The Tyrannical Wolf King's Contract Bride-Chapter 2: The Brother I Once Deeply Loved

Lila’s POV

I ran out wrapped in a bath towel and found my phone at the foot of the bed. On the screen was a message from Jasper: "Get some rest. If you need anything, contact the butler."

The contact name was "Jasper," which I had just saved yesterday. The name looked a little unfamiliar. My fingertips hovered over the screen, my heart pounding like a drum. ’Is all of this absurdity really just a transaction? But why does it feel like something inside me is leaping for him?’

I had just put my phone down when a call came in from Zoe. The cheerful ringtone buzzed in my ears, so loud it almost made me throw the phone.

"Lila! You’re finally awake!" Zoe’s voice was bursting with excitement. I could picture her jumping up and down on the other end of the line. "I was going to come back and stay with you last night, but something came up at school and I couldn’t get away. I was worried sick! So, how was it? Did you and my dad get along okay? He wasn’t mean to you, was he?"

My face flushed hot again, and I stammered, unable to speak. ’How am I supposed to tell her? I can’t just say that her own father and I... did *that* last night, can I? We agreed this was just a contract marriage. Our relationship—it’s moving way too fast, way too intimately!’

"Huh? Why aren’t you saying anything?" Zoe’s tone instantly grew tense, her voice rising a pitch. "He didn’t bully you, did he? I already told him you’re my best friend and that he has to be good to you! If he dares to bully you, I’ll be the first one to make him pay!"

"No, no, he didn’t bully me." I quickly waved my hands, even though she couldn’t see me, my voice a little rushed. "He just had a little too much to drink last night. He’s already gone to the office, so don’t worry."

"Oh, good!" The sound of Zoe’s relief came through the phone, followed immediately by renewed excitement. "Oh, right! I’m stuck on my paper and desperately need my favorite brainiac to the rescue! Let’s meet at the library, okay? I’ll treat you to one of those super delicious sandwiches from the place by the school gate—the one with double cheese, your favorite!"

The thought of temporarily escaping this strange villa that made my heart race, and getting to eat my favorite cheese sandwich, made me agree instantly. "Okay! I’ll head over right now!"

"Don’t take a taxi!" Zoe shouted through the phone. "My dad has tons of cars in the garage. Just pick one and drive it like it’s your own! Choose one you think is easy to drive. Don’t be polite with him!"

After hanging up, I braced myself and walked into the garage. The luxury cars inside were dazzling, each one worth a fortune. My heart pounded in my chest as I looked at them. In the end, I chose the most inconspicuous one: a white Mercedes. I got my driver’s license years ago but rarely drive, so I was cautious the whole way, gripping the steering wheel tightly, terrified I’d scratch the car. I definitely couldn’t afford to pay for that.

When I arrived at the school library, I saw Zoe from a distance, standing by the entrance looking around, phone in hand, her feet tapping restlessly. The moment she saw my car, she immediately hung up, shot over like a little cannonball, and grabbed my arm, shaking it. "Lila! You’re finally here! I’ve been waiting forever!"

Just then, her gaze suddenly fixed on my neck. Her eyes went wide, and her voice shot up, drawing the attention of a few people nearby. "Lila! What is that on your neck?!"

I instinctively covered my neck, my heart giving a hard THUMP as it started to race. My cheeks instantly grew hot again. ’It’s over, it’s over. Jasper was so out of control last night. I was so careful to cover it with concealer before I left this morning. How did she still see it? I could even feel the stares from people around us. I was so embarrassed I wanted to find a hole to crawl into.’

"Did... did you and my dad..." Zoe leaned in close, her voice hushed, but her eyes were twinkling with gossip as she glanced at my neck again. "Have some ’close contact’?"

My face turned so red it felt like it could bleed. I gave her a light shove and said hurriedly, "Don’t guess wildly! Keep your voice down! It’ll be so embarrassing if someone hears!"

As I spoke, I glanced around, terrified someone might have overheard our conversation.

"I’m not guessing wildly!" Zoe leaned close to my ear and said mysteriously, "I’ll let you in on a secret. My dad has actually been searching for his Destined Mate for years and years. Do you think you might be..."

Before she could finish, her phone suddenly rang. Zoe glanced at the caller ID, immediately put a finger to her lips in a "shh" gesture, and answered with a sweet, "Hello, Dad?"

I didn’t know what Jasper was saying on the other end, but I saw Zoe’s expression shift from surprised to smiley as she nodded repeatedly. Finally, she said obediently, "Okay, Dad! I got it! Mission accepted!"

After hanging up, Zoe winked at me, a mischievous grin on her face. "My dad said he drank too much last night and might have scared you, so he wants me to take you to pick out a ring as an apology."

"Huh? That’s not necessary..." I quickly waved my hands. ’We’re just in a contract marriage. To put it bluntly, we’re just helping each other out. There’s no need for something so formal, like giving me a ring, right? I started to panic. I felt like if I accepted the ring, our relationship would change into something else entirely.’

"We have to go!" Zoe pulled me out of the library without taking no for an answer. "My dad is usually so stingy. It’s rare for him to be this generous, so we have to take advantage of it! Besides, it’s the thought that counts, you can’t refuse. Don’t worry, I’ll help you pick. I promise to find one that’s beautiful but not too flashy!"

She pulled me forward, her grip tight around my wrist, but my mind was a tangled mess. ’Jasper’s reaction is really unexpected. Was he really out of control last night just because he drank too much? And what about what Zoe didn’t finish saying? What did she mean by Destined Mate? Is there some secret here that I don’t know about?’

As my thoughts ran wild, a voice so familiar it made my entire body go stiff came from behind me. A voice that had haunted my days and nights.

"Lila."

I froze, my feet stopping in place. For a long moment, I didn’t dare turn around. It was only when Zoe tugged on my arm that I slowly turned to see Caleb standing a short distance away. He was dressed in a well-tailored suit, looking as gentle and refined as ever, but there was an almost imperceptible urgency in his eyes as he stared straight at me.

Zoe immediately pulled me behind her, glaring fiercely at Caleb like a hissing kitten. "Caleb? What are you doing here? You scumbag! Stay away from Lila!"

Caleb completely ignored Zoe, his gaze locked tightly on me. "Lila, come here. I need to talk to you."

"I have nothing to say to you." I took a deep breath, trying to make my tone sound cold, but I couldn’t stop my heart from tightening or my fingertips from growing chilly.

"We need to clear up this misunderstanding!" Caleb took a step forward, his voice softening considerably. "About the engagement... I had my reasons. Lila, stop throwing a tantrum. Come home with me, okay? Mom and Dad miss you, too."

"Home?" I couldn’t help but laugh, a laugh laced with self-mockery and a hint of sadness. "The Goodrich family was never my home. Caleb, we’ve already broken up. Stop coming to find me. Have some self-respect."

"Do you have to be so distant with me?" Caleb’s expression darkened, a hint of hurt in his eyes, as he reached out to grab my wrist.

"Don’t you touch her!" Zoe slapped his hand away, planting her hands on her hips and glaring at him. Her tone was especially fierce. "Caleb, you listen up! Lila is part of the Hale family now. It’s not your place to order her around!"

Caleb’s gaze swept over me, his expression scrutinizing, and his tone grew grave. "Lila, you’re being too impulsive. The Hale family’s affairs run deep. You have no idea what you’re getting into."