Tasting

397–Bringing Her Home

Nora:

“Why?” Nash asked me the same question for the fifth time, and I responded in the same way each time. He looked so uncomfortable with my decision.

“Because she needs to be protected right now,” I replied, rolling my eyes. I avoided looking him directly in the eye because I knew he was trying to get through to me.

I had taken the wheel and was driving while he sat in the passenger seat, growing more annoyed with each passing second.

“Fine. If her protection is that important, then I’ll ask the warriors and even my brothers to stand guard outside her mansion,” he hissed, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. I just know he wasn’t understanding the severity of the situation. We needed to keep a close eye on her. And we could not do it with her stepfather being around her.

“No! We’re bringing her home and keeping her in our sight.” I drove calmly, knowing he had turned to glare at me once again.

“You’re making everyone uncomfortable. Did you forget what happened last time when we brought in Natalya?” he reminded me of the mistake I made, the one that revealed their true colors. But things were different now. There was no competition. I was focused on my job as a fighter, and that was all.

“I remember. It was different back then. I was desperate, and so were they. Now I have no interest in pleasing anyone. And if she tries to play me, I’ll throw her to the fog people myself,” I tried to explain, emphasizing that

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this wasn’t about us. It was about finding a solution to the weeping guardians. If nothing was done, many would fall victim to them, and it would spread like a plague, reaching other packs too.

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“Are you punishing us?” he muttered under his breath, catching me off guard. Did he really think everything I did was for them, because of them, or to spite them?

“No, Nash, trust me. Bringing her home is just to solve this mission,” I replied more calmly, hoping he would understand that my actions weren’t driven by malice.

He fell silent after that. We soon arrived at Daphne’s place, and the guards let us inside. I noticed how reluctant Nash was to step in.

We were immediately met with a few hospitable gazes as Ford, her stepfather, came into view. A vague memory I had tried hard to forget flashed before my eyes–the time he had nearly assaulted me. I clenched my fists discreetly but kept my face neutral.

“Oh! I should have known she’s back. Otherwise, why would you have broken things off with my stepdaughter?” That man had no shame.

I don’t even think he cared that I was watching him with disgust in my

eyes.

“I hope you’re not forgetting that you’re just a Gamma,” Nash straightened his posture, glaring at him.

Ford lowered his gaze and stood obediently after receiving a threatening stare from Nash.

“Where is Daphne?” I stepped forward, my hands clasped behind my back.

“Why? Why are you asking?” Ford questioned, trying to get me to make

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eye contact with him.

“Haven’t you told your royal Gamma why I’m here?” I turned to Nash, keeping my posture relaxed and my hands still behind me.

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“She’s helping us with the weeping guardians,” Nash explained to Ford. I could tell Nash was trying to keep the conversation short because he didn‘ t want Daphne to come live with us for a few days.

“Oh! I heard about her fighting mutants-,” Ford raised an eyebrow, letting out a small chuckle. “Who would have thought—” Before he could finish his demeaning comment, I knew I had to shut him up myself, not letting Nash become my knight in shining armor.

“Watch it, buddy. Don’t speak if you can’t handle the brunt of my anger,” I turned to him, locking eyes. The smirk that had formed on his face quickly faded as he saw the confidence in my gaze.”

“Now, where is Daphne?” I repeated firmly.

“Listen to her, and obey her. We paid a hefty price to get her here,” Nash sat down, crossing one leg over the other.

“Why? You could’ve just asked me for help,” Ford said, clearly hurt. Not because he genuinely wanted to help his people–if that were the case, he would have acted by now–but because he was standing in front of someone supposedly trained by another Alpha and performing the same duty of fighting mutants as Nash.

“We needed an expert,” Nash’s comment was deliberately aimed at deflating Ford’s ego.

“Anyway, answer her question,” Nash waved his hand dismissively.

Silence hung in the air for a moment before we heard a faint whisper, “Nash! I knew you would come to see me.”

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#1

We turned to the staircase and watched Daphne descend. She looked sicker than before, and that was not a good sign.

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