Annette looked at Connor and asked, "How can you be so overbearing?"
Connor chuckled. He said, "I am the Alpha of Blood Moon Pack. The entire pack's future is in my hand. This is my job, and I am used to it."
Annette shook her head and said, "Don't you know how the werewolves in Akron are talking about you? They said that you were cruel and they were scared of you."
"I don't care what others think of me," Connor said.
Annette was silent. She thought, 'He's right. What does it matter if others think of me as good or bad?'
Annette agreed with him.
They left the banquet together. While they were waiting for the elevator, Annette saw Austin.
Annette stopped. Then she walked toward the elevator doors with Connor, as if she didn't notice Austin.
She quickly pressed the elevator button to go downstairs.
Austin stood by the window for a moment, and then he walked over.
From Annette's peripheral view, she saw Austin walking over and felt nervous.
She prayed that Austin would walk past her like he didn't know her.
Unfortunately, things did not go as she wished.
Austin stopped beside her. "Ann, come with me for a second."
After he finished speaking, he grabbed her wrist and turned to leave.
Connor was holding her other hand.
"Mr. Fisher, I am still here. And you want to snatch my female companion in front of me? What are you thinking? Am I invisible to you?"
Austin's eyes met Connor's gaze.
Annette felt the tension between the two.
Annette looked at Austin and then Connor, wondering what she should be doing now.
A moment later, she pulled her hand from Connor's.
However, she couldn't, since Connor grabbed her hand so tightly.
Annette's move enraged Connor.
He thought, 'Is she trying to shake me off?'
Connor pulled Annette towards him, and Annette fell into his arms.
Connor looked at Austin provocatively, and Austin's eyes looked hostile.
Connor was not afraid. He looked over at Annette in his arms and kissed her forehead.
Austin gritted his teeth and said, "Ann, come here!"
Annette struggled to leave Connor's arms.
Annette tried to calm down, and said with a trembling voice, "Mr. Norman, can you wait for me in the car? I'll have a word with Mr. Fisher and be right back."
Annette hoped that she could ease the tension between Connor and Austin. She didn't want to get Austin in trouble.
Connor wanted to piss Austin off since he was from the Black Thorn Pack. Now that Connor had got what he wanted, instead of continuing to drag Annette into it, he nodded, turned to the elevator, and left.
As the elevator doors closed, Austin grabbed Annette's wrist and walked toward the stairwell.
However, she was wearing high heels. She fell to the ground because Austin was pulling her.
Austin was sorry and quickly helped her up.
Annette said pitifully, "Austin, I don't know how to walk in these heels. Can you slow down?"
Austin was unhappy, but still, he helped her up and took her to the stairwell.
Austin looked at Annette coldly and asked, "Why are you here? Didn't I tell you not to go near Alpha Connor? He's dangerous!"
"I'm sorry." Annette looked down at her feet. She said, "He helped me out last time at the convenience store where I work. I came here with him today to repay him."
"Then what was the dance about?" Austin did not buy it.
"I had no idea why he did it," Annette answered honestly.
Austin did not agree. That scene made him angry.
He thought, 'I've been protecting Annette for such a long time. And I won't let that vicious werewolf hurt her."
He took a deep breath and said, "Fine. I won't mention it anymore. Promise me you'll quit the job at his villa and stay away from him."
"Well... I'm afraid I can't promise you now." She looked at him. "I need time and money to find a new place. Besides, I have already taken his money."
"Let me worry about the money, Ann. He's not an ordinary Alpha. He's the Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack. He has no feelings. He's only playing games with you," said Austin.
Annette felt upset. "Austin, what do you take me for?"
"Ann, I know you. If you didn't want to, he could never do that in front of me tonight. You didn't refuse him, because you were attracted to him! I remember you said that you wouldn’t make the same mistake as your mother did before. If you mean it, stay away from him, OK? This is for your own good. Just do as I said, OK?"
Annette clenched her fists. She held it back, only because she didn't want Connor to target Austin. Yet Austin...
She turned around and was about to leave.
Austin grabbed her wrist. "Ann..."
"Enough!" Annette looked at him. She said, "If you don't believe me, don't bother standing here and telling me that you're doing everything for me. My name is Annette Hall. No one will ever know that I have anything to do with you, or with the Black Thorn Pack. So, you don't need to worry that I'll bring shame to you."
She shook off his hand, pushed the door, and walked away from the stairwell.
Austin realized that his words hurt her feelings.
He chased after her quickly, but she had already entered the elevator.
He wanted to go downstairs to explain to her. But a friend of his came out of the banquet and greeted him.
He glanced at the elevator and then walked to his friend.
As Annette walked out of the elevator, she sprained her ankle. It was painful, so she bent over to rub it.
She cursed silently, "Damn shoes!"
She took off her shoes and limped towards the hotel entrance.
Connor's car was parked at the door, but after glancing at the car, she walked around the car and headed in the opposite direction.
Connor frowned as he sat in the car. He watched her walk away barefoot with those heels in her hand.
He opened the car door and got out.
Annette ran as she heard the sound of the car door closing, ignoring the pain.
Yet she was still caught up by him.