Chapter 6.

Kael's POV

Dinner ended quietly. The wolves probably saw a side of me they never thought they'd ever see. I didn't speak a word to either condemn what Hyacinth did, or what Jake Lavendar did.

They all went home murmuring to each other, but I couldn't be less bothered.

“You're really going to act like your pride isn't hurt?” Dacian asked.

“Man, it's been a long day, and I just want to sleep.” I dismissed it, heading for my room.

“What punishment do you want to mete out to him?” Dacian asked. “I know you don't care about the woman, but you're angry that anyone dared disrespect the Queen in front of so many people.”

I growled, turning back. Our eyes met, and he didn't move an inch in fear. That was something only he could do.

“You're saving him from the horror he should face before me.” I stated calmly, calming the rage that brewed inside of me.

“If you want me to kill him, just say the word and it'd be done.” Dacian proposed, almost begging.

“I don't want to ever see him in my court again, or even ever again. The next time I lay eyes on him, it better be that he's six feet under.” I meted out.

“And if I ever lay my eyes on him alive again, if I'm in a very good mood, he'd only lose all fours, and probably his eyes.” I growled. “He doesn't want to know what I actually intend to do.”

“Thank you.” Dacian mumbled, heaving a happy sigh. He left almost immediately to carry out my bidding while I walked into the room, knowing fully well that I'd be unable to sleep.

I couldn't get over the way she spoke to Jake at dinner. She did the one thing I couldn't have predicted. Several scenes were replaying in my head. I was totally infuriated, but I managed to keep my cool.

***

“Don't tell me you didn't perform your marital duties last night?" Dacian suddenly brought it up at the table while we had breakfast.

“Left to me, I'd like to forget that I'm married.” I hissed, clenching my fists.

“Well, eventually, you'd have to do something. You can't have a curse dangling on your head for so long.” He advised, like I wasn't thinking about it enough already.

“Can I just have breakfast in peace?!” I paused, snarling at him.

“Err… sorry. You should actually be having breakfast with your wife.” He said, and I slammed my hand on the table. Almost immediately, I caught her scent. She was still far away, but I could feel her drawing closer. I instinctively closed my eyes, forced them open and focused on my meal.

I sighed, about to lose every bit of appetite I had.

About a minute later, she walked into the hall with a gentle smirk on her face. I kept my eyes glued to my plate to avoid looking at her.

However , her voice forced me to look up. Her eyelids, and a radius from her skin had gotten darker, signifying that she had cried. Her hair was packed into a doughnut, and she looked quite simple.

“Morning.” I responded to her greeting, and she sat down. Dacian stood up immediately, walking behind me.

“Good morning, Queen.” He said, bowing gently.

“Okay, at least someone here knows how to speak to their Queen.” Hyacinth chuckled. “Good morning!”

Hyacinth's handmaiden immediately served her meal, choosing her steps carefully. Unexpectedly, she ate like a civilized person, chewing properly. She made no noise just like I wanted. Her presence was already too much for me. It was all good until I could feel her eyes on me.

I tried not to look at her, but she wouldn't take her eyes off me. I raised my head to look at her, and she raised a brow.

“What?” I asked, and she shrugged.

“I'm just wondering how long it'd take for you to speak more words to me.” Hyacinth baited.

“What do you want to hear?” I inquired.

“We can start with asking how I'm liking the meal, and then an apology.”

“For?”

“The madness that happened last night.” She said, keeping a straight face. I scoffed, shaking my head.

“You overstepped. If anyone should be apologizing, it should be you.” I responded with a calm voice.

“Oh, you heard the way he rudely spoke to me, and I'm the one that should apologize?!”

“You're human. You have no right to speak to a wolf whatsoever the situation. Do I have to educate you?!” I snapped.

“You really think too highly of yourselves. So, by your logic, I shouldn't even be eating at the same table with you, or even speaking to you.” She said, and I slowly tilted my head, and raised my shoulders. She scoffed, shaking her head unbelievably while I took a glass of wine.

“I've lost my appetite, I'll take my leave now.” I said, shifting the iron chair back so I could leave.

“You've eaten half of the table, and you dare claim to have ‘lost your appetite’.” She scoffed, and I rolled my hands into a fist, trying to remain pretty calm.

“You will not speak to me in such manner.” I stated.

“I will speak to you however I want.” She snapped. “And you will listen.”

I was taken aback, actually surprised that she dared snap back at me in such manner.

I stood up from the chair with my eyes widened. I wasn't sure if it was anger, or pure shock, but I was getting overwhelmed, and that has never been a good thing.

She maintained eye contact with me without blinking once. I growled in a very animalistic manner, looking down at her, whilst she stared back at me with no fear in her eyes. I lowered my body and face until I was just inches away from her face. Her heartbeat was unexpectedly steady. Her calmness infuriated me more.

“Speak to me like that in such manner again, and I can't ascertain what would be your fate.” I growled, holding the top of her chair while she still didn't flinch once.

“I will… make you suffer. Don't test me.” I said, raising my head and adjusting my regalia.

“Have a nice day.” I said, hearing her swallow hard as I stormed out of the dining hall.