Chapter 9

Emily's POV

  It took about two hours for Owen's injuries to considerably subside.

  "What happened to you?" I couldn't help but ask.

  "I've dealt with it," Owen replied.

  He wasn't going to tell me, so I decided to stop probing.

  His blood-soaked clothes were no longer wearable. I took out a men's hoodie from my wardrobe and handed it to him.

  He was disgusted. "Your fiancé's? Hell no!"

  I rolled my eyes. Why would Owen gripe about a piece of clothing?

  I explained, "Well, I just bought it as a gift. It's never been worn."

  "I don't want it!" Owen then immediately transformed into his wolf form and left through the window.

  I was relieved. "He's finally gone!"

  I leaned against the windowsill and watched him dash off into the night.

  My wolf was fawning over Owen as usual. "Oh my, is that the handsomest wolf alive? Look at how he runs. Most importantly, why isn't he our mate? What a pity!"

  "Whatever," I spat out. "I'm heading to bed!"

  I was about to finally get my beauty sleep when I heard a sound from the window again.

  I turned on the lights to see Owen carrying a bag beside the bed.

  "Why did you come back?" I wondered.

  "Just leaving some stuff here," he said while emptying the bag's contents. There were some clothes and toiletries. He went around my wardrobe and the bathroom to drop off the items unceremoniously.

  I was genuinely bewildered. "Why are you doing this?"

  Owen said, "We're lovers now. I'm going to make this my second home and all this stuff will make it convenient to live in."

  I quickly jolted myself awake. I immediately got off the bed and protested loudly, "What are you talking about? Did you even bother to ask me?!"

  Owen dragged me into his embrace and said with a smirk, "Should I ask Blake instead?"

  "You!" He was threatening me again. What a despicable man!

  He kissed my forehead and said, "I have something to do today. Looks like I can't humor you right now."

  He left through the window once more.

  Ugh, that man!

  I locked the window to make sure and lied on the bed again.

  Just as I was about to close my eyes to sleep, Owen texted me. His text read, "Remember, don't lock the window. Because there's always the door next time."

  How did he even know I locked the window?

  Hesitating for a moment, I got up and unlocked the windows.

  I didn't want to imagine what he could do to the door.

  I was not looking forward to a rough day ahead from this lack of sleep.

  …

  You might be curious about something. Why did werewolves have to sleep every day if they were so powerful?

  Of course, as living creatures like humans, we require food, sunshine, oxygen, water and last but not least, sleep.

  However, not all living creatures needed all of these. For example, vampires. They were a walking violation of the laws of nature.

  They didn't need rest. They couldn't age or die. They thrived at nighttime and feasted on human blood.

  But I had never seen a real vampire in real life.

  They only appeared in ancient literature. More often than not, I suspected that they were made up to scare us as children. It took a very long time for me to think otherwise.

  What happened then would be a story for another time.

  Right now, I must wake up.

  …

  I was supposed to go to the bridal store in the morning to try on my wedding dress.

  My wedding was now a farce, but the dress was something I had dedicated a lot of energy and time designing.

  Therefore, I must get it back.

  At 10 in the morning, I arrived at the store.

  I noticed a red carpet rolled out at the door surrounded by dazzling decorations.

  "Hey, is something happening in the store today?" I asked the clerk nearest to me.

  The clerk said, "No. It's just a VIP's coming."

  A VIP? It was none of my concern.

  "Well, I'm here to get my wedding dress. And I made an appointment well in advance…"

  "Please wait a moment, Miss," the clerk interrupted me and went off.

  I sat on the sofa and waited. I was greeted by a familiar voice. "Oh, Emily! What a coincidence."

  "Why are you here, Jeremy?" I asked. "Are you trying on a dress too?"

  Jeremy chuckled. "Of course not. Blake left some documents here and I came to collect them. You should know how careless Blake is. He always needs someone to keep an eye on him."

  There was a hint of pompousness in Blake's voice. Did he come here just to trouble me because of what I had done the previous night?

  It was good news no matter what. I could care less about who Blake loves the most. I just wanted them to quarrel more and eventually break up.

  I thought for a moment, smiled and said, "As Blake's wife-to-be, I'm really happy to know he has a very supportive good friend like you. By the way, I'm here to get my wedding dress. I'm so excited thinking about the big day!"

  Sure enough, Jeremy's expression instantly soured. I went on, "What's your type? When the time comes, I can introduce some girls to you. After all, Blake said you're his best friend."

  "Thanks, but no thanks!" Jeremy snapped. He glared at me before storming out.

  I was highly delighted. Jeremy seemed to be a very emotional person. A few words were enough to upset him.

  I was about to tell another clerk to hurry up with my dress, only to see all the clerks standing at the door respectfully.

  Was the VIP about to arrive? I stood aside with my mind full of suspicions.

  "Welcome, Mr. Watson," one of the clerks greeted. "This way, please."

  Then, I saw Owen walking over dressed in a black suit, followed by a woman.

  The woman's belly was slightly bulging. It seemed that she was pregnant.

  Normally, I should have left immediately, but my feet seemed to be glued to the floor, and I couldn't move a muscle at all.

  I overheard their conversation.

  "Owen, what do you think of this dress? The fishtail design looks great."

  "You look amazing in everything you wear. You may buy the entire store if you want to." Owen's voice was so gentle.

  "Oh, but that would be a huge waste. I wish the wedding was earlier. I'm no longer as beautiful as I once was now that I'm pregnant." The woman's voice was as gentle as Owen's.

  "The bride of a Watson is the most beautiful of them all all the time…"

  The woman laughed. "You're such a sweet-talker, Owen…"

  Bride of a Watson? Was she Owen's fiancée?