Looking at Darren's blond hair, William came to mind.
A smile spread across my face without me realizing it.
"There's no need to prepare a special place for my pet," I said lightly.
"It looks quite frightening. I want to keep it in the basement."
The smile on my face and the word basement clearly made Darren uncomfortable.
He tried to sound casual.
"The basement isn't suitable for keeping animals. There are rats and filth down there."
I blinked, wearing the most innocent expression I could manage.
"Oh? So you know the basement is 'bad,' yet you allowed a young girl to be locked there?"
"Not for one day, but for an entire month."
He coughed reflexively, clearly uneasy.
Beside me, Richard's true alpha aura leaked out.
Darren's face instantly flushed red, like someone being choked.
I nudged Richard with my elbow. He took a breath and restrained himself. Darren could finally breathe again.
