"Ann, people need to vent their emotions. If you keep your emotions bottled up inside, they will only become a thorn that makes you hurt constantly. I'm willing to do this because I don't want the second person to see how vulnerable you are. You're my partner, and whatever you've been through, I just hope your life will be easier after you are with me."
Annette bit her lip, her eyes misty, and her voice choked. She said, "What makes you so self-righteous?"
"I'm self-righteous?"
"That's right. You are self-righteous and eloquent. Let me ask you something. Would you have done it if it weren't for Alina who had done it? I don't think so. Alina was the one who did this, so you're making excuses to take the blame for her. Don't say that I'm jealous. That's not the point. I'm mad at you. Do you know why? Because I told you about the thing that hurt me the most and then you let me down. What's the point of using my soft spot to test your relationship with her?"
"What relationship? As I said, Alina and I were over a long time ago." Connor turned anxious.
Annette put her hands on her chest and continued, "Do you believe it yourself? I've said from the beginning that I never wanted to be a member of the Black Thorn Pack. You knew how much I hated it, and you knew I'd probably hate you after you admitted it, yet you did it anyway. You claimed that you knew me, and you claimed that you wanted my life to be easier. Well, is this how you prove your point? Do you think I can trust you again? Let me make it clear to you. I can't get over it. Since you have chosen to take responsibility, you are now the person I hate most, because you have turned me into someone I loathe. Connor, don't be so greedy. Now that you have been a hero to her, then stop pretending that you are a perfect husband in front of me."
After hearing what Annette said, Connor regretted it.
He thought, 'If I had known this, I would have stood by Ann's side and joined her in criticizing Alina. That would have been better than this.'
Annette pushed him forcefully and said, "Are you done speaking? If so, leave. I need to rest now."
Connor sighed and said, "I didn't think it would hurt you so much. Believe me or not, it wasn't for Alina at all."
"I don't want to hear this," Annette said. There was anger in her eyes, and she looked at Connor and said, "Just leave."
Connor nodded helplessly and said, "Fine. I'll go, but Ann, please remember that you're the only one I care about right now. I'm still waiting for you, so don't hate me for too long, OK?"
Annette turned around and faced the wall, refusing to look at him anymore.
He had no choice but to leave.
After Connor stepped out of the door, Dwayne looked at him with concern and said, "Alpha Connor."
"Take good care of her. I'm going back."
Dwayne nodded.
Connor trudged down the stairs, and Dwayne hurried after him.
"Alpha Connor, may I have a word with you?"
"Walk with me."
"OK."
They went out of the villa in the Black Thorn Pack one after the other.
Arriving at the door, Connor looked at Dwayne and asked, "Did you hear our conversation?"
Dwayne nodded and said, "Yes. That's why I wanted to talk to you, Alpha Connor."
Connor asked, "Do you think I did something wrong, too?"
"Alpha Connor, everyone is a novice when it comes to relationships. You have your concerns, and Luna Annette has her dilemmas. There's nothing right or wrong about it. It's just love that makes you misunderstand each other."
"Love?" Connor pondered for a while. Then he said, "I didn't have Alina's position in mind when I did this."
"Alpha Connor, when I say love, I mean it to be a mutual thing. You love Luna Annette, and she loves you too. Women in love are quite simple. All they want is for their men to love no one else. Luna Annette knows about your past with Ms. Grace, who is involved in this incident, which is why she is so sensitive. If it weren't for Ms. Grace who leaked her identity, or if you'd been honest with Luna Annette from the beginning, maybe this would have turned out differently, but not necessarily for the better. All relationships need to be tested. Alpha Connor, I hope you can relax and stop worrying so much. She's simply mad at you now."
Connor was impressed by Dwayne's words and said, "Dwayne, you're getting better and better at consoling people."
"I'm saying this because I'm pretty sure that Luna Annette loves you deeply. There's something she didn't want me to tell you, but I think you'll be glad to know it now."
"Tell me about it."
"Lance talked to Luna Annette this morning, wanting her to go back to the Black Thorn Pack, but she was dead set against it. She asked me not to tell you, because she was afraid you would think she was disagreeing for your sake. In fact, she just didn't want to be a member of the Black Thorn Pack. She didn't want you to be questioned by the Blood Moon Pack."
Connor couldn't help but grin and said, "Yes. That sounded like her."
"So, as long as you remain true to her, I am sure she will forgive you."
Connor patted Dwayne's shoulder and said, "I see. Go back and take care of her."
Dwayne nodded respectfully to Connor and couldn't help but say, "Alpha Connor, please pretend you didn't hear what I just told you. After all, she asked me to keep it a secret."
Connor agreed.
Dwayne then returned to the villa.
Connor took out his phone, and his face turned cold instantly as he dialed Alina's number.
Alina quickly picked up the phone.
Her voice was as cheerful as ever as she said, "Connor? I didn't expect you would call."
"Alina, didn't I tell you not to go to Annette again? Why did you tell her?"
Alina was stunned and said, "Are you talking about my phone call to her the other day? After I apologized to her, weren't you supposed to have patched things up? Why are you calling me after so many days to scold me? Or is there something wrong with you and her?"
"I didn't tell Annette it was you. And I told you to keep your mouth shut, and yet again, you called her again. Do you want everyone to know that you and I had a past?" Connor sounded displeased.
Alina felt aggrieved and said, "That's not what I meant. I was just trying to help."
"Enough. I don't want to hear a word of your explanation. Alina, isn't it on your conscience to hurt Annette like this?"
"Connor, why are you talking about me like that? Why can't you hear me out?"
Alina continued sadly, "After what you said the other day, I felt terrible. I made a mistake, and I let you take the blame for it. That's why I called her. I was afraid I might jeopardize your relationship. I did something wrong, and I ought to face the consequences. What's wrong with that?"
"Last time, you were presumptuous enough to expose Annette's identity without anyone's consent. I told you to check with the people involved before you do anything. But you turned me into a bad man again right after that without my consent. You are one big challenge in my life."