Chapter 4

Elie's POV.

Today?

It had to be a lie. A fraction of my imagination.

“Today! You got to be kidding me?” I leaned my waist closer. “I am not going anywhere father.  I'm sorry, but I'm staying,” I clenched my fist and almost slammed them on his table, but I restrained my emotions from getting the best of me.

I was impressed with my insistence of staying. I thought it would work and change his mind, but in the next few hours, my eyes bulged at the ride that came to pick us up.

My father was serious.

I tried to protest but he had made up his mind already. Soon, I saw myself in the back seat of the car, hands clasped and on my thighs.

I couldn't believe he actually forced me to leave with James. Why did he trust him so much? Why did he trust me so much? If only he knew how my heart fluttered when I saw him, if only he knew my knees wobbled at the sight of him.

The drive lasted more than a few hours. My legs  turned stiff from staying in the same position, and my ass felt like it was on fire. Literal fire.

This was the longest journey I had ever been on. This was the farthest I had ever been away from my pack, away from my father, from everything I had ever known.

I was starting a new life. It felt like it and I had no say or whatsoever. Just before I could give up and ask them to stop, James cleared his throat and turned to me, his voice echoing with an austere tone, but they were gentle to my ears.

“We are there, El… ma'am,” he echoed.

Ma'am? I froze. He never called me ma'am, not even in my father's presence.

What was wrong? Maybe I did something that offended him. I wasn't actually quiet throughout the long ride. I complained almost every minute till I got exhausted.

We stepped down from the car and I looked directly at our new house. It was much smaller than our pack house but it was quiet, beautiful and perfect if we were a band of thugs running away from the authorities.

“We'll make the most of it while we can,” James spoke up as we both stared at the house in intense scrutiny. The door squeaked open, and a blonde maid with a wide smile walked towards us.

She bowed in my direction and curtsied at James. “Good day, I have been waiting all day for you. Thank goodness you are back. Come in,” she gestured at us, helping to carry the few bags she could lift up.

She showed us to our different room which was just next to each other.

How convenient? Either fate had to be working in my favour or it was just pure coincidence.

I was sure James felt something towards me. There was always a restraint to hold himself. I felt his strong need to silence his head… his thoughts… probably his wolf from pushing him to get what he wants.

“This is new terrain, we are not used to it. So it might be hard for us to get used to it,” Leine said as I arranged my personal stuff on my table.

“I still don't get why my father would want to be alone in a war. What if something happens?” I tightened my hands on a pendant my mom gave me before her last breath. Then, I sat on my bed, slouching my shoulders inwards.

“I know he's not the best father… he's not even average when it comes to affection but he is my father,” I whispered.

“Hey, it's okay. Things are gonna be just fine.”

“I hope they are,” I mumbled, picking up my pillow to wrap my hands around it.

A gentle knock echoed through the door. I stood up sluggishly to unlock my door, thinking it was the maid with a few snacks for me. I had barely opened the door fully when James gently let himself in with a smile.

He shut the door behind him, tucking both of his hands in his pocket. My mouth watered fast as I fixed my eyes on his chest. He wore a singlet that was sweaty halfway up and his hands were positioned in a way that looked like he was flexing his muscles.

“Hey, what are… you doing here?” I stuttered. “Get a shirt,”

“Don't you like the view?” He said, his voice husky and causing me to press my thighs together and bite my lips.

“Please, I have seen better,” I lied, struggling to take my eyes off him.

He moved closer until he was inches apart and his shadow casting a veil on my face.

“So… how do you like it?” He asked, smacking his lips.

Fuck…. He looked so damn hot. I didn't know how I managed to stand but my knees trembled. My mind fickled out with all the negative thought and welcomed dirty thought.

Has he been waiting till I was off age? What was he going to do to me?

My underwear became moist, wetter than my tongue.

“I can't like it if I don't have a taste of it yet,” I replied with a seductive look.

His look suddenly changed after my response. “Are you okay?” He asked, pulling a few inches back.

I straightened my posture and took a deep breath. “Yes… yes of course I am. What's wrong?” I questioned back.

“Nothing. I…  you know what, it's no big deal. But I promise you, you'll like it here,” he stated.

Of course, he meant the fucking house. What was I thinking?

Goodness, I had almost embarrassed myself.

“Yeah, I hope I do,” I looked around my room and nodded at him.

“You're going to start college tomorrow, your father has registered you in a college close by, and don't bother asking how he managed to cut corners,”

“It will be fun,” he added.

“You think so?” I asked, crossing my arms with a sad face.

“Trust me, if there is nothing you're going to like, then you would certainly like my girlfriend,”

“Say what!” My jaws fell wide open, hand unfolding in surprise.

What girlfriend? How? Since when? But… but he was my mate… we were fated.

… I thought we were fated.