Chapter 6

ASTRID'S POV

I didn't look back, I didn't want to. My feet pounded against the stone floor, my boots scraping against it when I suddenly halted at the door to my room.

My fingers trembled as I pulled out the key to my room while I tried to fix it in but I felt fumbling it and tears stung my eyes at the realization that I couldn't even do this.

I heard it before I turned aroundㅡ the sound of someone walking to me briskly and the scent of musk reached me before I heard his voice.

“You okay, Princess?” A husky voice asked, his presence weighing heavily on me.

With a defiant look, I turned around to see Lucas standing there, the sight of those unblinking eyes making my stomach coil in… what was it?

“I'm fine” I brushed his concern aside. “I just decided to come back to my room and get some rest” I muttered, turning back around to try to open my door with slightly trembling fingers.

He was silent for a moment but I could feel him thereㅡ a solid rock behind me, unmoving, silent but there.

“Let's talk for a moment” he suggested but I ignored him when he suddenly reached out and grabbed my hand in his, the action forcing me to look up at him in shock.

His second hand was placed on the straps of his shirt, the action effortlessly hot no matter how much I tried to deny it while his calloused hands gruffly held mine. “I'm certain you can hear me, Princess. Let's talk” He repeated, his tone stronger this time… demanding. He was in a high position and he knew how to act the part.

With a weak nod, I stepped aside and he took the key from my hand before opening the door in a second and pushing it open. “Go on in” he nodded, letting go of my hand and for a moment, I felt bad that he had let go but I quickly brushed it off and walked into my room, my gaze sweeping against the comfy space.

He walked in after me, his hands now tucked in his pockets while he looked around. “Nice place”

I sat at the edge of my bed, feeling the mattress dip under my weight and I ran a hand through my hair. “Better than anything I've ever had” The joke fell flat and he raised a brow, probably wondering if he was supposed to react in some other way.

“You didn't have to come here” I broke the uncomfortable silence.

“You're right” he replied bluntly and for a moment, I wondered how he was here to comfort me with that attitude but at least I was no longer crying.

“Then why are you here?”

“Because you're part of the Lycan society right now and you're bringing shame to us” He muttered, leaning back against the wall.

A part of me shattered when he confirmed my worst fearsㅡ rejected by my pack and now? I had been rejected by the Lycan society.

What next?

My smile faltered but I tried to keep it. “So you're saying that you regret making me your guide?”

Silence. Suffocating silence that pressed down heavily on me.

“I didn't say that” He said after a short while, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made my cheeks heat up.

“Then what are you saying?” I retorted, unsure of where this conversation was going.

Maybe I was pushing past my limits with the tone I used with him but he clearly didn't seem to give a fuck about it, instead, he shrugged. “It means there'll be a change”

His words made no sense to me and I leaned back against the headboard of the bed, revelling in the scraping sound of the bed on the stone floor.

“What's your point? I'm not meant to be an advisor” I rolled my eyes, refusing to acknowledge the voice which told me I wouldn't succeed because I was cursed which was why no one wanted to have anything to do with me.

He clicked his fingers. “Exactly. You're catching on fast”

My brows furrowed and I sat up properly on the bed. “Is that a compliment or an insult?” I raised a brow.

Lucas hesitated, his eyes expressionless but my best guess was that he was thinking of what to say to that. “Probably the latter”

A bark of laughter escaped me despite myself and I found myself grinning at the confused look on his face. “What? Did I say something?” He looked almost confused.

I shook my head, a smile still lingering. “That's not how to make someone feel better” I pointed out and his eyes darkened.

Something in me snapped at the sight of him pushing himself off the wall, his gaze trained on me as he folded his arms across his broad chest. “I'm not looking to make you feel better”

“Huh? Then why are you here?”

“I want to make you better not ‘feel better’, okay?” He clarified and my lips parted.

Make me better?

The idea didn't sit well with me at all and I shook my head. “You're not gonna teach me how to be an advisor, okay? I don't have anything I'm good at… maybe cleaning…? I used to be a maid” I suggested but the glare he gave me cut me off.

“You are not doing that, Astrid. Don't worry about today, I'll cover for you. Just get some rest and tomorrow… we start” He started off towards the door but I quickly stopped him.

“Tomorrow? What the hell is happening tomorrow?” I asked, standing up from the bed, my eyes searching his for an answer but all I found were dark expressionless orbs that gave nothing away.

They had that in common. Hell, it seemed to be a trait ㅡ the stoic face.

He grabbed both straps of his shirt, his blade catching the soft light filtering from the curtains. “Tomorrow, we find out what you're good at, Princess”