Chapter 19: 19. Virginity Maria woke up in her room, feeling drained and disoriented. Her body felt heavy, and her mind was clouded with confusion.
She blinked several times, trying to piece together what had happened.
Almost instinctively, she checked around her. To her relief and surprise, the electronic key was lying neatly under her pillow. She stared at it in disbelief.
The entire room looked untouched—spotless, like she had never left. The bed was perfectly made, and everything was in place.
’Was it all just a dream? Did I even leave the room at all?’ she asked herself silently, frowning as she sat up.
"No... It can’t be a dream," she muttered under her breath. "I’m very sure of everything that happened. I was in that secret room. Someone grabbed me from behind. Why wasn’t I hurt? And why is the key still with me?"
Her mind raced with questions.
’Someone is definitely watching every move in this house... Could it be Bernard? Or Beta Gilbert? No, it couldn’t be any of the maids... The grip I felt was definitely a man’s touch.’ Maria was deep in thought, her brows furrowed as she tried to make sense of everything.
"I have to be more careful from now on. Whoever that was... they don’t want me finding anything," she whispered, her eyes sharp with determination.
She carefully hid the electronic key, ensuring it was in a new, safer spot. Then she stood up and stepped out of her room to see if anyone else was around.
As she walked down to the living room, she was surprised to see Bernard and his parents... Beta Gilbert and Victoria, chatting and laughing together like nothing had happened.
One glance at the clock told her everything—it was already 6 p.m. She had been asleep the entire day.
Maria lingered at a distance, watching them closely. No one mentioned anything suspicious. No strange glances. No confrontations.
Eventually, she walked over to them. They welcomed her warmly, smiling and making jokes. Bernard was unusually friendly, and his parents looked completely relaxed.
’I can’t afford to be the odd one out,’ she thought. ’I’ll just play along... like nothing happened.’*** Later That Night...
James stumbled into the house late, his steps unstable from the alcohol he had consumed. His clothes were slightly disheveled, and he reeked of liquor.
To his surprise, his mother, Mrs. Roseline, was already sitting in the living room, waiting for him. Her face was drawn with worry.
"James, where are you coming from?" she asked immediately, rising from her seat.
James hesitated, trying to keep his distance so she wouldn’t smell the alcohol on him.
"I just went out to relax a bit, Mom. Nothing serious," he replied, struggling to keep his balance.
Mrs. Roseline narrowed her eyes.
"James, you’re drunk. You’re the future Alpha of our pack, and this is how you carry yourself? Walking in drunk at this hour? What if something happened to you—how would you protect yourself in this state?"
James sighed, slumping into a couch. "You don’t have to worry about me, Mom. I’ll be fine. Just let me live my life."
"This is not just about you!" His mother’s voice rose with frustration. "Your behavior reflects on all of us—on the pack, on this family. You’re tarnishing our name!"
James sat up, his tone sharp and loud. "You people should stop trying to control me! I have my plans. Just... let me be!"
The room went silent.
Mrs. Roseline was stunned. Her son had never raised his voice at her before, never spoken with so much hostility.