Turns out, I had overestimated Richard's cooking skills. I was hoping for a delicious, homemade meal, but in the end, I had to step in and cook myself. Afterward, I sat with Richard in his backyard for a while. By the time I finally left, it was already noon. I didn't stop in the living room but went straight to my room. Not long after, someone knocked at my door. I glanced up, surprised to see Willa walking in. "Ms. Sinclair ... " Her voice was timid. When she looked at me, I could see the guilt written all over her face. "About what happened this morning, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to, but I—" "I understand," I cut her off gently. I knew Willa had made her choice—maybe she didn't have much of a choice at all. Still, that didn't mean I could just let it slide. It's not that I'm heartless. But just imagine—if there hadn't been a security camera in the living room, if Richard hadn't trusted me completely, then Willa's words on Queenie's behalf could've ruined me. People had to look out for themselves. I'm no saint either. I can't afford to be overly sympathetic. "An apology will do," I said quietly. Willa seemed to understand exactly what I meant. She gave me a small, respectful bow, then turned and left the room. Naomi's POV: "What? You found him?" I jumped out of my chair as soon as my manager gave me the news. "Who is he? Can I meet him?" If it weren't for that jerk, Samuel would never have been hurt trying to protect me. I was burning with anger, just waiting for the chance to unleash it. My manager motioned for me to sit back down. "Take it easy. I don't know exactly who it is yet. They caught one guy, but I heard there's still a werewolf involved we haven't identified. And this smells like something bigger—there's probably a mastermind behind it. We'll get them. Just not all at once." "Why wait?" I crossed my arms and dropped back into my seat, fuming. "This is ridiculous. I don't care how many people are involved—I won't let a single one of them off the hook." Just then, someone knocked lightly at the door. My manager got up to open it, and there stood Samuel. I had been craning my neck to see who it was. The moment I saw him, I practically launched myself across the room into his arms. "What are you doing here? Are you okay? You should be resting!" I hugged him tightly, running my hands gently over him to check for any lingering injuries. Samuel let out a small laugh and cupped my cheek. "You asked me this morning. I told you—I'm fine. Don't worry." "What, I can't worry about you now?" I pouted and turned my face away playfully. "Am I annoying you already?" He pulled me close again and pressed a kiss to my lips. "How could I complain about it? I'm hoping you'll annoy me for the rest of my life." I tapped his chest, pretending to push him away, and messed with him. "So you are saying I'm annoying." Samuel looked a little stunned, trying to respond, when our manager cleared his throat dramatically from the side. "You two lovebirds have been together nearly three months now. Could you maybe tone it down a little—in public?" Samuel didn't miss a beat. He brushed my cheek with his fingers, then turned to the manager. "Naomi doesn't have anything scheduled this afternoon, right?" The manager paused, then raised an eyebrow. "Why? You taking her on a date?" "Something like that." Samuel smiled, then grabbed my hand. "I'm borrowing her for a bit." I followed him out the door, glancing up curiously. "Where are we going?" He hesitated for a beat, then said, "To meet my parents." "What?!" I froze on the spot, my whole body stiffening as the words hit me. I stared at Samuel in disbelief, half-convinced I'd just misheard him. "Wait, who exactly are we going to see?" I asked again, my voice unsteady. My heart was already pounding like crazy. "The Alpha and Luna of the Meteor Pack," Samuel replied with a calm smile. "My parents." I just stood there, completely blank. Then, as if something finally clicked, I spun toward him. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner? I—I don't even know what to do!" Sure, I'dmet his mother once before, butlet'sjust say I didn'texactlyleave a goodimpression.I neverimaginedthatafterjustthreemonthsofdating, I'dalreadybemeeting his parents.