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Chapter 373
~Vera’s POV~
I did not bother arguing with the maid who had delivered the news.
It simply ant fate was toying with if they arranged for to take care of her.
She had said, "Mr. Scott said Ms. Ella had nothing but praise from how you massaged her leg the other day and thought you would be the best fit for this." The idiotic maid had smiled as though I was listening to the best thing in life.
But as usual, I smiled like it was nothing—only that, I hated this job even more.
I stepped into Ella’s room as silently as a shadow, my gaze imdiately sweeping across the space.
She wasn’t in bed, but the sound of running water and the faint murmur of her voice caught my attention.
She was on a call.
I stilled, listening carefully.
"I promise, Ares, I’m fine," Ella said softly, but I could sense the firmness in her tone. "I just... need ti to think, okay? Please don’t push ."
Ares.
My hands clenched into fists, my nails biting into my palms. That arrogant Alpha had been a thorn in my side.
First, he clung to Ella, thereby ruining my plans to kill her. Sigh!
Useless fool. My anger ignited, pushing through my wolf and powers and flowing like energy in the room.
I did not quite realise what was happening until I heard silence from the bathroom and imdiately let go.
I took a slow breath, forcing my rage to the back of my mind as I continued eavesdropping.
"I don’t want you and Richard fighting," Ella added after a pause. "That’s not going to help anything."
Another beat of silence.
Then, a sigh. "I’ll talk to you soon."
I heard the click of the call ending, and a mont later, the bathroom door opened.
Ella stepped out, wrapped in a towel that clung to her damp skin, another smaller towel wrapped around her wet hair. The second her eyes landed on , she froze.
A wave of sothing flickered across her face—confusion, wariness, and then... pain.
She winced, gripping her head as if a sharp ache had just ripped through her skull.
I tensed for a split second before schooling my expression into concern.
"Ella?" I said smoothly, rushing to her side. "Are you alright?"
She groaned softly, rubbing her temple. "I... I don’t know. Just a sudden headache."
"Here, let help you," I said, guiding her toward the bed.
She didn’t resist, allowing to assist her as she sank onto the mattress.
Perfect.
As I fluffed her pillows and made a show of adjusting the blanket around her, my mind spun with possibilities.
Ella was too much of a problem. She had already caught once—granted, she had no mory of it now, thanks to my spell. But it didn’t an she wouldn’t again.
I had to be careful.
I had to eliminate her without raising suspicion.
But not yet.
For now, I would play the caring maid, the helpful presence she wouldn’t think twice about having around.
And when the ti ca, I would make sure she never interfered again.
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~Tempest’s POV~
I was reviewing so files in my office, my mind only half-focused, when my phone buzzed.
I glanced at the screen. Ryland.
A small smile tugged at my lips as I answered. "Hey, you."
"Hey, beautiful," he drawled, his deep voice sending a pleasant shiver down my spine. "What are you up to?"
"Working," I said, leaning back in my chair. "Unlike so people."
Ryland chuckled. "Well, I figured you’d need a break. Look outside your office window."
Frowning, I stood and crossed the room. Pushing aside the curtains, my breath caught slightly.
He was there, standing outside my office building, leaning against his car with his arms folded and an infuriatingly smug grin on his face.
My heart did a stupid little flip.
"You’re insane," I muttered into the phone.
"I know," he said. "So, how about we call it a day?"
I sighed, shaking my head. "You’re impossible."
"But you love it."
I did.
I grabbed my things and shut down my computer. "Give five minutes."
"I’ll be waiting," he said smoothly before hanging up.
The mont I stepped outside, he pulled into his arms, pressing a lingering kiss to my forehead before moving to my lips.
The tension I hadn’t realized I was holding onto lted away instantly.
"Missed you," he murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
I smiled up at him. "You saw last two weeks."
"Too long," he said, his hands settling possessively on my waist. "Besides, I got two days off, so I thought I’d spend them with you."
My heart swelled. "Really?"
He nodded, but then my smile dropped. "I was going to head to Snow’s mansion tomorrow. How about we spend tonight and tomorrow together?"
"Hmm... How about after my two days leave is over I’ll drop you off at Snow’s mansion before heading back to Ivory Crescent?"
I pretended to consider it, even though my answer was already yes. "Hmm, sounds like a good deal."
Ryland grinned. "That’s because it is."
He kissed again before guiding into his car.
The second we got to my apartnt, I barely had ti to put my things down before his arms wrapped around from behind, his lips grazing the sensitive spot on my neck.
A shiver ran through . "Ryland..."
"Shh," he murmured, turning around to face him.
His eyes darkened, filled with an emotion that sent my heart racing. "I’ve waited all day for this."
I let out a small, breathless laugh. "For what?"
Instead of answering, he captured my lips in a slow, deep kiss, his hands sliding up my back, pulling flush against him.
I lted.
His warmth, his scent, the way his fingers traced lazy patterns on my skin—it was all too much and not enough at the sa ti.
I gasped as he suddenly lifted , carrying effortlessly toward the bedroom.
"I hope you weren’t planning on sleeping early," he teased against my lips.
I smirked, tightening my hold around his neck. "Not a chance."
Later, tangled in the sheets, his fingers lazily tracing circles on my bare shoulder, I sighed in pure contentnt.
"You’re trouble," I murmured sleepily.
Ryland chuckled, pressing a kiss to my temple. "And you love it."
I smiled against his chest, knowing he was absolutely right.
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