Chapter 13

Samantha’s Pov

He is so close… I can't think when he is this near to me. My body reacts differently from how I want it to react.

“You're too close,” I whispered, and he just smiled. His hands crept up my dress, and I pulled myself up to sit on the table where the pots had lain.

“Why are you just giving that big smirk without saying anything?”

He stopped moving and focused his eyes on my face. “I fear that I may say something that would ruin the moment, and believe me or not when I say this, I don't want this moment to end.”

“Why?” I asked, and he looked at me, bewildered. In my defense, this is the closest a man has gotten to me since Killain, and I do not trust Luca’s words one bit.

“Don't avoid what's going on,” he whispered.

“I-I don't know what you're talking about.” His hands cupped my cheeks, and with his hands on my blushing face, his skin touching mine, I felt like exploding, and Goddess, I do not mind at all.

“What's happening between us? Don't act like you don't feel it too.”

I smiled, masking my fear with the gesture. “From all you're saying, I might think you actually like me, Alpha, and you see me as more than an enemy. Where is the resentment for me? Is it beneath this charm?”

“Samantha,” he grunted and closed his eyes. I did the same and tried to stabilize my quick breathing. The bond we feel, I feel, is much stronger. It feels like I'm interconnected with him, and I love the way it makes me feel.

The way he makes me feel. There's no denying that I have just lost everything and I'm starting over again, but it is so wrong to agree to my feelings for him and abandon what I had with Killain.

“So, is your little façade about hating me a lie, Alpha?” I whispered and said a silent prayer to the goddess. If Alpha Luca confesses his feelings for me, it'll make things easier. It'll give me a start and help me decide what to do next.

If this isn't just because of the mate bond like any of us claim, it could be easy to move past this tension and this… unmoving chemistry.

“What do you want me to say, Samantha?”

“That this is just your way of trying to charm me to your bed, like the normal person you are. It's so wrong for a lady to be out at this hour of the night in an enclosed space with a gentleman, but of course,” I scoffed, “that wouldn't matter because you declared me your muse. And maybe this is just sexual tension that needs to be let off… You do not have to worry, I won't tell if you let off your steam elsewhere,” I said, patting his chest.

Luca paused, and his light expression turned into something dark after what I had said. He straightened, and the bad-boyish grin that was on his face was replaced with something more like a scowl.

“Now that I think about it, you're not wrong,” he cleared his throat and took two steps back, giving an incredible amount of space between where he stood and where I sat. He looked back at the door and into the night before his eyes found their way back to my face.

“We should get going. I believe the party will be coming to its end, and we need to get back to the castle,” he said.

“Sure,” I replied, not minding his disconnected tone. “You go ahead, and I'll be right behind you.”

He nodded and left me in the greenhouse, baffled and silently cursing myself for doing something so stupid.

—---------------------------------------------------------

Alpha Luca has been avoiding me for days, and on a normal day, this wouldn't be a problem for me, but it’s starting to creep me out. I barely find him around the castle, and when I ask the maids, they say he’s either out on business or pack duties, or he is scouring his own village.

I know he is avoiding me. It’s been two days since that night at the party, and I barely see him in his room—the same room I sleep in. No butt-naked Luca appears to taunt me daily, which is unlike him. But I’ve had enough of his petty avoidance drama and won’t take any more.

I opened the door for the maid to come in with the tray. I had asked a maid to bring me breakfast and used it to my advantage. I’m still getting to know everyone around here, and with time, I think we can become friends. I need to earn their trust so my stay here won’t feel as alien as it does now.

“Where do you want your meal kept, m’lady?”

“Over there,” I pointed to the bed. She nodded and followed my instructions. I watched as she set down the plate and took the little teapot, about to pour the tea into the cup.

“Oh, don’t worry about that, I can do it myself.”

“Okay,” she said, standing up straight with her head down and eyes on her feet. I approached her cautiously and noticed how rigid she was, trying not to look me in the eye.

She wasn’t scared of me, that I know; she just wasn’t comfortable either. Not like I see her with her Alpha. To Luca, his people are comfortable and relaxed around him, even though they show respect at all times. It was just so strange because Blood Rose is different. Yes, there isn’t a monarchical system or royal hierarchy like in Silver Rose, but not everyone is equal.

Whatever Rick said came first, regardless of the lives of so many put in danger. And for women, it was a different story altogether.

“What is your name? You can look at me while we talk. I know you’re not comfortable with me now, but I don’t bite, I promise.”

The girl looked back at me with questioning eyes, and I nodded for confirmation. The relief in her eyes made me feel lighter.

“Mikala,” she whispered.

“Mikala. You have a really beautiful name-no wonder it suits you so perfectly.”

“Are you trying to say that I’m beautiful, m’lady?”

“Yes,” I chuckled, and her cheeks flushed. I wasn’t wrong; with her olive skin and long black hair braided on the side, the girl was absolutely stunning.

“Thank you.”

I nodded. “I’m Samantha.”

“I know who you are—you’re the Alpha’s lady.”

“If that’s one way to put it,” I joked, and she giggled in understanding.

“Thank you for bringing breakfast to me, Mikala. If you’re free, I don’t mind keeping you company.”

“I don’t mind spending time with you, m’lady,” she smiled.

“Sam will do just fine.”

“Sorry… Sam. I need to take my leave now.” She trotted off to the door, about to leave.

“Oh, Mikala, I was hoping you’d have an idea where the Alpha is?”

“Oh, he’s in a meeting with the council in his meeting room.”

“I assume that’s within the castle walls?”

“Yes, it is.”

Perfect. “Thank you so much,” I said before she walked out.

Satisfied with my new discovery, I poured the tea into my cup and slowly sipped it. If Alpha Luca thinks avoiding me is the next best thing, he is gravely mistaken. I smiled, enjoying the thoughts running through my head.

Mindlinking won’t be a problem, especially if we’re both under the same roof. I could think about the dream I had about him the night we came back from the party, how hot he looked in his clothes and how much I wanted to rip them off him.

I carried the tray and placed it on the little cupboard beside the bed before getting on the bed with my legs spread wide open. I smiled, dragging my fingers over my hot body. Thinking about that dream right now makes this even hotter; I had no idea I could actually use this mindlinking thing to my advantage. I closed my eyes and tried to remember the dream—images of Luca’s hands on mine, his silent growl next to my ear as he pushed me against the dining table and spanked me behind.

“You’re a temptress, aren’t you?” he could whisper into my ear while his hands found their way up my dinner dress. Finding out I wasn’t wearing any underwear, or lace beneath would turn him on and make him go feral with me. Just like I desire.