The Love of the Wolf

"Rocky!"

"Uncle-"

Classic case of the voice arriving before the person!

The whirlwind charging toward him consisted of none other than his dear sister-in-law-Susan, and her twin darlings, Payne Smith and Paige Smith.

Did they miss him that much? He'd only been back in the States handling business for two or three months!

It wasn't hard to guess why Payne and Paige were so thrilled about his return-it was definitely because he'd brought them gifts. But Susan? Her cheerful demeanor felt a bit off... Was she planning to set him up on another blind date again?

At that thought, Rocky instinctively took a step back.

In the blink of an eye, Susan and the twins had already rushed up to him.

"What's wrong?" Susan scrutinized him carefully for a moment. "You don't seem too happy to see me?"

"No, no, no, of course not!" he hurriedly denied.

He was starting to feel that returning here was a mistake-like walking straight into a trap. Ever since Kent had willingly settled into marriage, he was the only unmarried one left in this mansion-well, not counting those kids who hadn't reached marriageable age, of course.

And Susan had always made it her mission to see every family member settled. Now her target was clearer than ever.

He had nowhere left to hide.

"Uncle, presents!"

The two little rascals pounced on him from both sides.

Rocky crouched down and swept them into a warm hug.

"Alright, alright, I've got gifts for both of you." He freed one hand and pulled two exquisitely wrapped presents from his bag, handing one to each.

"Thank you, Uncle!" they chimed in unison.

Ahem! Susan cleared her throat. "Rocky, you're not getting any younger. It's about time you got married."

He knew she'd bring this up again. "Susan, I don't have a partner. Who would I even marry?"

That was the truth. Besides, there was nothing wrong with living alone! He didn't plan on changing anything-he preferred to let things take their natural course.

"Finding a partner isn't the issue. What matters is whether you have the heart for it," she said, staring straight at him with a serious expression.

"What heart?" he asked casually.

"The heart to settle down, honestly! You're thirty-three already. If you don't hurry up and find a girlfriend to commit to, are you really planning to stay single forever?" She paused. "Men find it harder to meet someone after thirty-five." She wasn't wrong-though that didn't apply to successful, wealthy men, and Rocky was certainly one of them.

A handsome, wealthy, and witty man like him was many women's dream catch. It was just a shame he'd never shown any interest. Tsk! It's not like he's a monk. Wait, could it be that he already had someone in mind but just hadn't spoken up?

"Fate is decided by heaven. You can't force these things," Rocky said, feigning helplessness as he spread his hands.

She looked at him suspiciously. "Have you already foreseen who your other half is?"

"No." As the prophet of the werewolf clan, he had the ability to foresee events, but he couldn't foresee his own future.

Susan still seemed doubtful. "Really?"

"Really. I can only foresee things about others, not myself." Otherwise, wouldn't his life be incredibly boring?

She studied him again, her emerald green eyes complex and inscrutable.

Susan's gaze was a bit strange-no, very strange. Rocky decided to just ask: "Is something wrong?"

"You..." She hesitated for a moment before continuing, "You don't have some... unusual tendencies, do you?"

Unusual tendencies? Rocky raised an eyebrow. "Susan, what are you trying to say?"

"Are you gay?" she asked bluntly, without beating around the bush.

Gay? Rocky's eyes widened. "Me?" Then he burst into laughter.

Susan's imagination was truly something! It was a pity she hadn't become a novelist. Gay? How did she even come up with that?

Susan waited calmly, her green eyes filled with serious assessment.

He stopped laughing and was about to answer when Kent, who had just sauntered in, beat him to it.

"Oh no! You've found us out. Rocky's beloved is me," he said with a roguish grin, slinging an arm around Rocky's shoulders. "We're truly in love."

Pushing away that smiling, handsome face, Rocky said irritably, "Who's your beloved? Don't be disgusting." He already had enough problems without Kent stirring the pot.

Hearing this, Kent turned to Susan and said, "See? He doesn't even love a rare beauty like me. How could he possibly love other men? He's into women."

"That's not convincing at all," Susan commented. Kent's shamelessness was truly beyond cure!

Rocky's eyebrows drew together suspiciously. Had he heard correctly? Was Kent actually defending him?

Something was off-really off. There was no way Kent would be this kind-hearted. His specialty was kicking people when they were down!

"Susan, back when Rocky was in grad school, he dated a girl. But she couldn't accept his true identity, so they broke up eventually. So Rocky definitely isn't gay," Kent said, bringing up an old story from years ago as proof.

Susan turned to Rocky for confirmation. "Is that true?"

He nodded.

How long ago had that been? If Kent hadn't brought it up now, he would have almost forgotten about it entirely...

"Kelly, do you... believe there exists a creature that is both human and wolf?" Rocky asked tentatively, testing the waters.

"Both human and wolf... What do you mean?" Kelly looked confused, stopping what she was doing to turn toward him.

"It's a second kind of person besides humans-one that can appear in both human and wolf forms. Do you believe that?" He tried to act casual, but inside he was uneasy.

Kelly studied him for a moment, then laughed. "How could there be such strange beings? You must've read too many supernatural books to have such weird ideas."

"You don't believe me?" His heart sank.

They'd been dating for nearly a year, and it had given him a sense of wanting to settle down. That was why he wanted to tell her this major secret about his identity. For them to have a future, she had to be able to accept his true self. But after hearing what she'd just said, he wasn't confident at all.

"Should I believe it?" she asked rhetorically. "Rocky, we're both educated people. We shouldn't believe in such baseless, absurd things."

Baseless and absurd? The emerald green in Rocky's eyes deepened, filled with helplessness.

She definitely wouldn't expect that the man standing before her was a living-werewolf.

His heart ached faintly. "Werewolves have highly developed animal instincts and a pair of emerald green eyes."

"Rocky..." Highly developed instincts and... a pair of emerald green eyes! Kelly froze.

Was it a coincidence? He possessed both of those traits. Could it be that he was...? No, he must be joking. How could there be such half-human, half-beast monsters in the world? And how could he be one of those terrifying creatures? She refused to believe it. She refused.

He could see the silent plea in her eyes, begging him to deny everything he'd just said. But he couldn't-because it was the ironclad truth, unchangeable. "Yes, I am a werewolf." As the words left his mouth, he saw the shock and fear rising in her eyes, slowly eating away at the nearly year-long relationship they'd built.

It was as if he could also see the future they'd constructed together crumbling into dust.

Kelly recoiled fearfully, stepping back several paces and nearly knocking over a chair. Her body trembled violently. "You're one of those... those monsters?" she gasped.

Monsters!

Rocky felt as if he'd been struck a heavy blow, his face turning pale.

Even with nearly a year of emotional foundation, could she still not accept his true identity?

"Are you afraid of me?" he asked softly, a faint trace of sorrow leaking into his tone.

"Don't come near me!" Her voice was nearly a scream.

Her response was like a sharp knife stabbing deep into his heart, making it hard for him to breathe. "Kelly, we've been together for almost a year. Doesn't that help you understand the kind of person I am? Even if I'm a werewolf, I'm still the same me."

Kelly took step after step back. "No, it's different now..." She was too terrified to express herself clearly, unable to keep her voice from shaking.

Rocky continued to gaze at her with deep affection. "The fact that we loved each other proves that I would never do anything to hurt you." He was still trying to persuade her, unwilling to give up easily.

Rocky knew that most ordinary people couldn't accept their alternate identity-werewolves. So, unless absolutely necessary, members of the werewolf clan never lightly revealed their true nature.

Because he had seriously considered their future together, he had to be honest with her. This secret could be kept from everyone under the sun, but not from the partner he intended to spend his life with.

Kelly's mind was in chaos, aside from fear and terror, there was nothing else. Her only thought was to escape, to flee as far as possible-and her body faithfully obeyed.

Rocky moved swiftly, catching up to her panicked figure and blocking her path.

"Ah-!" she finally screamed, "Wh-what are you going to do? Stay away from me!"

He halted. "Promise me you won't speak of this to anyone else?" It was for her own safety.

She bit her lip and nodded, her fear-filled eyes locked unblinkingly on Rocky, as if afraid he might transform into a massive, savage beast in the next second. Cold sweat dripped down her forehead.

He stepped aside. "You may go."

Perhaps she needed time to process this information, to accept his true identity, he tried to reassure himself.

Seizing the opportunity, Kelly immediately turned and fled, not looking back as if pursued by demons.

Rocky could only stand there, watching blankly as her figure disappeared into the distance, deep sorrow welling up in his emerald green eyes.

From that moment on, Kelly vanished from his life...

"Rocky? Rocky?"

Susan's voice pulled him from the depths of memory. His scattered focus gradually sharpened, meeting her scrutinizing gaze.

"What were you thinking about so intently?"

"Just reminiscing about the past," Rocky brushed it off lightly.

"Do you still love her?" This was something she had to clarify. Otherwise, carelessly matchmaking him with other well-bred young ladies would only make things more complicated.

He offered a faint smile. It had been over a decade-any love or hatred had long since faded. His heart was now calm, untouched by storms or sunshine. "We've had no contact at all in over ten years. Even if we met again, we'd be strangers."

That was his genuine feeling.

"Do you hate her?" Susan rephrased her question.

"No, I have no reason to hate her." He didn't deny the pain he'd felt after the breakup, but he had never hated her. There was even less reason to do so now, years later.

She simply couldn't accept his identity as a werewolf.

"Truly, no love and no hatred?" Susan pressed once more.

"Mhm." He nodded slightly, answering frankly.

"Alright then." Susan pursed her lips, rummaged through her belongings, and pulled out a pen and a small notepad. "Now, tell me specifically what kind of girl you're attracted to."

Rocky pondered.

Kent, who had been listening nearby, perked up his ears, ready to carefully note his response-this would help determine whether Rocky was still unconsciously hung up on his former lover, Kelly.

After a long wait with no answer from Rocky, Susan decided to ask directly: "Do you prefer long hair or short hair?"

"That doesn't matter."

"What kind of eyes?" She quickly jotted down notes as she asked.

"Large eyes." Rocky cooperated fully.

"What about the mouth?" She glanced up at him. "Full, sensual lips or a small, delicate mouth?"

"A small mouth. The figure doesn't need to be too fiery-preferably over five foot six." He voluntarily listed the criteria to save Susan from asking one by one.

Though he somewhat doubted what kind of woman would emerge from combining all these traits.

Kent mentally compared Rocky's listed preferences with his memory of Kelly, confirming that the description didn't match her. It seemed Rocky had moved on from that failed relationship, making new romance and future happiness possible.

"That's all?" Susan glanced at the notes in her pad, double-checking.

"That's all." He couldn't think of anything else for now. "May I go upstairs and rest now?" After the long flight, all he wanted was to retreat to his room and recharge.

Go upstairs and rest... Ah! He'd almost forgotten his original plan. "Yeah, Susan, Rocky must be exhausted after such a long flight. Once he's rested, you can ask whatever you want. It's not like he's going anywhere."

Ignoring his remarks, Rocky grabbed his bag and headed upstairs to his private floor.

Two young maids were cleaning.

"Master Rocky."

He nodded slightly in acknowledgment and strode straight into his bedroom. Dropping his bag on the floor, he immediately took off his suit jacket and loosened his tie before collapsing onto the bed-only to land on something soft and furry.

He sprang up instantly.

"What in the world?" Muttering to himself, he threw back the thin blanket and found a large, fluffy white dog lying on his bed.

It was Sherry.

He ran a hand through his hair. "Why are you on my bed?" His gaze fixed intently on Sherry.

Sherry stared passionately at his handsome face and let out a few shy barks: I want to bear your children.

"What?!" Rocky stumbled back two or three steps. "Bear my children?" Wasn't she originally interested in Kent? Why had she suddenly shifted her focus? What on earth had happened while he was away in the U.S. handling business? "You're into Kent, aren't you?"

Sherry barked several more times: That's true, but Kent said he's already taken. He and I could never happen. He told me to give up early-he wouldn't betray Jennifer. He also mentioned that you're the only single one left in the Smith family...

"So now you're here to... offer yourself?" Rocky's tone was deceptively gentle.

No wonder he'd felt Kent was unusually kind today-he'd set him up like this.

That damn bastard! He cursed inwardly before turning wordlessly and storming downstairs to confront Kent.

"Kent Smith!" Rocky roared, his emerald eyes blazing with fury.

Putting on an innocent smile, Kent asked, "Weren't you tired and heading up to rest? Why are you back down already?"

Rocky grimly grabbed him by the collar. "Thanks entirely to you. You'd better fix this, or else..."

"Fix what?" Kent continued playing dumb.

"The Sherry situation." Rocky gritted his teeth. "Don't pretend you don't know. Sherry told me everything-you persuaded her to switch targets and even encouraged her to offer herself to me. Am I right?"

Any trace of sleepiness had completely vanished now!

The mere thought of Rocky's shocked expression upon hearing Sherry's proposal made Kent unable to suppress a wide grin. "Well, it only worked because Sherry already had a crush on you, right? Besides, sending her to you was for your own good-I was worried that prolonged celibacy might harm your health."

Rocky offered a cold, humorless smile. "In that case, I suppose I should thank you for your concern."

Kent waved a hand. "No need for formalities between brothers. It's only right that I care about your well-being-after all, we're family." His words sounded righteous, but they completely contradicted his actions.

Rocky suddenly released him and spoke casually, "Maybe I should compile a detailed list of your ex-girlfriends and give it to Jennifer. She ought to be prepared for your flirtatious tendencies."

At this, Kent's heartbeat skipped erratically. He hurriedly plastered on an ingratiating smile. "Dear cousin, for the sake of our brotherhood, please don't sabotage me!"

If Jennifer found out about his past romantic exploits, her trust in him would undoubtedly plummet-something he desperately wanted to avoid.

Rocky leisurely smirked at Kent. "That depends entirely on your performance."

Rocky was undoubtedly referring to the Sherry situation...

Kent sighed dramatically several times, his expression full of grievance. "Alright, alright. I'll take responsibility and resolve that matter."

"What matter?" Rocky asked knowingly.

Kent resignedly replied, "The Sherry situation."

"Excellent. It seems we've reached an understanding." Rocky smiled with satisfaction. "Now go upstairs and handle it immediately."

"As you wish." He had no right to refuse.

Damn you, Rocky!

Heartbreak Bar

Evan, with their ethereal and unmatched presence, remained the focal point of admiration among the young women in the establishment.

Rocky chuckled softly from his perch on a barstool, observing Evan's graceful movements and the numerous eyes trailing them. "Tsk, tsk. They're more captivating than any of us men here. If their true gender were known, it'd shatter countless youthful fantasies."

Amy offered a gentle smile. "Rocky, if you were five or six years younger, you'd easily charm a crowd of young ladies too."

He frowned playfully. "Are you implying I've already become an uncle?" For heaven's sake, he was only thirty-three!

Amy laughed lightly. "I didn't mean it like that. You still appear quite youthful..."

He cut in, teasing. "But my actual age suggests otherwise-is that what you're hinting?"

"No, no..." She hurried to clarify, but a large hand suddenly covered her mouth, muffling her words into incoherent murmurs.

"Stop teasing her," Lloyd interjected calmly while polishing glasses nearby. "To those sixteen- or seventeen-year-olds, both of us qualify as seasoned gentlemen."

Rocky snorted dismissively. "Speak for yourself! I'm currently the most sought-after golden bachelor."

"Right, right-the exceptionally eligible golden bachelor. How long do you plan to linger here?" Lloyd asked casually.

It seemed Rocky had no intention of returning to the event.

"Is this how you treat your guests, proprietor?" Rocky arched a brow mockingly.

Lloyd remained unperturbed by the sarcasm. "Hospitality matters little compared to avoiding Susan's wrath. You slipped away from the banquet and left that young woman stranded. Susan will undoubtedly explode. Given her recent advancements in knife-throwing and judo, if you wish to be her first test subject, I won't object-but don't involve me." He had zero interest in sharing Rocky's misfortunes-where was the romance in that?

"Some friend you are!" Rocky accused dramatically.

"I reserve loyalty for meaningful causes." As he spoke, Lloyd's hands deftly prepared drinks for waiting servers.

"That poor woman did nothing wrong. How could you abandon her, Rocky?" Amy's compassion surfaced, her gaze tinged with reproach.

Rocky defended himself matter-of-factly. "I left to prevent her from developing further expectations. It was the considerate choice."

It almost sounded logical. Amy's eyes drifted toward the entrance, where she spotted a familiar figure-Susan had arrived.

Still clad in her evening gown! She was undoubtedly here for Rocky. Should she alert him?

As Amy hesitated, Lloyd's cool voice cut through the air.

"Susan's here." Consider that his act of loyalty.

Rocky jolted. Peeking over his shoulder, he confirmed Susan's presence and swiftly stood. "Thanks, I'm making an exit." He melted into the crowd.

Lloyd gave a casual wave.

Fortunately, the bar was packed tonight. A few strategic dodges allowed him to slip out the back undetected.

Rocky navigated a dim, narrow alley before emerging onto a slightly broader street. Houses lined both sides, their windows dark at this late hour.

In the distance, he spotted three men cornering a woman. Even in the gloom, his vision remained razor-sharp. A robbery? Or something worse?

Sophia was moments from unlocking her car when the dark window reflected three approaching figures.

She spun around, alarmed. "Who are you?"

"The doomed need no answers," one man sneered.

"You intend to kill me?" She fought to stay calm, buying time. "Why? We've no quarrel!"

The street lay dark and deserted, devoid of witnesses. Hope dwindled in her chest. Would she die here tonight without explanation?

Her eyes flickered toward nearby houses-some still lit. If she screamed, would anyone intervene?

Truthfully, she doubted it.

Cold fear prickled her skin.

"Someone simply prefers you gone..." The man's words halted abruptly.

Another growled impatiently, "Enough chatter. If someone passes by, we're done for. Ah! She's stalling!"

"Cunning witch. Almost fooled us."

All three brandished blades and lunged without mercy.

A choked gasp escaped her. She scrambled backward, stumbling into a desperate run.

"Don't let her escape!" The armed men gave chase.

Fear weighted her steps, slowing her flight. As the gap closed, her legs betrayed her.

Death's chill breath brushed her neck. This was the end.

Sophia clenched her eyes shut, bracing for the blade's bite.

"Miss, when facing assailants, always scream for help. That's how rescuers find you." A languid voice sliced through the tension, dispelling the icy dread.

Warm hands pulled her aside.

Sophia's eyes flew open, but before she could glimpse her savior, a vicious slash grazed them. She recoiled, narrowly avoiding it.

"Stay out of this, hero. Scram," one pursuer snarled.

"Careful now." Rocky shot her a glance before engaging two attackers. He seized a knife-wielding wrist, twisted it to block another strike, then delivered swift kicks to a flank followed by a crushing punch.

Though Sophia dodged frantically, her coat bore several slashes.

Rocky moved like shadow, disarming one man and sending him flying with a spinning kick.

Whirling around, he found the woman again trapped-the third man's blade poised to strike. Without thought, he shoved her aside and took the blow himself.

Sophia watched in horror as steel buried itself in her rescuer's side, her face bleaching white.

Blood bloomed across his white shirt, stark and vivid.

Tch. Rocky winced faintly. Being stabbed felt downright unpleasant-and rather painful.

The attacker pressed his advantage, aiming to finish her while Rocky faltered.

Abruptly, Rocky threw back his head and unleashed a long, piercing howl. "Awoo-"

Sophia gaped, speechless.

What was this? What did the cry mean?

The atmosphere thickened with strangeness.

The three men exchanged bewildered glances. Regaining focus, they moved to act-only to freeze. The street now swarmed with silent, feral dogs, eyes gleaming with menace.

Rocky's lips curled. "Care to taste a canine's greeting to your throat?"

The pack growled low, saliva dripping from sharp teeth-a visceral terror.

The men paled, limbs trembling, afraid even to breathe lest the hounds frenzy.

"Scram."

The dogs parted obediently, as though understanding.

The trio fled stumbling, fearing delay would leave them bones.

Rocky emitted a shorter howl. "Awoo-"

The pack dissolved into the shadows without a sound.

Throughout, Sophia could only stare, utterly bewildered.

"It's over. You may leave," Rocky said once the last dog vanished.

Collecting herself, Sophia remembered his wound. "Gods-you're injured! You need hospital care! Wait, I'll fetch my car!" She spilled the words in a rush and sprinted toward her vehicle.

"Unnecessary-" he began, but she'd already bolted.

The wound meant little to him-some blood, some pain, soon healed.

Rocky withdrew the blade, blood flowing freely.

Tossing the knife aside, he turned and walked away, not waiting for her return.