---- 8 My breath caught. "Oh, I was discussing a TV show plot with a friend. The female lead is leaving. " Kieran relaxed. "Another one of your billionaire- falls-for-Cinderella storylines?" Inodded. Kieran ruffled my hair. ''Aria, those shows are just fantasy for naive viewers." "In reality, how could anyone actually run away? If you tried to escape, the Blackwood pack has the resources to track you down all over the world." "So my Aria could never run away. No matter where you go, even to the ends of the earth, I'll always find you." I laughed coldly inside. So this is your confidence? If only you knew my escape route lay with the Winters Pack. "You haven't been cruel to me, so why would I ---- run?" Kieran's expression shifted slightly, a strange emptiness flickering in his eyes. He wrapped his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder. "Aria, how could I bear to hurt you? You never know how much I love you." His breath was warm against my ear as his voice grew husky. "Aria, you've been too tense lately. You need to relax." I pushed him away. "Your old injury flared up recently, and now your hand is hurt. You need rest more than I do. With everything that's happened, how can I relax?" "T know." He sighed. "It's all my fault. But I still want you to live more freely." "Let's give each other some space. Sometimes I need freedom, and so do you." Freedom? I stared at the barely concealed bite marks on his collar and said nothing. ---- The doorbell rang. Mrs. Jones announced that the styling team had arrived for Luna's important event preparation. I looked at Kieran questioningly. He explained, " There's an important banquet coming up. The Winters Pack is publicly introducing their daughter, Evelyn Winters, for the first time." "The Winters pack is currently the strongest- their military and financial power far exceed all others. They're unavoidable for any pack wanting to grow stronger. Better to be well-prepared." I feigned surprise. "I see. Then I should prepare carefully." I let the stylists coordinate jewelry and accessories, design my makeup and hair. I tried on outfit after outfit, seriously asking for his opinion. "How about this one?" "Beautiful." Kieran barely glanced up from his phone, his eyes clearly distracted when he looked at me.