Chapter 159
I worked methodically, using soft brushes to carefully remove the layers of dust that had settled over the years. Each stroke was deliberate, as if the music itself could shatter if I wasn’t gentle enough. When I came across faint or illegible notes, I used reversible ink to lightly retrace the original hand. For sections that were too far gone, I had to rely on the surrounding patterns and my own musical deduction to fill in the gaps.
A full week passed before I finally emerged from the restoration room. I held the restored manuscript carefully in my hands, my fingers aching from days of painstaking work. I headed to meet the person overseeing the project–Tira. When I stepped into her office, she looked up from her
aperwork, visibly surprised.
“You’ve already finished?” Tira asked, her tone laced with disbelief as her eyes widened.
I nodded. “Yes, it’s done.”
She stood and crossed the room, reaching out to inspect the manuscript. Her expression changed. from surprise to pure admiration. “I’m impressed. This piece was in terrible condition, yet you’ve restored it beautifully. I can’t believe you did it so quickly.”
I smiled slightly, pleased by her praise. “It’s what I do.”
Tira glanced at the manuscript again, then back at me. “You’ve done more than restore it, Shirley. You’ve revived a piece of history. I’ll have to pay you double for this.”
I shook my head. “It’s too much.”
But Tira laughed, waving off my protest. “The value of this piece is immeasurable now. You’ve more
than earned it.”
She picked up the phone and called for Beta, one of her subordinates, to arrange my return to Silvermoon. I was eager to leave, already feeling homesick and craving the familiar comfort of my
own territory.
Within minutes, a tall man walked into the office. He had a strong build, towering over me with broad shoulders and a commanding presence. His muscles were defined even beneath his clothes, and his features were sharp and cold, like they were carved from stone. A slight limp in his walk Caught my attention. He was just as imposing as Lorik or Narik, maybe even more so.
“This is the one who’ll be taking you back,” Tira said. “Just call him Shark.”
After I Let Go My Alpha, He Khalt in Regret
I sized him up, trying to place him. He didn’t seem like the friendly type, but I greeted him anyway. Shark merely nodded, barely acknowledging me as he stood there with his arms crossed.
I followed him outside to where the car was parked. My warriors, the ones assigned to protect me, followed closely behind, keeping their distance. Shark didn’t say a word during the drive. The silence stretched on, and I couldn’t shake the tension that had settled in the car.
It wasn’t until we stopped and I removed the blindfold that I realized we were back in the familiar streets of the city. Shark stepped out, lighting a elgarette as he leaned against the car.
I stepped out as well and turned to him. “Thanks for bringing me back.”
His cold eyes flicked toward me. “You’re lamma of Lorik?”
The question took me by surprise. His sudden interest made my instincts sharpen. There was something dangerous about this man. “Yes,” I answered carefully.
Shark took a slow drag from his cigarette. “Is he good to you?”
our public
I hesitated. Memories of Lorik’s protectiveness, his constant care, and the burden of image flashed through my mind. I needed to maintain appearances, especially with my warriors
nearby.
I smiled faintly, though it didn’t reach my eyes. “He’s good to me. We’re in love.”
Shark let out a derisive snort, smoke curling from his lips. “Andrew’s son? Treating his wife well?
That’s a first.”
His words struck something deep, making me more alert. There was a dangerous glint in his eye, something I couldn’t place. I straightened and narrowed my gaze. “Who are you, really?”
Shark gave me a look, his eyes cold and unreadable, offering no answer to my question. Just as h turned to get back into the car, a familiar voice rang out across the parking lot, sharp and
commanding.
“Stay away from her!”
My heart skipped a beat as I looked up. An SUV screeched to a halt in front of us, and the doors flung open. Lorik stepped out first, his expression stormy, followed by several of his warriors, all of them armed and ready. Their weapons were trained on Shark in an instant.
I stood there, frozen in shock at the sudden escalation. But Shark remained utterly unfazed. He leaned casually against the car, a sarcastic grin playing on his lips. The tension crackled in the air, but he showed no fear, no concern at the weapons pointed his way.
After I Let Go My Alpha. He knelt in Regret
Lorik’s eyes swept over me, relief flashing across his face when he saw I was unharmed. Without a word, he pulled me into his arms, his grip tight as though he was afraid to let go.
“What’s going on?” I asked, my voice barely above a
whisper.
Lorik’s jaw tightened. “That man,” he said, his voice low, “is Sharik. My older brother. The one who was expelled from Silvermoon.”
