Vanya's POV
As we stood outside the hotel, Grace looked at me and asked, "Hey, Vanya, where are you staying tonight? Going back to the Silver Moon Pack?"
I shook my head.
After what had happened tonight, going back to the packhouse would be like asking for trouble.
Wilmot spoke up, "That's perfect. Tomorrow's my birthday. Why don't you stay at my place?"
I was taken aback. "Your birthday? Why have I never heard you mention it?"
"He never liked celebrating birthdays or inviting friends over," Edwin said with a smile. "It's late, and it wouldn't be convenient for you to go home. Why not stay the night and leave after the birthday party tomorrow?"
After speaking, Edwin glanced at me meaningfully.
My heart skipped a beat.
There was something... off about that look.
Tomorrow, M Group was hosting a masked ball, and the badges had already been sent to the CEOs of major companies.
Could it be that Edwin suspected I had something to do with M Group?
Shaking my head, I dismissed the thought.
I had handled M Group's affairs carefully and kept my identity hidden. There was no way Edwin could know.
Grace said, "Vanya, this is a great idea. If we're at the Hammond residence, Cliff wouldn't dare try to drag you back in the middle of the night, even if he wanted to. Let's go."
I nodded. Wilmot's face lit up, and he said, "I'll have the guest rooms prepared right away. My place is huge. We can show you around tomorrow."
My mind was elsewhere. It was preoccupied with the masked ball tomorrow.
But for some reason, I felt like Edwin knew something.
Looking up, I met his gaze.
There was something deep and unsettling in his eyes, like a bottomless cold pool, making me feel a bit uneasy.
I knew the Hammond family had the Alpha bloodline of the Blood Moon Pack, but because of Edwin's frail health, I had never really associated him with a typical werewolf.
I didn't know what illness he had, but as a werewolf, his poor health meant his wolf must be in bad shape.
Yet just now, looking into Edwin's eyes, I saw something like a wolf crouching in the dark.
This made me rethink my perception of Edwin.
That night, Grace and I arrived at the Hammond residence.
I had been here once before at a jewelry gala, but this time, the first-floor lobby was spotless, and I realized just how massive the Hammond estate was.
This century-old legacy was no joke.
"Mr. Hammond," a maid approached Wilmot.
"Is the room ready?"
"Alpha Edwin had already instructed us to prepare two guest rooms before he left. If Miss Dalton and Miss Gilbert are not satisfied, we can rearrange them," the maid replied.
Wilmot looked puzzled. "Edwin had you prepare the rooms before he left?"
I was startled to hear this. Edwin had prepared the rooms in advance, meaning he had intended for Grace and me to stay over?
Why? My mind raced, and as I turned around, I almost bumped into Edwin, who was only a step away.
"Alpha Edwin," I stammered, which made Edwin chuckle softly. "Do I look like a monster to you?"
"No..." But he kind of did.
Edwin said, "I figured tomorrow is Wilmot's birthday, and he's never really had close friends. Given what happened today with Alpha Cliff, I thought you wouldn't want to go back to the Silver Moon Pack. So, I had the rooms prepared. Please don't overthink it."
Grace chimed in, "Alpha Edwin always thinks ahead and is more considerate than others. We wouldn't dare overthink it. Thank you for your hospitality."
Edwin nodded slightly, but I was skeptical.
I believed maybe half of what he said.
Edwin definitely knew something.
"Come on, Vanya, let's go upstairs," Grace said.
"Already going to bed? My place has plenty of entertainment spots. How about I show you around..."
Wilmot started to say, but Edwin cut him off. "Wilmot, don't disturb our guests' rest. Let's go."
Wilmot wanted to protest but couldn't go against Edwin's word and fell silent.
Grace pulled me into the guest room. The Hammond family prepared two rooms for us.
But ever since we became close, we always shared a bed.
Looking at the room's decor, it felt oddly familiar, as if I had stayed here before.
Grace said, "Vanya, it's Wilmot's birthday tomorrow. What are you planning to do?"
"Attend the birthday party as usual, but... I need to convince Wilmot to go with me to the masked ball," I replied.
Lately, Cliff had been suspicious of my involvement with M Group. This birthday party might actually work in my favor.
The next morning, I got up early and went downstairs from the third floor. The first floor was bustling with businesspeople in suits, carrying stacks of folders.
I had heard that being the head of the Hammond family wasn't easy, but I didn't realize it was like this every day.
Was Edwin... always this busy?