Single Mother of a Werewolf Baby-Chapter 161: A Marriage Proposal

Laila fell silent for a long moment, her eyes moving back and forth between her boss and the enormous black wolf in the room. In a single instant, her entire worldview had been shattered. The creatures she once believed only existed in fantasy novels had revealed themselves... and she had fallen in love with one.

She could hardly believe it.

The boss she deeply respected... whom she admired as an extraordinary human... was not even human at all. And now she realized that she had been surrounded by werewolves the entire time she had been living in the Kingdom. If someone had told her just a few hours ago that werewolves were real... and that she was about to marry one... she would have laughed.

But now, staring directly at that reality, there was no laughter. No joy. Only a gnawing dread settling deep in her stomach. A sharp, twisting tension that made her feel like the ground had disappeared beneath her feet.

Suddenly, long-buried memories surged up from within: Her father’s photograph hanging on the wall of their tiny home... Her mother cooking breakfast before work, getting ready to leave for the factory... The horrifying sight of her mother’s lifeless body... A young boy’s corpse, his organs missing... And so many others, just like him. So much grief. So much loss.

A life stripped of warmth, replaced by cold self-loathing and endless loneliness.

Her entire life flashed before her eyes, leaving her hollow inside. A shell. She had no one left in the world.

And now... the only person who wanted her... the only person who had dared to love her... was looking at her with glowing eyes full of pity, not pride. A majestic creature seemingly trembling with fear of losing her.

She turned her eyes to Eleanor, who sat with a calm, unreadable expression. As though none of this had anything to do with her.

Laila stood abruptly and walked toward the wolf... well, toward Raphael. His eyes fluttered shut, as if bracing himself for rejection. But instead, she gently reached out and touched his head, like a woman stroking her beloved pet.

Raphael flinched. He expected rejection... perhaps even hatred. But what he felt instead... was acceptance.

Her hand was warm. Steady. And filled with something he hadn’t dared to hope for: love and affection.

Laila looked at Eleanor and, with newfound steadiness in her voice, asked, "Boss, what do I need to do to marry Raphael?"

Eleanor gave her a rare, approving smile. "Not much," she said calmly. "Raphael, if you’re done enjoying yourself, turn back to human form and take a seat."

Without hesitation, Raphael shifted back into his human form and took the chair in front of Eleanor, his face flushed with embarrassment. Laila sat beside him, blushing as well, unable to stop thinking about how she had just caressed him in his wolf form.

Eleanor folded her arms on the desk and said, "I believe Raphael might have had a plan for this conversation. So... what’s next?"

Raphael lowered his head. "Sorry, Ma’am. I honestly thought I’d be rejected, so I didn’t plan beyond this."

Laila shot him a sharp glare, clearly unimpressed.

Eleanor sighed. "You two have two immediate responsibilities. First, Raphael must turn Laila. Second, you need to inform your clan about the marriage. You’ll need Grandpa Dominic’s help with both. Do you want me to contact him?"

Raphael nodded. "Yes, please."

Without another word, Eleanor picked up her mobile and dialled.

"Grandpa Dominic, how is your health?" she asked.

A deep, amused voice responded on the other end. "I’m fine. But you promised to visit and never came."

"I know," she said with a chuckle. "I’ve been buried in work. I’ll visit soon."

"Alright," he said, then added, "Now, tell me why you called."

Eleanor didn’t hesitate. "Grandpa, Raphael and my protocol officer Laila have decided to marry. They’re sitting in front of me now. The girl is human, and she needs to be turned before the marriage. I’m seeking your guidance."

Before he could reply, she added, "Raphael didn’t tell her about his race. I did, just a few minutes ago. So, whatever you decide, I’ll follow."

There was silence on the other end. Eleanor waited patiently.

Finally, Dominic spoke with a sigh. "They’ve already made their decision. All I can do is arrange. For now, keep the girl within your estate. Raphael should inform his parents and siblings himself. I’ll begin the preparations for the ritual. Sebastian will come to collect the girl for the turning ceremony. It may take two or three days. Can you look after her until then?"

"Of course," Eleanor replied. "I’ll take care of it."

"Good. I’ll contact you soon." With that, the call ended.

Eleanor looked at the pair. "Raphael, go inform your parents and siblings about the engagement. Laila, for the next three days, do not leave the villa complex. Tell Teresa it’s my order."

Raphael asked, "What did the Clan Head say about Laila’s turning?"

"He agreed to the marriage," Eleanor replied. "He’s preparing the ritual and will summon you when it’s ready."

She then turned to Laila. "In this villa, werewolves and humans live together. Most humans have no idea about the supernatural world. Don’t speak of it to anyone. Teresa, Maya, and Lily... your housemates are human. Only Anastasiya is a vampire, and Cassandra is Raphael’s relative. Even so, it’s better to stay quiet."

Laila nodded. "Don’t worry. I won’t say a word."

"Good. You may go," Eleanor said as she felt there was no need to keep them here.

Raphael and Laila left the study together.

Eleanor leaned back in her chair, her eyes lingering on the closed door.

"That developed quickly," she thought to herself. "I never expected them to come this far, this fast."

Her thoughts drifted inevitably to Ethan. To her own complicated, scarred heart. She knew that she still hadn’t fully recovered from the darkest Chapter of her past.

Although she had buried every trace of that event, and aside from those closest to her, no one knew she was the one involved in the kidnapping and rape case, the trauma still clung to her like a shadow she couldn’t shake.

The Whitmores... and others tied to them... had to be silenced. Her mother’s company needed to be reclaimed. They had lived long enough, reaping the rewards of stolen time. Given the chance, they might strike when her guard was down.

She leaned back in her chair, gaze steady. With business affairs momentarily quiet, now was the perfect time to eliminate the Whitmores.

Rising to her feet, she made her way to Freya’s room, where father and daughter were laughing over a game. A rare smile played on his lips. That fleeting expression lit her features in a way that made her beauty seem almost otherworldly.

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m