Chapter 1

Lorena POV

Three days later.

I was taken back to the VIP ward of the hospital. Surprisingly, after these two days of recuperation, Seth has regained much of his vitality.

The man, dressed in expensive pajamas, leaned against the hospital bed. When he saw me, he spoke in a cold and sarcastic tone, "What are you here for? Didn't I tell Wesley to inform you not to come anymore?"

I glanced at Wesley, who had just brought in my luggage, and couldn't help but think of the scene when Alpha King and Wesley came to my house again after I left the hospital.

The calm expression on Alpha King's face, using my Pack as leverage, sent shivers down my spine. I'm not worried about Walter, I'm only worried about my mother bearing too much burden because of my immaturity. After King left, Wesley comforted me a lot. He told me that he is the beta here and I can come to him if I encounter any difficulties. This made me sigh with relief, realizing that there are still a few humble and kind people here.

"How? As your mate, it is my responsibility to take care of you when you're sick," I couldn't help but say with a hint of sarcasm, "Even if you don't want to see me, I still want to make sure you recover well."

Wesley, who was still carrying my luggage, hadn't had a chance to leave yet and happened to hear this. He burst into laughter, but quickly pretended to cough violently when Seth's cold gaze swept over him.

"Wesley, who told you to bring her here? Doesn't my dad like her? Take her home and let my dad have a good look at her," Seth said, with a sinister look.

Wesley explained with resignation, "King told me to bring Miss Jones here to help you develop a connection."

"She'll only make me sick," Seth glared at me fiercely.

I blinked and smiled, "See, ever since I came, your voice has become much stronger. It seems like your recovery is going well."

After saying that, I saw Wesley shivering and closing his eyes, and the chill emanating from Seth was almost freezing him, but I found it funny.

"Move to the adjacent room, I don't want to see you," Seth said angrily, picking up a cup from the table and throwing it at me.

I frowned and dodged. "Don't talk as if I want to see you either." I picked up my own suitcase and went to the next room.

As soon as I entered the room, I couldn't help but marvel at the luxurious treatment of the King-level. Even the hospital room I stayed in was a suite. Since Seth didn't want to see me, it worked out well because I didn't want to see him either. I decided to stay here and write my paper, play some games. When I got hungry, I ordered a pizza and occasionally played some music. Life was quite enjoyable.

Everything was great except for the occasional argument I had to have with Seth when I went outside.

In fact, I still found it difficult to accept the fact that I had become mates with a stranger, especially someone like him. So my original plan was to make Seth hate me and then have him reject me under pressure. Until this day.

Seth, for the first time, called me over to the next room. "My uncle and aunt are coming to visit me later. Remember to cooperate with me, so they don't think that we have any discord, okay?"

"Just for that?" I said calmly. "Don't worry, I know how to handle it." After speaking, I turned around and went back into the lounge.

In the evening, an elegant and refined couple arrived. And I had already cooperated by sitting by Seth's bedside, looking at them with a sweet smile. Seth gave me a signal.

I have met these two people before. They were also present at the ceremony. However, at that time, it was rushed and no one introduced me to them.

I walked over and nodded, "Hello, uncle and aunt."

"Pffft."

The man just sat down and water sprayed out of his mouth. He coughed repeatedly. The middle-aged woman beside him frowned and patted his back.

Seth's mouth twitched uncontrollably. He desperately tried to hold back his laughter, revealing two charming dimples at the corners of his mouth.

I was confused. Did I call them wrong? Wasn't Seth saying that these two were his uncle and aunt?

Seth suppressed his laughter and deliberately put on a serious face, scolding, "Why are you calling them that? This is my sister and brother-in-law, my real sister."

He emphasized the word "sister," and as I looked into his eyes, I could feel the sinister intention in them. It was unbelievable that a man could play such a malicious trick. He was so shameless.

I could only pout and say, "Didn't you say your uncle and aunt would be coming over later?"

"When did I say that?" Seth reprimanded, sounding frustrated. "Can't you think for yourself? Besides, you've probably already met them."

I understood now that this man would never admit it. And his acting skills were definitely impressive.

I quickly blinked back tears and trembled, apologizing, "I'm sorry, it's all my fault for being so foolish. Please don't be angry." I lowered my head and wiped away a tear.

"Don't cry, it's okay, it's not a big deal." The man quickly intervened, trying to ease the tension between us. "I'm James, and this is Ruby, Seth's sister."

But the woman seemed displeased and said, "Didn't you bother to learn about the Rodriguez family before the ceremony?"

Ruby followed with a cold laugh, "Your mother has been pushing us to get married several times, didn't she tell you anything?"

She was referring to Shana's mother, whom I wasn't familiar with.

"Alright, Lorena didn't mean any harm, she's still young after all," James comforted.

Ruby smirked and didn't respond, mocking me with a glance before shrugging off her husband's hand and walking away.

James looked apologetic, patting my shoulder to offer comfort before nodding at Seth and going to find his own mate.

Finally, there were only two people left in the hospital room. I sighed with relief and gave Seth a glare. "Seth, I have to say, you really wasted your time."

"What do you mean?" Seth's expression instantly became wary.

"Do adults really use such childish tactics?" I maintained a smile on my face. "You're almost 30, and this is how you try to put me down? It's a bit too immature, don't you think?"

"You!" Seth choked, his face visibly turning red. But he quickly regained his composure and started assessing me. "You're still in school?"

"Of course," I replied without thinking, confused by his sudden change of topic.

"So you wouldn't... ..."

"What are you thinking? I'm already 22, and I'm in college, not high school." I rolled my eyes again. "Besides, even if I'm younger, I think it's understandable to be a bit immature." I blinked my watery eyes. "Unlike you, who is much older and never feels embarrassed."

"You," Seth's expression twisted again."I am only 27 years old!"

I nodded, ignored his angry words. "Seth, can we temporarily make peace? I know you don't like me, and honestly, I don't like you either, but you don't believe me. But I can swear on my life that I agree to become mates with you, and I have my own reasons for it."

Seth took a deep breath and calmed down. Seeing that he was silent, I continued, "In theory, we should work together. We have a common goal, which is to separate."

"For me, the perpetrator of the car accident has not been found yet. If you are willing to help me during this period, I am willing to let you leave after the perpetrator is found." Seth expressed agreement with this and nodded, "Besides that, do you have any other good ideas?"

"I think since it is your father who insists on us becoming mate, we need to make him realize that I am indeed not capable of taking on the role of Luna's future. We are currently in the hospital and cannot see your father. After you recover, let's go back to the old house and let me spend more time with King. Then I will find a way to make him dislike me."

"As for helping you find the killer, I have limited abilities and can only assist you by keeping a watchful eye."

"With your personality, you don't need to find a way, he will already dislike you," Seth couldn't help but comment.

I pretended not to hear his sarcastic remark, "So let's temporarily reconcile."

"Are you begging me?" Seth raised an eyebrow.

I was speechless. Seriously, which eye did you see me begging you with? But before I could refute, Seth nodded to himself, "Since that's the case, I'll temporarily agree."

I didn't want to continue the conversation with him. "Dear Mr. Rodriguez, if I may ask, how old are you?"

Seth squinted, seemingly guessing what I wanted to say. He pursed his lips and replied with four words, "None of your business."

"I think you might only be eighteen," I smiled and said without getting angry, then I quickly ran back to the lounge, ignoring how Seth's expression might have changed.