CHAPTER FIVE

RILEY

“Come in.” I hear the voice behind the door say.

Jude’s voice.

I have been avoiding this all night and morning. I have been avoiding going to Jude’s room as what Stefani said keeps playing in my mind.

We had gotten back from the Hunt hours ago and Jude dismissed the pack, while they still in their wolf form.

I guess he didn’t want to see a bunch of naked people.

While Jude retired to his room, I asked for the kitchen to go prepare just the grass cutter I had caught, as the antelope Jude caught was used as prize to a man that caught the largest number of animals. In there, I stayed for more hours.

This was me stalling, as there was a maid who had collected the animal and offered to prepare the meat herself in the exact way Jude would like it. But I still sat there, with the excuse that I want to learn how Jude likes his meal done. I was able to learn that the help’s name is Theresa.

After everything, taking the meal to his room, I had to take multiple deep breaths before knocking on the hard wood of his door.

On hearing his invitation, my heart skips. I had hoped he was asleep, that would be more reason to find somewhere to sleep. Probably the kitchen.

I fidget with the hem of the short dress Theresa had offered me as her wolf signaled mine to follow her. It is a short pleated white night wear. It barely gets to my knees and hides almost nothing.

I twist the knob and step into the room.

There he stands shirtless, his back facing the entrance, eyes fixed on a date scroll hanging on the wall.

My eyes, without my consent, stay transfixed on the muscles of his back. He has a smooth skin that glow from the light coming from the large lamps that stand at every corner of the room. His strong build is breathtaking, but him shirtless, makes my mouth go dry.

“What do you want?” his deep voice hits the wall and bounces into my ears, sending me out of the space I am in.

“Huh? I…I brought food. For you.”

Me and my stutter.

I watch as his back stiffens, then very slowly, he turns.

His eyes go wide in surprise. But, with the speed of lightening, that expression dies.

Was he taught to never show emotions?

“It’s you. I thought it wa…. Never mind. You came for..?”

I have already said that.

“I br…brought your food.” I stare at the plate I am holding, avoiding those blues.

“My food?”

“Yes. I caught a grass cutter and Theresa helped in preparing it for you. I assisted.” Is that pride I hear in my own voice?

Whoa.

“Grass cutter? You caught a grass cutter?”

I look at his face to read his reaction. He has his brow pinched together…

In disgust?

“Y...yes.”

“Is that not like a higher breed of rats? I don’t eat grass cutters.” His eyes, attitude and voice screams disgust.

Did Theresa not know?

“You- you don’t?”

“Who does?” he shrugs. “Wait. You do?”

I stare back, utterly speechless.

“You eat grass cutters with that mouth?” he points.

My hand immediately flies to my lips.

I don’t see anything wrong with grass cutters, or eating them.

“So now what? I’m supposed to kiss that mouth you use in eating rats?” A chuckle accompanies this. A laugh that don’t get to his eyes, as those still hold disgust in them.

Well, maybe I hit my head somewhere and didn’t realize it, but my brain refuses to register the insult in his words. Instead, I find myself blushing at the thought of him kissing me.

“You are…you are smiling?”

I didn’t realize that.

I straighten my face and avoid looking at him.

“It was seasoned well, you will enjoy it.” I persuade.

“You, what is your name again?”

Hmm.

“Riley.”

“Yeah, Riley. First, no quantity of seasoning can change that it’s a rat. And I’m not just talking about the animal now. But, well…. Second, what are you wearing?”

I become conscious of the dress I’m in.

If a frown could deepen, his does as he looks me up to down.

“Um, Theresa gave this to me. My dress got...”

“That hideous thing.” He says under his breath.

“…shredded during the shift, and I had nothing to wear. You don’t like it?” I look into his eyes, curiously.

“It’s a pretty thing that screams its intentions.” He folds his eyes, and my eyes instinctively zone in on his huge chest.

My cheek gets hot as I catch his eyes roaming all over me.

Yeah, I am skinny, but I’m pretty. I had let my long wavy black hair fall all the way to my back side, and I was barefoot.

“You are pretty.”

Pa, I got myself an honest man.

I go scarlet. “Thank you.”

He instantly turns away, his back to me, as he resumes looking at the calendar on the wall.

“Take your rat and go find somewhere else to sleep tonight. I need the room to myself for now.”

What?

Had he intentionally turned to avoid the arrows I am now shooting at him with my eyes? Smart move.

I stand, glaring at his back.

“O…okay.” I stutter, turning towards the door. Then I whisper, “Goodnight.”

Because, yeah, I still love him.

This tall handsome blue eyed Alpha is all mine. So why not?

I shut the door behind me with a sigh. I am not aware of any other rooms in this house. Even if I am, I wasn’t granted permission to it.

So my only option?

Where I slept in Stefani’s house. Where I feel most comfortable in.

The kitchen.