Chapter 4

Early the next morning, my friend Vivian called to invite me to dinner.

She'd just returned from a business trip. Hearing I was returning to Frosthowl pack, she wanted to get together again since there wouldn't be many more chances.

I felt a bit sad hearing this, but agreed.

Before hanging up, she added, "Oh, bring Leon too. I won't contact him separately."

Right—Vivian wasn't just my friend, but Leon's too.

She was the one who'd introduced us in the first place.

But this way, I couldn't hide my return to Frosthowl pack anymore. I'd originally wanted to wait until everything was settled before saying anything, to avoid complications.

After hanging up, I saw Leon coming out of his room.

I hesitated, then spoke up. "Vivian wants to have dinner with us tonight."

He looked at me, seeming somewhat hesitant, about to speak when his phone rang.

I didn't know what the person on the other end said, but Leon soothed them gently, "Nora, don't worry, it won't be lost. I'll come right over to help you find it."

Leon hung up and hurried toward the door, efficiently changing his shoes while saying to me, "Rhea, Nora has an emergency and needs my help. You go to dinner by yourself tonight. I won't make it. Let Vivian know."

That evening at a restaurant, Vivian and I had just raised our glasses when Leon walked in with Nora by his side.

The moment our eyes met, Leon looked somewhat surprised and embarrassed.

Nora beside him gave me a slightly provocative smile.

Leon stepped forward, his expression somewhat unnatural. "What a coincidence, you're here too."

Nora said with false apology, "Leon saw I was hungry and said he'd bring me here to eat. We're not interrupting, are we?"

Vivian seemed to have forgotten Leon's earlier refusal to join us for dinner. She enthusiastically invited them to sit together and had the server add more dishes.

Leon wanted to sit next to me. I got up and moved next to Vivian, leaving the opposite seats for him and Nora.

Leon's buddies were right—he and Nora did look more compatible. I shouldn't squeeze myself in the middle.

Leon's face showed some nervousness. Several times he seemed about to explain to me but was interrupted.

I chatted with Vivian on my own. My phone kept buzzing with notifications.

I took a moment to glance. They were from Leon.

"Rhea, don't misunderstand. After I helped Nora find her things, she said she wanted to eat at this restaurant, so I brought her."

"I really didn't know you'd be here too."

"If you're unhappy, I'll be more careful next time."

"After dinner, let's go home together, okay?"

I looked down and replied, "No need. You two go ahead. I want to chat with Vivian a bit longer."

I put down my phone and focused on talking with Vivian, ignoring the subsequent messages.

After a few drinks, Vivian was a bit tipsy. She put her arm around me, her eyes slightly red. "Why are you suddenly going back to Frosthowl pack? You're my best friend here. When you leave, I won't have anyone to chat and shop with."

My heart ached too, my nose tingling with emotion.

"My parents are getting older and struggling to handle pack affairs. I need to go back to help them. Come visit me there, and I'll treat you well."

Vivian ultimately didn't say more, just raised her glass to toast me again.

Leon seemed to have heard something. His eyes widened as he stared at me in shock.