“We have a situation here!” said Thalia.
“What is it?” Nelly asked.
“He ran out alone and wouldn't take our calls. I know a situation when I see one.” Thalia smacked the table. “Call him again.”
“I don't think that's necessary, though.” “I beg to differ!”
I really want to convince Thalia that it's not necessary. Nelly was stumped.
“Fine, if you won't do it, then I will.” Thalia snatched the phone and made the call. It was too late for Nelly to stop her.
Nelly hoped no one would pick it up, but someone did. Eventually. “Hey, Nelly ,” said Alpha Kilian softly.
Just when Thalia was about to go into a tirade, Nelly quickly covered her friend's mouth and took her phone back without missing a beat.
Thalia wanted to complain, but Nelly placed a finger to her lips. Fine, Nelly . You go ahead, then.
Nelly returned to her seat and put her phone to her ear. “Alpha Kilian .”
“What's wrong? Did something happen?” The little tussle did not escape Alpha Kilian . Nelly looked at Thalia and lowered her voice, “No. My phone fell just now.”
“I see,” said Alpha Kilian . “What's the matter?” he asked again.
Nelly was trying to come up with a suitable response, but Thalia was already staring intently at her. If Nelly wouldn't say anything, she would.
Retracting her gaze, Nelly asked, “Is Alexia better?” “Almost.”
“She's gone back to DX as well?”
“No. Mike told me,” answered Alpha Kilian truthfully.
Nelly nodded. “I see. I just wanted to see how Alexia's doing. She did get hurt saving us.” “I know. Don't worry. I know what I'm doing.”
“Okay, there's that, then.”
Nelly was going to hang up, but Thalia frowned. She wanted to stop her friend, but Alpha Kilian blurted, “Nelly , are you... jealous?”
Thalia kept giving her looks.
I don't like this. Nelly responded, “No. I just wanted to remind you that you shouldn't give her the cold shoulder. She did save us after all.”
“That's not what you really think, or that's what I hope, at least. But I could tell that you're genuine,” said Alpha Kilian .
“Good that you know.” A smile curled Nelly 's lips. “Of course. I'll be back tonight,” Alpha Kilian said again.
Okay. I get the implication. She looked at Thalia and saw a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Something just came up. Talk to you later.” Nelly hung up right away.
Thalia was wiggling her eyebrows as she sized Nelly up. Feeling her scalp tingling, Nelly said, “You heard everything!”
“Uh-huh.” Thalia nodded, smiling. “And that was some high EQ answer. You made yourself look like a saint and reminded him. Well, you did a lot better than I would have.”
Nelly flashed her a smile. “You flatter me.”
“But a word of advice. You can never trust men. Be on guard. Especially around Alpha Kilian .” Nelly narrowed her eyes. “So you're telling me you'd be on guard if you were dating Spencer.”
“Um, well...” Thalia froze for a moment, and then she mused over the question. “That thought hadn't crossed my head until now, but I think I would be on guard. You know how good-looking he is.”
“I can imagine how tiring that relationship would be.” Thalia answered, “Not if it's Spencer.”
“Even if it's Spencer, boredom can and will seep in. However, that's not how real love is supposed to be like, Thalia.”
“Then what is it supposed to be like?” asked Thalia.
Nelly looked at her. “Before you met Spencer, what do you think love should be like?”
Thalia mulled over that question for a while. Slowly, she said, “I don't give a d*mn about what love is.” “Good. Then you know what you should do moving on.”
A look of sadness flowed into Thalia's eyes. “But I can't not give a d*mn when it comes to Spencer. I just can't.”
Nelly raised a brow upon hearing that. “You want to go to DX to have a look?”
Thalia arched her brow as well. “I can't sneak into DX, but I heard from Donna that she's shown up a few times. Furthermore, it's a must for me to meet her!”
“Wait, so Donna told you that?” “Mm-hm!” Thalia nodded smugly.
Nelly 's lips curled into a smile. This was the first time someone took her side and thought about things from her perspective. She could deal with this matter herself, but it was great having someone who supported her unconditionally.
Subsequently, she was reminded of something. “Does Darknetz know you're here?”
A hint of resignation flashed across Thalia's eyes. “No. If they knew, they might think I'm a traitor..”
“Is there really no way for Darknetz and DX to meet in the middle, then?” asked Nelly . She was worried about the three kids. This was something they had to face.
Thalia's brows furrowed at that, and she shook her head. “It's challenging, as far as I'm concerned.” Nelly narrowed her eyes.
“Are you worried about the kids?”
“It's something they have to face down the line,” said Nelly calmly.
Thalia picked up her cup of coffee and took a sip. “I thought your style of education was more relaxed. Why are you worried all of a sudden?”
“They're my children. Of course, I'd be worried. I'd think matters regarding them, but ultimately, the choice is theirs,” Nelly responded.
After Thalia heard that, her gaze softened. “You're the best mother I've ever seen. If there were a class for motherhood, you'd ace it.”
“Even when I'm practically leaving my kids to their own devices?”
“It seems like it on the surface, but you'd step in when it matters most. I've seen many families over my adventures. Most parents would either control their children or abandon them. Some families literally place their whole pride on their children's success. If their children fail to live up to their expectations, they'll be thrown into the dungeon of humiliation. Not many children actually feel safe and secure around their parents. However, you manage to provide your kids with that. The three little ones are outstanding.”
A smile hung on Nelly 's lips. “I wasn't raised by my parents. Grandpa did that. Back then, I left Alpha Kilian all because of the children. To be honest, I never thought I could raise them, let alone raise them this well. I didn't really do anything. Sometimes, I think they're the ones who saved me.”
Thalia leaned closer. “Children learn by example. There's a reason your children grew up brilliant.” Nelly was silent for a moment, then she nodded. “True. I am rather brilliant.”
Thalia was about to continue with her compliments, but she stayed silent for a while as she didn't know what to say next after hearing Nelly 's words. The next second, she looked at Nelly and said, “That's not how one should respond to compliments...”
Nelly smiled. “I was just agreeing to your words.”
Thalia smiled as well. The duo proceeded to have a good, long chat. Both of them had only a few friends, and they seemed to understand each other at that very moment.
“Oh, right, we're straying from the main topic. Even though the feud between Darknetz and Alpha Kilian is going to be quite a challenge to solve, Sam 's not a bad guy. He won't do anything to the kids just to get at Alpha Kilian . Don't worry about that. The worst that can happen to the kids is having them quit
Darknetz.”
“But will Sam let them go?”
“Definitely not,” said Thalia. “It's not every day you run into geniuses like Tony and Ben .” “So what do you think he'll most probably do?”
She's worried about the children's future. A few moments passed in silence, and then Thalia frowned. “I have no guesses, but I can guarantee they won't lay a finger on the three little ones.”
“I don't share your trust in him, I'm afraid,” said Nelly . “So... Do you have other plans?” Thalia asked.
Nelly shook her head. “Not for now. But if Sam lays one finger on them, there will be hell to pay. I will destroy Darknetz even if that means breathing my last!”
It was supposed to be a regular chat, but Thalia felt tension hanging in the air. “You want me to tell Sam that, don't you?”
Night had descended, and Nelly was sound asleep. Then she noticed someone crawling on top of her. “Nelly ,” a whisper called out to her.
Is this a dream? Nelly frowned and buried her head in her pillow.
Alpha Kilian narrowed his eyes, a small smile tugging at his lips. He did not give up right away. Instead, he leaned down and gave her a kiss.
Nelly made a muffled noise, but she didn't get up.
Oh, so this is how you want to play, huh? Alpha Kilian slid his hand under her shirt. She wasn't wearing anything underneath, as she went to bed right after a shower.
It was supposed to be a simple tease, but the touch of her bare skin lit up the flame of desire within him, burning him up. And the thought of it ending with just a tease was thrown out the window.
He slid his other hand into the pillow and held her head up to deepen the kiss. Finally noticing the weight pushing down on her and the kiss, of course, Nelly woke from her dreams.
“Alpha Kilian ?” Through the dim illumination, Nelly made out who it was.
Alpha Kilian did not let her go just yet. He wanted to have a better taste of Nelly . He moved his hand all over her body, and Nelly shivered from his touch.
“Nelly ...” he whispered.
“Yes?” drawled Nelly , her voice filled with sweet seduction. “You're gorgeous.” He nibbled on her earlobe.
Nelly closed her eyes, a smile curling her lips. Without saying anything, she threw her arms around Alpha Kilian 's neck. “Well, I'd like a show to go with that compliment.”
Alpha Kilian stared into her eyes and huddled closer. He then whispered something into her ear, and the air was filled with the scent of lust shortly after.
More than thirty minutes later, the couple was lying on the bed, Alpha Kilian holding Nelly from behind. Her skin glimmered like pears under the light, sweat glistening on her neck and forehead. That only made her more attractive.
“Nelly .”
“Yes?”
“Why aren't you saying anything?” Alpha Kilian stared at the lady leaning on his chest. Nelly heaved a sigh. “I don't even have the strength to talk.”
Alpha Kilian smiled. He then huddled closer and whispered, “Nelly , I thought you could take on a group of enemies in a fight. You should have more stamina than this.”
“But this isn't even a fight,” Nelly mumbled.
“Why can't it be?” Alpha Kilian lowered his voice. “Besides, I was the one who started it, you know.”
Nelly was about to sleep, but she opened her eyes and turned around to face him, her face flushed. “That makes it worse. How can you even have the strength to talk?”
Even with the dim light, Alpha Kilian could see her well, yet now that she was inches away from him, he thought she looked gentler and even more gorgeous than usual. Suddenly, he raised her chin and went in for a deep kiss.
Eventually, he let her go. “You're easy to satisfy, Nelly ,” he whispered. “Talking isn't the only thing I can do. I can go for another round.”
Just when he was about to go for another round, Nelly covered her face with the blanket. “No. You're going to break me.” She slid under the blanket.
Alpha Kilian smiled at that.
Only when she was sure Alpha Kilian wasn't making another move did Nelly cautiously stick her head out, her gaze firmly on Alpha Kilian .
Well, it has been exhausting for her lately. Alpha Kilian stopped teasing her. “Fine, since you're exhausted, I think I can let you rest for a couple of days,” said Alpha Kilian .
Nelly responded, “You should've thought of that before you touched me in my sleep.” “Sorry. That was meant to be a tease, but... I couldn't help it!”
Nelly was rendered speechless.
“But don't worry. I'll try my best to keep it in for the next two days.” “Alpha Kilian Morris !”
A chuckle escaped Alpha Kilian 's lips, and he pulled Nelly into his embrace. She leaned on his chest, the sound of his heartbeat calming her down.
Suddenly, Alpha Kilian said, “Nelly , there's something I have to say.” There was solemnity in his voice. Nelly looked at him in confusion. “What is it?”
Solemnly, Alpha Kilian looked at her. A moment of silence later, he said, “Next time you're in a room with me, don't hide under the blanket.”
Feeling perplexed, Nelly narrowed her eyes. “Why?”