Nelly furrowed her brows when she noticed the identical expressions on the faces of Tony, Ben, and Alpha Kilian. "What's going on? Is there a problem?" she asked suspiciously.
Tony was the first to deny any wrongdoing, shaking his head. "No, not at all. Your sudden appearance just startled us. That's all."
Ben nodded in agreement with his brother's response.
Nelly gave them a skeptical look. "You wouldn't be so on-edge if you had nothing to hide."
Tony managed a forced smile.
"Tell me the truth. What are you keeping from me?" Nelly persisted. Her sudden question caused panic to ripple through the three of them, who exchanged nervous glances.
Growing impatient, Nelly turned her attention to Alpha Kilian. "You tell me," she demanded, surprising Alpha Kilian.
He blinked at her, taken aback. "Me?"
Nelly nodded firmly at him.
Tony and Ben smirked with satisfaction, their gaze shifting to Alpha Kilian.
Alpha Kilian cleared his throat and closed the distance between them, placing his hand on Nelly's waist. "Well, the boys asked me not to tell you, so..." He put on a conflicted expression.
His sons were left dumbfounded. How could their own father betray them?
The boys stared at Alpha Kilian in disbelief.
"What else was I supposed to do? I didn't have a better choice," Alpha Kilian cleared his throat again, averting his gaze. "Whatever."
Nelly's gaze fell on her sons, her eyes reflecting her dwindling patience.
Taking control of the situation, Ben decided to confess. "Fine. I'll come clean, Nelly. We met this girl called Alexia, and she sent us home. Daddy reminded us not to tell you about it."
Nelly was caught off guard. "What?..."
This time, it was Alpha Kilian who gave his son a stunned look, joined by Tony, who was still trying to figure out what to say.
Tony tilted his head, surprised by his brother's sudden eloquence.
Since when did Ben become so articulate? I have to admit, it's a pretty convincing alibi. I didn't even think of that.
Ignoring her father's shocked expression, Tony nodded in agreement. "That's right." Nelly turned to Alpha Kilian, who shook his head in denial once more.
Unfazed, Nelly remained calm and asked, "Did you find Thalia?"
Tony shook his head. "No." Tony shook his head again. "No."
"So why were you out for so long?" Nelly inquired.
"We bumped into Alexia along the way, which took up some of our time," Ben said innocently. Alpha Kilian was bewildered. This wasn't the story they had agreed upon.
Once again, Ben replicated Alpha Kilian's reaction, avoiding eye contact with an oblivious expression.
Upon hearing their explanation, Nelly nodded slightly. "Alright, I understand. So..."
"Why don't you boys go back to your room? I'll call you if I need you," Nelly interrupted, and Tony and Ben nodded in agreement. "Okay."
"Off you go then."
With that, the boys turned and exited the room.
As they trudged up the stairs, both of them whispered to each other, "What's gotten into you today, Ben?" "What do you mean?" Ben replied.
"Your act of innocence just now," Tony stated. "What's wrong with it?"
"When did you become so persuasive with your words?"
"I had to speak up since you weren't saying anything." "I was still thinking about what to say."
"In that case, why were you so slow earlier?" "How is that my fault?"
"It's always been like this..."
The boys continued arguing as they climbed the stairs.
After watching them leave, Nelly refocused her attention on Alpha Kilian. With a serious tone, she asked, "Were you able to get in touch with Spencer?"
Alpha Kilian shook his head. "No. What's going on?"
"I can't reach him." Nelly's brows furrowed in concern.
"I'll check on him immediately." Alpha Kilian reached for his phone and dialed Spencer's number.
At that moment, a realization struck Nelly, prompting her to head back upstairs.
Seeing her leave, Alpha Kilian quickly followed, eager to find out what was going on.
When Alpha Kilian went outside to make a phone call, Nelly remained busy at the computer. However, when he returned, he noticed a significant change in her expression, which appeared softer. Nelly waved at him upon seeing him approach.
"How did it go, Alpha Kilian?" Nelly asked as he made his way over. "I've contacted them. Everything is in order," he replied.
"When do we start?"
"They require pictures or videos of her walking before making any decisions."
After giving it some thought, Nelly suggested, "Dave might have surveillance cameras here. Since she spent a lot of time here, we might have footage of her."
"Alright. If you find any, send them to me, and I'll get the footage processed," Alpha Kilian responded. Nelly nodded and returned to work.
Suddenly, Alpha Kilian called out to Nelly. Caught off guard, she stared at him in confusion and asked what was wrong. Alpha Kilian took a deep breath and requested her not to look at him with that expression.
"What expression should I have when I look at you, then?" Nelly inquired.
Alpha Kilian pursed his lips and expressed his desire for her to show at least a little care towards him, even if it was just an act. Nelly appeared even more confused, causing Alpha Kilian to mention what Ben had said. Nelly thought for a moment before asking if he was referring to Alexia sending him home. Confirming her suspicion, Alpha Kilian expressed disbelief that another woman had sent him home and questioned why she wasn't angry or jealous.
"Is that what you want?" Nelly questioned.
"That's not the point. Shouldn't you be reacting that way if you care about me?" Alpha Kilian exclaimed in disbelief.
"Since when did you become so childish, Alpha Kilian?" Nelly asked, rolling her eyes and attempting to return to work. However, Alpha Kilian maintained his grip on her chair.
"How do you show someone that you care about them?" Alpha Kilian asked. Without hesitation, Nelly responded, "By trusting them."
Alpha Kilian fell silent, his anger replaced with a conflicted expression. Nelly looked him in the eye and explained that she showed someone she cared about them by trusting them not to betray her. This response left Alpha Kilian speechless and made him realize the sense in her words.
His eyes softened as he thought about how Nelly's direct and straightforward nature, unlike other women who would throw tantrums, had initially attracted him to her. He questioned why he was getting worked up over such minor issues.
"Do you like other women now? You don't like me anymore?" Nelly asked, teasingly.
"Why would you say that, Nelly?" Alpha Kilian replied.
"Because you keep questioning me."
"I'm not questioning you. I just want your attention, Nelly. I'm really happy with what you said just now," he revealed.
"All it took to make you happy was that?" Nelly asked, surprised.
Alpha Kilian nodded. "Yup! I'm easily pleased, aren't I?" Nelly nodded slightly. "You're all right, I guess."
Trying to build up sexual tension, Alpha Kilian leaned in closer, but Nelly pushed him away, promising to tell him more when she finished her work. Despite this, Alpha Kilian's lips twitched slightly, appreciating Nelly's cold seriousness as well as her affectionate side.
Understanding her need to focus, Alpha Kilian decided not to disturb her any further. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before getting up and leaving. Nelly smiled faintly as she watched him go, before returning her attention to the computer screen and continuing her work.
Knowing the pain that poison could cause, Nelly was determined to find Thalia as soon as possible. She hoped that Thalia was safe.
Meanwhile, Ben and Tony had finished brushing their teeth and went in search of Nelly to share something with her. Surprisingly, they encountered Donna outside their bedroom door.