Chapter 8: Nathan Appears

The man standing across from me seemed transformed, a stark contrast to the impression he'd left in his white shirt the last time I saw him. Today, he wore a finely tailored black overcoat, its hem fluttering lightly with the breeze. The sunglasses shielding his eyes might have hidden their sharpness, but they couldn't mute the oppressive aura he carried. The black suit sculpted his form—tailored fit accentuating his lean waist and the clean lines of his long legs. He walked with an air of ruthless purpose. I couldn't help but think back to what the nurse had said earlier. Among the patients seeking out Dr. Thomas, there were only two names today: Daniel, and him? Daniel spoke before I could. He positioned himself directly in front of Nathan and bent in a slight bow. "Uncle? Are you here to see the doctor as well?" Nathan came to a halt, tilting his head down to look at Daniel. For a while, silence hung in the air. Finally, Nathan spoke. "Yes. What's your name?" "Daniel, Uncle. My grandfather James once served under your command. We met recently at the Lunar Festival hosted by the Crimson Pack." Nathan played his role flawlessly. He removed his sunglasses, feigning sudden recognition. The glint of realization flickered in his expression. But I knew better. Nathan had recognized Daniel—and me—the instant he laid eyes on us. "Ah, it's you. I remember." "Uncle, are you also here for Dr. Thomas?" Dr. Thomas—a specialist in men's health. Was Nathan really here for such reasons? My gaze dropped of its own volition, flicking briefly to his physique. His chest was impeccable, majestic even. But for some reason, the thought that the impressive "gun" he carried might lack the bite to match its bark left me with a vague pang of regret. A curious sense of disappointment stirred within me. Nathan's face flushed, the faintest hint of color betraying his composure. He nodded briskly, answering Daniel's underlying provocation with a counter of his own. "You too? I heard you arguing with Helene during the Lunar Festival given the fact that, after three years, your Luna still hasn't carried an heir. It appears her favor with the pack is waning. If you're here today, wouldn't it suggest that the issue lies with you?" Nathan's gaze flickered to me briefly. Though fleeting, the sensation of his scrutiny was palpable. I raised my head and offered him a smile, shielding my uncertainty behind a cool exterior. Daniel hesitated, his lips pressing into a line before the absurdity of his next gambit emerged. He leaned toward Nathan, speaking in conspiratorial tones. "Uncle, I've heard that abstinence for too long can cause... problems for men." Nathan's reputation as the "Satanic War God" was only matched by one other unshakable fact—no woman could ever be found within a five-meter radius of him. No stories, no lovers, no whispers of any She-Wolf remotely close to his orbit ever existed. The only tales that circulated were those of desperate women who'd thrown themselves at his feet, only to be mercilessly turned away. Watching Nathan's expression darken under Daniel's audacious words, I dug my nails into my palm to stifle the laughter threatening to burst free. Nathan's narrowed eyes drilled into me again, loaded with warning. "f**k off, Daniel!" He strode away, leaving me staring at the fluttering tails of his black trench coat. Mad? Nathan yanked open Dr. Thomas's door—then slammed it shut with a resounding crash. Daniel blinked, momentarily stunned. "Is he mad?" "Seems that way," I said. Before Daniel could snap out of his daze, I swiftly put five meters between us and planted myself on the waiting area sofa. "The nurses seem to be calling you for your check-up. Go ahead. I'll wait here." "Be good, E." The moment Daniel left, I exhaled deeply, freeing the suffocation that often accompanied his presence. What an asshole! My hand absently drifted to my abdomen as I recalled Amy's unmistakable baby bump. She was already five months pregnant with Daniel's child. I couldn't even remember what excuse he'd given me five months ago. Just as I was sifting through my memories for clues, a male voice cut through my thoughts. "What are you thinking about? Do you desire to bear his child?" Nathan had returned, studying me with intensity. My heartbeat kicked against my chest as I scrambled internally to disguise my unease. But Nathan spared me no retreat into pretense. "I asked you once before, Evelyn," his voice low and cold, "to punish my darling nephew. I offered you my assistance, but you turned me down. And now you're here, waiting for him through his examination? Why?" A cold sweat traced my spine as Nathan transformed into the literal embodiment of the Satanic War God from legends. His probing gaze dissected me, as if peeling back layers to expose my true intentions. I half-expected him to rip me apart with his bare hands in the next heartbeat. Suddenly, Nathan bent low, gripping my chin with a possessive firmness that demanded submission. He tilted my face upward until there was no escape from his searing gaze. "Crimson Pack belongs to me—it is part of my realm. I will not tolerate any disturbances within it no matter what. Do you understand?" I froze. His threat was clear. Should I dare disrupt the balance of his domain, the repercussions would be unforgiving. "Answer me, Evelyn." I forced the words from my throat. "I-I understand." Nathan's threatening aura vanished instantly, melting back into that of a merely stern man. His olive-green eyes sparkled with amusement as he tossed me a careless compliment. "Good girl. Remember what you said." As if nothing had happened at all, he gave a casual wave and walked away—leaving only the fluttering hem of his black coat in my sight. Nathan hadn't been gone for long before Daniel returned, his face painted with concern. "What happened, E? You look pale." I mustered a weak smile, brushing his worry aside. "It's nothing." The medical report in Daniel's grasp crinkled under the force of his grip, keeping its contents hidden from view. Before I could truly decipher its meaning, he slipped it away. "Let's head home then. I haven't cooked for you in forever. Let me make lunch today, alright?" I nodded quietly. Once, perhaps, I would have been touched by such an offer. But now, all I could think about was the truth lying buried beneath the facade. Had Daniel finally realized the consequences of his condition? I'd known for a long time about his infertility—his weaker, slower swimmers. Yet, even under the weight of Helene's venomous insults, I'd kept that truth private. But Amy's pregnancy? Daniel's child? That I couldn't believe. And I couldn't help but wonder—if Daniel ever discovered the truth, how would he react? We reached home soon. Daniel tied on an apron and turned toward me. "E, what would you like to eat today?" I didn't answer, my attention consumed by the iPad in my hands—the screen illuminated with images of highly exclusive jewelry sent by Lunéa. Among them, the first selection bore instant recognition: the necklace worn by Amy earlier today—a stunning piece graced with the brilliance of diamonds. It carried a price tag of exactly $100,000. Daniel was generous with his mistress, indeed. I raised an eyebrow and was about to tackle my emails when my iMessage suddenly exploded with notifications—all from an unknown sender. "Evelyn, you truly disgust me! You know exactly what's going on. You know who the father of this child in my belly is!" "You humiliated me today, but I won't forget. Mark my words, Evelyn—Daniel might be temporarily fooled into choosing you, but I am the one carrying his child." "The elders of the Crimson Pack already resent the fact that you've failed to conceive. Imagine what they'll say when they learn that I succeeded." I shook my head. As ever, Amy still couldn't keep her composure. "Believe it or not, when I say that with one snap of my fingers, Daniel will leave you and come crawling back to me?" Daniel's voice interrupted. "E, what are you looking at? Why haven't you answered me?" He walked toward me, leaning in to catch a glimpse of what was on my tablet screen. With a quick flick of my fingers, I closed the iMessage notifications, replacing them seamlessly with the images of mere jewelry. "Just browsing some pieces." I lifted the image of the necklace into view. "Look! Amy wore it today, didn't she?" I stared at him, smirking.