After the incident with the wolf, Ricardo was admitted to the hospital because of a rare infection he got from the bite. He became weaker and even grumpier. Fortunately, he wouldn't be home for at least a few days, and it wasn't necessary for Ashlee to visit him since her mother was taking care of that.

"How many times do I need to tell you? Wear more clothes, Ashlee. You'll catch a cold wearing those lacy things," nagged Kristine, Ashlee's mom, wandering around the house and grabbing random things to bring to her uncle.

"Mom, do you even know what a 'lacy thing' is? I'm wearing an oversized summer shirt. It's thin, not lacy." Ashlee rolled her eyes, filling her mouth with sweet corn.

It had been a long time since Ashlee could wander around the house freely and sit wherever she wanted. No one bothered her while she watched TV; no one cringed her out by doing nasty things. This was pure bliss for her.

"Sure, whatever it is. Change into something warm. If you don't have any, tell me. I have money, and I'll buy you some." Kristine was deeply concerned for her daughter. Since the day they had come to live in this house, she had been the one keeping her distance from Ashlee.

"I have plenty of clothes, Mom. Don't worry, and don't work so hard. I told you, I don't need a lot of money." Ashlee never wanted her mother to endure unpleasant hardships just for her sake.

"Stop saying that, honey. I know what you're going through." Yet, Kristine truly had no idea what Ashlee was experiencing. It wasn't just money she needed. It was much more. "Once you go to college, you'll need tuition. I know you're short on many things, but I'm really sorry, baby. I can't be that good of a mother to you," Kristine said, feeling guilty for not being able to provide Ashlee with everything she wanted.

"Mom." Ashlee got up from the sofa, and with bare feet, walked over to pull her mother into a warm hug. "You're the best mom in the whole world. Stop feeling inferior. I'm very happy with this. I don't need anything more. I promise," she mumbled, getting cozy with her.

"Sure, honey. I'll always keep you happy." Kristine closed her eyes, embracing her daughter. She was extremely lucky to have a daughter like Ashlee—if only she knew what Ashlee was truly going through.

"Okay. I have to go now," her mom said, playfully pushing her away, giggling at Ashlee's shocked face.

"Oh, Miss Cox, stop playing around with me!" Ashlee narrowed her eyes at her mother, who kept filling the bag with her uncle's clothes.

"By the way, is it true that it was a wolf that bit your uncle?" Kristine's face didn't show surprise about a wolf biting Ricardo. It seemed like she just wanted to confirm it.

"Yeah. I saw him." Ashlee replied, getting back to her corn.

"Okay. Keep the windows closed and don't open the door for anyone except me. Even if someone says they know me or you, don't open the door. Understood?" Kristine loudly warned her.

"Yeah, yeah." Ashlee muttered with her mouth full of corn, not really listening to anything her mother was saying.

The way Kristine checked around the house and all over the garden outside, it seemed like she knew something—something she was hiding. Her lack of surprise felt like clear evidence she was keeping secrets, even from Ashlee.

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"Thank goodness, she's gone," Ashlee mumbled, hearing the car drive away from the front of the house. A smile crept onto her face, thrilled to be alone.

"What should I do first?" She looked around and couldn't think of anything besides going out into the garden, but then she remembered the incident.

"But how could a wolf that big come into only our house?" She looked outside at the big tree she used to climb when she was small. "I'm just imagining things. It can't be Kyle. Or could it? No, surely not. How could he be an animal? He's just a stupid, mental patient." She muttered and turned around.

Suddenly, a scream tore from her throat. "JESUS CHRIST!" she yelled, seeing a tall, bulky figure standing behind her.

"What the hell are you doing here? How did you even get in?" Ashlee's face reddened with rage and annoyance as she watched Kyle lounging on the sofa with a blank face.

"Your mom told you to close the door and not let anyone in. Maybe you should start listening to her more," he replied, raising an eyebrow, winking, and grinning at her.

Ashlee huffed, folding her arms. "Get out of my house this instant!" she ordered. No one ever ordered the Alpha. Not even his sister. How could a mere human dare?

"It's not your house, and I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying with you the whole day," Kyle said, casually flipping through channels until he found something funny.

"Why?" Ashlee tilted her head, genuinely confused. Why would he even want to stay?

"Because I can and I'm supposed to." Kyle didn't even bother to look at her as he spoke.

"Kyle, leave the house right now. Stop irritating me every single day. Let me have at least one nice weekend." It was the first time she had ever called him by his name, surprising him.

"You can have a great weekend," Kyle smirked, turning his head toward her.

"With you?" Ashlee knew what he was going to say, having become good at reading people.

"Why not? If you come with me, I promise you'll have fun." Kyle tried his usual approach to persuade her, knowing it wouldn't work but doing it anyway because Esyn had advised him to. She'd told him to stick around and protect Ashlee to gain her trust and bring her home.

"I'm never going anywhere with you." Ashlee rolled her eyes and took a seat at a safe distance from him.

"How about we go into the nearby jungle, and I show you something cool?" Kyle tried a different angle, trying to learn what might actually interest her.

"No." Ashlee stuck her tongue out at him, making him grumble in frustration.

"So what are you going to do all day? Sit around watching these stupid classic sitcoms?" he asked, hoping to get her out of the house.

"What's wrong with that? Can't I?" Ashlee took her half-eaten corn and relaxed in her seat, laughing at the jokes on TV.

Kyle watched her laughing like that. She looked really pretty when she laughed her heart out. No matter how many times he denied it, in the end, he still grew soft seeing her smile like that.

He was proud of himself. He had made her uncle stay away from her. He couldn't do anything when Ricardo hit her because she had somehow stopped him—a mystery he still couldn't solve. If he could, he would have killed Ricardo when he first tried to peep at her in the bathroom.

Kyle knew he was growing more possessive of his mate. Though he wanted to be close to Ashlee, he could never stand the thought of anyone else hurting her. That's why he attacked Ricardo. But before he could finish him off, Ashlee had interrupted.

Ashlee looked terrified but beautiful, having just come out of the shower. Her smile was one he could never forget. But thinking about her frowning face afterward left him disappointed.

"What are you looking at, you sick pervert?" Ashlee mischievously threw corn at Kyle. She was happier than ever.

Kyle looked down at the corn on his shirt. "What did you just call me?" Kyle was surprisingly delighted to play alongwith her, a feeling he'd never had with any other girl.

Summing it up, both of them were somehow broken or neglected. But one had the power to break free, and the other had the energy to endure it all. They certainly seemed destined to be together.

"Come here!" Kyle chased Ashlee as she ran around, laughing and shrieking.

"Stop chasing me!" she squealed, running around the sofa. Suddenly, Kyle leaped over it and caught her, gently throwing her onto the sofa as he landed over her, tickling her until she couldn't breathe from laughing. They both enjoyed the playfulness.

"Will you say it again?" Kyle asked with a full, cheerful smile, still tickling her.

"No! Sorry, sorry! I won't... I promise!" Ashlee chaotically tried to speak between her laughter and attempts to stop him, until they both realized their positions.