RICHARD’S POV
I closed the door behind Amy and leaned against it, my eyes squeezed shut as I struggled to calm my racing heart.
It took every ounce of self-control I possessed not to follow her back to her room and fuck her until she couldn’t walk anymore.
The image of her in that sheer nightgown was seared into my brain.
The way the fabric clung to every curve, the way her nipples had pressed against it, and the way she had moaned when I touched her.
I couldn’t get those images out of my head.
I could still smell her arousal, still taste her on my tongue from earlier that day.
My member was still hard and my body ached with a need that I refused to give in to.
‘You’re a fool,’ My wolf, Nixon growled in my head.
‘She was offering herself to you.
Why did you push her away?’
“Because she’s not ready,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair.
“She’s still using me to get over Derek. I won’t be a tool for her revenge.”
‘Is that the only reason?’ Nixon’s voice was mocking.
‘Or are you afraid that once you have her, you won’t be able to let her go?’
I didn’t answer.
Instead, I walked into the bathroom and turned on the cold shower.
I stepped under the icy spray, hissing as the water hit my overheated skin.
I stood there, letting the cold wash over me, trying to banish the image of Amy from my mind.
It didn’t work.
Before I realised it, my hand found my hard member.
I began to stroke myself as I closed my eyes, imagining it to be Amy’s mouth on me.
“Fuck, Amy.” I stroked myself and groaned as I spilled my juice on the bathroom floor.
************
The next morning, I left Amy at the mansion while she was still asleep.
I had to do something important without her knowledge because she would definitely stop me if she knew what i was about to do.
I stopped at a florist on the way to the hospital, picking up a bouquet of flowers.
Nothing extravagant, just a simple arrangement of white lilies and lavender.
I arrived at the hospital and made my way to Emily’s room.
I knocked softly before entering.
When she saw me, her expression soured immediately.
Her jaw tightened, and she set the book aside.
“Alpha Wellington,” she said, her voice clipped.
“I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Good morning, Mrs. Hart.” I stepped into the room, offering her the flowers.
“I brought these for you. I hope you like them.”
She stared at the bouquet like it might bite her.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to.” I set them on the bedside table.
“May I sit?”
She hesitated, clearly wanting to refuse.
But I could see the way her wolf bristled beneath the surface.
I was an Alpha, and despite her personal feelings, her wolf had to respect that.
“Fine,” she said tightly.
“Have a seat.”
I took a seat in the chair beside her bed, meeting her gaze evenly.
“Just to make things clear, I’m not here as the Alpha of Darkwood Pack, Mrs. Hart. I’m here as a man interested in your daughter. So you can speak to me freely.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
“I’m not trying to make you feel anything,” I said honestly.
“I’m just telling you the truth.”
“And what truth is that?”
I leaned forward, my voice soft but earnest.
“I have genuine feelings for Amy. I’ve had them for a long time now. I know it’s unconventional. I know the age difference bothers you. But I can’t change how I feel.”
Emily studied me, her eyes searching.
“You barely know her.
How can you have feelings for someone you barely know?”
“I’ve met her on different occasions with Derek and I think that’s enough for me to know when I admire a woman,” I admitted.
“I’ve seen how Derek treated her, how he took her for granted and he did appreciate what he had.
That alone pisses me off because i knew she deserves better.
”
“Do you think you can give her what she truly deserves?”
“I know I can.” I held her gaze.
“I can give her the love and attention she needs and deserves. A future where she doesn’t have to worry about anything. I can send her back to school to pursue her dreams. I can give her everything Derek never could. Amy will be secure in every aspect of her life as long as she’s with me.”
Emily was quiet for a long moment, her expression unreadable.
Then she let out a slow breath.
“What about the criticism she will face after this?” she asked.
“People will talk.
She’ll be the subject of gossip.
A young woman marrying a man twice her age, the uncle of her former mate…”
“She’ll be my Luna,” I cut in firmly. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“That makes her one of the most powerful women in New York City. No one will dare to bully her. I won’t allow it.”
Emily’s eyes narrowed.
“And if someone does?”
“Then I’ll protect her with my life,” I said, the words coming out more fiercely than I intended.
“I swear it on my pack. If it ever comes to that, I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.”
The silence stretched between us.
Emily stared at me, her gaze probing, searching for any hint of deception.
Finally, she looked away.
“I need time to think about this.”
“That’s all I ask,” I said, standing.
“Take all the time you need. I will patiently wait for your approval.”
I walked out of the hospital room with a small smile on my face.
‘She’s considering it,’ Nixon observed.
‘Your words were effective.’
“Of course they were,” I replied silently.
“Emily is protective, but she’s also practical. She wants what’s best for Amy, and I made her believe I can provide that.”
Nixon chuckled.
‘Your words sounded so sincere.
It was almost like you really meant them.’
I paused at the hospital entrance, my jaw tightening.
“Emily is overly sensitive. She would have seen through an act. I had to make it convincing.”
‘But was it really an act?’
I didn’t answer.
I walked out into the sunlight, my expression cold and my thoughts guarded.
She wouldn’t be the first woman I’ve liked, I reminded myself.
It’s just physical attraction.
Once I fuck her out of my system, I’ll get over her.
I smiled, cold and sharp.
“She’s a means to an end. A pawn in my game. I only need her to humiliate my brother’s family. That’s it”
‘Are you sure?’ Nixon asked.
‘Is that all she is?’
I pushed the question aside, refusing to engage with it.
I had a plan, and I was sticking to it.
Amy would be my wife.
She would help me destroy my brother’s family.
And when I was done, I would move on.
That was the plan.