His Last Choice

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 10

Everyone immediately averted their eyes, pretending to clear their throats and look away.

Leon’s nostrils flared, practically breathing fire with rage. Hailey didn’t wait a second—she turned and ran. She did not stop, sprinting all the way up the stairs until she reached her room, where she immediately threw herself inside and hid behind the closed door.

She clutched her chest with both hands, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs. She was breathless and exhausted, yet she barely noticed; the burning humiliation of being exposed in front of everyone weighed far heavier upon her than any physical fatigue.

After the intense scene Hailey had left behind in the dining hall, Leon carried on with the agenda as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened—yet the irritation lingered clearly in his eyes, temporarily set aside but far from gone.

They were discussing the release of selected rogues who had been imprisoned for a long time and had served their sentences.As Alpha, he held the final say on who was worthy of freedom, which was exactly why the Pack’s Council leaders had sought him out here.

Once the meeting concluded, the members took their leave one by one, until only Harvey and Celina remained.

“Harvey… are you leaving tomorrow?” Leon asked, his tone serious. “I’ll arrange an escort for you if you need one.”

“So soon?” Celina cut in, her smile and gaze laden with obvious flirtation as she looked toward Harvey. “I thought you planned to stay much longer.”

“Well… that was the plan,” Harvey replied, glancing meaningfully at Leon. “But it seems my cousin is quite eager to send me home.”

Celina turned her attention back to Leon. She stepped closer and slipped her hand familiarly around his arm. Harvey watched her every movement closely, his gaze sharp and observant.

“She truly is a bold woman.” Harvey thought to himself.

Even without anyone spelling it out for him, it was painfully obvious from their behavior that their relationship went far beyond what was normal for an in‑law and brother‑in‑law.

“I am simply concerned,” Leon said, a teasing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Your pack surely needs you, doesn’t it? After all, you are their next Alpha. It isn’t right for you to stay away for too long. I’m certain they are waiting for you to return.”

Harvey let out a heavy breath and chuckled dryly at Leon’s words. He knew very well that his cousin simply wanted him gone.

“Fair enough,” Harvey replied with an amused grin. “In that case, I shall depart first thing tomorrow morning.”

He nodded in agreement, then turned on his heel and walked out of the dining hall.

“Honey… you look so stressed today,” Celina purred softly, still clinging to Leon’s arm as they began to walk. “Would you like a massage?”

“I’m not in the mood right now. You should go rest,” Leon answered sternly.

The easy smile instantly vanished from her face.

“If that’s the case… then you give me a massage instead,” she demanded. “My whole body is aching.”

Leon stopped dead in his tracks. With a sharp, irritated jerk, he pulled his arm free from her grasp, catching her completely off guard.

“What exactly do you take me for? A masseur?” he bit out sharply.

Celina immediately sensed the dangerous, serious aura radiating from him.

“I—if—if that’s how it is… very well,” she stammered, quickly softening her tone and trying to sound affectionate again. “Let’s just rest then." We can save the massage for another time… hmm?”

Leon swallowed hard and drew in a long, deep breath, looking like a man whose patience had just about reached its absolute limit.

“Just… go rest,” he commanded, his voice heavy with unyielding authority.

He turned and continued walking toward the stairs, leaving Celina standing there with no choice but to watch him go, burning with resentment.

Leon had hoped to find Hailey in their room, but when he stepped inside, she was nowhere to be seen.

Meanwhile, the sharp edge of hunger had long since passed Hailey. Still reeling from the fear and humiliation she had endured, she decided to step out into the garden for fresh air—only to find Harvey there.

“It’s late. What are you doing out here?” Harvey asked with a smirk, walking slowly toward where she stood. “Can’t sleep?”

The surroundings were dim; only the moonlight above and the soft glow spilling from the mansion lit the night. By now, Hailey had changed into proper, decent clothing.

“I… I suppose that’s it,” she stammered in reply.

“Ah—by the way… I haven’t even properly thanked you yet for bringing me back safely last night.”

A deep flush of shame instantly rose to Hailey’s cheeks as she remembered exactly how she had behaved while drunk and helpless.

“Oh—that? It’s nothing. Besides… didn’t you say you’d make it up to me later?” Harvey replied playfully, leaning his face slightly closer to hers.

Hailey instinctively stepped back, putting distance between them. A low chuckle escaped Harvey—he could see quite clearly how easily and quickly she became flustered and embarrassed.

“W—what is it that you want, exactly?” Hailey asked softly.

Her embarrassment around this man was piling higher and higher. Not only had he witnessed just how vulnerable and helpless she got when drunk, but earlier tonight… he had also seen her, half‑naked and exposed, right in front of everyone.

Harvey straightened up, his expression turning thoughtful as he glanced casually around. Unnoticed by her, he had sensed Leon’s presence nearby, watching them from the shadows. A secret smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, though he gave no sign at all that he knew his cousin was there.

“What if… I ask for this?”

He turned fully toward Hailey, stepping closer as if he were about to do something far bolder. She backed away again, trying to put more space between them, but he caught her gently by the arm, stopping her from escaping.

And then, right there—under Leon’s watchful eyes—Harvey leaned down and pressed a soft, lingering kiss upon her forehead.