Third Pov
"Alpha, are you literally taking all this so lightly?"
"This sure is very serious."
"I agree, I mean… he is our future alpha. We can't have him degrade this way."
"Right!"
"We think Alpha should find an alliance; that pack was not so bad."
"Right, they were strong enough."
"Moo Goddess is not that cruel to us. We should use this as an opportunity to force a bond; maybe he can foster it!"
"Okay, enough." Phillip mumbles, leaning onto the table while everyone goes silent at the order.
"I know." He starts, everyone listens intently, their voice simmering into murmur now that the Alpha speaks, "He is my son and I know how to deal with this, but having you all a part of this, I wanted to make sure I hear you out."
Camille holds his hand, smiling subtly at him.
"I want my members to be cautious now." Phillip starts, "Why?" One asks.
"It seems like this is not a normal scenario. Having attacked my son, I wondered if it was a personal threat." Phillip says, looking at distance, thinking out loud, he continues, "It feels like it has to do with my son, not me."
"That makes this more serious, for what we know…Luthien is not someone to pick a fight."
"Why would anyone want to hurt him?"
"It's as if this is an attack on our pack and not him."
Camille sighs, "We can't be sure of this… at least, not yet." Phillip nods, "I want everyone to be aware of any new activities going on within the city. Keep watch."
Everyone nodded their heads, "Also, patrol the hill around." Phillip adds, "I will have someone assigned." Phillip's beta says, nodding his head.
Phillip hums, standing up. "Any new news or gossip, I want it to reach me, okay?" He declares, and everyone nods their head obediently.
In unison.
"Yes, Alpha!"
"Then, the meeting adjourned for now." Phillip walks out, Camille follows after, "You didn't talk about that." She speaks softly and quietly.
"Hmm, it's not the time yet. I need to analyze the situation first." Camille nods her head, "Then, we should head back home."
Phillip nods, "Hmm, I am tired."
Camille hugs him sidewise, smiling. "I will make you tea later."
"I would love that."
—----------
Luthien settles on the couch, grim and in thought, with Chris already waiting for him, "She doesn't remember." Chris says, Luthien nods.
"Now, we are back to zero." Luthien mumbles, pushing his hair back. "Chris…I don't understand." Luthien mumbles, "Neither do I." Chris adds, leaning onto Luthien as he pats his back.
"Don't worry, we can keep an eye on her." Chris adds, taking in Luthien's silence and distress.
"No…If she doesn't remember, then let it stay this way. Let's not… drag her into this." Luthien says, determined, while Chris sighs, "If you say so."
"But what about… your parents?" Chris adds.
"I will talk to them." Luthien says, standing up as he walks out, Chris frowns. He too stands up and walks towards the other room, peeking in, "Vis?"
Luthien pulls his phone out, making a call.
"Yeah?" Phillip speaks as the connection sets.
"Dad…she is awake." Luthien says.
"Is she? What did she say?" Phillip asks, "Honey, she woke up?" Luthien hears his mom speaking in the background, "Um, she doesn't remember…dad."
"What?" Phillip frowns.
"Yeah, she has no recollection of anything at all, at least not after fainting." Luthien says, massaging his head, "Fainting as in?"
"When she first passed out, before… the possession thing." Luthien adds, scratching his forehead, "So…I have been thinking, you guys shouldn't come here. It's better to keep things as before."
"What do you mean, son?" Camille speaks, pulling the phone while Phillip chuckles, "Ma…She doesn't need to be involved in this, she has no memory."
"But I want to meet her, also… she is already involved." Camille says, whining a little, "Ma, please. Right now, it won't make sense. She doesn't even remember."
Luthien sighs, biting his lip, "Just, not this time. If this happens again… or she remembers it then, I will bring her to you."
Camille pouts, "Not like I have a say."
"Son, do what seems best for you." Phillip says, grabbing the phone. "Okay, dad."
"Then, we will not return." Phillip says, Luthien smiles, "Hmm. She is hurt so I am keeping her here for today. So, don't come for a while."
"Oooo. So, you want alone time with her?" Camille coos, from behind. Phillip laughs while Luthien flushes red, "No, ma!"
"It's not like I will be alone with her!" he huffs, "Chris is here…and Uncle Kim too."
"Okay, okay. Just take care, keep us updated." Phillip says, Luthien nods and hmms, ending the call, chuckling to himself.
—--------
I was supposed to leave… really.
But, I couldn't leave after I realized Alex was there. He is someone who has the upper hand to expose my lie.
He could tell her, even by mistake, that I am hurt.
I can't afford to let them know that I got hurt, not when they are super possessive about me. I sigh, watching in the distance, taking in the surroundings. I can't believe this is happening to me, I am on the same roof as my boss.
Not to mention, the guy who keeps taking my breath away.
Oh, even my peace away!
I flinch, the ringtone rings across the room, I widen my eyes and look around. I watch Luthien walking in as he grabs my phone from the coffee table, handing it to me.
I gulp, it's Alex.
I picked it up, "Oh, hey!"
"Sie, why aren't you back?" Alex questions, sounding concerned.
"Uh…Alex, I lost sense of time. I forgot to inform you…haha." I say, trying to make something up, I look up and find him frowning deeply. I wonder what is going on in that head of his.
"Where are you? Still at the office?" Alex questions, now seeming a little calm.
"Oh, about that… I suddenly had to attend a trip, it's a business trip." I say, looking at Luthien, he raises his hand, gesturing to me two, "Um, about a day's trip?"
"Okay, where?" He asks.
"Singapore." I mumble, thank god, this was easy.
"Oh, okay. Take care, call me when you are free." Alex says, I smile, "Hmm, you too! Make sure you cook and eat, I already did the groceries."
"Don't worry, Sie. I will eat well." Alex chuckles. I nod.
"Then, talk to you later." I say, ending the cut.
I hear a scoff, "So, really?" I looked up at him, "Huh?"
"You do have a boyfriend." He looked pissed.
I better not have him mess with me, "So?"
It's better to play this way, keep your distance. Having a misunderstanding is perfect.
Luthien scoffs, he looks annoyed, "Anyway, take a rest. I will be outside, if you need anything." He walks off, leaving me to myself. I couldn't help but grin to myself.
What's with him?
Shaking my head, I lean against the headboard, watching him disappear. There is no way he is jealous, is he?
I pat my cheeks, the fuck am I thinking?
Hah!
I sure hit my head onto something too. This is not just me.
I grab my phone, calling Amana and Viotta in a group. They pick up, for instance, "Hey, girls." I mumble, without turning the video on, "Hey!"
"Why is your video off?" Amana asks.
"It's just…the network isn't that strong. Ignore that." I chuckle, watching their face, moving around on the screen.
"So, how is work?" Viotta asks, giggling.
"Hmm, I am happy." I smile, "I have been learning." I continue.
"Really?" Amana grins.
"Hmm, how is life for you two?"
"Oh, I am doing very well." Amana says, "Oh, she is, Sie! Having the time of her life, her boyfriend is here in town." Viotta adds, I gasp out loud, "Seriously? And you didn't inform me!?" I giggle.
"Right, as if it's a big deal." Amana chuckles.
"It is"
"Right."
We chuckle, "Anyway, had dinner?" Viotta asks me, "Nope, not yet. Will soon. And what about you?" I ask, "Oh, I was third wheeling them today, all focused on food, and ate well." Viotta says, laughing out loud.
"Ugh. I missed that." I say.
Amana rolls her eyes, "As if." She chuckles.
"Anyway, I have to attend a meeting. I will leave first." Viotta says, waving her hands, "This late at night?" I question.
Viotta shrugs, "I mean, when the event dates' so close, you don't get a wink of sleep."
I chuckle, nodding my head, and I add, "Bye, have fun." I say, teasing her.
"Haha, she will have lots of fun." Amana says, mocking her.
Viotta gasps, "Hey! Don't laugh. Anyways, this is important, I am leaving." She chuckles, ending the call.
"Amana, how long is he staying over?" I ask, she smiles, "Hmm, about a week or so. He is here for work."
"I see." I mumble.
"So, how is Alex?" She asks.
"Alex?" I mumble, "Why?"
"I am just wondering." Amana chuckles, "Anyways, he is being nice to you, right?"
I chuckle, "Hmm. He is nice."
"You never told me you had a cousin." I ask, yet again.
"Come on, drop it, will you?" Amana chuckles, "Uh-huh."
"I hope he stays longer, I will have company." I mumble, pouting to myself, "He probably will." Amana comments lazily, "You sure?" I ask.
She nods her head, "Yup. Is the apartment good enough? Cozy?"
"Yup, I think… I will just stay there, as a tenant." I say, "That's great." Amana adds.
"Hmm, then… I will talk to you later. I need to work." I say, wanting to end the call without her asking me about my whereabouts. "Hmm, take care, Sie." I hmm.
"You too."
I end the call, unaware of the person by the door, listening to me talk.