Grey thought that if Eulalia were his wife, they wouldn't have to part, and no one could steal her away.
He wanted to be with her like this, day after day—simple meals, an ordinary life. He wanted to listen to her grumble, to hear her joyfully read out long reviews from her readers.
She would teach him to read, and she would praise him...
He longed for that warm feeling, more than anything.
He didn't know that was love.
He had never liked anyone before, and he didn't understand that the feeling he had was actually love.
Until this woman came back, her face flushed, saying she had found a man.
Grey had been out in the rain for most of the day, his heart growing colder with every drop. The one he cared for had already found someone, and it was only then that he realized... how deep his feelings for her truly were.
Grey despised himself to the core. He always did foolish things—thinking back to how he meddled and caused Catriona's injury, and now, unknowingly falling for someone. He had to watch helplessly as Eulalia slowly, little by little, drifted away from him, moving toward someone else.
Clearly...
Clearly, he had known her first. He was the one closest to her, the one who understood her the most.
He knew what she liked to eat and what she didn't, what animals she liked and which ones she feared. He knew her occasional "crazy" moments, and he knew her cuteness.
He had seen her dressed up in fancy clothes, as well as countless times when she just woke up, her face bare of makeup.
He was the first...
Grey's heart ached so fiercely it was hard to breathe. The human city was vast and bustling, full of life and noise, but to him, it all felt distant, irrelevant—always, always out of reach.
For all these years, he had lived by himself, feeling so little warmth. That round, warm woman... she cared for him despite his awkwardness, accepted his silence, and gave him a warm home...
He just wanted to stay...
He wanted to stay right there, by her side, never leaving.
But it was too late.
She had a mate now, and he should leave on his own.
So, drenched in the heavy rain, with every step feeling like lead, he returned to Eulalia's doorstep. He could open the fingerprint lock, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
...
At that moment, he listened to Eulalia's angry questioning-You don't want to be my brother, but do you want to be my husband?
Grey pressed his lips together, a brief sound of affirmation escaping him.
He had admitted it.
He didn't want to be her brother—he wanted... he wanted to be her mate.
The woman froze, as if someone had hit the pause button on her.
Grey quickly glanced at her, lowering his gaze, his ears tinged with red, before speaking softly, "I don't want to be your brother... I want to be your mate."
"..." Eulalia stood there, stunned for ten seconds, before she managed to find her voice. "W-what?"
She was utterly shocked, her eyes wide with disbelief. She lifted her hand, pointing at herself. "Do you know how much older I am than you? You're still so young—don't be foolish."
If they got together, she'd be thirty-six while Grey would only be thirty. Eulalia didn't want to date someone younger than her, and certainly not someone who would make her feel like she was aging first. That was out of the question!
She had never considered that Grey might harbor such thoughts.
It was quite surreal.
"With your looks, you could find any pretty girl, so what do you like about me? Wait, do you even like me?" She raised her head in disbelief, staring at Grey.
Grey's face flushed.
Under her intense gaze, he awkwardly touched his nose and nodded.
"Hah???" Eulalia thought, what in the world was happening.
"What do you like about me? Do werewolves actually like fat mates or something?"
"You're not fat." Grey genuinely didn't understand what she was thinking. He actually thought Eulalia had a great figure—cute and plump, with soft hands... unlike himself, who was as thin as a twig, rough to the touch.
"I don't know about them..." Grey pursed his lips, looking uncomfortable. "I... like you like this."
In her entire life, no one had ever complimented her figure like this.
She was stunned and said, "Well... thank you."
"So, now that I've found success with a blind date, you're just going to leave?" Eulalia asked softly.
Grey paused, then murmured a soft acknowledgment.
It wasn't right for him to stay here anymore.
Eulalia didn't know what to do. She had always treated Grey like a younger brother. Even if she was now dating someone, she would have been open about it.
But now, knowing Grey wasn't being straightforward with her, how could she continue living with him? What would Alexander think? She also felt uneasy about it.
"Thank you, I've never had a man sincerely compliment my figure like that," Eulalia hesitated for a moment, then said, "But I don't see you in that way. I really consider you my little brother, sorry."
Grey gave a low, quiet "mm."
"I know," he said.
He wasn't like Alpha Roderick, with all his power and wealth. He was a lone wolf, with no desires, and wolves weren't exciting. Of course Eulalia wouldn't like him.
Separation had always been sad.
Eulalia asked softly, "Do you have somewhere to go?"
Grey murmured in agreement.
"If you need anything, feel free to contact me."
Grey left.
Eulalia went inside and looked at the empty house. Her heart felt just as empty.
Alexander sent her a message, asking her to go see a movie tomorrow. Eulalia slowly typed and replied, "Okay."
The joy was gone.
But she told herself, separation was inevitable.
She needed to spend time with Alexander and live her own life.
Grey was just a passerby. He would meet his own mate someday.
—
Grey actually had no place to go.
He hadn't bought a human house. Before meeting Alpha Roderick, he had lived in a cave in the mountains.
He planned to rent a place near Eulalia. He couldn't bear to be too far from her.
He had promised to protect her.
He still wanted to protect her, though she probably didn't need it. After all, the human world was so safe, and fallen werewolves wouldn't appear for decades.
It was already one in the morning. After the rain, there was a chill in the air. The dim streetlights stretched his shadow long across the damp pavement. Grey walked ahead, his head down, his eyes growing wet several times.
Gradually, his shadow under the streetlight grew a pair of wolf ears, and then a tail.
In a city full of pure humans, to swagger through with his ears and tail exposed was to put himself in grave danger. All these years, he had been on constant alert, guarding himself. But at this moment, he no longer cared to maintain that vigilance.
A figure leaped over the rooftop, and the next second, it turned back and landed on the wall in front of Grey.
"You little brat, do you think this is the Snowy Mountain?" A mature, smoky voice rang out.
Grey lifted his gaze, casting a brief glance at the man before speaking indifferently, "Draven, long time no see."
Draven jumped down and stood in front of him, sizing up the young werewolf with a mischievous grin. "What's wrong? You look like you've lost your mate?"
"Did that girl kick you out?"
Grey's eyes grew cold, his lips pressed tight, and without responding, he turned to leave.
"Hey—kid, can't take a joke?"
Draven followed him, calling out.
"Come on, tell me, what happened?"
Grey remained silent, not acknowledging him.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, alright, I'll stop joking," Draven teased, trying to lighten the mood.
Grey remained silent, his sharp, handsome face cold.
Draven sighed, a little afraid of these young werewolves.
He said, "I have an empty house nearby. Want to stay there?"
Then, the young werewolf, who had been walking ahead without a word, suddenly stopped.
He was silent for a moment before saying, "Lead the way."
Draven couldn't help but laugh with frustration. "You haven't changed one bit, kid."
