I asked, “You don’t mind, do you?”
He gently shook his head, a silent answer.
His bear ears brushed against the hollow of my neck. He said, “You didn’t seem to sleep well last night. Do you want to sleep more?”
I smiled, cupping his face.
“Yes, please. I really loved your lullaby last night.”
Arthur smiled too. “Then I’ll sing it again.”
11
With Arthur’s companionship, I gradually forgot about being a freak.
I stopped working myself to the bone to prove myself. Every day, just being happy was enough.
Brenda, the senior who used to advise me, eventually succumbed to the daily employée perks Arthur brought in the form of afternoon tea.
She even started to root for us, saying we were a perfect match.
The lively atmosphere suddenly froze. The security guard led someone in
“Audrey, someone’s here for yo
you.
Standing behind the security guard was Damlan.
The smile that had been on my lips instantly flattened into a grim line
Arthur subtly shifted, moving to stand in front of me.
This scone seemed to sting Damian, but he uncharacteristically softened his tone.
“Can I talk to you?”
Arthur looked down at me, his eyes asking for my permission.
I nodded.
“It’s fine. I’ll be right back.”
<
I led Damian to the break room and made him a cup of tea.
He laid out a wedding Invitation. It was Chloe’s, but not his.
“Do you want me t
to come to her wedding?”
Damian dodged the question, asking instead, “What about that bear?”
I answered truthfully, “He’s my shifter.”
The moment the words left my mouth, Damian slammed the cup down, shattering it, and lunged to grab my hand.
“What about “me“? Do you know how long I’ve been looking for you?
I pulled my hand away, returning his exact words to him.
“We already dissolved our bond!”
But Damian wouldn’t accept
pt it. He ev
even wrapped his snake tall around my neck, constricting me until I gasped for air.
saree to this?
“You presumptuously entered my life, and now you’re presumptuously leaving. Did I agree
“You’re abandoning me for a bear?
ay with me?*
“Didn’t you say you’d always love me, that you’d always stay
He was losing control, his grip tightening uncontrollably.
