After I Torched Alive, My Alpha Went crazy novel Chapter 186

Carlos' expression softened, and he stepped closer, his hand brushing against mine. "You don't need to worry about that. I knew the risks, Grace. I'd do it all again if it meant keeping you and Cyrus safe."

His words made my heart ache in a way I couldn't quite explain. He was so calm, so resolute, and it made me feel both grateful and guilty.

"But why?" I asked quietly. "Why would you risk so much for us?" Carlos smiled, his gaze unwavering. "Because you're worth it. Both of you. And I don't regret a single thing."

I looked away, unable to hold his gaze for too long. His sincerity was overwhelming, and I wasn't sure how to respond.

For a while, we walked in silence, the sounds of the night filling the gaps in our conversation. It was peaceful, almost surreal, to have this moment amidst all the chaos. But there was still something nagging at me, a question I couldn't ignore.

"Carlos," I began hesitantly, "why is Estelle… like that? Why does she hate me so much?"

He sighed, his expression darkening slightly. "Jealousy," he said simply. "Jealousy can twist people, Grace. Estelle has always been jealous. She was born without a wolf, and it made her feel inferior. She's envied everyone who had something she didn't."

I frowned, my mind replaying all the times Estelle had tried to undermine me. "But that's not my fault," I said softly.

"It's not," Carlos agreed. "But jealousy doesn't follow logic. It feeds on insecurities and turns them into bitterness."

His words made sense, but they didn't make Estelle's actions any easier to forgive. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "What should I do?"

Carlos' gaze turned serious. "Stay away from her, Grace. Don't engage with her, no matter what she says or does. People like Estelle thrive on conflict. Don't give her the satisfaction."

I nodded, though the thought of avoiding her completely seemed easier said than done. "I'll try."

"Good," he said, his tone softening again. "You've been through enough. You don't need her making things harder."

I glanced at him, his words sinking in. For all his teasing and lighthearted comments, Carlos always knew how to ground me when I needed it most.

As we stood there in the garden, the moonlight casting shadows around us, I realized how much I valued his presence.

Carlos stopped suddenly, his hand brushing against mine, sending a warmth through me that had nothing to do with the night air. Slowly, he turned to face me, his eyes darker, deeper, filled with an intensity that made my heart stutter.

Carlos looked at me with a mix of intensity and vulnerability that left me rooted in place. He seemed to want to say something, but before he could, I broke the silence.

"Carlos," I started, hesitating. "About Estelle… You think she'll try to escalate things?" For a moment, he looked past me, as if weighing his response.

"She thrives on control, Grace. When people like her feel it slipping, they grasp at whatever they can to maintain it. So yes, I think she'll try something."

I swallowed hard. The memory of her subtle manipulations played in my mind, her too-sweet smiles, her carefully chosen words laced with hidden barbs.

I saw through it all now, the insidiousness of her nature. I nodded in agreement, "You're right," I said quietly. "She's not as harmless as she pretends to be."

Carlos nodded, stepping closer, his hand brushing against mine. This time, the touch remained just a fraction longer. "Good," he murmured. "Because I don't want to see you hurt."