WE

Duncan's POV:

I watched her walk away, my throat constricted and my tongue too heavy for me to call her.

She deserves to know why I was denying the bond between us but what if it ended up putting her in danger?

I cleared my throat, shoving the thoughts to the back of my mind and walked into the house. It was quite empty with just a few servants here and there who made sure to keep their heads bowed.

Freya's scent wafted around me even though she didn't seem to be anywhere nearby and I indulged myself in the intoxication it brought to me.

I wanted her. I craved her but…

“Lord Duncan?” A house member called as she stepped into the elevator with me.

A frown settled on my face and I subtly sniffed around - a vampire - then my eyes landed on the tattoo on her neck that seemed quite familiar to me.

“Good day,” I greeted, trying to stay on the safe side.

She raised a brow, her eyes scanning my face and I made sure to keep looking.

“You don't remember me, do you?” She asked, creases appearing on her forehead along with a smirk.

I let out an awkward chuckle, rubbing the back of my neck as I tried to think of the best way to get out of this situation.

“Have we…” I started but trailed off when I realised how insulting it would seem.

She slightly turned her body towards me, a glint of amusement flashing in her eyes as her smirk became a full smile.

“No, we haven't fucked.”

I nodded and looked away, embarrassment gnawing on me from the inside as I prayed for the ride to come to an end.

Then she said, “But we could.”

My head snapped in her direction, my eyes wide open.

She shrugged then added, “I mean if you want to.”

There was something sultry about her tone, also the way her eyes seemed to constantly scan my body and that would have done a number on me.

An image of Freya flashed in my head, taking over every part of it.

I shot the lady a smile, moving closer to her at the same time the elevator dinged, then I said, “I'll pass.”

I didn't wait to see her reaction before I stepped out of the elevator and ran into my room, praying not to meet anyone on the way.

Luckily I didn't and could soon shut the door behind me, my chest heaving as I stared into space.

What was she doing to me?

I shouldn't have been repulsed.

My eyes darted to the phone on my desk and I went for it like a dog would for a treat. With shaky hands, I dialled the number to the only person who could help me out.

It rang several times and I almost threw away my phone in frustration when he finally picked.

“Duncan?” He asked, his voice filled with uncertainty.

The background noise from his side made my ears twitch and it spiked my irritation.

“When are we sending her back?”

There was silence and I had to pull the phone away from my ear to check if the call was still connected.

“Lucien?” I called, waiting for a reply.

With a sigh, he said, “I don't know yet.”

My brows etched and a frown splayed across my face as I drummed my free fingers on the dusty desk.

“What do you mean by that?” I asked, exasperation in my tone.

Lucien didn't say a word, leaving me in some sort of silence that had me groaning in frustration.

“Lucien she's going to fucking end me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I–

I started but the words refused to leave my mouth, leaving me with a straining noise.

I ran my hand through my hair, pacing around as I tried to find a way to put it without admitting to what I was feeling.

“You have to tell me so that I can know how serious it is.”

He was right.

“I can't stop thinking about her. I really want her,” I said, having to stop myself from saying more.

Lucien hummed like he was some sort of therapist and I rolled my eyes. My agitation had made it impossible for me to realise that someone was close by until I heard a knock.

My body went still and my eyes fell on the door. Who could it be?

“Lucien, someone is knocking,” I gave him the irrelevant piece of information.

“Then open it,” he stated in a matter-of-fact manner before talking to someone in the background.

“Who is there?”

There was a bit of shuffling and as I neared the door, the scent became clearer. My feet halted as the floral and cinnamon scent invaded my nostrils.

Was this what real temptation felt like?

My feet moved before I could process it and in less than a second, I had already opened the door.

Freya’s head shot up, her eyes wide like a deer caught in the headlights.

“Are you busy?” She asked, her voice soft compared to how she had spoken to me earlier.

My eyes darted to the phone in my hand, then back at her. There was no way I would allow her into my room when I was in this stat—

“Come in,” I said before I could process it.

She seemed equally surprised as I was, then she muttered something under her breath before pushing her way through.

My breath hitched when her fingers grazed my arm, it was something insignificant but was enough to leave me wanting more.

“So what is it?” I asked her and she spun on her feet, her hands clasped in front of her.

I tilted my head to the side, forgetting Lucien was still connected and waited for whatever she had to say.

“Well, I'm putting my pride down to say this,” she started and I nodded slowly, trying to keep my face blank.

I could hear my wolf racing inside me as we both anticipated whatever bad news she had for us.

Was she about to reject me?

Then she looked up and nervously licked her lips. The act caught my attention and I couldn't help the way I stared at them.

What i would give to kiss her and hear her beg for more as—

“I don't want to go home.”

Her words brought me out of my wild fantasy and I blinked twice.

“What do you mean?” I asked even though it was straightforward.

Freya shifted on her feet, her hair slipping from her shoulder and exposing it.

“I can't go back home,” she said, then lifted her eyes.

My heart tightened when I noticed how her eyes glistened and she sniffed as if fighting the urge to be vulnerable.

“I really can't go back to that man.”

She smiled but the sadness in her eyes deepened, making me clasping the phone tightly.

“Duncan, don't listen to her.”

I jerked backwards and Freya let out a squeal searching the area and that was when I remembered that I was on a call with Lucien

“Oh,” I muttered, flashing her an apologetic look.

A look of dismay appeared on her face then it morphed into betrayal at a rate that had me panicking immediately.

“No no,” I said as if that was an explanation.

I moved closer and she took a step back. It had my heart twisting so hard as if a knife was lodged in it and was being used to torture me.

“I had completely forgotten about it,” I explained, not taking my eyes off her.

I waited for her to recognise the sincerity behind my statement but instead, she spat venomously, “I hate you.”

The words stole the air from my lungs and I could only let her pass my side and walk out of the room.

I stared into space, trying to figure out what exactly I had just done.

“It doesn't matter, she's going home soon,” the heartless bastard I was on a call with said.

The irritation I had earlier suddenly returned and I replied, “Can you fucking pretend to understand?”

He went silent for so long I thought he was feeling remorseful until he replied, “It's true that she's going home soon though.”

I swallowed hard, knowing well that he was telling the truth and even if Lucien was attracted to her even one bit, he wouldn't listen to her pleas.

“So you are really sending her home?” I asked weakly, gritting my teeth.

There was a pause.

Then he corrected me, “We are sending her home.”