It was nighttime, and Tony had finished packing his things. After much hesitance, he still decided to seek Nelly 's approval. He went looking for her and found her sitting on a bench in the yard.
Beneath the starry sky, Nelly looked relaxed yet elegant in her pale dress with a black and brown shawl draped over her. She appeared as if she was on vacation in a holiday retreat.
“Nelly ,” Tony called out softly as he approached her.
Lifting her gaze, the woman noted Tony 's approach. “Why aren't you asleep?” “It's still not my bedtime yet,” Tony replied, then sat down across from her.
There were some snacks on the table before them that were all Nelly 's favorite foods. Tony assumed Alpha Kilian must've prepared them.
Tony leaned over and began to help Nelly remove the nuts shell with practiced ease.
As if used to him helping her, she poured him a cup of coffee. “Is there a reason you're looking for me?” Tony placed the peeled nuts in front of her and nodded, looking into her eyes. “Yeah.”
“What is it? Speak your mind.” Nelly lifted the cup of hot coffee to her mouth and gently sipped on it.
“I...” Tony realized that whatever words he had assembled in his mind shattered under Nelly 's gaze.
“You what?” Nelly raised a brow. “Since when do you hesitate to speak your mind?” “I'm scared that you won't approve,” Tony answered with an ingratiating smile.
“How do you know I'll disapprove if you never told me in the first place?” Nelly arched her brow. Her exquisite features seemed to exude a faint glow under the moonlight.
After contemplating briefly, Tony stated, “It's like this, Nelly . I want to start a team of my own, and I already have a list of candidates. Coincidentally, Thalia knows one of the people who meet my criteria, and that person is in our neighboring pack .” He paused to study Nelly 's expression.
Nelly took another sip of her coffee and raised her brow at his sudden pause. “What's wrong?
Continue.”
Seeing that there was hope, he seized the chance to strike the iron while it was still hot. “I would like to make a trip there with Thalia.”
Nelly finished her cup of coffee and looked into Tony 's eyes. “That's it? Anything else?” “Nope.” Tony shook his head.
Scrunching her delicate brows, she asked, “Why are you telling me this? Just go if you want to. The problem is whether Thalia is willing to go with you.”
Tony immediately nodded. “She said she'll go with me as long as you agree.” “I don't see any problem with that,” Nelly consented.
“Does that mean you agree?”
“Yeah.” Nelly nodded without hesitation.
Tony 's lips curved into a smile, but he was still slightly worried. “T-Then, what about Daddy?” “Ignore him. You can leave that to me,” Nelly said.
Tony instantly placed the nuts he had finished peeling in front of her. “You're the best mom in the whole wide world, Nelly !”
Dropping her gaze at the nicely-peeled treats in front of her, she felt as though they were reliving the times when he was still a young toddler. Flashing a tiny smile, she said, “You're the best son in the world too. Um, one of the best sons.”
Tony beamed at her.
Suddenly, Nelly remembered something. “But how do you plan on getting there?”
“Thalia said it'll be too slow if we drive since the person is in the neighboring pack . The most efficient way of travel is by helicopter.”
Nelly cast him a glance as soon as he finished his words. “A helicopter? Looks like you guys are making your departure quite a big scene.”
Tony laughed. “I already borrowed it from Alpha Dave. Everything is set once I have Daddy's and your permission.”
Nelly pondered for a while before saying, “I only have one request.” “What is it?” Tony questioned.
“Be careful. Contact us immediately without delay if anything happens to you there. I forbid you from hiding your situation from us.”
The corners of Tony 's lips curled to form a smile. “Okay! No problem!”
Nelly poured herself another cup of coffee and sipped on it. When she caught Tony still peeling the nuts, she said, “That's enough. Stop peeling and have some yourself.”
“I don't like eating them. I just like to peel them for you,” Tony said. Nelly smiled at him. “Have some coffee then.”
“This I can do,” Tony complied, lifting the cup to his lips and taking a few sips leisurely. The mother and son conversed beneath the sky full of stars as they sipped on their drinks. “When are you leaving?” Nelly asked.
“Tomorrow night if everything goes according to plan.”
That night, Thalia paced in her room anxiously, devising an idea on how she should spill the truth to Spencer.
This trip would take at least two days or longer. Hence, before leaving, she had to make sure that the poison wouldn't act up.
She was busy racking her brain to come up with a reasonable explanation for Spencer when someone suddenly knocked on the door.
Glancing at the door, Thalia said, “Come on in!”
Spencer pushed the door open and walked into her room.
Thalia's gaze softened when she saw him. “Oh, you're here. I was about to go find you.”
After entering her room, Spencer couldn't help but remember Nelly 's words when he spotted Thalia. Perhaps she's right. I should try that.
“What's wrong?” Thalia waved her hand in front of Spencer when she noticed him staring at her blankly.
Spencer snapped back to his senses as his lips curled up slightly. “Oh, it's nothing. Do you have something to tell me?”
“Yes, I have something to tell you,” Thalia replied. Spencer nodded. “Go ahead.”
Pursing her lips, Thalia revealed, “I might need to head out with Tony for at least two days or longer. before I leave, I need you to help me...” She trailed off and stretched her slender arm out.
Spencer lowered his gaze to look at her fair arm. He then looked back up at her and asked, “Where are you going? What is the purpose of your trip?”
“I'm helping Tony find someone in the neighboring pack . It isn't far away,” Thalia explained. Hearing that, Spencer furrowed his brows.
“What is it? Is there anything wrong?” Thalia raised a brow. Spencer's lips thinned. “No, you can't go. It's too dangerous!”
Thalia assured him, “We just want to find someone. It won't be that dangerous.”
“Did you forget what happened previously?” Spencer demanded. “What will you do if you run into an enemy again?”
Thalia chuckled aloud. “That was your enemy, not mine. Besides, those I met when I was carrying out missions were already dead!” she announced confidently.
Spencer lowered his gaze. “Anyway, you can't leave!” “Why not?” Thalia questioned.
“You might not have enemies, but what about Tony and the others? They might have enemies!”
“They are too young to have enemies. Even if they do, their enemies don't even know their true identities,” Thalia protested.
“Even so, what if you offend some locals? It's still too dangerous, so you can't go,” Spencer insisted.
Thalia was strangely calm. She regarded him and asked, “If you put it that way, are you saying that I should leave Darknetz?”
Spencer narrowed his gaze.
Thalia tilted her head askew and gave him a look. “Are you prepared to provide for me? If the answer is yes, I might consider leaving Darknetz.”
To her surprise, Spencer responded, “You don't need to worry about anything. Just leave the organization as I am more than capable to support you financially.”
In the past, Spencer would definitely change the topic or avoid the question, so Thalia had no idea he would answer her question directly.
Refusing to believe what she just heard, she stuttered in shock, “W-What did you just say?”
Spencer met her gaze calmly. “I have some savings, so I should be able to provide for you financially.” This time, Thalia heard his words loud and clear.
“A-Are you serious?” she asked.
“You know I never joke around,” came Spencer's answer.
Thalia observed him carefully before reaching out to touch his forehead. Seeing that, Spencer knitted his brows.
After touching his forehead, Thalia touched her own and muttered, “You're not running a fever!” Spencer grabbed her hand and pulled it down from her forehead. “I'm serious. This isn't a joke.”
Thalia maintained eye contact with him, a hint of caution in her beautiful eyes. “But why does it feel strange when you're being serious?”
Spencer held her hand as a bitter expression flickered across his face. “I was a fool before this, and I didn't think things through. But now, I promise to give you everything you deserve. I'll do everything in my power to treat you well.”
Thalia had to admit that she was pleased to hear his promise. Her rosy lips curled into a faint grin. “Are you serious?”
“Yes!” Spencer gave a firm nod.
Beaming in delight, Thalia flung her arms around Spencer to give him a hug.
Spencer froze in surprise. This time, instead of pushing her away, he slowly placed his hands on her back.
“I don't know why you suddenly thought things through, but I'm really happy!” Thalia let out a contented sigh.
Her efforts for the past years had not been in vain, after all.