Vanya's POV
"I started school today and moved out of the house," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady and honest.
"Who gave you permission to move out?" Cliff's tone was filled with anger.
The intense emotion was clearly conveyed through the phone, making my already uncomfortable body even more distressed.
At that moment, I was physically and mentally exhausted. The instability of the mate bond, coupled with my weakness, left me with no energy to engage in a pointless argument with him.
So, without hesitation, I hung up the phone, as if that could also isolate the negative emotions.
I took the medicine from the drawer, swallowed it, and then lay back down on the bed.
Under the effect of the medicine, I slowly drifted off to sleep, hoping to find a moment of peace and relief in my dreams.
The next morning, I woke up with a splitting headache, and the light rain outside was still falling.
But it was the second day of school, and I didn't want to be late.
I struggled to walk to the entrance of the second teaching building, feeling dizzy and the damp air around me making it hard to breathe.
Suddenly, a pair of strong hands grabbed me and pressed me against the wall of the second teaching building.
My vision was blurry, and I looked up with difficulty to see Wilmot coldly staring at me.
He asked in an unfriendly tone, "Where were you yesterday?"
"What do you mean, where was I?" I responded weakly.
"Don't play dumb. I told you to wait for me at the second teaching building. Where were you?" Wilmot's voice rose.
"Wilmot, I don't think I agreed to wait for you, did I?" I was struggling to stay conscious, my willpower the only thing keeping me going.
Wilmot continued to press, "No one has ever dared to play tricks on me like this, Vanya. Do you believe me if I..."
As he spoke, he raised his fist, seemingly trying to intimidate me.
However, before he could finish his threat, my vision went completely black, and I collapsed into his arms.
Third Person's POV
Wilmot was stunned, momentarily at a loss. "Hey! Vanya? Don't pull this stunt on me!"
He shook the woman in his arms, suddenly realizing how soft she felt, as if she would melt at the slightest touch.
When the person in his arms still didn't respond, Wilmot touched Vanya's forehead, which was burning hot.
Wilmot was taken aback.
She had a fever?
Reacting quickly, Wilmot immediately picked up the woman in his arms.
But before he could take a step, someone grabbed his shoulder.
"Put her down."
The man's voice behind him was cold, sending chills down his spine.
Wilmot frowned and turned to see Cliff holding an umbrella, his presence as imposing as always.
"Cliff?"
Wilmot sneered, "Why should I put her down?"
"Because I am her mate, her husband."
Cliff's deep eyes held an extremely dangerous aura.
Hearing the word "mate," Wilmot stiffened.
Cliff dropped the umbrella and took Vanya from Wilmot's arms, with Elliot holding the umbrella and following closely behind Cliff.
Only Wilmot remained in place, stunned.
Vanya... was Cliff's mate?
Vanya's POV
I woke up in the hospital bed to the continuous drizzle outside, the gloomy sky seeming to cast a shadow over my heart as well.
I tried to recall what had happened before, vaguely remembering being cornered by Wilmot at the entrance of the second teaching building, but what happened after that?
I struggled to prop myself up, and upon turning my head, saw Cliff sleeping with his hand propped on his cheek.
His face looked tired, as if he had been through a lot recently.
"Luna Vanya, you're awake?" At that moment, Elliot walked in with a briefcase.
His voice woke Cliff, who slowly opened his eyes and looked at me, now awake in the hospital bed.
Seeing the undeniable fatigue on Cliff's face, I softly asked, "Did you bring me to the hospital?"
Cliff didn't respond as if he hadn't heard my question. Elliot then handed a computer from his briefcase to Cliff and said to me, "Luna Vanya, when Alpha Cliff went to school to find you this morning, you fainted. Alpha Cliff gave up an important meeting and has been accompanying you in the hospital."
"You may leave," Cliff's tone was still calm, without any fluctuations.
But I could keenly sense that he was suppressing his anger and was in a bad mood.
I was puzzled and couldn't help but ask him, "Why did you go to Walfe?"
"As a wife, not being reachable by your husband, where else should I go to find you?" Cliff's voice carried a hint of questioning.
Hearing his words, I remembered that I had hung up on him because I was extremely uncomfortable last night.
Feeling a bit apologetic, I said, "Last night, I wasn't feeling well, so..."
"So you hung up on me?" Cliff interrupted me.
I was momentarily speechless. Indeed, hanging up was my fault, and I didn't argue further.
"Give me your address, and I'll have someone move all your things back," Cliff's tone was unquestionable.