Hide-and-Seek with Death

I felt an exhaustion that reached the depths of my heart, so I said nothing and just turned to return to the bedroom.

After a while, Enzo came in as well. He hugged me from behind, rested his head on my shoulder, and whispered in an extremely gentle voice in my ear, "Lynn, what you just heard isn't true. I was busy, and it was just something I said to brush them off.

"I love you, Lynn. That's the reason I'm willing to do all of this for you."

That was the first time I'd heard the word "love" from his mouth, but I didn't feel the joy I had imagined—because I no longer dared to believe him.

Was his love real or fake? I couldn't tell.

Maybe my silence made him notice something, and he continued, "Don't overthink it, Lynn. I told you, I'll treat you well from now on.

"I know you mind the relationship between me and Charlotte. I promise I'll never think about her again. I'll only think about you. The two of us will live our lives—she'll have nothing to do with it."

I really wished I had the courage to say "no" to him. But in reality, after a long internal struggle, I just nodded humbly and said, "Okay."

Enzo smiled in satisfaction, and then in the days that followed, he grew cold toward me again.

He was always like this—when we were young, he'd make me cry and then patiently mollify me. Once I was soothed, he'd return to his arrogant and indifferent self.

I knew I shouldn't have forgiven him so easily. But my life was too barren—no one loved me, and even if Enzo's love was poisonous, it was the only sweetness I had.

Enzo knew I couldn't leave him, so he acted without fear—he could even throw me heartlessly into the dangerous hunting grounds.

I didn't know what he was thinking when he kicked me out of the car. Maybe he was desperate to see Charlotte, or maybe he simply thought I would be like before—coming back eagerly even after being abandoned.

But this time, he would truly be disappointed—because I had already become a ghost.

…

When I regained awareness, I was already back by Enzo's side.

I was floating in mid-air, invisible to everyone. This was different from when I fell into the lake—this time, I was truly dead.

At that point, it had been two days since he'd left me at the hunting grounds.

Even if I didn't want to do it, I still followed Enzo against my will.

What was the meaning of this? I lived as his follower in life, and now I had to continue even after death?

I didn't understand what was going on, so I could only observe what Enzo was doing.

He parked his car outside the bar where he often met his friends. Unlike before—when Enzo was always flattered by others—no one paid him any attention today.

Everyone present had strange expressions, exchanging glances but saying nothing.

"What's wrong? Am I not welcome here?" Enzo joked. He smiled, grabbed a bottle of wine, and sat down casually.

Theo Russell, his closest Beta, broke the awkward silence. He poured Enzo a drink and cautiously asked, "Alpha, why are you here too? Have you taken care of the Luna's matters?"

"Don't worry. Within three days, she'll return obediently," Enzo said in his usual arrogant tone. It was a common trait of those in power and was a symbol of his charm.

If it had been before, these people would have instantly flattered and praised him for knowing how to "discipline" his wife and balance both career and family—it was very admirable.

Enzo also enjoyed these half-truthful compliments. After all, an Alpha needed others' praise to assert his authority.

But this time, everyone fell silent, and two she-wolves who usually got along with me scowled.

Enzo was a little baffled and raised his eyebrow, asking, "You don't believe me? Want to bet on it? I bet that within three days, Lynn will definitely come back to me."

Theo looked at him with shock and sympathy. "We believe you. Of course, we do. But Alpha, didn't you feel any discomfort in your body two days ago? Or any negative emotions?"

"Nope," Enzo replied. "My body has always been healthy. As for emotions? Only Lynn could affect me emotionally, so I'd blocked the mate link a long time ago."

"I can't listen to this anymore!" someone suddenly yelled.

A she-wolf stood up and glared at Enzo viciously, asking, "Why are you showing up here with such a relaxed attitude? Are you doing this on purpose? You should just go to Charlotte—I think she's the only one who'll still welcome you."

She then walked out without hesitation, and many others followed her out. One of the werewolves even poured a glass of wine over Enzo's head before leaving.

"This is what you deserve! The Moon Goddess would approve of what I did!" The werewolf stared straight into Enzo's eyes without fear. "If you want to punish me, go ahead."

As a wise and powerful Alpha, Enzo had never been treated with such disrespect. Theo immediately stepped between them—not to mediate, but to prevent Enzo from lashing out violently.

Strangely, the usually hot-tempered Enzo didn't get angry. With his head soaked in wine, he silently looked around at everyone.

Even I thought he would explode in fury and call the guards to arrest them—but he did nothing. He just turned around and left.

Before Enzo left, he simply said, "None of you understand her. I'm the one she loves most in the world. Lynn will definitely come back within three days."