Lavenia's POV
The necklace hung around my neck and sparkled. Rayden was right. It was beautiful. But it would be too much for me to wear it in every situation.
I took it off and freshened up. Just as I was about to lie down, the ringing of my phone made me hesitate; instead, I reached for the device that had been lying on the nightstand.
Several missed calls in quick succession, along with a text message, made me frown. I didn't want to check, but an incoming call forced me to answer it.
"Who is this?"
"It's me. Didn't you save my number?" he replied with a question of his own.
"Well, I don't know your number," I answered.
"I slipped my card into your wallet," he said again. "Were you about to go to sleep?"
"Hmm... almost."
"Do you like the necklace?" He asked again, as if seeking my validation. I hadn't reacted at all since he'd put it around my neck.
"Yes. Thank you. But you don't have to give me anything. I don't want it."
"But I want. Keep wearing it, oke?"
"Uhm… I think it's too fancy for everyday use," I said. "I'm just an ordinary college student. Not a CEO."
"But you're the daughter of a CEO and the alpha of one of the strongest packs. Be a little proud so no one looks down on you like they did earlier."
I fell silent at Rayden's words. There was a grain of truth in that statement, delivered without empathy. He was telling me to hold my head high without knowing anything.
"I'll do it my way," I replied.
"Then I'll teach you my way because I can't stand seeing that man belittle you in front of a cheap woman."
I snorted at his words. However, not a single word came out to refute him.
Damien's behavior a few hours ago was indeed outrageous. He's always portrayed himself as a domineering fiancé, though I'm not the kind of girlfriend who'll just give in to whatever he says.
For instance, we've been engaged for two years because of my father's coercion, and he hasn't gotten what he expected—my virginity. Instead, I'd gave it to other men so easily.
Back then, he still held back his attitude. However, after I became pregnant with a baby whose father I didn't know, his attitude became even more arrogant.
"Lav?" Rayden called out after I'd been silent for a moment. "You must be tired. Get some rest. What time is your class tomorrow?"
"I don't know. I'm not feeling well. If I'm still not better, I might just stay home," I replied.
"Okay." Rayden fell silent again, before saying one last sentence to end the conversation. "Don't take off the necklace. No matter what happens."
I glanced at the object and studied it for a moment before closing the box. Today was exhausting. Without realizing it, the moment I lay down, my eyes closed. I woke up for a soft knock on my door.
"Can I come in?" asked a voice from outside. Slowly, I got up and opened the door, finding Rayden standing right in front of me with his signature smirk. "Morning."
Morning? I glanced at the wall clock and saw the short hand was right on the number two.
"Urgh… what are you doing here at the crack of dawn, Rayden?" I groaned, then flopped back onto the bed and tried to close my eyes again. "Go home now or my dad will chop your head off."
"Your dad's on guard duty at the pack's border. I saw him earlier."
"So what? That doesn't give you the right to barge into someone's house in the middle of the night." I got up, walked toward Rayden, and shoved him toward the door. "I won't ask how you got into my house, but please leave right now."
I couldn't push him out. His body remained rooted in the same spot. Frozen as if his feet were anchored to the ground.
He held out a paper bag to me. "It's for you. I came just to give you this."
I sighed heavily. "I don't want your gift, Rayden. Go away."
"I'm forcing you."
I grabbed the object, then opened the door and gestured for him to leave. However, instead of leaving, he pulled me into his embrace.
"Let—let me go! What are you doing?"
"Shh… be quiet for a moment. I promise I'll leave after this."
I froze for a few moments in Rayden's embrace. Soon, he released his hold, then stepped toward the window.
"This way," I said. But he just grinned, opened the window, then climbed onto it. "What are you doing—"
Before I could finish my sentence, he had already jumped, and I rushed toward the window only to find it was all in vain.
Rayden vanished as if swallowed by the earth.
I glanced at the object in my hand and slowly took out its contents. A cat doll with a piece of paper bearing a few sentences that made my heart pound wildly.
[I know you like cats, but you're allergic. This is to satisfy your desire to keep that adorable little creature]
***
I got ready in a casual dress and my favorite leather jacket. As soon as I walked down the stairs, the man in the black suit was already waiting there.
"You're here again? I already told you I don't need a bodyguard anymore," I said coldly.
"But this is on Alpha Albert's orders," he replied.
"Where is he?"
"He left for the office very early this morning. Where are you going? I'll have the driver take you there, Miss."
"No need. I'll drive myself."
"In that case, I'll drive."
I shot him an annoyed glance, but there was no expression on his face. It reminded me of Rayden, which instantly made my stomach churn.
Shit!
I ran to the bathroom and threw up everything in my stomach. There was nothing but bitter yellow and white fluid. I remembered throwing up my dinner last night when I got home, and this morning, I hadn't eaten a single bite.
Greg, my bodyguard, was still standing there motionless. He really had no other job besides guarding and protecting me. So, as long as it didn't endanger my life and I was still in a safe area, he wouldn't overstep his bounds.
However, as I stepped out the door, a Rolls-Royce Phantom was already parked in the driveway. A young man in a sharp suit stepped out of the back seat and opened the door for me.
"You? What are you doing here?" I asked. My question seemed to be a signal to Greg. He stepped forward and pushed away Rayden's hand as he reached for me.
"Watch your manners, sir," said Greg, met with a cold smirk from Rayden.
Unexpectedly, a gun was already pointed at Greg's head.
"Rayden, don't! What are you doing?" I asked. But he didn't answer, nor did he lower his weapon. "Put that thing away. There's to be no violence here."
"Tell that to this man," he replied.
"Rayden, please... he's my personal bodyguard. Lower your gun!"
Before he could lower his weapon, a car pulled into the mansion's driveway. Two men in sharp suits got out of the car. Damien and Dad.
"Mr. Kim? What are you doing here?" Damien asked, while Dad simply stared at Rayden with a cold gaze.
No wonder. The last time they met, Rayden had pointed a gun at his head.
"What are you doing with that thing?" Damien spoke again. "Did you meet my fiancée? Didn't you two spend the night together last night?"
"Watch your mouth, Damien!" I snapped, while Rayden quickly tucked his gun back into his jacket.
"Just so you know, your man isn't protecting Lavenia properly," he said. "She needs a new bodyguard."
Dad turned to Greg, who remained silent.
Greg? Why? You didn't even do anything wrong, and you're just staying quiet?
I stared at Greg, still hoping he'd defend himself, but he didn't at all.
"That's my business. I'll handle it," my father said, then turned to Damien. "You must know one of our toughest warriors."
Damien nodded. "Yes, Alpha. Do you want me to call him now?"
"Yes. Have him take Greg's place guarding Lavenia," he ordered.
"Yes, Alpha."
Hearing that, Rayden laughed sarcastically. "Are you sure they can protect your daughter?"
"Do you think there's anyone tougher?" Dad challenged.
"We'll have to test them."
Dad straightened his back at Rayden's arrogant words. "What do you really want, Alpha Ray? You seem to be underestimating our members' skills."
"It's not underestimation. Your daughter is the pack's most precious treasure. You have only one heir. If she's in danger because her guards can't protect her, then the pack will collapse."
Dad fell silent, as if silently agreeing. Meanwhile, I disagreed with this cynical man's words.
"I can protect myself, if you wanna know. I'm a warrior too."
"The situation is different now, Lav. You're pregnant," Rayden replied with concern.
"Just state your purpose," Dad cut in.
"Hold a sparring match to test your warriors' skills and strength to see if they're worthy of being Lavenia's guards. Let them fight me. If they win, they'll become her new bodyguards. However, if they lose, you must let me take over the task of protecting your daughter. Deal?"