Lily got up, patted the dirt from her dress, and took a step back away from Gareth.
She still looked sulky as she crossed her arms and said, “So don’t scold me for this, Gareth.
I made my decision because I wanted to protect you.” Gareth was about to deny it, ready to tell her that he did not need her protection.
But then, the leg that had been burned by Ren’s blue flame still carried a tinge of heat after Lily rubbed it with the salve, and that made him realize that she was right.
Though the result had not exactly been favorable, if it had been Marigold instead of Lily, Gareth would probably be dead by now.
First, because he would not have been enraged enough for his wolf to return, and he would’ve faced Ren in the fox camp completely powerless.
Second, because Marigold would genuinely have tried to sabotage him if it meant she could keep herself safe and probably return home with some treasures along the way.
Marigold might only be sixteen, but both Gareth and Lily had experienced enough of her selfish immaturity while working at the barn to know exactly what kind of person she was.
“Besides, you have no right to scold me, not after I realized that you hid so much from me,” Lily pointed out.
“Now that I’ve been dragged into this whole mess, I demand an explanation from you.
At the very least, you need to tell me how you could lose your power in the first place, and whether you can regain your full strength later.” “I will regain my full strength.
I just need some time,” Gareth said, though his words sounded more like a promise than an assurance.
He did not know what the future held for him, especially after the conspiracy that had happened within the West Wolf Pack.
But deep in his heart, he promised himself that he would return to his former glory, or perhaps become even stronger than before, so nobody would be able to take her away from him.
He also did not want to remain in such a pathetic state, getting saved by his own woman against his enemy and even going as far as letting Lily ask Ren for healing salve.
It was a humiliation worse than when he had been poisoned within the West Wolf Pack and lost his wolf in the process.
“That’s good.
I don’t want you to get hurt anymore,” Lily said before taking another step back.
“Then, you have to go back to your pack.” Gareth’s blue eyes peered at her.
“What are you talking about?
You’re coming with me.” “That can’t be done.
I have to stay with Ren here for a while,” Lily said, shaking her head.
“Besides, Ren would probably kill you for real if I ran away with you.” “You…” Gareth was at a loss for words.
Then Lily struck him with another cold truth.
“Do you really think you can fight him right now without losing your life?” she asked.
Gareth fell silent.
…
“Just…
go, Gareth.
Besides, we’re going to meet again at the, uhm…
Court of Moonlight, right?” Lily said.
“I don’t know what that is or what we will do there, but Ren said that you’ll be there as well.” Gareth remained silent for a good while before finally advising her, “Whatever happens, do not agree to anything if he ever mentions anything about soul binding, alright?” “Soul binding?
What’s that?” she asked.
“Just promise me that you won’t agree to it, or else you’ll lose your freedom forever.” The way Gareth framed it made soul binding sound like some kind of slavery.
“Alright then, I promise,” Lily said.
“Just like how I always listen to you when you tell me not to take anything from the forest while you’re away.” “Done talking?” Ren finally returned to their side, still looking as bored as ever, as if everything around him was nothing more than a meaningless joke, including the burning of his entire camp.
He stood right next to Lily, and his presence alone was enough to put pressure on her.
Gareth couldn’t hide his hostility.
He bared his fangs at Ren by instinct before asking, “Tell me, what are your terms to make sure you will protect her until the Court of Moonlight begins?” “Ooh?
You may be naive, but you’re still a monarch, I guess.
It’s good that you know your place,” Ren sneered.
“I don’t ask for much, for now.
Just be sure to back me up once the Court starts, so that old lizard and desert brat will think we have formed an alliance.” Gareth’s expression hardened, clearly showing his reluctance.
Still, he eventually nodded.
“But whatever agreement we have will be invalid if you dare to hurt Lily,” Gareth emphasized.
“And if you dare to touch her as well.” “Not sure about that one.” Ren gave Lily a quick glance filled with mischief.
“I like her lips.” “You wouldn’t dare.” Gareth’s eyes glinted dangerously.
“Alright, alright, I won’t do much to her.
I’ve got to rebuild the camp again and prepare for the Court,” Ren shrugged.
“That is, unless she’s the one who initiates it.” Lily immediately jerked her head toward Ren and tried to punch him in the chest, only for her fist to stop against the invisible barrier surrounding him.
It felt almost like she had punched a sheet of glass.
“I would never!” Lily denied.
“It was you who stole my first kiss!” “Hahaha, don’t blame me for that.
I was just curious.
I didn’t expect this mutt hadn’t tasted you at all,” Ren laughed heartily, throwing another insult at Gareth.
Gareth couldn’t bear to see this anymore.
The longer he lingered here in his weakened state, the more frustrated he became.
Thus, he stared at Lily for a while without saying anything before finally turning around and leaping into the forest in haste.
Lily watched the black wolf disappear from her sight, her heart aching as she worried that Gareth might get hurt again out there.
But then, as if he could read her mind, Ren snorted.
“Stop worrying about him.
He’s an Alpha.
He’s stronger than most things in here, even in his weakened state.” Then, one of his tails wrapped around Lily’s waist and pulled her closer to him.
“Instead, worry about yourself.” “About myself?” Lily frowned.
“What should I worry about?” “Perhaps…” Ren turned his head to look at her, a thin smile appearing on his lips.
“How far are you willing to go to compensate me?” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Apup Hm~ What kind of compensation is worth the price?
>:D