CHAPTER 290: I LOVE HER.

"Come on, don’t hide it. Tell me," Kaito said softly, trying to sound like a friend and not like an Alpha.

"I love her," Alex finally let it out. He held his arm with his other hand like a nervous boy.

"Say it all, Alex. Tell me exactly what you feel," Kaito said, crossing his arms. "I’m not going to be mad at you if that’s what you think. If I was angry, we wouldn’t be having this talk."

Alex nodded, his voice shaky as he began to explain. "Whenever she’s around me, nothing else matters. She’s the only one I see. When she’s not there, I feel empty and restless. But when she smiles, everything feels right. Just seeing her makes my heart race. And when I see her with another guy, it hurts."

Kaito bit his lower lip and looked down at his Beta. He had fallen for his mate. "When did this start? I noticed it not long ago before we talked."

"It started right after I found out Angela was a girl, but I didn’t understand it at first," Alex said with his head lowered. "I tried to stop it, but I couldn’t. I even stayed away from her, hoping it would fade."

"It didn’t work?" Kaito asked, tilting his head. "Love doesn’t work that way."

"But I want it to stop, Alpha. I don’t like how it makes me feel," Alex said, tears filling his eyes. "I don’t want this."

"It’s okay," Kaito said, pulling him close and hugging him tightly. "I assume Angela doesn’t know how you feel?"

"No," Alex whispered, breathing against his Alpha’s chest. He was still shocked that Kaito didn’t hit him, but hugged him instead.

"If you ever want to tell her, you should. It might help to talk about it," Kaito said quietly.

"The Luna belongs only to her mates. I can’t tell her I feel this way. It’s wrong," Alex said in a broken voice.

"You should still tell her. If it was anyone else, I would have handled it differently," Kaito said, his voice low but steady. "But because it’s you, I’m calm. I know you won’t hurt me or Angela on purpose."

"Thank you for understanding, Alpha."

"It’s alright," Kaito said softly. "No matter how rough the path is, we’ll find our way to the end."

******

"Is there anything going on between Alex and you?" Hiro asked nervously while they drove out of the Malynster’s villa. It was a long drive, and he was glad they had made some progress already.

"I do not understand," Angela said with her brows furrowed in confusion. She sat upright and faced him.

"This is not the first time he has done something like this. It happened when you got kidnapped too."

"He is my friend, Hiro. What are you trying to say?" she asked, her frown deepening. His tone was beginning to annoy her.

"Don’t get me wrong... maybe I asked in the wrong way, but that’s not what I mean," Hiro said as they drove further south.

"So what exactly are you trying to say?"

"I think the guy likes you. It’s more than friendship," he said. "If he does, then it’s bad."

"You shouldn’t conclude when you know nothing," Angela rolled her eyes and leaned back against the seat. After a moment, she asked quietly, "Do you really think my friend likes me... that he’s attracted to me?"

"Yes," Hiro replied without hesitation, glancing at her before focusing on the road again. "I’m very sure of it, my love."

"You’re saying this out of jealousy, right?" she asked softly.

"Yes, I’m saying it because of what I see," Hiro answered, his voice low but honest.

Angela chuckled, though her thoughts drifted. If Alex liked her, why hadn’t he said anything? He had never done anything to make her think that way... or maybe she just hadn’t noticed it before.

"You think it’s funny?" Hiro asked, one hand on the steering wheel while the other gently touched hers, resting on her lap.

"Not really," Angela laughed, glancing at him. Was he jealous?

"I think you like him too," Hiro said, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Really? Is it that obvious?" Angela smiled. She had never thought of Alex that way. He was her best friend, and nothing romantic had ever crossed her mind. But now, thinking about it, she wouldn’t have minded if it had.

"Yes. You’re blushing," Hiro said, his tone teasing.

"Oh mine..." Angela laughed again at the way he said it. To her surprise, he chuckled too. "I can’t have anything to do with someone who isn’t my mate."

"Poor Alex. I just hope he finds his mate soon," Hiro said with a small shake of his head as he increased the speed.

Less than an hour later, they reached the south side, where his pack lived. A large billboard stood tall at the entrance, displaying the pack’s name. Angela couldn’t stop looking at the houses—they were different from the ones she had seen before. Each one had a number painted on it.

They drove a little further until the car came to a stop in front of a huge house marked with the symbol S-1.

"Welcome to the Southside," Hiro said, reaching for a mask from the back seat. "The students are on holiday. I don’t want them recognizing you since you don’t want anyone to know who you are. It would be best to wear this mask... if you think it’s okay."

"Sure. I want it," Angela said, adjusting her position so he could tie it for her. When he was done, he told her to wait while he got the door. "Okay, Alpha," she replied softly.

He stepped out and opened the car door for her. His hand reached out, and she took it with a small smile as she got down. A few people were standing near the house, and as they came closer, she noticed Kael among them. He recognized her instantly but didn’t say a word. Still, the whispers from the neighbors reached her ears as they tried to guess if she was the Luna or not.

Angela smiled, enjoying the way they were whispering and wondering who she was, whose daughter she might be, and which pack she belonged to.

Hiro led her into the house without saying anything to the people outside. "Everyone is curious," he said once they were in. "I’ve never brought a girl home before. They all think you’re the Luna."

"Let them think," Angela said, turning to wrap her arms around his neck. When he tried to take off her mask, she stopped him. She didn’t need to remove it to kiss him. "Which one is your room?"

"The one on the top floor. It’s the only bedroom there," Hiro replied.

Angela smiled and kissed him before letting go. "Then come find me." Using her primal power, she moved quickly up the stairs to the last room he mentioned. She stopped at the door, lifted her dress slightly to her thighs, and motioned for him to come with her finger.

Hiro stood still, watching her. Did she have any idea what she just did to him? That simple act was enough to awaken his wolf completely.