly her hand reached up and grabbed my finger, mumbling and saying broken words. 'Don't go; I'm afraid... alone...'

I raised an eyebrow, about to pull her hand away when she tightened her grip. Then Kelsey turned into a child; my hand was like her favorite toy, and she would cry if I intended to leave.

'She's so cute, Brian; I'm so happy that my mate is such a lovely girl.' Andrew excitedly wagged his tail in satisfaction.

I didn't want to admit it, but he was right; she was charming.

The night passed slowly; it was hard to believe I was here all night to watch her sleep.

When I was young, I looked at my parents' situation; I thought I didn't need a mate because it was such a nuisance. I was highly confident in this thought of myself until the first time I met her; at that time, her eyes widened as she looked at me, trembling; she always brought a feeling of fear scared. She always tries to please others but forgets what she wants herself; that's when I flashed a crazy thought.

I want to treat this unfortunate girl a little more tenderly.

I didn't want her to find out I was here in the morning, so I gently withdrew my hand, pulled the blanket back for her, and stood up. When I went out, the sky was still gray; it had been a long time since I was in such a good mood.

My gaze wandered around the living room; the windows had all been opened since she'd been here.

I stopped at the pot of wildflowers on the table, suddenly amused; maybe Kelsey didn't realize her flower arrangement was terrible; she messed up all the colors.

But for some reason, I find it like her, innocent and pure, the complete opposite of me.