Chapter 9

A reason to hate me

********Blake POV*********

When I pushed the guest bedroom door open and walked inside, Nero's eyelids immediately raised and he swayed his gaze to the right, staring at me.

As our eyes locked, my lashes fluttered, and I froze, losing touch with reality for a moment.

What happened last night was extremely embarrassing now that I'm back to my senses.

Knowing that he was on the other side while I moaned that loud made me want to bury my face in a pillow and scream at top of my lungs.

"What is it?" Nero asked, tossing the sheet off him.

Then he got out of bed, and as I watched him walk over to the closet wearing only a boxer my words faded from my lips, and I swallowed hard, unable to draw my gaze away from him.

His burly physique left me speechless, and my entire body jerked to a standstill unexpectedly as my heart pounded and my mind went blank.

"Blake," Nero called out to me, frowning as he looked back at me.

"Huh!" I subconsciously mumbled, snapping out of my feelings.

"When you are done peering, can you tell me why you are here?"

"W-ho sa..y I was star..ing? I wasn't looking at you! There's nothing attr-active on your body... to look at!"

After Neron took a sleeveless t-shirt out of his closet and wore it, he focus on me and sarcastically mumbled, "Right,"

"Seriously, I wasn't!" I whispered as I rubbed my neck, darting my eyes around the room.

When he grabbed his sweatpants out of the closet, he turned around and watched me for a couple of minutes as my fingertips slowly stroked against the skin of my neck.

Then he frowned at me and said, "What else did you come to my room for other than stare at my...?"

"I said that I wasn't staring at your dipstick!" I shouted, pulling my hand away from my neck and tightening my fingers into a fist.

"I was going to say, 'my face," Nero said, raising a brow.

Hastily looking away from him, I focused on the closet mirror and noticed that my face was flushing.

"I don't want to hear a word from you!" I harshly said, scowling at the half-smile on Nero's face.

That stupid smirk on his face told me that he only changed his statement to poke fun at me, and I turned away from him, drew a deep breath, and said, "I made breakfast."

Afterward, I hurried out of the room, feeling annoyed, and hearing his footsteps a few distances behind me only made me more irritated.

When we arrived in the dining room, I froze in my tracks as I watched Jason scowling at me with a look of raw hate in his eyes.

For several moments I stood unmoving, and my limbs went numb with absolute fear.

"What is he doing here?" I whispered, barely able to get the words out.

"I texted him to come." Nero casually said as he took a seat at the table.

Swaying my gaze on him, I opened my mouth to speak. But my words felt stuck in my throat.

After a couple of minutes of trying to get the words out, I finally mumbled, "Why?"

"To watch over you while I'm at work," Nero said with a frown on his face.

"I don't need a babysitter!"

"He's not here to babysit you, but to protect you!"

"Protect me! He's going to end me before you get back home!"

The room became voiceless as Jason and Nero narrowed their eyes at me as though I have said something stupid.

But I know the look in his eyes because I have seen that exact look in others' eyes when they are mad and about to hurt me. So I knew not to overlook such a gaze.

"You are being dramatic. He's not going to hurt or kill you." Nero sighed and said.

"Even though I want to," Jason abruptly uttered without taking his icy gaze off me.

The hair immediately started to tingle along the back of my neck after hearing those words, and I shouted, "That's it! I'm not staying alone with this maniac!"

"Both of you, calm the fuck down!" Nero shouted with glowing red eyes, and the room immediately became mute as I sealed my lips together.

Throwing Jason a hard look, he drew a breath, and said, "Find. You can stay in the yard, and she can stay in the house!"

Jason is a beta, and he doesn't seem like a stable one. So Nero's words didn't make me feel the slightest bit safer.

"I'm still not okay with that arrangement!" I muttered, darting my eyes away from Jason's straight face.

"Blake, please, not now!" Nero lashed out at me.

But even though his eyes told me he was pissed and I felt a bit afraid, I clenched my fists and shouted, "Fine! Leave me with this freak, and have yourself to blame if anything happens to me.'

A frown crossed Nero's face as he slapped the table and yelled, " well, this freak is the only person that I trust to keep watch over you! If I stay here to babysit you and we both go missing from the school, what do you think the damn rumors would be about?!"

Without uttering a word, I pouted, feeling a sense of annoyance mixed with embarrassment eating at me.

For a moment, Jason glared at me, shoved his hands into his trouser pockets, and then mumbled, "I swear on my life that she's safe with me."

It took a minute. Then I swayed my gaze on Jason and half-heartedly uttered, "Well, if Nero counted on you so wholly, then I guess I trust you too because of him."

After a few seconds passed and Nero continued to stay quiet, both Jason and I gazed at him.

But he ignored our stares and started slicing into his meat with a cold expression on his face.

Seeing that he was angry at both of us, Jason and I drew out chairs and quietly sat down. Then we focused on our food while avoiding making eye contact with each other.

A couple of minutes later, I was laying in the bedroom with my gaze centered on the chandelier when a knock drew my attention to the doorway.

"Come in," I mumbled.

After the door opened, Nero walked inside and shut the door behind him.

As I gazed at him, I felt a sense of anger rising in me, and I screwed my face into a frown.

But Nero kept a calm face as he uttered, "Can you make a list?"

"What is Jason's problem with me!?" I blurted out, unable to keep my emotions suppressed any longer.

His eyes darted away from me and settled on my bag. Then he walked toward the rack, pulled my backpack off its handle, and unzipped it.

"I have never met him before so why is he so freaking angry at me!?" I asked as I sat up.

If I was going to get left with some maniac, at least I needed a good explanation as to why he hates me so much.

Maintaining his silence, Nero took out my notepad and a pen. Then he properly placed my bag back on the rack before approaching me.

"Write down your clothes sizes and items you will need for the two weeks you are going to be here, and I will get them for you," Nero said, tossing the notepad and pen on the sheet, in front of me.

The audacity of this man was pissing me off so bad. But even though I knew not to push my luck and anger him twice a day, I still needed the truth.

"What! Are you not going to tell me?" I uttered, ignoring the pen and notepad.

After a couple of silent minutes, Nero sighed and said, "He's not angry at you! He's just overprot"

"Overprotective of you!? Spare me that bullcrap! I can tell from his eyes that he hates, hates me!"

With mad eyes, Nero threw me an icy stare and harshly said, "Can you let this go!"

"Seriously!" I shouted, giving in to my anger. "Is it my father? Does he hate me because of my father!?"

Frowning, I stared at Nero for a moment and then lowered my head as I mumbled, "It's because of him, right? That's the only reason that makes sense right now."

It grew quiet, and even though I gave Nero a couple of seconds to answer me, he didn't.

Frustrated, I raised my gaze and said, "I might be my father's daughter, but his sins are not mine to pay! He has already put me through hell! I don't want to get put back there for something that's his fault!"

"Are you going to write the list or do you plan to live in my clothes for the next two weeks?" Nero abruptly asked with a deadpan expression.

Realizing that I wasn't going to get an answer out of him, I grabbed the pad and pen. Then I aggressively wrote down some stuff on the blank sheet before handing it to Nero.

A corner of his lips pulled upward as he took the notepad from me. Then after focusing on my eyes for a while, he withdrew from the bed and walked away.

The moment Nero left the room, I took a pillow and silently screamed into it as I thought, 'Is my father the reason Jason hates me? Does Nero have a reason to hate me too?"

Yet these questions could only get answered by that annoying guy, and from the looks of things, it seems like he wasn't planning on telling me, and that only felt me more curious to find out what he was hiding.

A perfect coincidence

************Nero POV****************

When I came downstairs, I met Jason waiting for me at the bottom of the staircase.

With my eyes fixed on him, I faintly smiled before walking past him. But Jason suddenly grabbed my arm, causing me to stop in my tracks.

"She's only going to be here for two weeks, right?" Jason asked, pulling his brows together in a frown.

The truth was, I wasn't sure about the answer to that question either, and it annoyed me to know that I was being hesitant to decide.

After a brief silence, I looked at the time on my phone screen and said, "I'm running late for class. So, let's catch up this discussion later."

"Nero!" Jason harshly said.

As I stared at him, his eyes told me that he was mad. But if he knew why I was this considerate to Blake, he would detest me, and I didn't wanted the one person that honestly cares about me to see me as the monster that I am.

When Jason squinted his eyes at me, I sighed and said, "What is it now?!"

The anger in his eyes died down, and his expression softened as he said, "I don't want you getting hurt."

How was I supposed to tell him that it was too late for me to care about my safety and that what my plans are will either land me dead or start a war that have ended centuries ago?

For a while, I stared at my beta. Then I slowly pulled my hand out of his grip and said, "Be nice to her. She's not her father."

Just like me and Jason, Blake was a victim of her father's brutality. But she was also a casualty of my beastliness. So if I was to transfer my anger for Loki onto her, it wouldn't be fair to her, and she would be dead by now.

Honestly, that would be compared to the worst thing that I have done to her in the past.

After opening the front door, I looked back at Jason and said, "I'm not kidding. Don't lay a finger on her."

Even though Jason didn't answer, I walked out of the villa, knowing that he wouldn't.

A while later, I drove my car into the campus parking lot and got out of the vehicle. Then I narrowed my eyes when I saw Karen riding her convertible into the parking lot.

Not wasting a second, I walked away from my car and headed into the building without looking back.

A couple of minutes after I got to class, Karen walked into the classroom and marched up to me.

"Miss Noble, take your seat. I'm about to start my lecture!" I said as I strived to maintain patience even though it was something I didn't have for her.

"Good morning, Nero," Karen said, acting as though she didn't hear a word that I just said.

"Take your seat, Miss Noble!"

"Can you lose up a bit, Nero!"

Holding in my breath, I counted to ten in my head, using every a bit of my willpower not to lose control of my anger.

"Sit! Down!" I firmly said, hardening my face.

The sound of a giggle echoed in the room, and Karen hastily looked at her classmates.

Then she looked back at me and softly uttered, "You should be thankful that you are fucking hot, or else..."

Giving me a soft smile, she twirled her hair as she took a long look at me before walking away.

Once she had taken her seat, I let out a soft breath to try and calm myself.

Then I focused on my tablet and gazed at the words displayed on the screen.

The day went by naturally, and after I got done with my lecture, I left the classroom and headed into the hallway.

After walking a few distances, I hardened my face when I picked up Karen's scent. However, I kept walking, pretending as though I didn't sense her a few steps behind me.

When I got to my car, Karen hurried towards me and then grabbed onto my arm as she mumbled, "Mr. Fang, can we talk?"

"The last time I gave you my attention, you wasted it with useless remarks, so how about you spare me today," I said, yanking my hand out of her grip.

Why of all time, fate decided to entangle me with the wrong omegas and not the one I came here for!

Frowning, Karen slightly clenched her fists and shouted, "Did you hear that they are having a pack meeting today to officially chastise Blake!?"

For a moment, I hesitated, clenching my jaws. Then I turned around to face Karen and asked, "How is that my damn business, Miss Noble?"

"After everyone in the pack knows that Blake is no longer a member, do you know what's going to happen to her?" Karen coldly uttered with a straight face.

When I didn't answer, she took a step towards me and whispered, "She becomes a rogue. And members of the pack are going to hunt her down and kill her. That's the law. No wolf leaves the pack alive."

"As I said before, 'it's not my damn worry!" I said, feeling pissed that she was still bugging me.

Smirking, Karen took a step back and then softly intoned, "That's good. Because it will break my heart to see you get hurt or kill because of her."

The time was twelve-fourteen on my dashboard when I brought my car to a stop in the parking lot of Divi shopping mall.

Tightening my hands on the steering wheel, I glared at the enormous building before me and mumbled, "Let's get this over with."

I swear Blake got me doing things that I don't even do for myself. Is this my redemption price? Taking care of the omega that I have wrong deeply?

A sigh escaped my lips as I pushed the car door open and got out. Then I approached the mall, trying to convince myself not to turn around, drive away, and just let her live in my t-shirt and boxers for the next two weeks.

A while later, I arrived inside the mall, and then my mind went blank when I suddenly realized that I was not shopping for myself, but for a woman.

"Ahaha, I'm regretting this already!" I murmured, unable to suppress my thought anymore as I walked further into the mall with my hands stuck in my coat pockets.

As I walked past stores, I kept looking at the transparent windows, hesitating each time to go inside.

Finally, I stopped in front of a boutique and my feet felt frozen to the floor as I stared at the door.

The clothes display at the window looked impressive, and the mannequin that wore them looked right about Blake's size, so I wanted to check it out.

"Are you going to enter or not!" A honeyed and yet harsh voice suddenly echoed into my ear.

Annoyed by the aggression in her tone, I turned around and frowned as I stared at an attractive woman with ash brown hair, glossy skin, and red lipstick painted on her lips.

The instant our eyes locked, she smiled at me and said, "Hey, I'm Luna."

Immediately, I recognized who she was, and the only thought that crossed my mind was, 'Luna Hayes. What a perfect coincidence!'

Who knew that the omega that I came all this way for was going to bump into me instead of me working my way to her as I planned.

Enemy Territory

It felt a bit annoying that fate kept messing up my plans, but now that I was staring at Luna, I felt like I was getting back on course.

Watching her eyes slightly dart left and right, I asked with a straight face, "Do you tell your name to every stranger that you just meet?"

"No. But I make an exception if that stranger is a hottie like yourself." Luna said with a sheepish grin.

"That's a bit straightforward, don't you think?"

"I don't see the crime in honesty."

Staring coldly at her, I paused for a moment before saying, "I should get out of your way."

Even though she was the one I needed to get closer to, I didn't want to make my intention too obvious, and it was clear from how she was staring at me, I had caught her attention.

"No, stay," Luna abruptly said with a naive expression. "Please."

When I furrowed my brows, she faintly chuckled and mumbled, "I couldn't help noticing that you wanted to enter several stores, but you seem cautious to do so. Do you want to buy ladies' wear?"

Even though I hesitated to say it, I swallowed my pride and said, "Yes."

Meeting Luna while shopping for her sister wasn't part of the plan, and a part of me wanted to ditch our little chat and meet her at an appropriate time.

"Will it seem rude of me if I ask who you are shopping for?" Luna abruptly said with a soft smile on her lip.

Those words caught me off guard and without giving my answer a second thought, I blurted out, "My sister!"

Frustrated with myself, I tried not to show it and kept a casual look on my face as Luna stared at me with a hint of doubt in her gaze.

"Your sister?" Luna asked, raising a brow. "That'sinteresting."

"Yeah, she is my little sister, and she's coming to visit me this weekend. But she refused to carry luggage behind her. So she sent me a list of things to get for her before she gets here." I blurted out before clearing my throat.

Then I swayed my gaze from Luna's doubtful eyes and thought, 'Does she believe me?'

"I can just tell that you spoiled her," Luna said, and I gazed at the wide smile on her face.

Spoil her? Am I overindulging Blake with care? Sure, I'm being lenient to her, but that is because I owe her, and not because I care or anything. Yet, a part of me felt a bit different, and that was my heart.

"Well, she's the only woman in my life, so it seems logical to pamper her." I casually uttered.

It was the truth and the only logical answer I could think of since that would be a lot more believable than anything else I say.

"Only one? What about your mother?" Luna asked.

Then she suddenly clapped her palm over her mouth as she pitifully stared at me, as though she had finally realized what she had asked me.

"She's dead." I casually uttered.

Talking about my mother doesn't draw out emotions in me because she died when I was only a pup, and although I feel sad, I don't know her, so there's no reason to mourn. But there is a revenge motive.

Withdrawing her hand from over her mouth, Luna pouted and then mumbled, "I feel so awful for asking."

"It's fine," I said, giving her a faint smile.

"No, it's not."

"Mmmh,"

Looking intensely at me, Luna's eyes suddenly lit up, and she cheerfully uttered, "Let me help you shop since it's obvious that you are shy to do it alone."

That was a terrible idea, and I slightly shook my head as I said, "I can't.. "

"Please!" Luna firmly uttered. "It's my way of making it up to you!"

Taking one sister to shop for the other was a bad decision. But then again, I didn't want to leave an awful impression on Luna on our first encounter, so I went against my better judgment and said, "Okay,"

As I was about to head into the shop, Luna suddenly grabbed my arm, softly smiled, and whispered, "Shall we?"

Keeping silent, I led her into the store and approached the front desk.

"Miss Hayes!" The Cashier hastily said, standing to her feet.

Looking down at Luna, I met her eyes and mumbled, "You seem like a famous person."

"Come on. Are you going to continue pretending like you don't know who I am?" Luna said, narrowing her eyes.

Of course, I knew who she was, and I have done my investigation on her. Luna Hayes, a spoiled, brutal princess of her father's castle, and she's the perfect key that grants me access to it.

"I feel like I'm missing something here," I mumbled, furrowing my brows.

"Luna Hayes, the legitimate daughter of the leader of the dark moonlight pack?" Luna said, looking a bit offended that I didn't know her.

"Forgive me for not recognizing such an important figure. To be honest, I am new in town."

"Ahha, I understand now."

Suddenly, Luna let go of my hand and mumbled beneath her breath, "But what I don't understand is while you don't have a scent."

Just like my identity, my scent needed to stay hidden because Loki knew it, and it would be a disaster if he discovered who I am before I found out the information I wanted to acquire.

"We need to pick up a few clothes," I told the cashier, ignoring Luna's words.

Then I rested my black card on the desk, and immediately the cashier's attitude towards me changed.

"Oh my. An unlimited black card. I will get our shopper to help you find our store's most luxurious items." She said with a big fat smile on her face.

Ignoring her, I studied Luna, and as she watched the cashier pick up the telephone, she rubbed her thumb against her index finger before mumbling, "So, you are rich and have your scent hidden. I guess I'm not the only important figure here."

Then she swayed her gaze on me and asked, "Who are you?"

"Unlike you, I'm not a big fan of giving my identity out to a stranger, even if that stranger is a stunning lady like yourself." I casually uttered.

"I should feel mad, but I'm more interested in you now."

"Is that so?"

"Yes,"

Just like that, my plans were falling into place smoothly, and the only thing that could make it fall apart was Blake, and right now, I'm regretting allowing her to stay with me.

"Please meet, Dora. She would be the one showing you guys around the store." The cashier said when a lady approached us.

With a friendly smile on her face, Dora focused on me and said, "Is there anything in particular that you are looking for?"

Silently, I shoved my hand into my trouser pocket and pulled out a sheet. But as I was about to hand it over to Dora, Luna yanked it out of my hand.

After taking one look at the sheet, she gazed at me and mumbled, "Panties? You and your sister must be close."

"Yeah, we are." I casually said, jerking the paper from her grip and then handing it over to Dora.

A frown crossed Luna's face. But she said no words to me before looking the other way.

A while later, I came out of the store, and a few feet behind me was Luna with a single bag in her hand.

Quietly, Luna followed me, and when I reached my car, I turned around to stare at her.

"Thank you for helping me in there," I said, giving her a faint smile.

"It was my pleasure," Luna uttered, her face lit up in amusement.

At that moment, the boutique security guards approached us, and it grew silent between her and me when they came closer.

"Put it in the back," I said, pressing the button that opens the car trunk.

After the security guards had put in all the bags, he left, and Luna intensely gazed at me as she bit on her bottom lip.

Then she hesitated for a moment before saying, "Do you want to go to an event with me tonight?"

"What is it about?" I asked, already having an idea of what she was going to say next.

A look of sadness settled in Luna's eyes as she stared into my gaze and said, "My half-sister rebelled against the pack, and went rogue. So we are hosting a pack meeting this evening to officially announce her dismissal."

Shutting her eyelids, a few drops of tears rolled down her face as she mumbled, "That's why I need moral support because tonight is going to be hard for me to handle. I'm losing my only sister."

It was no secret to me about the bad blood between Blake and Luna because I have spies in their house, so her little show wasn't striking to me.

"Well, you did help me shop, so sure," I said. "Text me the address, and I will be there."

After taking out her phone from her purse, Luna handed it over to me and watched as I typed in my contact.

Once I got done, I gave the phone back to her and said, "It was nice meeting you, Miss Hayes."

Staring intensely at me, she smiled and said, "I prefer, Luna."

"Okay then, see you this evening, Luna."

"Okay, bye!"

For a moment, Luna watched me as I got into my car. Then I drove off before I caught sight of her from my windshield, walking over to her vehicle.

After driving for a while, I brought my car to a stop on the side of the road, and then picked up my phone.

A few seconds went by with me scrolling through my contact. Then I finally dialed a number.

"What's new, son?" A robust voice echoed into my ear, and I clenched my jaws.

"Luna Hayes just invited me to an event," I finally gained the strength to say as I rested back in my seat.

"Loki Hayes's daughter?"

"Yes,"

The line grew silent for a moment. Then I heard, "I know this will help with the plan greatly. But be careful how you enter our enemy's territory and don't let your cover get exposed."

"I know father. I just needed you to be aware that everything is on track and moving smoothly and there's nothing for you to worry about."

"Is that so?"

Keeping silent, a look of worry spiked in me as a thought crossed my mind, 'Did Jason tell him about Blake?'

"I'm glad to hear that, son. The sooner you can accomplish step one of the plan, we can move on to the next phase." I heard my father say a moment later, and a sense of relief washed over me.

Out of your way

****************Blake Pov**************

When the shorthand on the clock hit seven and the long hand pointed at twelve, I stared away from the wall clock and looked at the door.

Then I rolled over, laid on my back, and slowly shut my eyelids, blinking as my eyes adjusted to the bright chandelier light.

It was hard to fall asleep when Nero was haunting my dreams, and it was even irresistible to ignore his scent, even though I was trying to since he arrived home a few hours ago.

When the bitterness I felt finally left me, I dragged myself out of bed and headed in the hallway, planning on going downstairs for a cold glass of water.

But as I walked past Nero's room, I heard mumbling echoing from within it, and out of curiosity, I stood, grabbed the knob, and pushed the door open.

When Nero met my eyes, he placed his finger to his lip and frowned at me. Then he turned his back to me and said, "Yes, I got the address."

It was annoying that he was shushing me, and although the thought of leaving crossed my mind, I found myself standing still as I stared adorably at all the tattoos on his body.

Suddenly, It was like I lost control of myself, and I was standing outside of my body as I watched myself walk over to Nero. Then my hands slowly stroke over the serpent tattoo on his back.

The butterflies came in full force, and my heart pounded against my rib as my finger slowly caressed his skin.

"Mmmhmmh!!" Nero moaned softly, and I hastily pulled my hands back.

Then I took two steps back as Nero turned around and scowled at me with his lips pressed in a firm line.

Dropping my hand to my side, my lashes swept up, and I blinked a couple of times. Then I focused on the space between us, avoiding his fierce gaze.

"Yes, I'm fine." Nero calmly uttered with his eyes still glued to me. "I will see you later tonight."

Even though I was curious about who he was meeting, I suppressed my desire to listen in on the conversation, but that didn't stop the energy from bursting through me, and I heard a voice that sent shivers down my spine.

After he ended the call, I crossed my arms and asked, "Why are you talking to Luna?"

"You shouldn't be eavesdropping on others' conversations, and learn to keep your hands to yourself!" Nero said, and his smooth brow puckered in a frown.

"That was Luna on the line, right?! Why are you talking to her!"

"I'm a full-grown man, Blake. I don't owe you a damn explanation of what I do and don't do!"

Annoyed, I broke off eye contact with him and mumbled, "Sure, whatever. You don't! Just answer this, and I will be on my way."

"What is it?" Nero asked as his expression softened.

"Did you tell her about me staying at your place?"

"No,"

"Good, bear with me a little. After two weeks, I will be out of your way."

It fell silent between us as Nero stared at me without saying a word. So I turned away from him and walked out, enraged at my heart for falling for that jerk.

When I got to the kitchen, I met Jason, and the moment his gaze rested on me, he narrowed his eyes.

"What are you languishing over about?" Jason asked as he picked the knife on the counter and then sliced it into his apple.

"Like you care?" I mumbled, walking over to the cupboard.

"You are right. I don't care. What I meant to ask was who is this Luna?"

"Eavesdropping! Ha!"

"Don't be a hypocrite,"

Frowning, I opened the cupboard and tipped toes to grab a glass, but they were a bit out of my reach.

"Get out of the way before you break something!" Jason lashed out before reaching over my head and grabbing a glass.

Slowly, I turned around to face him, and when our eyes locked, he gave a half-smile, twirled the glass in my face, and whispered, "You want this? Tell me who Luna is?"

Without replying to him, I turned around and stretched my hand to grab another glass. But Jason suddenly grabbed my wrist, and I pulled against his grip.

Yet, his hold on my hand remained firm, and I could feel his body slightly pressed against mine.

"Let go," I whispered, pulling my hand a bit hard.

Suddenly, Jason leaned toward my ear and whispered, "Who's Luna?"

Frustrated, my wolf awoke, and I had no control when I yanked my hand from Jason's grip before forcefully elbowing him in the mouth.

Immediately, he drew back and let out a soft cry, "Fuck!!"

Then he settled the glass on the counter, and the moment he did, I walked over to it, and picked the glass up, ignoring the cut on his lip.

After getting a bottle from the refrigerator, I sat on a stool and pulled water into the glass.

With his eyes fixed on me, Jason aggressively wiped the blood off his lips and uttered, "Your eyes you ar-e! Y-ou are You are supposed to be wolfless and weak! But the force you use just now It was..."

Caring not for the things he said, I drank a mouthful of water and held it in my jaws the instant I heard Nero's voice, "What's going on here?"

When I stared away from Jason and focused on him, I choked on the water when I forced it down my throat and started coughing aggressively.

"Are you okay!" Nero shouted, rushing towards me.

But I held out my hand in front of me and nodded hastily. Then I grabbed the glass and drank more water to calm down as my heart kept thumping wildly.

'Stop beating so damn fast. How can you have feelings for a man who doesn't feel the same way? Stupid!' I lashed out in my head. But that didn't stop my heart from pounding louder when I looked at Nero again.

If I didn't know any better I would assume that it was trying to beat its way out of my chest!

"Are you sure?" Nero asked, his voice, tight with panic

"Yes," I mumbled, setting the glass on the table.

Then for a while, I stared at his black neat-fit three-piece suit, then at his hair in a tight bun before gazing at his superfluity shoes and watch.

Even though it wasn't something that I wanted to admit, he looked really good, and just one look at him was giving me thoughts, dirty thoughts that I wasn't proud of at the very least.

Accidentally, I locked eyes with Nero again, and he uttered smoothly, "You sure that you are okay?"

"Stop asking me the same thing over and over again! I am fine!" I shouted, losing control of myself. "Also, why are you overly dressed to meet my sister!"

My damn wolf won't let me keep a piece of dignity with all this emotional outburst and attachment she has me feeling for Nero.

"Luna is your sister!" Jason abruptly uttered, his voice like steel. "Nero, what the hell!"

"Don't you dare!" Nero said in a deep, commanding voice.

When I looked at Jason, I could tell from the look of rage in his eyes that he didn't only hate me, but my sister too.

This morning, I overheard Nero telling him that I am not my father, and I can't help but wonder what my father did to Jason for Luna and me to earn so much hate from him.

"You two be good. I will be back, hopefully soon." Nero said, throwing me a hard look.

It was clear by our expression that neither Jason nor me was happy about him leaving. But Nero shoved his hands into his pocket and walked out, and I stared after him, pouting at the thoughts of what he and Luna would be doing tonight.

After I heard the front door slam shut, I picked up the glass and drank the rest of my water before slamming its bottom on the counter.

Instantly, the glass broke in my hand, and a piece of it tore into my palm.

"What is wrong with you?!" Jason lashed out at me.

"I'm fine! I will heal soon." I mumbled, gazing at the blood on my palm.

A sigh escaped his lips, and then the kitchen fell silent for a while.

"So, Luna is your sister?" Jason asked, gazing directly at me.

Annoyed, I clutched my fist and lashed out, "Yes! She is my perfect half-sister! She's everything that I will never be! My father's pride and joy! My stepmother gifted child! The pack promising leader! It's no surprise that Nero chose her over me!"

My emotions were eating at me, and it wasn't long before I busted into tears, crying at the top of my lungs while staring at Jason and deeply stiffing my snot back into my nostril.

As he gazed at me, he looked so uncomfortable, watching me cry my eyes out.

Then he darted over to the hooks on the wall and took out a white towel before walking back to me.

"Dry up! You look ugly and disgusting when you cry." Jason said with a calm measured voice as he tossed the towel on my face.

Frowning, I pulled the towel off my eyes and threw him a dirty look before cleaning my face dry and blowing my nose.

Then I looked at Jason and he was staring at me with pure disgust in his eyes. But in that instant, I realized that something was missing from his gaze. He didn't look hostile towards me anymore.

"I now understand why Nero is considerate to you and not mad," Jason said with a faint smile on his lips.

"Mad? So he does have a reason to hate me!" I mumbled, feeling a dull throb in my chest.