At first, I thought about rushing to his house to see what was really happening. But I stopped myself—Kent would never cheat on me. With my hands clenched around the steering wheel, I pressed harder on the accelerator.

When I reached the office, I avoided everyone’s eyes, heading straight for my desk without a single greeting to my colleagues or the customers in sight. I didn’t even spare a glance at Miss Penelope’s door.

Jasmine, my colleague, came over.

“What’s with that look today?” she asked.

"Nothing".

Jasmine shock her head in disbelief.

"I don't believe. I have known you too well. I know when you having a bad day, beside-" She stared at her wrist watch. " - you came in late for work today. Earlier on, Miss Penelope asked why you ain't at work yet"."

"Emmm", I gently placed my hand on my head, feeling a bit docile.

"I had a rought morning Jasmine. What did she say anyway?"

Jasmine stared at me attentively.

"You are nervous, I can see. Anyway, she is not in her office. She left a couple of hours ago"

Hearing that, gave me a little relief.

"Well, okay. Has she said anything about her daughter?"

"What? " Jasmine was confused. A customer was coming towards us with a black paperback.

" What I meant,-" I wad tapping my fingers on my desk. "- was if Tina has showed up here or traveled back".

"No." Jasmine replied. Shifting her attention from me to the customer that was approaching her.

" I got work to do girl, I believe you do too. That reminds me, a middle aged man came looking for you earlier today"

That was strange. It was a surprise to me that someine came looking for me. No kne knows where i worked even my parents don't know except Kent.

"I would be paying for this" the customer showed Jasmine the book, she was in her late sixties and wriggly. She held an expensive silver handbag.

"Ma'am, this book on lease only." Jasmine told her, showing the elderly woman the book tag. "You can't buy it from us"

"Did he say who he was?" I asked gently, trying not to distract Jasmine attention.

"Yes.. ummm. He said he was Serbian by name. That was all" Jasmine then turned to the customer. "Please follow me ma'am to my desk."

Hearing that name, sent shivers to my bone. How did Serbian found out where I was working? Has he come to murder me like I did his son?.. What happened to his son was an accident, I had to defend myself.

I knew was I no longer safe, not only at the bookstore but anywhere. Serbian had definitely come hunting for me. I need to make plans to stay in hiding while I strike him first before he does.

Later that day, just before closing, Miss Penelope came in and I decided to tell her everything—everything except the wolf part and Lysterr' death, only told her I was having a family issue that needed my attention. She had always been one of the most humble and understanding people I’d ever known. After working with her for seven years, she knew I wasn’t the kind of person to make excuses. With genuine concern, she reassured me that I could take a day or two to handle whatever personal matters I was dealing with. She even offered to help, but I declined, simply asking for some time off. She agreed right away, without hesitation. I was overjoyed.

"Thanks so much Miss Penelope"

"Don't mention" She replied clutching her handbag. "Just make sure you fix yourself together, okay. I need you at work as your former self."

"Will do ma'am"

"Okay. You and Jasmine may lock the bookstore later. I am off to see Tina"

"Okay. Please send my regards to her. Tell her I would love to see her"

"Sure, I will" Miss Penelope locker her office and left in a haste. while I stood at the entrance of her door.

Arriving my apartment, I saw a white envelope at my door. I hesitated for a moment, who could it be? I wondered. Summoning courage, I picked it up. Whoever I am not afraid of them. I tore the seal and stared at the content of the paper. It was written in blood, with determination and threat:

'I KNEW WHAT YOU DID,

REMEMBER YOUR FATHER IS STILL WITH ME.'

***

Kent’s voice carried a strained calm, though the effort was obvious. His words echoed across the bright, tastefully decorated room.

“What exactly did you say to her, Laurica? Don’t tell me you told her you’re my girlfriend.”

Laurica didn’t answer. She stood by the wide window, arms folded, pretending to lose herself in the view outside, as if his question hadn’t reached her at all.

“You and I are finished, Laurica,” Kent continued, his tone soft but firm. He stood in his nightgown, the pale fabric catching the room’s light. “Yes, our fathers once had plans for us, but that arrangement failed long ago. You can’t just barge into my home—into my room—without permission. You didn’t even bother to tell David, my housekeeper.”

“You’re a fool, Kent!” Laurica snapped suddenly, spinning toward him with the sharpness of a striking serpent. Her eyes blazed with fury. “Do you really think I’ll just sit back and watch you run into the arms of that slut? Never!”

Kent drew in a slow breath, startled by her defiance.

“You took my love for granted,” Laurica said bitterly, pressing her palm against her chest. “We lost our son because of me… because of that miscarriage, and you treated it like nothing.”

“I haven’t forgotten,” Kent replied quietly. “But one night of weakness doesn’t give you the right to destroy the rest of my life. I’ve moved on. I’ve found someone I truly love. What we had in high school… it was a mistake. A mistake I’ve accepted, one I’ve tried to make up for by paying you five million rubies every month.”

Laurica’s lips curved in a painful half-smile as she stepped away from the window. “You think that’s what I want?” she asked softly. “I don’t need your money, Kent.” She approached slowly, her heels tapping against the polished floor until she stood right before him. Her hand settled on his shoulder, the other sliding gently through the hairs of his beard. “I need you. I want the life we once had back. I want you to be mine again.”

For a moment, Kent faltered. Her shining blue eyes held him, reminding him of a past he had tried to bury. He found himself caught between two women—Laurica, who once carried his child, and Caroline, the woman from a rival pack who had captured his heart completely.

But the hesitation passed. He shook himself free of her touch and stepped quickly to the door. With a swift motion, he unbolted it, the creak of the hinges breaking the tension in the room.

“No,” he said firmly, turning back to her with a hard expression. “You need to understand, Laurica—I don’t love you. I love Caroline, and I intend to marry her soon. From this moment forward, you are not welcome here. If you force your way in again, I’ll report you to the police for burglary.”

Laurica froze, disbelief flashing across her face.

Kent’s tone only hardened. “And I’ll stop your monthly allowance. I don’t care if your father is one of the pack’s elders. Leave. Now.”

Her jaw clenched, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she grabbed her golden purse from the bed. As she passed him at the doorway, her eyes locked onto his, dark with fury and pain. “I’ll go,” she said in a low voice. “But mark my words—you and that whore will regret this.”

Kent held his silence, unwilling to fuel her venom any further. Laurica swept out of the room, her heels clicking down the hallway, down the stairs, and out onto the porch until the sound of her departure finally faded.

Only then did Kent release a heavy sigh. “David! David!”

His housekeeper appeared quickly from the corridor, a man in his forties with a neat posture. “Yes, sire.”

“You know Laurica has been coming here unannounced?” Kent asked, his face still stern.

David hesitated, then nodded. “Yes, sire. I warned her a few times not to enter when you weren’t home, but… she seems to have keys.”

“Exactly.” Kent’s jaw tightened. “Tomorrow we’ll have the locks changed. I’ll also get someone to fix the security cameras. From this day forward, Laurica is banned from this house. Be on guard at all times.”

“Yes, sire,” David replied firmly. He already knew Laurica had once meant much to his master, but now she was dangerous—more dangerous than most, for she was a werewolf. Protecting Kent from her would take vigilance.

“I’ll inform the cook as well,” Kent added. “That will be all, David. You may go.”

David bowed, then walked away with measured steps, every movement sharp and deliberate, as though already standing guard against the storm that Laurica had promised would come.