Meanwhile, Lilian prepared carefully. She carried her safe box, containing her parents' house documents, insurance papers, credentials, her late mother's wedding rings, and the jewelry Avery hadn't sold. She packed them into a duffel bag with money.
She did not switch on the light. She knew Perry would come after her. Using a lighter, she gathered her belongings, restoring the room to look untouched. She glanced back at the room she had lived in for twenty years, reluctant yet resolute.
Movement outside caught her attention. Avery's voice rang out. "Lilian isn't home yet? Why didn't she turn on the light?"
Fred Colton's voice followed. "Could she have left?"
Lilian's heart raced. She knew she couldn't use the door. Slowly, she opened the window. Thank goodness it wasn't noisy. She climbed out quietly.
Avery's confident voice carried inside. "There's no way Lilian won't return home. She has nowhere to go. Besides, she can't leave the country without her ID card and her mother's safe box. Let me check her room."
Lilian heard Avery's footsteps approaching. Quickly, she slid down the balcony, closing the window just as Avery entered the room.
Lilian exhaled in relief, grateful she had chosen a ground‑floor room. If she'd been upstairs, jumping down unnoticed would have been impossible. From the dark corner outside, she watched Avery enter her room.
"I said it," Avery declared smugly. "She'll surely come. Let's wait here—she's still on her way."
Lilian sneered silently, though her heart hammered in her chest. She had left Perry's villa at half past seven, traveled nearly three hours, and it wasn't even midnight before they had discovered her disappearance. "How long can I outrun Perry?" She thought.
Her strength faltered as she turned to leave—only to freeze.
---
A tall shadow loomed behind her. Terror nearly made her collapse.
The figure moved swiftly, covering her mouth with one hand, pressing a finger to his lips with the other. His eyes told her to stay silent.
This wasn't one of Perry's men. His presence was different—calm, protective. Lilian didn't question it. At this moment, any help was better than none. She let him take her hand. He grabbed her duffel bag and pulled her away.
---
Headlights suddenly cut through the night. He pulled her into a corner until the car passed. Lilian's stomach dropped. Perry's Rolls‑Royce Sweptail.
The stranger led her further, nearly a kilometer away, to a Bugatti Divo. He opened the passenger door, helped her inside, placed her bag in the back, and slid into the driver's seat.
Only then did Lilian breathe again. She turned to him, her voice trembling. "Sir, thank you for saving me. I owe you. If there's a way I can repay you, please tell me."
---
The man sneered faintly. "And how do you intend to repay me?"
Lilian bit her lip, fingers twisting nervously. "I can pay you money. Name your price."
He chuckled softly, eyes fixed on the road, saying nothing. Lilian's doubt deepened.
From the corner of his eye, Derek studied her. He and his twin brother Cayden were nearing twenty‑seven, yet neither had found their moon goddess‑gifted mate. Tonight marked the fifth time he had caught the faint scent—jasmine, roses, strawberries—always near this area, always vanishing.
---
Elder Simon and Healer Meredith had told them the goddess expected them to accomplish a task before meeting their mate. No one knew what it was. It would come unexpectedly, and only success would reveal her.
Earlier that day, Derek had come to Avaldos City to inspect their company's new branch. But his wolf, Riggs, grew restless, craving the scent. After finishing work, Derek drove to the place where he had often sensed her.
The scent returned—sweet, fleeting. He traced it, but it disappeared. Instead he found a girl climbing out of a window, pursued by a so-called sister and others.
Off course, he overheard the conversation between the two people coming from the house.
---
But only disappointment struck him. As another man's scent clung to her. When Perry's Rolls‑Royce passed, Derek realized the truth: she had defied a powerful man.
He took a deep breath. Reckless, but brave. He thought.
Turning to her, he said calmly, "Let me take you to a hotel."
Lilian bit her lips hard, eyes pleading, almost in tears. Derek's heart melted.
"Sir," she whispered, "please take me outside this country. I can't escape otherwise. He owns everything here."
---
Derek frowned. "Who is this man? How did you provoke someone so powerful?"
Lilian sobbed. "His father is Morgan Jerome."
Derek's eyes widened. Everyone knew Perry Jerome—the ruthless mafia heir, notorious playboy. He looked at her again. Any woman who resists Perry must have rare dignity.
His perspective shifted. "Where do you want me to take you?"
She blinked, stunned. Derek raised a brow. "Or have you changed your mind?"
She shook her head quickly. "Please… just take me outside Avaldos."
---
Derek sighed. "Outside Avaldos is California. You won't be allowed entry."
"I know you can help me cross the boundary," she insisted.
"You'll still be deported."
"I'm an indigene of the State," she replied firmly.
Derek inhaled deeply. He couldn't explain why he was helping her. Even his wolf, Riggs, wasn't against it.
Riggs chuckled within him. At least I caught her scent. I'm calm. As for helping her, I won't stop you—as long as you don't betray our mate.
Derek smiled faintly. "Alright. I won't."