Tomorrow morning arrived at the second day of our vacation in Hawaii. A cool, gentle breeze filtered through the window, casting a dazzling light that softly parted the curtains. The air was so refreshing, soothing my still bruised cheek from Cedric's slap last night. I saw Nikolai already getting ready in front of the mirror, dressed immaculately. Clara was still asleep beside me.
"Good morning, Mei."
"Morning. Where are you headed all dressed up like that?" I asked, yawning.
"I'm going to the shopping center here. You should get ready too; we'll be leaving soon with the others."
"Oh, is that so? Alright then, give me a moment to get ready."
But as I was about to step into the bathroom, Nikolai grabbed my hand and pulled me into his embrace. I was taken aback. Then, he kissed my forehead so gently. Honestly, I felt a bit embarrassed when he suddenly treated me so sweetly like that.
"You startled me," I said, puffing out my cheeks.
"I love you."
My heart skipped a beat instantly. My face must have been bright red by now, unsure of what to do.
"I love you too."
"You're adorable when you blush like that," Nikolai said, poking my nose.
"Stop teasing me, I'm so embarrassed right now." I buried my face in his chest, trying to hide my very red face from embarrassment.
"My parents are so romantic this morning," Clara suddenly woke up and saw us hugging. I quickly let go of Nikolai, caught red-handed by our daughter.
"Clara, you're up. We're going shopping soon. Want to go to the bathroom with Mom?"
Clara nodded, and the two of us walked into the bathroom to wash and brush our teeth.
Fifteen minutes later, we were all dressed nicely and ready to go. I made sure to put on a band-aid for the bruise on my cheek from Cedric's slap last night. Speaking of Cedric, what happened to that guy? His condition was pretty bad last night after Nikolai bit his hand off. I hope he's okay.
The three of us emerged from our rooms looking neat. Nikolai knocked on the doors of the Wolfenstein members one by one, inviting them to join us for our second day of vacation in Hawaii.
"No, I'm not going to hang out with you guys today," Rachel said as we arrived at her door to invite her out.
"Why?" I asked, puzzled.
"No specific reason. I just don't feel like going out in this hot weather. You can go without me, I'll be here keeping an eye on you from afar."
So, I didn't know Rachel was the type to prefer being alone from her group. Well, with her telepathic abilities, she could still know everything we do even when she's not with us. I saw Nikolai waiting for her decision and my husband respecting Rachel's need for privacy. It seemed like it would just be the ten of us going out today.
Minutes later, we were all inside the car. Our destination was Ala Moana Center, the most famous spot for souvenirs to take home.
However, an unsettling thought lingered in my mind throughout the journey.
"Nikolai, can I ask you for something?" I said to my husband.
"What is it, Mei?"
"Can we make a quick stop at the hospital to check on Cedric?"
"What? Why do you still want to see that bastard? Haven't you forgotten what he did to you last night?"
"Of course not, I'm just worried about him. The injuries he sustained last night were quite severe. If he were to die, wouldn't that be a disaster for the Wolfenstein family?"
"I couldn't care less if that man dies. He deserves to die, frankly."
"Don't say that, Nikolai. If he reports this to The Great Father, won't it be a problem for all of you? I don't want to see you end up in jail."
"I'm starting to suspect if you secretly have feelings for that bastard."
"What? Of course not. Think about it, Nikolai. You and your group were just released from prison a few days ago. Your position still isn't completely clean from the accusations two years ago, and now you've just severed the hand of an Alpha from another group, a group that's long been your sworn enemy. Surely the members of Cedric's werewolf pack won't stay quiet. I just don't want you to lose your freedom again, Nikolai."
Nikolai, Giovani, Nerfi, and Norman fell silent. One by one, they exchanged questioning looks. Soon after, they all seemed to hear a voice in their heads.
"Fine, if that's what you want," Nikolai reluctantly said, "I still disagree with visiting that bastard, but Rachel suggests we all agree with you."
"Really? Please thank Rachel for me."
"Alright, Norman, we'll go to the hospital now."
"Yes, Sir."
The car turned around and sped up slightly. It took fifteen minutes to reach the hospital where Cedric was being treated.
From outside his room, we saw several people anxiously peering through the glass door. Among them was a young man with long hair who marched angrily towards us upon seeing Nikolai.
"You! You filthy bastard who injured our Alpha. If you think you can get away with this, you're mistaken. The Great Father will punish you sooner or later once he hears about this."
Nikolai replied calmly, "Relax, Jeremy. I don't care if you report us to The Great Father. Besides, from the beginning, Cedric was in the wrong. If he hadn't tried to assault my wife, I wouldn't have had to send him to the hospital like this."
"Is that so?"
"You can ask him yourself. Now please let us in; we want to see how your leader is doing."
"Do you think I'm stupid enough to let you in where our leader lies dying like this? You probably just want to finish him off, don't you?"
"Can we have a truce for now? If it weren't for my wife's concern for the bastard who almost assaulted her last night, I wouldn't be bothering to visit him now."
I spoke up, "That's true. We're all worried about Cedric's condition. Although it can't be denied that last night he nearly committed a heinous act against me, his injuries are serious. We want to apologize directly to him."
Jeremy glanced at us incredulously with what he had just heard. He briefly looked back at his pack behind him. After convincing himself, he opened the door to Cedric's room for us.
"Nikolai, I don't know how you managed to get a wife as good as this woman. At first, I didn't believe what you said, but seeing how beautiful your wife is, I understand now. I'll give you ten minutes."
"Thank you."
The Wolfenstein pack and I entered the room. There was a slender woman sitting next to the bed of the patient with maimed hands, looking pale and exhausted. Cedric himself was conscious, his eyes open but lifeless, as if he had no intention of continuing living.
The woman beside him stood up from her chair upon seeing us and began to berate Nikolai furiously.
"You bastard Nikolai! What have you done to my husband! How could you do this to him! Why!"
Cedric spoke quietly, "Lesley, please calm yourself."
"I'm sorry for what I did to your husband," Nikolai said.
"but I'm sure Cedric hasn't told you what happened last night. The incident that angered me enough to cut off his hand like that."
"What did he do? I know you two are enemies, but this is going too far. You've crossed the line."
" Crossed the line? Did you know that last night, your husband kidnapped my wife, locked her in his room, and strangled her until she almost passed out? If I had arrived any later to help her last night, he would have raped my wife! You're lucky I didn't take this bastard life last night!"
Lesley was shocked by Nikolai's words. She covered her mouth as if she couldn't believe what she had just heard. A few tears came to her eyes.
"Is that true, Cedric?"
The man in question just sighed while closing his eyes quietly. His toothless mouth due to two missing front teeth could only admit all his actions in front of the woman who had the status of Luna in pack Amour.
"How could you, Cedric! I am your wife! I thought you had changed, but you still like to play with other women behind me. Am I not good enough for you?"
"You're so annoying today, Lesley. Please step out of the room for a moment. I need to speak with the leader of Wolfenstein," Cedric urged firmly, his voice tinged with tension.
"You are so heartless!" Lesley cried out, rushing out of the room in tears, overcome with emotion.
Now, with a somber calm settling over the room, Nikolai and Cedric locked eyes briefly. There was a palpable sense of unresolved bitterness between them.
"Why are you here, Nikolai? Haven't you humiliated me enough?"
"I believe you owe my wife an apology."
"I admit my actions were wrong last night. But I will never apologize to you."
"What did you just say!" Nikolai stepped forward, as if to confront Cedric on the bed, but I managed to intervene just in time.
"Easy, both of you. This isn't the place for conflict. Cedric, we came here to see how you're doing. Are you feeling any better?"
Instead of responding to my question, the Alpha from the Amour pack raised an eyebrow, casting a questioning glance at Nikolai.
"Nikolai, where did you find this woman? She's not only stunningly beautiful, but her heart is as pure as snow. I envy you."
"Such words are inappropriate. If not for my wife's concern for you, I wouldn't be setting foot in this place."
Cedric chuckled softly, the tension momentarily easing. "I appreciate that. I acknowledge your good intentions."
"Will you report Nikolai to The Great Father?" I pressed, trying to navigate the complex emotions in the room.
"I had considered it. But knowing this was all my fault, I believe The Great Father would punish me as well if I reported him.
"So you won't report him?"
Cedric's gaze softened as he turned to me. "Your name is Mei, right?"
"Yeah? Why?"
"Tell me. Last night, when I slapped you and accidentally touched your forehead, why did I feel a sensation that was strangely familiar? As if I rediscovered a feeling long-lost."
"You're audacious, Cedric! Do you want me to cut off your other hand?" Nikolai moved to strike Cedric again, but Giovani swiftly intervened to stop him.
"You misunderstand, Nikolai. It's not a feeling like that. It's more like awe and respect for a great power. I myself am puzzled about how to explain it."
Oh no!
Could Cedric have unintentionally sensed the presence of the Moon Goddess within me? This is dangerous! Nerfi glanced at me briefly and shook his head, signaling me to keep quiet.
"It's simply guilt for someone about to commit a dirty deed against another man's wife. Especially when you already have a wife-clearly, your wife would feel heartbroken if you were to play with another woman."
Cedric pondered Nikolai's words. "Perhaps you're right. Besides, a Luna and an Alpha are bound by soul. If one of them betrays, their partner would surely feel it."
"Finally, you understand. Well then, we've seen your condition. You're still as annoying as ever, which means you're okay. Are you satisfied now, Mei?" Nikolai asked, turning to me.
"I understand. In that case, we'll take our leave now, Cedric. Get well soon," I said politely.
We all exited the room. Before stepping out, Nikolai paused at the doorway and said, "Blood, you need to drink a lot of blood for a quicker recovery."
Cedric and Jeremy remained silent, deep in thought. Nikolai and the Wolfenstein pack swiftly left the hospital where Cedric was being treated.
However, as we exited the building, a bustling scene awaited us. Several police cars had suddenly parked in front, their sirens flashing. One officer in a blue uniform approached us with two soldiers armed to the teeth.
"Mister Nikolai?" the officer addressed us respectfully.
"Yes, that's me. What's this about, Sir?" Nikolai replied.
"I'm sorry, Sir, but you and your group need to come with us right away."
"What? Am I being accused of something?"
"Last night, we received a report of a torture incident at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. And you are our suspect."
"What? Who reported this?"
"It was me," Jeremy suddenly emerged from behind with a sly smile. "I'm sorry, Nikolai, Cedric forbade me from reporting to The Great Father, but I couldn't stay silent when my leader's hand was cut off by someone else. If The Great Father can't punish you, let the law do it."
"What a bastard you are, Jeremy."
Nikolai was handcuffed by the police and dragged into their car. Somehow, the entire Wolfenstein pack was also taken to the police station, including me and Clara. I never imagined that our vacation would end up like this, in a police department.