Rocky knew that most ordinary people couldn't accept their alternate identity—werewolves. So, unless absolutely necessary, members of the werewolf clan never lightly revealed their true nature.
Because he had seriously considered their future together, he had to be honest with her. This secret could be kept from everyone under the sun, but not from the partner he intended to spend his life with.
Kelly's mind was in chaos, aside from fear and terror, there was nothing else. Her only thought was to escape, to flee as far as possible—and her body faithfully obeyed.
Rocky moved swiftly, catching up to her panicked figure and blocking her path.
"Ah—!" she finally screamed, "Wh-what are you going to do? Stay away from me!"
He halted. "Promise me you won't speak of this to anyone else?" It was for her own safety.
She bit her lip and nodded, her fear-filled eyes locked unblinkingly on Rocky, as if afraid he might transform into a massive, savage beast in the next second. Cold sweat dripped down her forehead.
He stepped aside. "You may go."
Perhaps she needed time to process this information, to accept his true identity, he tried to reassure himself.
Seizing the opportunity, Kelly immediately turned and fled, not looking back as if pursued by demons.
Rocky could only stand there, watching blankly as her figure disappeared into the distance, deep sorrow welling up in his emerald green eyes.
From that moment on, Kelly vanished from his life...
"Rocky? Rocky?"
Susan's voice pulled him from the depths of memory. His scattered focus gradually sharpened, meeting her scrutinizing gaze.
"What were you thinking about so intently?"
"Just reminiscing about the past," Rocky brushed it off lightly.
"Do you still love her?" This was something she had to clarify. Otherwise, carelessly matchmaking him with other well-bred young ladies would only make things more complicated.
He offered a faint smile. It had been over a decade—any love or hatred had long since faded. His heart was now calm, untouched by storms or sunshine. "We've had no contact at all in over ten years. Even if we met again, we'd be strangers."
That was his genuine feeling.
"Do you hate her?" Susan rephrased her question.
"No, I have no reason to hate her." He didn't deny the pain he'd felt after the breakup, but he had never hated her. There was even less reason to do so now, years later.
She simply couldn't accept his identity as a werewolf.
"Truly, no love and no hatred?" Susan pressed once more.
"Mhm." He nodded slightly, answering frankly.
"Alright then." Susan pursed her lips, rummaged through her belongings, and pulled out a pen and a small notepad. "Now, tell me specifically what kind of girl you're attracted to."
Rocky pondered.
Kent, who had been listening nearby, perked up his ears, ready to carefully note his response—this would help determine whether Rocky was still unconsciously hung up on his former lover, Kelly.
After a long wait with no answer from Rocky, Susan decided to ask directly: "Do you prefer long hair or short hair?"
"That doesn't matter."
"What kind of eyes?" She quickly jotted down notes as she asked.
"Large eyes." Rocky cooperated fully.
"What about the mouth?" She glanced up at him. "Full, sensual lips or a small, delicate mouth?"
"A small mouth. The figure doesn't need to be too fiery—preferably over five foot six." He voluntarily listed the criteria to save Susan from asking one by one.
Though he somewhat doubted what kind of woman would emerge from combining all these traits.
Kent mentally compared Rocky's listed preferences with his memory of Kelly, confirming that the description didn't match her. It seemed Rocky had moved on from that failed relationship, making new romance and future happiness possible.
"That's all?" Susan glanced at the notes in her pad, double-checking.
"That's all." He couldn't think of anything else for now. "May I go upstairs and rest now?" After the long flight, all he wanted was to retreat to his room and recharge.
Go upstairs and rest… Ah! He'd almost forgotten his original plan. "Yeah, Susan, Rocky must be exhausted after such a long flight. Once he's rested, you can ask whatever you want. It's not like he's going anywhere."
Ignoring his remarks, Rocky grabbed his bag and headed upstairs to his private floor.
Two young maids were cleaning.
"Master Rocky."
He nodded slightly in acknowledgment and strode straight into his bedroom. Dropping his bag on the floor, he immediately took off his suit jacket and loosened his tie before collapsing onto the bed—only to land on something soft and furry.
He sprang up instantly.
"What in the world?" Muttering to himself, he threw back the thin blanket and found a large, fluffy white dog lying on his bed.
It was Sherry.
He ran a hand through his hair. "Why are you on my bed?" His gaze fixed intently on Sherry.
Sherry stared passionately at his handsome face and let out a few shy barks: I want to bear your children.
"What?!" Rocky stumbled back two or three steps. "Bear my children?" Wasn't she originally interested in Kent? Why had she suddenly shifted her focus? What on earth had happened while he was away in the U.S. handling business? "You're into Kent, aren't you?"
Sherry barked several more times: That's true, but Kent said he's already taken. He and I could never happen. He told me to give up early—he wouldn't betray Jennifer. He also mentioned that you're the only single one left in the Smith family…
"So now you're here to… offer yourself?" Rocky's tone was deceptively gentle.
No wonder he'd felt Kent was unusually kind today—he'd set him up like this.
That damn bastard! He cursed inwardly before turning wordlessly and storming downstairs to confront Kent.
"Kent Smith!" Rocky roared, his emerald eyes blazing with fury.
Putting on an innocent smile, Kent asked, "Weren't you tired and heading up to rest? Why are you back down already?"
Rocky grimly grabbed him by the collar. "Thanks entirely to you. You'd better fix this, or else…"
"Fix what?" Kent continued playing dumb.
"The Sherry situation." Rocky gritted his teeth. "Don't pretend you don't know. Sherry told me everything—you persuaded her to switch targets and even encouraged her to offer herself to me. Am I right?"
Any trace of sleepiness had completely vanished now!
The mere thought of Rocky's shocked expression upon hearing Sherry's proposal made Kent unable to suppress a wide grin. "Well, it only worked because Sherry already had a crush on you, right? Besides, sending her to you was for your own good—I was worried that prolonged celibacy might harm your health."
Rocky offered a cold, humorless smile. "In that case, I suppose I should thank you for your concern."
Kent waved a hand. "No need for formalities between brothers. It's only right that I care about your well-being—after all, we're family." His words sounded righteous, but they completely contradicted his actions.
Rocky suddenly released him and spoke casually, "Maybe I should compile a detailed list of your ex-girlfriends and give it to Jennifer. She ought to be prepared for your flirtatious tendencies."
At this, Kent's heartbeat skipped erratically. He hurriedly plastered on an ingratiating smile. "Dear cousin, for the sake of our brotherhood, please don't sabotage me!"
If Jennifer found out about his past romantic exploits, her trust in him would undoubtedly plummet—something he desperately wanted to avoid.
Rocky leisurely smirked at Kent. "That depends entirely on your performance."
Rocky was undoubtedly referring to the Sherry situation…
Kent sighed dramatically several times, his expression full of grievance. "Alright, alright. I'll take responsibility and resolve that matter."
"What matter?" Rocky asked knowingly.
Kent resignedly replied, "The Sherry situation."
"Excellent. It seems we've reached an understanding." Rocky smiled with satisfaction. "Now go upstairs and handle it immediately."
"As you wish." He had no right to refuse.
Damn you, Rocky!