Chapter 6 I Don’t Like Sweet Things

Colin's perspective:

My real name isn't Colin Henderson. I'm just a werewolf who resembles Colin and have taken his place to avoid persecution by the Diamond pack. I've come to this village to evade them. I also know, the human girl I married isn't Hailey; she's a stand-in bride.

I knew from the moment I entered that she was merely a replacement. While I don't know the reasons, Hailey Watson's bad temper and her penchant for nightclubs suggest she wouldn't have the clean scent that this girl has.

It doesn't matter, though. I'm a stand-in groom, and she's a stand-in bride. We're even. Besides, I'm a werewolf; I'm not meant to like human girls.

However, this human girl seems to revel in enticing men. She always has a shy and demure expression, like an invisible hand, suddenly gripping my heart.

I didn't care about anything related to this wedding, not even realizing that the wedding dress was rented. Don't all other women rejoice at buying their wedding gowns for this once-in-a-lifetime occasion?

The thought that this woman was planning to return the dress stirred a peculiar feeling in me, but I wasn't inclined to meddle. Yet when I thought of this human girl's pitiful face, I worried she might be bullied, and before I knew it, I found myself in the bridal shop.

I had been right; she was being ridiculed when I arrived. The store clerk at the bridal shop was a snob, giving me a disdainful look the moment I walked in. It seems they saw my ‘wife’ as an easy target, someone likely to leave in tears.

But I had misjudged the situation. This usually docile woman suddenly became forceful, engaging in an animated debate. She wasn't quite what I had imagined. Suddenly, I found this little village becoming rather interesting.

That's when I noticed a wedding dress on a mannequin in the center of the hall. A mermaid-style gown, it accentuated the figure beautifully, adorned with subtle gold embroidery and studded with tiny diamonds at the bust.

The dress seemed perfect for the human girl, so I asked for her opinion. She looked at me seriously, her large, black grape-like eyes twinkling, her lips pursed ever so slightly. I could tell she loved it, so I inquired about the price of the dress.

"$30,000." To the old me, that amount would hardly cover the cost of a meal.

I decided to buy the dress, and give it to this innocent girl, standing in for someone else's wedding. It was a reward for her bravery.

When we had bought the wedding dress, her reaction wasn't as joyful as I expected. It seemed she had something to say to me, and at last, she stopped me to speak her mind. She thought the dress was too expensive and that we should save money.

After speaking, she seemed to worry that her tone was too strong and, in an effort to please, she asked if I wanted a milkshake. Watching her small, hurried figure, I chuckled softly. My phone vibrated then. I saw the number and answered the call.

"What's the situation?"

"Alpha Colin," the voice whispered, lowering its tone, "we've almost completed our investigation. There was definitely sabotage involved, with your personal plane on the day of the accident. We just lack concrete evidence, but it aligns with your suspicions."

"Good," I commanded, "keep digging!"

"Yes. But how much longer will you be staying in that village in New Jersey? Are you sure you don't want to return to Rock pack for a while?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose. It wasn't time to return to Rock pack yet. I needed to find the culprit behind the plane crash, and now was an opportunity, with everyone thinking I was dead.

"I will return to Rock pack, but not now."

Going back now would only alarm the culprits, those traitors who think I perished in the plane crash. They would undoubtedly create more trouble, devising even more sinister means to harm me.

"Chocolate or strawberry milkshake, which do you prefer?"

I was taken aback before turning to meet those bright, shining eyes. The human girl smiled at me; her expression as sweet as the milkshake she held.

"What's wrong?" the human girl frowned, "You look a bit..."

"I'm fine," I looked away, trying to appear nonchalant. I disliked this feeling, of being seen through, and declined her offer of the milkshake: "You drink it. I don't like sweet things."


Claire’s perspective:


I stood there holding the two milkshakes, bewildered, for a long time. Then pursing my lips, I jogged to catch up. I just followed behind him, not daring to get too close.

His broad back was like a wall of ice, on the other side was a world that belonged only to him. Though I was but a few steps away, I couldn't seem to cross over. It was only the second day after the wedding, everything went on as usual.

Colin surrendered the bedroom to me for sleeping, while he took to the sofa outside. There was only one quilt, which he insisted I use, wrapping himself in a worn bedsheet instead. I felt a twinge of guilt standing at the bedroom door for a long time.

Colin spoke with firm words "Go back to your room and sleep"

It seemed to tie a knot in my throat, and I couldn't say anything. I needed time to get used to the fact that I now had a husband. I slightly bowed my head, my lips curling into a soft smile.

Rumor had it, that Colin was cold and not much for conversation, though he was quite adept at fighting. But I didn’t think he was so bad; at least to me, he was respectful and tolerant.

On the third day of our marriage, I prepared to return home, feeling anxious from the moment I woke up. I had to claim the compensation that the Watson family had promised me.

Usually, a bride brings gifts when she visits her family after the wedding. The whole family would celebrate over lunch and return before the sunset, all in high spirits. But for me, this visit was about claiming money.

My father had promised a substantial sum, as compensation for marrying in place of Hailey. It would be enough to cover my mother's medical expenses and my brother's education. Yet, three days into my marriage, this promise from the Watson family seemed to evaporate into thin air, with no one mentioning it again.

After much thought, I realized I had to claim it myself, but I couldn't bring Colin with me; that would reveal everything. Who knows what he might do in a fit of anger.

"Colin, I..." I racked my brain for the right words, after a long moment, I swallowed those words back down, barely managing to utter a few. "Breakfast is ready. Come and eat."