Breakfast passed in an incredibly lively atmosphere.
Donna was as happy as a clam wearing the bracelet given by Alpha Kilian . Ben loved studying such things, so the two of them went someplace to do so after eating.
Meanwhile, Alpha Kilian stared at Tony , his gaze dimming a shade. “When are you leaving?” “Tonight.”
Alpha Kilian inclined his head in acknowledgment, stating, “I'll have someone go with you all. He can back you up if anything happens during the journey.”
Naturally, Tony could not decline his father's offer, especially when the person to do so had been decided upon. He could only shift his gaze to Nelly .
Nelly belatedly turned to Alpha Kilian . “Who do you have in mind?” “Luke. You've seen him before,” Alpha Kilian answered.
Nelly nodded. “I remember him.”
“He's skilled in combat, so he can likely back them up if he tags along.”
Nelly did not nix it at once but mulled it over for some time. “He'd been to Vermillion Base previously. Although he didn't meet Boss face to face, it doesn't mean Boss has no idea about him. Would he put Tony and the others in a dangerous situation if he were to go with them?”
Upon hearing that, Alpha Kilian knew that she had someone else in mind. He casually rested his hand on the back of her chair. “What do you suggest, then?”
Nelly propped a hand against her cheek in a contemplative gesture. A moment later, she held the man's gaze. “There's someone else who's suited for the task.”
At her reply, Alpha Kilian lifted his eyes and stole a look at Tony before surreptitiously withdrawing his gaze. “Who is it?”
“The apprentice Tony took in, Miguel. What do you think?” Nelly ventured.
At her proposal, Alpha Kilian lowered his eyes slightly and bobbed his head after a brief while of pondering. “I heard from Dave that he's also well-versed in computers and combat. He's quite skilled at fighting.”
“So, do you approve?” Nelly confirmed.
“I have no problems with it. But... are you the one who thinks he's good, or does someone else think so?” As Alpha Kilian spoke, his gaze landed on Tony .
It went without saying that Nelly knew there was no fooling him. Hence, she divulged, “Your son thinks so.”
Dumbstruck, Tony grumbled, “Don't you think you sold me out too quickly, Nelly ?”
Nelly merely leaned back against the chair languidly. “If I said I thought so, your daddy would've been jealous again. As you know, he's scary when he's green with envy!”
She shot a look at Alpha Kilian as she said that. However, the latter evidently had no intention of refuting that.
On second thought, Tony felt that it made sense.
That's true. Besides, when he's jealous... Oh well, I don't even dare imagine what would happen!
At that thought, Tony admitted, “It was my idea. I'm already familiar with Miguel. That aside, it's only natural that I take him out to train since I'm his mentor. Furthermore, Alpha Dave has agreed!”
“You, taking him out to train?” When Alpha Kilian heard that, his lips curved into a smirk.
“Daddy, while I'm young and lack a certain amount of experience, everyone has his own strengths. He doesn't necessarily know more just because he's older than me. Moreover, there are always things I can teach him. Otherwise, why would he acknowledge me as his mentor?” Tony quirked a brow at his father.
Undeniably, his words were true to an extent.
Ultimately, there was always something to learn from others.
Thus, Alpha Kilian nodded in agreement. “You're right. I was too shallow.”
“Then, I can bring Miguel along, yes?” Tony pressed, seizing that golden opportunity. “Of course. Dave has agreed, so I've got no objections either!” Alpha Kilian replied.
As soon as Tony heard that, the corners of his mouth turned up. “I'll go and tell Miguel about this right away!”
Alpha Kilian nodded.
Getting to his feet, Tony walked away. “Wait!” Nelly piped up without warning. Tony glanced over his shoulder at her. “I'll go with you,” Nelly offered.
“Why?” Tony questioned.
“I've got something to say to Miguel,” Nelly murmured.
Again, Tony 's lips curved upward. “Oh, don't worry, Nelly . You don't have to remind him to protect me. He'll make sure to do that either way.”
“That's not what I want to say to him.” “What do you want to say to him, then?”
“Well... it's a secret.” Nelly flashed him a mysterious smile.
Seeing that, Tony did not give it much thought, for he was convinced that his mother was messing with him.
“I'll be back shortly,” Nelly said to Alpha Kilian . “Okay.” Alpha Kilian inclined his head a fraction.
In no time, no one else except Thalia and Alpha Kilian was left in the dining room. Without saying anything, Alpha Kilian got up to leave.
“Wait!” Thalia suddenly spoke.
Startled, Alpha Kilian turned and fixed his eyes on her. “You're talking to me?” “Is there anyone else here?” Thalia retorted.
“What is it?” Alpha Kilian cut straight to the chase. Their dislike for each other was blatantly written all over their faces.
Thalia hesitated briefly. “I gave Nelly the antidote.”
Hearing that, Alpha Kilian was stunned for a moment. He gaped at her, not quite believing his ears. “What did you just say?”
Nelly pressed her lips into a thin line. “I know Vermillion Base has been picking trouble with you all recently, so I tried to hack into their internal server just now.”
When Alpha Kilian heard that, he narrowed his eyes a fraction. “And?”
Instead of telling him about the end results, Nelly considered the matter briefly before starting, “In the past, I didn't make a move against Boss for real because he once saved me from General Will back at Vermillion Base. Besides, it was thanks to him that I discovered the truth about my father's death. But after the previous incident, I know all too well that there must be a close to this. Since there's no resolution, we can only take the initiative to attack. Only when one party is completely wiped out will this matter draw to an absolute end.”
At the mention of the truth, Alpha Kilian 's eyes darkened even as his cool and chiseled face stretched taut. He had contemplated telling her the truth of the entire matter and was wavering about it of late.
However, she had finally found the desire to live. He was afraid she would again be embroiled in hatred
once he brought everything to light, fearing she would set out alone to exact revenge and end up being taken captive.
As a man himself, he understood Boss' thoughts all too well. He knows how Nelly would react upon learning the truth, but he doesn't give a fig since he merely wants her person.
At that thought, he suppressed the urge to tell Nelly the truth once more. All I can do is tell her the truth after exacting revenge on her behalf.
Following that, he fixed his eyes on her. “Dave and I can handle this, Nelly .” Nelly lifted her eyes to meet his. “Do you not believe me?”
“Of course, I do. Your capabilities are evident to all. But then, let us men handle our own matters!” Alpha Kilian insisted.
“If it were anything else, I wouldn't have bothered to do anything. But I'm the reason for the conflict between you and Boss, so I can't just sit back and do nothing,” Nelly muttered.
“I know you're used to being independent, Nelly . But you've got to understand that we are one. There's no need to draw such a clear distinction line. The reason isn't important. What matters is that you must believe that your man can resolve it. Okay?” Alpha Kilian asked, arching a brow.
Nelly stared at him. “I've always believed in your capabilities.” “So, you've agreed, then?”
Nelly 's brows knitted together. “I can promise you not to go on the frontlines, but I want to back you up at the rear. Satisfied now?”
Upon hearing her reply, Alpha Kilian bobbed his head. “Yeah. I agree if you want to fight alongside me!”
Holding his gaze, Nelly grinned.
Alpha Kilian reached out and pulled her into his arms.
As she rested against his chest, his gaze dimmed a shade. “Nelly ...” “Hmm?”
Alpha Kilian stared down at her. “There's something I want to tell you. If all goes well, I'll tell you about it when the dust has settled.”
“What is it?” Nelly questioned.
“I'll tell you when the time comes,” Alpha Kilian promised softly.
The corners of Nelly 's mouth curled up. “How mysterious,” she murmured without giving it much thought. Resting against the man's chest, she gazed out into the distance, feeling entirely relaxed.
“Oh yes, you haven't told me what unexpected thing you did earlier,” Alpha Kilian uttered with his eyes trained on her, as he suddenly recalled that matter.
Nelly 's gaze flickered. Subsequently, she looked up at him. “It's a secret. I'm not telling you either.” Immediately, a frown marred Alpha Kilian 's countenance.
Nelly remained silent, merely stretching out her hands at him and melting into his embrace with a smile.
They both stared into the distance as a gentle breeze blew past their ears, bringing along a rustling sound.
In the afternoon, the few people who were leaving geared up for departure.
On the lawn before the helicopter, the triplets shouldered a backpack each. They appeared striking and cool. Donna looked at Nelly . “Don't miss me too much, Nelly .”
“Don't worry, I won't. Even if you were to run away from home, I wouldn't miss you.” “Am I still your precious darling?” Donna whined.
“I can have another precious darling.”
The instant Donna heard that, her eyes went as wide as saucers. With her eyes pinned on Nelly 's belly, she shrieked excitedly, “So, you're going to give birth to a baby sister for me?”
Her voice caught the attention of everyone around them, including Thalia. The latter swung her gaze at Nelly . “Is that true?”
Nelly hastily clapped a hand over Donna 's mouth and flashed them a sheepish smile. “Don't mind her.”
Thalia headed over with a dubious look in her eyes, looking Nelly up and down. “Really? Or are you trying to fool me?”
“Spencer should know whether I'm pregnant or not, right?” Nelly countered, turning to look at Spencer.
After her words rang out, however, several pairs of eyes turned her way. It was not until then that she realized the statement sounded weird and promptly explained, “He just gave me a checkup two days ago!”
Only when she had clarified it did everyone nod in understanding.
At that, Donna pushed Nelly 's hand away. Pouting, she griped, “I thought you were going to give me a sister, Nelly . But it turned out I was rejoicing over nothing.”
Before Nelly could reply to that, Alpha Kilian interjected beside her, “This is my bad. Don't worry, Donna .
I'll definitely work hard so that your mommy can give you a baby sister, okay?” “Really?” Donna 's eyes lit up when she heard that.