Chapter 3

Zoey's POV

I walked into the living room with Eric's arm linked in mine, feeling absolutely delighted.

"Welcome home!" I deliberately put on an excited expression. "Eric, this is our place!"

Eric stood on the imported Italian marble floor, those deep green eyes slowly surveying the entire space. He wasn't awed by the luxurious decor - instead, he frowned slightly, his nostrils flaring.

"Beautiful place," he nodded, "though the scent here..."

Before he could finish, Asher came down from upstairs.

"Baby, you're back!" He opened his arms and walked toward me. "I was wondering..."

Halfway through his sentence, he saw Eric and froze.

Eric just stood there, doing nothing, but a powerful oppressive aura exploded from him. It was pure, primal force that made people instinctively want to flee.

Asher's face immediately went pale, his steps stopping in place, his body beginning to tremble slightly.

Seeing this, I couldn't help but want to laugh.

"Who... who are you?" Asher instinctively stepped back.

Eric slowly turned his head, looking directly at Asher: "Eric Sterling."

Janet also emerged from the kitchen, holding a teacup. When she saw Eric, the cup nearly slipped from her hands.

Smart little bitch - she sensed the threat immediately.

"Sister, this gentleman is...?" Janet tried to maintain her sweet smile, but her eyes flashed with alertness.

"This is Eric! My new friend!" I excitedly linked arms with Eric.

Asher's expression grew uglier: "Friend? What kind of friend?"

"Just a friend," I tilted my head with a confused look, "What's wrong?"

"Zoey, we just got engaged yesterday! How can you randomly bring another man home?" Asher's voice rose.

"Randomly? Besides, we're only engaged, not married - don't I even have the freedom to make friends?"

This left Asher speechless.

Eric watched all this quietly, a smile tugging at his lips.

"You know that's not what I meant... but he looks dangerous." Asher tried to control his emotions.

"Dangerous? Eric is super gentle! Are you prejudiced against werewolves?"

This hit Asher's sore spot. As a werewolf himself, he couldn't argue back.

"I'm not prejudiced, but..."

"But what?" Eric suddenly spoke up. "Do you think I would hurt Zoey?"

The oppressive feeling intensified. Asher's forehead began sweating, his breathing becoming rapid.

"I... I didn't mean that..."

"Then what DID you mean? Or are you saying Zoey lacks judgment?" Eric took a step forward.

I raised an eyebrow at Asher.

If he said yes, he'd be questioning my abilities; if he said no, he'd have no reason to oppose Eric's presence.

"Of course not! Zoey obviously has excellent judgment..."

"Then why are you acting so strange today? I bring a friend home and you have such a big reaction?" I interrupted him with displeasure.

Asher was stumped. He wanted to say something, but under Eric's pressure, even thinking became difficult.

Janet's expression grew increasingly ugly - clearly realizing that Eric posed a threat to her and Asher's plans.

"Alright, now that everyone's met, I want to announce something."

All eyes focused on me.

I pulled Eric to the center of the living room.

"Eric will be staying here for a while. And as my most important guest, he'll enjoy the highest werewolf treatment in this house."

The meaning was clear - Eric's status would surpass Asher's.

Asher's face instantly flushed red: "Zoey, you can't decide this! This is OUR home!"

"Our home?" I raised an eyebrow. "This is the Anderson family house, and I'm the Anderson family heir. Don't I have the right to invite whoever I want to stay? Do I need someone else's permission?"

Asher was completely deflated. He really had no authority over this house.

"Besides, Eric just went through a lot of pain and needs a warm home. I'm sure you'll understand - after all, you once needed help from others too."

Asher was so choked up he couldn't speak, his face flushing red.

Eric then gently took my hand: "Thank you, Zoey. Your kindness moves me."

His hand was very warm, that heat traveling through my skin straight to my heart.

Why are this guy's hands so hot?

"Don't mention it! Friends should help each other." I tried to keep my voice normal.

Janet watched us holding hands, jealousy and anger flashing in her eyes, but she couldn't interfere with me at this moment.

"Well then, Eric, let me show you to your room! I've prepared the best guest room for you!"

"Pleasure meeting you both," Eric turned to Asher and Janet. "I hope we can all get along well."

Both Asher and Janet nodded stiffly, not daring to say more.

I pulled Eric toward the stairs.

As we walked upstairs, I could feel two hate-filled gazes burning into our backs, but I didn't care one bit.