I decided to stay in my room for the rest of the day. The thought of bringing myself to face Ryder made me uneasy. How could I face the man who smelt my arousal towards him this morning? I made sure to do my chores, and my expected duties, run my errands, and make his dinner before he arrived. His table was set before 7:45pm and I rushed into my room, pretending to be asleep. I heard his keys, I heard his footsteps, I heard him silently sing a song I couldn’t make out what the lyrics said, but I didn't respond. “Kiara ?” I heard his voice call out. He was in search of me. I listened to his footsteps come right at my doorstep, I heard him knock, but I didn’t reply. Instead, I held my breath for some time. Since he could perceive my arousal, he might also be able to perceive my breath and know the rhythm of my heartbeat. I thanked the heavens as I heard his retreating footsteps. Now I could breathe freely. I watched the clock hit 11, then 12, then 1. Yet, sleep would not welcome
Kiara’s POVThat night eased my mind, it was a lovely feeling to know that Ryder did not care about what was being said about me. I have that clarity and that brings relaxation to my troubled soul. Although I don’t know how Brandon must feel about it, I haven’t seen him yet. Maybe I should ask Ryder about Brandon at breakfast. I hummed to my favorite song in the shower, I felt lighter as water ran through my hair. It felt like my worry was being washed away and my anxiety drowning down the drain. I decided to apply a little makeup today, something natural, something light. I wanted to look at my best, for myself, and in as much as I do not want to admit it, for Ryder. The conversation we had last night on the terrace was soul-touching. It felt like we made love but with our words. I loved how calm he was with me, how gentle his words were, and how vulnerable he sounded. It felt like I had known the Alpha of the greatest pack for years like I had him within my reach, and I held hi
Ryder’s POV I heard the door creak open, and the little steps that followed. I could smell her, the very scent I had missed all this while. I thought maybe my mind was pulling pranks on me. Maybe I was thinking about her so much that I could perceive her from afar. Or maybe it was my drunk ass wishing she was right here with me. I decided to turn around, to prove myself right, to prove that she was nowhere near me. Alas, I was wrong. There she stood, staring with her eyes wide open at me. Her statuette is as breathtaking as ever. Her hair was wrapped perfectly behind her ears, and her dress was simple yet immaculate as always. “Stay, I command it,” I said to her. Because that was all I needed. Although I couldn’t touch her as much as I wanted to, her presence was enough to soothe my troubled mind. The recent attacks on the pack by the rogues are beginning of open forgotten wounds, an ill-mannered past, thus awakening recent fear. But staring right at her eyes which shone in the
It seemed the tragedy that had befallen the pack wasn’t enough, there was an unexpected attack by the rogues. Those who had either been cast out due to their betrayal, lack of trust or had chosen to be in exile. They must have heard about the disruption between Brandon and Ryder. The rogues had then decided to take this unfortunate opportunity as the right time to invade the pack, causing a malicious attack on the young, the crops, and the elders. “There she goes, a witch, cursed by the goddess herself,” I heard Sandra‘s spiteful voice spit out as I walked past her and a group of ladies toward the tray to serve my breakfast. “She must have been the one who informed the rogues about the dispute. She caused a disagreement between the two great men of the pack and once she had seen her plan worked, she went right out to the rogues to sell us out,” I heard another maiden speak. “That is why the moon goddess has decided to punish her for her evil doings. I heard she is yet to find her
After the night of confusion and interruption between Brandon and Ryder, setting me in the middle, I felt awkward around them. All I focused on was so my duties and counted my last days to leave the Manor. No maid had stayed in the Moonfren Manor, rather than staying for six months. I could feel the tension between Brandon and Ryder. I could see the way they stared at each other and in the manner they spoke to each other. Brandon hasn’t talked about that night to me, but I could tell he was furious that we were interrupted by Ryder, and to top it all off dismissed to go do some work. Yes, Ryder was the Alpha of the pack but Brandon was his Beta. They are to work hand-in-hand for the betterment of the pack but Ryder sounded like he was superior to Brandon, and Brandon was to answer to his beck and call at the snap of his fingers. This situation between them didn’t stop, even after I had retired from the Manor. On my way to Madame Agatha’s office to get in my slip for a new assignmen
Ryder’s POV I couldn’t explain my reason for going into the kitchen, for asking that question, for kissing her neck. I knew she felt uneasy, I could feel it too, so I had to leave her. For my sake and most importantly hers. I retired back to my study for the night, walking back and forth. “You need to keep yourself under control,” I yelled punching the wall. I didn’t want to hurt her. As much as I loved her, I couldn't be with her even if I wanted to. I decided to pour my anger into work. I picked up the first document, then the next, and a new paperwork. But I couldn’t get my mind on it, my soul was with her, my spirit uneasy, and my body needy. Yes, I wanted her. I could still perceive her scent, I could smell her. “This can’t be happening to me,” I whispered as I placed one of my hands on my already growing length. “Maybe I should go see her. That might ease my wants,” I thought. I got up with the feeling of heading towards the kitchen, but I noticed the lights were off