Chapter 363: My lover.
Daniel.
The breakfast was finally over, yet I couldn’t shake off what I had just witnessed. My eyes kept drifting back to Noah without my permission, noticing the way he continued to stare at the masked woman even after everything had ended. It wasn’t a casual glance or simple curiosity—no, his gaze was fixed, intense, and unwavering, as though she was the only thing in the entire room that mattered.
Ever since he had left the dining hall and returned, something about him had changed. It was subtle, but noticeable enough to unsettle me. His usual composure felt slightly disrupted, his attention no longer as controlled as before, especially whenever she was near.
Does he know the masked woman?
The thought formed slowly at first, then tightened in my chest as I considered it more seriously.
But how would that even be possible?
I frowned inwardly, my confusion deepening. The more I tried to dismiss the idea, the more it refused to leave me alone. Because if there was anyone who could make either the quadruplets—or even Noah—act without thinking, without logic, without restraint...it was Maria.
The realization hit me suddenly.
I gasped under my breath, my fingers tightening slightly at my sides.
Could she be Maria?
The question lingered in my mind, heavy and unsettling, as I almost allowed myself to go deeper into the possibility. But before I could fully explore the thought, a familiar voice cut through the air, pulling me back sharply into the present.
"Daniel!" Galen called out again.
I let out a small, irritated sigh and slowly turned toward her, already rolling my eyes before I even fully faced her.
I had been heading toward my room earlier, hoping for some space, but it seemed that plan was no longer possible. And I knew immediately that I couldn’t allow Galen to follow me there. Not now. Not when my mind was already this tangled.
"Shall we?" she said again, her smile widening as if nothing in the world could bother her.
I lifted my brows slightly, my expression full of confusion.
"For?" I asked, my tone flat, unconvinced.
"To your room, dumbass!" she replied with a light giggle, completely unbothered by her own words. "Thank you for speaking for me earlier... even though you immediately shattered my heart," she added, still smiling as if the words didn’t carry any weight.
I exhaled slowly, trying to keep my patience intact.
"Tell me, Galen," I said at last, my voice lower now, more serious. "What exactly is your relationship with the Lycan prince?"
Galen immediately grabbed my hands, her fingers wrapping around mine with unexpected firmness, as if she was afraid I might pull away before she finished whatever was on her mind. Her smile widened even more, soft yet unsettling in the way it lingered, and she kept staring deep into my eyes—too deep, like she was trying to read something hidden beneath my expression.
It made me uncomfortable in a way I couldn’t immediately explain.
"Tell me, Daniel," she said slowly, tilting her head slightly, "are you jealous?"
I froze instantly.
The question hit me so abruptly that for a moment, I couldn’t even form a response. My mind went blank, then quickly filled with irritation. That was ridiculous. Completely absurd.
Why would I be jealous? Jealous of what exactly? Of her relationship—if there even was one—with the Lycan prince?
I exhaled sharply, pulling my hands back just enough to break her grip.
"Can’t you be more reasonable, Galen?" I said, my tone sharpening before I could control it. "I’m heading back to my room," I added, already turning slightly away. "And don’t follow me."
But she moved quickly again.
"Daniel, wait!" she called out immediately, her voice softening. Then she hesitated, her expression shifting as if she was debating something internally. "Fine... I’ll tell you. But no one else can know. It’s for security reasons," she added quickly, her eyes darting around as though even the air might be listening.
I paused.
Slowly, I turned back to her.
"I promise," I said, impatience already creeping into my voice. "Now tell me."
And yet, even as I said it, there was something strange about how urgent I suddenly felt. Something in me was oddly restless, as though I needed the answer more than I wanted to admit.
Galen sighed dramatically, then lifted her chin as if preparing herself.
"He is my lover!" she said.
For a second, everything inside me stopped.
My entire body went cold.
Immediately, I paled. My heart began pounding so rapidly that it felt like it might burst straight through my chest. And beneath that shock... something else formed. Something unfamiliar. A deep, heavy ache settled in my chest, tightening painfully as I tried to process what she had just said.
What’s wrong with me?
Why am I reacting like this?
Without thinking, I grabbed her shoulders, my grip firmer than intended, and stared directly at her face. I searched her expression carefully, desperately, hoping—without even understanding why—that she was lying.
I had no idea why I wanted it to be a lie.
Galen suddenly burst out laughing, though it sounded nervous, almost forced.
"Relax, Daniel... I was just joking," she said between small breaths, still smiling faintly. "One would think you actually love me."
At that, I surprisingly let out a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding. Relief washed over me too quickly, too strongly, leaving me slightly unsettled.
"Don’t get that idea, Galen," I said quickly, regaining my composure. "It’s just because he was about to marry another... I was ready to hurt him for daring to abandon you," I added, forcing my tone to sound steady.
Galen simply nodded, her expression softening.
"If you say so," she replied lightly, then paused again. "Now... shall we?" she asked once more.
I exhaled, shaking my head slightly, still trying to dismiss the strange feeling lingering in my chest.
And without saying anything else, I allowed her to accompany me toward my room.
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