Chapter 6

Estelle's POV

It had been a month since I became Logan's girlfriend. Apart from spending our free time on dates, I hadn't seen Alpha Bruce again.

Today Logan was going back to the family estate to report his work to Alpha Bruce. Logan wanted to formally introduce me to him.

So now I sat in Logan's car, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of my chest.

"Relax, we're just going to meet him." Logan turned his head and smiled at me, one hand resting on the steering wheel while the other reached over to hold mine.

His palm was warm. Mine was ice-cold.

"My parents are usually in the human world managing business," Logan said as he pressed the accelerator, the car moving at a steady speed. "Normally only my uncle, Alpha Bruce, lives at the estate, along with a few housekeepers and servants. You saw him at the banquet last time."

I nodded. How could I possibly forget that man who radiated such an oppressive presence, whose ice-gray eyes had made me afraid to even breathe loudly when they swept over me?

Logan suddenly lowered his voice. "When we get to the estate, whatever you do, don't go to the independent courtyard in the east wing."

I turned to look at him.

"Alpha Bruce has lived there since he came back from the battlefield," he said, staring at the road ahead, the lines of his profile tense. "He hates it when people intrude. Just remember that, and don't wander around."

"I'll remember," I nodded forcefully, gripping the gift box even tighter with my fingertips. "I definitely won't wander around."

The car drove through the estate gates, and Logan parked in the clearing in front of the main building.

"We're here." He unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to pat the back of my hand. "Don't be nervous. I'm here with you."

I took a deep breath and pushed open the car door.

The wind was strong, carrying the scent of pine and earth, and a very faint smell of... disinfectant?

I looked up toward the corridor extending from the right side of the main building and the independent courtyard. That must be the east wing.

"Let's go." Logan took my hand and led me up the steps.

The butler was already waiting at the door—an elderly man with graying hair, wearing a crisp black vest, his expression respectful yet distant.

"This is...?"

"My girlfriend, Estelle," Logan said naturally.

The butler nodded slightly.

"The Alpha is in the living room."

I followed Logan into the main building, through the entrance hall, and then I saw him.

Alpha Bruce sat on the sofa with a thin blanket draped over his legs, holding a document in his hand. His black loungewear made his skin look pale. He raised his eyes, and his ice-gray pupils swept over me.

"Uncle," Logan let go of my hand and walked forward. "It's been a while."

Alpha Bruce hummed in acknowledgment, his gaze landing on the gift box in my hands for two seconds before moving away.

"This is Estelle," Logan pulled me to sit beside him, a hint of pride in his voice. "My girlfriend."

I quickly lowered my head. "Hello."

"I know," Alpha Bruce said, putting down the document and leaning back into the sofa.

Logan paused, then smiled.

"You still remember? We only met once at the banquet last time..."

"How's the preparation for next month's department assessment going?" Alpha Bruce interrupted him.

Logan's smile faded as he sat up straighter.

"I'm already following up on it. The western district project is progressing as expected..."

I sat beside them, not daring to speak or raise my head, only looking down and picking at my fingers. Logan's voice reported various data while Alpha Bruce occasionally hummed or asked a question, his tone indifferent.

I counted my breaths.

One.

Two.

Three.

"Lee," Alpha Bruce suddenly spoke.

The butler walked in from the doorway.

"Alpha."

"Take me back. You two carry on."

I breathed a sigh of relief, my shoulders finally relaxing a bit.

Only then did I notice that something seemed wrong with Alpha Bruce's legs.

The butler wheeled over a wheelchair. Alpha Bruce stood up with somewhat stiff movements, then sat down in the wheelchair, the thin blanket covering his legs again.

Then the butler wheeled him out of the dining room.

I stared at his retreating figure and let out a deep breath.

"Sorry," Logan turned his head, his expression somewhat helpless. "My uncle's legs were injured before, and now the condition has relapsed so he needs to rest in a wheelchair. Please don't mind."

"It's fine." I shook my head. "I understand."

Logan stood up. "I need to handle some family matters. Wait for me in the living room for a bit—I'll be back soon."

"Okay." He leaned down and kissed my forehead, then followed the butler out.

I sat alone in the living room, listening to the footsteps gradually fade into the distance.

I sat on the sofa for a while, feeling somewhat bored and uneasy.

My gaze fell on the garden, where many white roses seemed to be planted.

I stood up and walked over.

A sea of white roses appeared before my eyes, the air filled with their rich fragrance.

I looked slowly across them, gazing at those roses and imagining what Alpha Bruce would look like standing here admiring this sea of flowers.

Then I raised my head and realized I had already walked to the end of the garden.

Ahead was a half-open door. Beyond it was an independent courtyard, and wind blew out from inside, carrying the scent of cedar and disinfectant.

The east wing.

I remembered Logan's warning, and my heartbeat suddenly accelerated.

Just then, a clattering crash came from inside.

The sound of something shattering came from the courtyard, followed by the butler's suppressed voice:

"Alpha, your injury hasn't healed yet. You can't move around..."

I stopped, hesitating.

Did someone need help?

When I pushed open the door and entered the courtyard, I saw Alpha Bruce sitting in his wheelchair on the corridor. At his feet was a shattered medicine bowl, dark medicinal liquid splattered across the floor. The butler crouched beside him, his face full of anxiety.

Then Alpha Bruce heard the door open and raised his head, his ice-gray eyes staring straight at me.

I froze completely in place.

"Who told you to come in here?" His voice was cold, like an icy blade.

"I... I heard something break. I thought someone was hurt and wanted to come see if anyone needed help."

My legs went weak. I couldn't move.

Then an invisible pressure belonging to an Alpha crashed down on me like a tidal wave.

My knees buckled and I almost fell, my hand bracing against the doorframe to barely keep myself standing, my heart pounding like it was about to explode.

"I'm sorry..." My voice was shaking. "I'm sorry, I'll leave right away..."

"Forget it. Come here." Alpha Bruce closed his eyes and spoke again in a slightly softer voice. "Come here. I won't hurt you."

The butler withdrew, and I walked toward him trembling.

"Are you that afraid of me? You were the same in the living room earlier, too scared to speak when you saw me." Alpha Bruce pulled at the corner of his mouth.

"No, I was just startled," I said. I didn't dare say I was afraid. I could only pretend I wasn't.

Alpha Bruce suddenly grabbed my hand. I stumbled at his abrupt movement, my body instinctively bracing both hands on the armrests of the wheelchair, my face extremely close to his.

I froze, completely at a loss, frantically trying to pull back. "I'm... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

Alpha Bruce pressed his hand against my neck, stopping my retreat. He leaned closer, whispering in my ear, "Afraid of what? Afraid I might do something to you?"

"Estelle!"

Logan's voice came from behind me. He rushed over and helped me up, then turned to look at Alpha Bruce, his face ashen.

"Uncle, Estelle didn't mean to come here."

Alpha Bruce said nothing, only continued staring at me.

Then he looked away. "Take her and go."

Logan supported me as we walked out. My steps were unsteady, my mind buzzing, the entire world spinning around me.