Chapter 7

Honestly, I couldn't help but resent Silas a little. He hooked up with me and then ghosted. But what really got me was the fact that he left without a word, and all the secrets he kept from me.

But now, more than anything, I missed him: the heat of his body, the gentleness of his touch, and the tenderness in his caresses. Lust really made me lose my mind.

I decided to let go of my resentment toward him and his sudden disappearance. I wanted to enjoy the moment first.

Afterward, I was curled up in Silas's arms, so exhausted that I couldn't even budge.

Silas held me close, pressing gentle kisses to my head every so often.

It felt like he was holding a treasure he'd finally found again.

After a while, his breathing evened out.

Then, in that low, husky voice, he said, "Lyla, want to visit the Northfeld Pack?"

I tilted my head up at him, my charming eyes wide with confusion.

Seeing my expression, Silas brushed a light kiss across the corner of my mouth. "What? Has our sharp Ms. Blackwood already figured out who I am?"

"Oh? So what's your plan, Lord Silas? Gonna silence me for good?" I shrugged it off.

Silas chuckled and gave my cheek a playful squeeze. Then his eyes turned serious, locking onto mine. "Lyla, I'm sorry. I need to apologize for leaving you without any explanation.

"There was an uprising in the Northfeld Pack, and I had to go in a rush.

"As soon as I got things under control with my pack, I came straight back to you. I mean it.

"I know I put you through a lot these past few days. I promise, it won't happen again.

"Can you forgive me?"

I looked at Silas and remembered all those letters he'd sent me these past few days. Suddenly, my heart melted. "Alright. Since you went out of your way to make me happy, I'll let it slide."

His golden eyes lit up.

Then I added, "But Lord Silas, don't you think it's about time you told me who you really are?"

Silas's lips quirked up in a smile. "Sure. Only if you want to know, Ms. Blackwood."

I'd figured out his real identity, but hearing him say it out himself still felt different.

"Truth is, I'm Silas Thurmond, the next Alpha of the Northfeld Pack. I ended up as the Beta of the Southfeld Pack because twenty years ago, my father abandoned me for his illegitimate son.

"Then Declan's father, the Alpha of the Southfeld Pack at the time, found me and took me in.

"He brought me back to be a playmate for his sons, Declan and Darian.

"But honestly, 'playmate' is only a nice way of saying I was their sparring partner and scapegoat." As Silas said this, he was almost stone-faced, with only an icy edge.

I remembered that in the past, a boy with golden eyes always trailed behind Declan, taking the fall for him and acting as his punching bag during training.

There were plenty of times when the pack members would carry him back while he was bloodied and battered.

Back then, my whole world revolved around Declan. I barely noticed that silent boy at his side.

"Why didn't you try to take back what was yours back then?" I asked.

"Because I wasn't strong enough at the time," Silas replied.

"When you finally got strong enough, why didn't you go back then?"

"Because there was someone I had to protect." With that, Silas looked at me, all that intensity burning in his eyes.

Out of nowhere, my heart started racing.

I swallowed hard, my nerves jangling as I asked, "W-Who is it?"

Silas stared at me, and after a while, he finally replied, "A girl named Lyla."

My heart hammered in my chest again, and my cheek was burning.