Chapter 90: Chapter 90

Jonea woke up and sat up straight while holding her head, which felt so heavy. She still wasn't fully awake. The girl was surrounded by pillows that were so soft, sheets that smelled so good, and blankets that felt warm.

"Good morning," said Elmar with a big smile and a cheerful look.

Elmar sat by the bed. He kept watching Jonea while suppressing a giggle.

"Why?" grunted Jonea.

Elmar reached out and rubbed the top of the girl's head. "Lion's hair makes you look prettier!"

Jonea immediately pushed Elmar's hand away from her head.

"Why is Elmar here?" Jonea thought she was dreaming. "Why did Elmar appear in my dream?"

"Ah, you've never dreamed of me, have you?" Elmar teased in a spoiled voice. "But, I'd be happier if I could be a part of the reality of your life."

Elmar pushed Jonea back onto the pile of pillows.

"Wh–"

"Ssst... calm down," whispered Elmar. "It's just a dream!"

The young man was on top of Jonea's stretched body. Jonea's hands were held by Elmar beside her head.

"But, you look so real?" Jonea started to doubt herself.

Outside came the sound of shouting and commotion. Jonea finally got herself under control and returned to paying attention to the room she was in.

"Wait, where am I?"

"In my room, of course," Elmar replied, still on Jonea's body, bringing his lips close to the girl's cheek.

"Impossible! I, am I not dreaming? But why does it feel so real? Your breath and…."

Jonea's gaze stopped at a nearly two-meter portrait hanging on one of the walls. It was a portrait of Elmar, who was shirtless in a tempting pose. The actor looks so handsome and perfect, both in photos and reality.

Jonea's gaze was misty. She had been in a daze since waking up.

"Why do you keep looking at my picture if the real one is right before you, Jonea?" Elmar touched Jonea's cheek line with the back of his finger.

It was then, Jonea began to notice something odd. She could feel Elmar's heartbeat in her own chest. Jonea lifted her knee and kicked Elmar's crotch above her body.

"Ow! Jonea, what are you doing?" shouted Elmar.

She rolled onto her side holding her crotch with both hands.

"It really hurts, huh? So I'm not dreaming? Jonea sat up straight. She grinned in satisfaction as she saw Elmar in pain. "Want to trick me?"

"You're not dreaming, miss! You were in my room, and all night, I spoiled you!" grunted Elmar.

"What?" Jonea screamed and crossed her arms over her chest. She moved away from Elmar and then paid attention to her body, which was still complete with clothes.

The commotion grew louder and closer to the room.

"What were those sounds?" Jonea was confused.

Elmar rolled his eyes and groaned. "Didn't I ask them to eliminate any disturbances that might arise? Why do they still let those intruders come?"

Brask! The bedroom door swung open violently.

"You think of us as intruders?" Aland and Edison stood there with angry faces.

"And you hid Jonea in your house?" Hunter appeared and stood behind Ed and Aland.

Elmar immediately got up even though his groin still hurt. He approached his three companions with a grin.

Elmar spread his arms, trying to hug the three of them. However, no one was willing to welcome Elmar's embrace.

The three of them passed Elmar just like that and rushed to meet Jonea, sitting on the bed.

"You are okay?" asked Aland, who chose to sit on Jonea's right side and held the girl's hand.

"Did Elmar hurt you?" inquired Ed, who chose to sit on Jonea's left side and kissed the back of the girl's hand.

Hunter jumped on the bed and sat right in front of Jonea. Jonea stared at Hunter, who she hadn't seen for some time.

"I'm sorry, Jonea. That night I put you in danger. I even failed to save you. I became the stupidest man for letting myself pass out after being attacked by someone."

Hunter missed Jonea so much. He reached out to caress the girl's face.

Slap!

Elmar smacked Hunter's hand. "Keep your hands off, Jonea!"

The confused Jonea could only stare blankly at Hunter. The girl tried to recall what had happened the last time before being taken to the old barn.

"I was worried that something bad happened to you. Thank goodness you're okay."

Hunter and the other three B4s were shocked by Jonea's confession. The girl should be angry to even hit Hunter. However, she instead smiled and was happy to see Hunter unharmed.

Aland couldn't see the sight. He knew how much Jonea had suffered because she had to fight for her life when Hunter who was supposed to save her disappeared somewhere.

Jonea looked up and held back the tears. She withdrew her hands and covered her body. The girl shivered.

"Please leave me!"

Edison and Hunter rose first. Only Aland is still alive. Elmar tried to pull the young man out.

"No, I can't leave Jonea anymore, no matter what!" said Aland stubbornly.

"Of course, you have to guard and supervise her for 24/7," interrupted Elmar. "Right now, she is safe here. She needs some time to herself!"

They also agreed to leave Jonea alone for a while.

***

"We're only going to frighten her more. Right now, she is confused and doesn't know who to believe and who to suspect."

Elmar sat in the den by the fire. Hunter and Ed sat on the leather couch. Aland was standing in front of the window.

Suzane came with tea and cookies. "I've gotten rid of the maids."

"Thanks for the tea, Suzane." Ed got up and kissed the women on the cheek.

Hunter stood up and greeted her. "Do you still hate me because of this face?"

"Oh, that's just the past. It is not your fault if you have a face like your mother."

Suzane stared at Aland's back, crouching by the window.

"Okay, enjoy your time. I'll check on the girl."

After Suzane left, Ed started asking questions. "Your mother looks fitter now. She's changed a lot."

"Yeah, that really surprised me. She hasn't touched alcohol at all since…."

"Since what?"

Elmar smiled to himself. The mother changed and was determined to get well after meeting Jonea at the hospital.

"One thing I do know is my mom lives up to her word not to touch alcohol. And for me, that is enough, whatever the motive."

Punch!

Aland hit the wall. At that time, the three best friends were silently in their seats.

"What is it?" asked Elmar patiently.

"Don't you guys owe me an explanation?" shouted Aland. "What have you been hiding from me? What are we hiding from each other? Too many strange things have happened to us lately. It's about time we open up to each other and tell the truth, right?"

"I also came with one purpose. I need acknowledgment and clarification from you, especially about the news of Ashley's death which really bothers me," said Ed.

"And you, Elmar. I have so much faith in you!" exclaimed Aland. "But, you lied to me and secretly hid Jonea here?"

"What about you, Aland?" replied Elmar. "That night in the forest, you brought Jonea from the hunters. But why did you leave her in the hospital alone with Marlyn? She almost died in the hospital."

s"I can explain. The condition is–" Aland's words didn't finish.

"Shouldn't we need an explanation and clarification from someone who holds the key to this whole matter?" cut Edison, glaring at Hunter.

Aland and Elmar pushed aside their egos. They also agreed with what was conveyed by Ed. Finally, the three of them's gazes only fell on the Hunter. The young man had been silent and seemed to be hiding something.

"Tell us the truth!" he insisted.

"Is this all the work of Pack Abraham?" inquired Ed.

"You don't need to protect something wrong!" added Elmar.

Hunter could only wipe his tired face. Both elbows are resting on the knees.

"I don't know what happened myself. I woke up in a hospital bed with my hands and feet handcuffed to the metal bed. You know, I'm like a patient. And while in the hospital, I was watched and closely guarded by the betas from Pack Abraham. They didn't even listen to my orders. Even though I am the Alpha. They listen to my mother more."

"So your mother is involved in all this? Were the hunters in the forest that night people sent by your mother?"