Chapter 23: Strolling The Grounds

Kael's POV~

Annabeth stood in the doorway, the soft green dress clinging to her frame like it had been made for her body alone. The fabric fell in gentle folds around her, accentuating the curve of her waist and the line of her collarbone. Her curls fell over her shoulders in smooth, shining waves, no longer the wild, tangled mess I’d gotten used to. Her skin glowed from the bath, pink and flushed and soft. Her eyes—goddess, her eyes, were clear and sharp and looking right at me with an expression I couldn’t quite read.

I swallowed hard.

Blood rushed through me, hot and fast and reckless. Down my chest. Down my spine. Down to the the very center of my manhood.

Control yourself Kael.

I clenched my jaw so hard it ached. This wasn’t the time. I had duties. I had wolves waiting for my arrival. I couldn’t be standing here like some lovesick pup, unable to breathe because of the way her dress curved over her hips.

But I couldn’t look away either.

She looked nothing like the defiant, stubborn human who’d spat in my face a week ago neither did She look like the frightened girl who’d flinched at my every move.

She looked… devastatingly sexy.

“You’re wearing it,” I said before I could stop myself. My voice came out rougher than I intended, lower and rougher than it had any right to be.

Annabeth blinked, caught off guard. “I think Mrs. Halloway left it for me.”

“I bought it for you,” I admitted, the words slipping out before I could hold them back. “A day after you arrived.”

Her eyes softened slightly. “You did? Why?”

I shrugged, trying to play it off as casual. “You needed nice clothes that fit. The ones you arrived in were torn. And the ones I gave you… they weren’t suitable enough, my clothes were too big on you. And obviously hiding a lot of things from me.” I said raking down her body with my eyes. She might think of me as a pervert now but I didn't care. She was mine to look at.

She looked down at the fabric, fingers twisting at the hem. A faint blush crept up her cheeks, pink against her pale skin. “It’s… nice. Thank you.”

Thank you. Two words, and it felt like she’d just handed me something precious. Something fragile.

I stepped closer without meaning to. The scent of her hit me, that sweet, intoxicating scent of lavender and Strawberries that was uniquely her. The scent that made my Lycan sit up and take notice every single time she was near.

My Lycan stirred, restless and hungry for our mate, pressing against the confines of my skin, begging me to take her.

I forced myself to focus on her hair instead. On the way the light caught in the dark strands, making them shine like polished obsidian. I reached out before I could think better of it, fingers brushing against the soft curls.

“Smooth,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. “You have a very lovely hair.”

Annabeth froze. And I saw the way her pulse jumped at the base of her throat. The delicate flutter of her heartbeat beneath her skin.

Shy. She was shy.

The realization sent a dark, possessive thrill through me that I had no business feeling.

I wanted to pull her against me right here. Kiss her till she begged for more. To feel the warmth of her body against mine. To bury my face in her hair and inhale her until I couldn’t remember why I was supposed to be leaving.

To rip that dress open and claim every part of her, the way I’d been thinking about since this morning I saw her in the kitchen.

No.

I dropped my hand and stepped back, forcing myself to put distance between us before I lost control completely. Before I did something I couldn’t take back. Before I ruined whatever fragile thing was building between us.

“I have duties to attend to, little one.” I said, voice low and strained, each word dragged out through gritted teeth. “Stay inside the mansion and do whatever you wish to do. Don’t wander the outside grounds.”

Annabeth nodded, but she didn’t say anything. She just watched me, those dark eyes wide and uncertain and far too perceptive for my comfort.

I turned and walked away before I could do something I’d regret like reach for her again and pull her into my arms and kiss her until she forgot her own name.

I didn’t look back. If I did, I wasn’t sure I’d make it to the front door without turning around and pinning her to the nearest wall.

The hallway seemed colder without her presence. Emptier.

I forced myself to focus on the task I had ahead. On the border patrol. On the scent markers. On anything except the way her hair had felt against my fingers.

But it was useless.

Her image was burned into my mind. The way the green dress had contrasted against her pale skin. The way her lips had parted slightly when I touched her hair. The way her eyes had followed me as I walked away.

I ran a hand through my hair and muttered a curse under my breath.

This was a problem. A dangerous, distracting problem.

I was the Lycan Enforcer. I was supposed to be feared. Respected and In total control at all times. I was not supposed to be losing my mind over a human girl who had no place in my world.

But she wasn’t just any human girl. Was she?

She's my very own destiny. My other half presented to me by the moon goddess. And the goddess never makes mistakes.

I opened the front door which creaked open. The guards assigned outside, nodding respectfully as I passed. The cold morning air hit my skin, but it did nothing to cool the heat still simmering inside me.

I got into the car and shut the door a little too hard. I needed to calm down.

I needed to run. To hunt. To burn off this energy before it consumed me entirely. But I couldn't until I settled the matter I had at hand.

The image of Annabeth In that dress. Looking at me like she wasn’t sure whether she wanted to run or reach for me, flooded my mind. My manhood still standing solid rock, I wondered if I could get it to calm down before I got to my destination.

Goddess help me.

~

ANNABETH’S POV~

The door closed behind him with a soft, final click.

And I stood there, frozen in place, heart pounding so hard I was sure he could hear it through the door.

His fingers had barely touched my hair. It wasn’t even a real touch. Just a brush. A fleeting contact that lasted no more than ten seconds.

But it felt like fire had been dragged across my scalp and down my spine, leaving a trail of heat in its wake.

I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to steady my breathing. Why was he affecting me so much like this? Why did one look from him make my knees feel so weak? Why did one touch make my skin burn?

He’s still your captor, Annabeth. Even though he's nicer now.

But the way he’d looked at me… It was like a man starving, looking at food he wasn’t allowed to touch.

I sank back against the doorframe, my legs trembling beneath me.

I liked it.

I liked the way his eyes darkened when he saw me. The way his voice dropped when he said my name. I liked the restraint he was showing by clenching down his jaw, like he was fighting himself for me.

I was disappointed he left. Again.

It was getting funny how I now wanted him around all the time.

A soft knock sounded at the door, pulling me from my thoughts.

I straightened instantly, smoothing down the dress with trembling hands. “Yes?”

The door opened slowly, and Mrs. Halloway peeked her head in, her eyes kind and observant. “Just checking on you, dear. Did the Enforcer..,”

She stopped mid sentence, eyes widening as she took me in. Her gaze traveled from the top of my head to the hem of my dress and back again, a small, knowing smile curving her lips.

“Wow,” she said softly. “You look beautiful, child.”

I felt my cheeks burn hotter, the color rising to my face. “Its just the dress, Mrs. Halloway. Nothing special.”

“Mmm.” She didn’t look convinced. Her eyes twinkled with something that looked suspiciously like amusement. “He’ll be gone most of the day. Enforcer duties, you know.”

“Is there anything you would like to do for the day?” Mrs. Halloway asked gently, stepping further into the room.

I forced a small smile, “Well, I have been thinking of something.”

"Let's hear it."

"Can i.... I was wondering if I could tour the grounds outside. Not alone of course." I said to her.

"I don't know... Kael might get offended."

"He won't. He gave me permission to tour. With supervision." I said innocently.

It was either go outside, get fresh air or stay in here and reminisce about how hot Kael made me feel.

She looked at me for some time before giving in, "Okay. Okay. We can take a little stroll." She said and I flashed her a bright smile.

~~~

Mrs Halloway gave me a very thick jacket to wear over my dress. I could tell it was Kael's from the way it smelled.

We started our stroll around the grounds and I noticed two of Kael's bodyguards who were trailing closely behind us, probably keeping an eye on me.

Mrs Halloway told me stories as we strolled. Stories about Lycans and their origin. How they came to be almost extinct now just like humans were.

I was enjoying her stories until her expression suddenly changed. She looked tense.

"Dear, how about we continue the story and stroll another day. Let's get you back inside." She said almost pushing me with her hand on my back.

"Wait....why? Is there something wrong?" I asked her, resisting her push. I didn't want to go back inside just yet.

"Dear, please just, let's go back inside." She tried to say as gently as she could but her jaws were clenched.

"No. Not until you tell me why." I stood my ground.

But that's when the atmosphere cackled and changed. The snow suddenly got colder and it carried breeze that made me shiver down to my spine. The jacket wasn't enough to keep me from shivering.

I looked at Mrs Halloway and saw her looking at a direction. I followed her eyes and saw what she was looking at.

A Man. A very tall good looking Man, coming our way, wearing just a jacket, his broad chest bare and open, with his long blonde hair tied back.

My breath hitched. Who is this man and why is Mrs Halloway tensed because of him?

~