PENELOPE KNEW that things are getting more complicated. It wasn't even about Lance, Samael and Lesley anymore. While taking small sips from her cup of coffee, she couldn't help but think about the things that kept her awake every night despite having Joaquin beside her.

'What is she thinking when she sent Lesley here unguarded?' This is a major offense. Letting a lone beta go all by herself is dangerous. Pack disputes still exists even now and that's why she expected her to bring someone along with her.


'Who's the real peculiar rabbit shifter in that fluffle?' Penelope shifted her sight back to Lesley and asked, "Shouldn't you be escorted by someone?"

"I'd like to take matters on my own for now." Lesley revealed a shy expression. "I want to surprise the alpha. You know how werewolf packs work. If you want to be respected, then you have to contribute something for the group first. Being a beta enforcer is an honor. We have to be worthy of that particular position, right, Ms. Bern?"

"That's why I love being a free man." Samael stuff a cake into his mouth. His actions not so gentleman. "I am the master of my own. Well, unless someone calls me for a job."


"What do rogues do on a daily basis anyway?" Lesley's lips thinned. "I mean, I know that not all rogue wolves are bad. Some are just unfortunate enough to be exiled by their former family. So... what do you do for work?"

'I kill people.' Samael's blank face screams a threat. Penelope steady looked at him. 'I know he's going to say that. I dare you not, Samael.'


"Well... I'm a mechanic at my free time," he confided, "which is, one day every month."

"That's very productive of you." Lesley didn't bother to hide her sarcasm. She shifted to Lance. "You wore your business attire today. Are you really fine with going to a club this evening?"

Lance poised a hand behind Lesley's shoulder. Penelope cringed with the way he leaned over and smiled. "If a lady thinks my clothes is inappropriate, I can always take it off."

The gasp that Lesley gave him as a reaction wasn't faked. Penelope stared as a faint blush spread over Lance's pale cheeks. She couldn't help but worry despite knowing that this is only his trick.

He looks so believable that it scared her to know how insidious can he get. Lance has no depth. The guy was full of surprises. She's thoroughly convinced that he is indeed Joaquin's guardian. He's a man with many talents.

Number one on the list would be; acting.

SAMAEL GRINNED while thinking about the sun, the grass and the dainty looking humans outside walking with a scowl for each other. Life was always like this. Nothing new. But he chose to enjoy the great weather and the food that has been given in front of him.

He was raised as a frugal person. His dad valued thriftiness as if it's the salvation that everyone is looking for. And he rarely enjoys the lavish things in life.

No. He knew how to party. He knew how to sneak in and hide through the crowd and get a free drink. He's used to the unsafe sex at the back of a smelly building.

Really. Peaceful mornings rarely happens for someone like him. Alone time with his thoughts are healthy.

'Yes. Nothing's wrong.' Samael stretched his lips more 'til it started hurting. 'When life gives you lemon, you squeeze it and make some juice.'

"Samael, stop strangling the poor fork." Penelope tapped his shoulder. Across him, Lance had once again flashed his playboy smile. Samael refused to admit that the action made his gut tighten with tension. "What's the problem?"

"Cake's too sweet," he absentmindedly said, "my teeth aches because of it."

"Really?" Lance quipped. And just like a big jerk that he is, he bend over to take his fork and took bite of his dessert. Samael followed his every move with his hungry eyes. "I think the cake's good. It's tasty."

The man even had the audacity to laugh as if mocking him thoroughly. "It's the most delicious thing I've ever tasted this day."

Samael gulped. He felt like he's being played. He normally flirts like this with women but now that he's being hit on, he doesn't know how to react. 'Is he really flirting with me? Why need to use my utensil? He must be feeling me up.'

He decided to let the moment go but the thought tickles the back of his mind. Samael took his fork back and focused on eating.

The cake tastes sweeter this time.

'It's because of his mouth.' Twirling his tongue on the poor thing like a possessed lizard, he stopped when he finally noticed how stupid does he look like.

Praying that no one noticed his weird reaction, he payed attention once again to Lance's blatant interest on Lesley. He swallowed the uncomfortable stump on his throat.

"Bern," he whispered, "is he going to work tomorrow or something? He should not party."

Samael's state of mind will crack just by imagining Lance being groped by the crowd. Whether he likes him genuinely or this is just because of the fact that they are fate mated to each other, he needs to shove the guy away.

'Why is it only me?' Samael's sweat rolled down his temple. 'Why is it only me that's suffering with his restlessness?'

'Damn elf just got so lucky, right.' He stood and excused himself for a moment. This uncomfortable feeling under his skin needs an outlet. He can't let the guy win. Samael needs his mind clear and not easily dwindled by Lance's good looks.

'I need to let this out.' Even if it means being comforted by his left hand while thinking of Lance's mouth.

'It's just another level of being pathetic.'

LANCE CASTED his eyes downwards, silently following Samael's steps walking away from them. He adjusted his seat and stood up. "I think I need to remove my vest first and wash my hands. I'll go to the comfort room."

"Oh, go on." Lesley smiled while mindlessly tapping the menu. "How about we order more?"

"Anything you like. It's on me," Lance said with a casual stare at Penelope. The woman nodded with subtlety. It's her time alone and talk to Lesley now. "You guys be best friends, okay?"

"Sure, Lance!"

'Let that sure be true because my wallet is taking a huge blow on this.' He frowned and left with his hands deep within his pockets. The entire time he talked with Lesley, his hands felt freezing cold. It was pure torture.

The first time he met Lesley, there was no other impression other than the usual judgemental way he view people. But now that they finally came to spend a whole day together, he doesn't know if his worries were warranted on the first place.

'This' Lesley could be the real one and that 'shy' personality was just faked. When someone needs something, they tend to act pitiful and harmless. It will take time to uncover rough edges.

"Why are you here?"

Upon reaching the men's comfort room, a cutting voice broke through his musing. He blinked with an innocent pair of eyes. "I thought you're going to smoke at the back or something. Why are you washing your face?"

'You taste intoxicating.' Lance knew he screwed himself up when he used Samael's fork. He didn't know why but the man's pained eyes made him want to mess the guy a bit. Now he's the one left with unsatisfied appetite.

"Well, someone's being stupid so I had to wash my face to clear my head up."

'That's no lie.' Lance inhaled deeply. "That's unfortunate. Was it the woman you're having a conversation with this morning? Nadz, you say?"

Samael paled. The flush of his face drained in an instant. He was motionless while Lance approached him. No one's inside the comfort room except the two of them.

He carefully removed his vest. The man beside him took a step back as if he was scared by him. "Women are lovely. You just have to treat them well. And you'll be treated the same way or even more."

"You say that like you had many experience with them, hmn?"

Lance laughed giddily. "Let's say that I'm actually inspired by someone just now."

'In a minute, I'd be messing with you.'