Chapter 12

Ardal

My wolf wildly tries to fight for control, shaken by the scent that has woken her from a light sleep. She’s searching for the source, wanting to draw closer to immediately. However, I try to press her desires down however I can.

Seconds slip by and we still reside in silence as I have yet to reply. I’m waiting for Kadeem to tug at my arm, yell at me for answers. Only, I’m surprised when he doesn’t offer frustrated words.

In fact, as we stand together, my head remains dizzy and wolf frantic as I watch him slowly inhale, his eyes flickering as some of his annoyance slips from his features. Instead, he looks intrigued…skeptical, but curious.

As I notice him inhale again, I feel my stomach tighten as I realize what may have caused his reaction. He scents me too.

But not my real scent - there’s no way. Not even I can smell it through my perfume. However, I’ve still caught his interest and I don’t fail to notice that he tries to take a step closer as if to breathe me in more.

That’s enough to clear some of the fog from my brain, pushing away my wolf’s growing alarm as I suddenly shove him off of me. Thanks to my strength, we gain distance.

Only, the mood between us does not fully change. Still, Kadeem does not regain his anger as he stares firmly at me, trying to read something he cannot see. My heart beats quickly as I can’t look away either.

Again, there’s no way. Even despite his indifferent stare, I can’t believe that he would somehow see my true identity through my disguise. But still - even if he doesn’t - it seems I’ve still intrigued him somehow.

I scan Kadeem’s face for answers, trying to understand his behavior. The room remains quiet around us as all I can focus on are his deep green eyes - the exact same shade as Erbao’s. I feel my heart quicken as I stomach the fact, my wolf trying to resurface again.

But then I see a hand creep up to his arm, grasping it firmly. Only then do my eyes flick away to see Susan at his side - I hadn’t even noticed that her “cries” had stopped.

Except, I do notice the indifferent and maybe even worried look she wears now. I’m just about to raise a questioning brow when both go up instead as I watch Kadeem suddenly tear his arm away from her.

My eyes snap back to him, seeing the quick look that sweeps across his face. I swear he looks…disgusted, but I can’t be sure as it suddenly disappears.

“She attacked me,” Susan says then, as if sensing something off. “She stormed in a-and started bragging about how much stronger she was than me. And then she just came after me!”

Kadeem listens, staring from Susan to me, his eyes studying the coffee still covering my hair, face, and clothes. But then he turns to look at the shattered coffee pot on the ground, the liquid also coating Susan.

“I threw the coffee to get her off of me!” she claims desperately.

Oh, please. What a bold faced lie.

But as absurd as it is, Kadeem still seems to believe it.

“Why the hell are you treating Susan like this?” he asks, frustrated again. “Need I remind you she’s pregnant?”

Oh, no. Don’t worry, Kadeem. I haven’t forgotten that part.

Learning Susan is pregnant is a fact that I’d never forget - not when it had come crashing down on me from the first time I’d heard him admit it. Again, it makes me think of Erbao and then all my babies as I know Kadeem doesn’t know the truth.

And he never will.

Despite the ache in my stomach, I still raise my chin. “Before you go pointing the finger again, you should ask your girlfriend what really happened,” I scold. “I would never use my strength to hurt another innocent she-wolf. I only use it to protect them.”

It’s easy to make my tone sincere as I make my claim. After all, I’ve told the truth - I may be strong, but I don’t use my training to simply beat up whoever crosses me. I’d much rather battle with words and avoid violence.

And it seems Kadeem even believes my words are genuine as I notice him surprisingly allowing my words to soak in. He takes his time studying me, giving me a quizzical gaze as he considers my exterior and even the coffee stain across my chest. He’s thinking, trying to make up his mind.

Again, frustration smoothes from him before doubt takes its place. It’s not an expression I expected him to wear, making me wonder what he could be thinking. But then his features change again, his eyes gaining clarity as he releases a huff.

It’s as if he’s made a discovery and I want to ask him what he’s found. Only, I’m unable to speak as his lips finally move.

“For everyone’s best interest,” he begins. “Stay away from Susan.”

My brow furrows as his words meet me. I should be frustrated by his order, figuring he’s still trying to pin the blame on me. Only, there was something odd in his tone as it wasn’t quite harsh. It was neutral - not protective like he’d been before.

When I still haven’t replied, his eyes snap to Susan.

“And you stay away from Chelsea,” he states, surprising me as his voice has a touch of coldness. However, Susan doesn’t seem to notice as she’s already nodding, accepting his words like an obedient little girlfriend.

“Understand?” Kadeem clips out then, and this time both Susan and I nod.

However, my eyes move to her, piercing into her face as she still stares at Kadeem weakly. I can only hope she takes his warning seriously, praying now she’ll leave me alone.

~

Kadeem

It had been a hell of a morning, causing Kadeem to sigh as he sat in the back of his car. He couldn’t understand what had gotten into Susan and still wasn’t sure what specifically happened between her and Chelsea. So all he’d been able to do was order them to stay away from each other.

He was now on his way to his headquarters, needing to take care of other work. However, seeing as he had some time during the drive, he pulled out his tablet to get a headstart.

Immediately, he clicked on a link, opening up a live broadcast. He’d asked his team to film the casting call for the new “mom and baby” products they were creating as he knew he wouldn’t be able to make it in person.

Only, as he clicked to watch, he immediately froze as he stared down at three of the cutest kids he’d ever seen. Maybe he was enticed by their hair that was as black as his, but still he felt oddly interested in the three.

They were adorable, clearly well-behaved as they politely spoke with his team and did what they were told. Kadeem felt his fondness grow as he watched them curiously stare around as they cuddled together.

One of them even broke out from the other two, acting as a kind of parental figure to the others. It was so adorable that it made his entire team smile and even caused his own lips to twitch.

He’d never seen the babies before, not recognizing them from the other children he’d seen when making important visits to nearby schools. That only intrigued him more, making him want to see their cute yet fiery personalities for himself.

“Change of plans,” Kadeem said then to his driver. “I’m canceling my meeting. Take me to the studio.”

He wanted to meet these babies in person - interview them immediately.