Chapter Nineteen: Moonlit Tensions

Caspian 

"When are you going to inform her?" Asher inquired upon my return to the house.

I had been away from home all day, occupied with business meetings and resolving familial matters.

I was considerably fatigued upon my return, only inquiring about Kaida's well-being before collapsing onto the nearest couch.

Asher offered me a glass of chilled water, posing his question to me.

"What?" I responded, not immediately comprehending the basis of his inquiry.

"Kaida? When will you reveal the truth to her? She is becoming suspicious." He seated himself on the chair opposite mine. "Indeed, you have been bestowing upon her preferential treatment exceeding the bounds of her job description. She is bound to become inquisitive."

I rubbed my palm across my face, sitting upright. "She will be apprised when the appropriate time arrives. I cannot simply unload the information upon her. She would flee."

"She might not. If you are, in fact, fated, she will be unable to resist the connection."

"Trust me. She currently despises me."

"And she will continue to do so if you persist in doing nothing but lavishing her with financial compensation. The false pretense you are attempting to maintain must be plausible. She cannot continue to reside here under the assumption that she is domestic help, yet be prevented from executing the requisite tasks."

There was an element of truth in Asher's words. I nodded. "Alright. I will consider your counsel... Any news from Kai yet?"

Asher shook his head. "I am becoming concerned about him." He averted his gaze from me, biting his lip.

His hand drummed upon his lap for a moment before he rose from his seat, excusing himself.

My brows furrowed as I observed Asher's actions. I had known my brother for years and could gauge when he was concealing something from me.

"Asher?" I called his name with a guttural tone, causing him to halt in his stride. I looked at him, sitting upright. "Do you have something you are withholding from me?"

He offered a blank expression in response.

I rose from my chair and approached him, standing before him. I placed one hand firmly on Asher's shoulder, staring into his eyes, our faces close.

"What are you concealing from me?" I asked again. "Look into my eyes, Asher, and tell me."

Asher met my gaze, but he remained silent.

My eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Is this related to Kaida?"

His eyes twitched.

My jaw tightened at the inadvertent clue he had provided.

"What is amiss with her?" I straightened immediately, my eyes becoming laser-focused.

"Kaida is well," Asher placated, running his hand through his raven-black hair. "It is likely inconsequential. It is merely a transient response to pheromones. He will overcome it," he murmured.

"What is inconsequential? Who will overcome a transient response to pheromones?"

"Disregard it. It is insignificant. I am merely overanalyzing the situation." Asher shrugged dismissively.

"Cease beating around the bush, Asher. What is transpiring?"

"Adrick confirmed that Kaida is your mate, correct?"

"Affirmative," I replied, my head tilting to the side. Suspicion churned within me, fueled by what Asher might be alluding to.

I had observed the interaction between him and Kaida. In fact, she appeared to derive more enjoyment from his company than from mine.

A low growl escaped my throat. "Are you attracted to Kaida?"

Asher shook his head rapidly, taking a step backward, his hands raised in surrender. "Negative. I am not."

"Then what in the world are you implying?" I bellowed, my veins pulsing. Then it dawned upon me. "Malachi."

Asher nodded. "However, it is likely inconsequential."

"Damn it, if that is inconsequential!" Malachi had not expressed interest in any woman since two decades following his betrayal by his first love at sixteen. That wretched witch had ruined my life and my prospects as a worthy Alpha.

I was unable to safeguard my own people due to his romantic choices. Malachi might possess a propensity for selecting the wrong women to love, but he had better remain distant from Kaida.

It was a prudent decision for him to remain away from her or the house.

If he so much as laid a finger upon her, I would not treat the matter lightly.

"And you?" I directed at Asher.

"I pose no impediment to your romantic interest, Caspian," Asher assured me, although that did nothing to quell the fire of suspicion ignited within me by the knowledge of Kai's interest in Kaida as a woman.

"You had best not be," I warned, storming off in barely controlled fury, my exhaustion completely forgotten.

I paused at Kaida's room to ascertain her well-being, wondering if she had partaken of dinner.

I presumed Asher would have already addressed that matter, given the lateness of the hour upon my return. It was nearing midnight. Kaida would likely be asleep, but the compulsion to see her was potent.

I attempted to enter her room to ascertain her well-being, but access was denied, as she had secured the door from within.

A clearly prudent decision.

She needed to maintain stringent security, particularly with the impending arrival of the full moon in a few days.

She would be secure within her room, provided she adhered to the instructions.

I made a mental note to provide her with further, more explicit instructions, prior to D-Day.

Releasing the doorknob, I proceeded to my own room to freshen up and retire for the night, the threat Malachi posed against Kaida lingering in my thoughts.

I was indifferent to his absence from the house prior to the full moon's night, to his indulgence in his primal instincts wherever they might lead him. Provided he did not inflict harm upon anyone during the vulnerable period to which he was captive.

However, with his affections seemingly directed toward Kaida, my apprehension intensified.

I would be unable to adequately protect Kaida, thus I had to ensure maximum security measures were implemented for her protection beforehand, bracing myself for whatever risks might arise.

Malachi had to return home. It troubled me to acknowledge his attraction to Kaida. In truth, I found it difficult to believe, considering his previous attempt on her life.

However, I was cognizant that he was not in control of himself that morning. He had concealed his affection for Kaida beneath a façade of animosity, and his inner demons had exploited that vulnerability.

Kaida had, ultimately, been designated as a target. There was no doubt that another attack might be launched upon her life if Malachi succumbed to his primal nature.

And I would be unable to safeguard her.

That was my paramount concern.

****

Kaida 

I awoke with a languid stretch, groaning audibly. Meredith and I had conversed late into the night, and as promised, I had provided her with a tour of the ensuite room I had been assigned within the Ragnar residence.

Meredith had effusively praised its aesthetic appeal, jesting that perhaps she should resign from her position and seek employment with them as well.

As the clock ticked toward ten, I surmised that Caspian would not uphold his word.

He had merely deluded me into believing that he would transmit four times the amount of my annual salary today.

I had endured pent-up frustration throughout yesterday, occasionally checking my phone.

Disappointment weighed heavily upon me, like logs of wood upon my shoulders. This was the genesis of my trust issues.

People invariably failed to honor their commitments. They merely fostered false expectations.

I arose from the bed, sliding my legs into my slippers, contemplating my subsequent course of action.

Since he had not fulfilled his portion of the agreement, I possessed no obligation to adhere to mine.

Truthfully, I was more akin to a prisoner here. Living in a state of fear and anxiety. I was unable to act with freedom. I was prohibited from exploring the house or venturing anywhere without their awareness, lest I compromise my safety.

It was only a matter of time before I developed an aneurysm from residing here.

Yet, this place... I inwardly lamented. I wished I could transport this room with me.

I shook my head, proceeding to the bathroom to relieve myself.

After rinsing my face and brushing my teeth, I returned to the bedroom.

I had the week off, and although I intended to leave eventually, given his failure to keep his word, I was not particularly eager to relinquish the spacious privacy this room afforded.

I winced at the prospect of the tiny, cramped space I would be compelled to return to if I were to leave.

I should not act impulsively. Torn, I plopped down on the edge of the bed, retrieving my phone.

I activated it, my heart skipping a beat at the notification that awaited me.

I blinked twice, raising my phone closer to my face to ensure I was not hallucinating.

It was genuine. I logged into my banking application in a rush, and an elated scream erupted from my throat before I could restrain it.

I leaped to my feet, thumping my feet excitedly on the floor as I meticulously counted each digit reflected on the screen, repeatedly tracing them with my fingers and eyes.

I cupped my mouth, muffling another bout of excited screams that rippled from my throat. Unbelievable!