CHAPTER 5

Amaya’s POV

It takes me longer than expected to sneak out of the west wing. After waiting for a few more minutes to ensure Lucian is finally gone, I make my way out of the room and back to the first floor, only to find out that the door had jammed.

For a second, I think that I am going to be trapped in here, with all the thoughts and seemingly buried secrets, and that when I pound on the door for help, Evelara will be the one to hear me.

But after a few more tries, the door opens under my palms and I slip out, moving through the same path I came in through. The crest now lies in the pocket of my pants, the lightweight bearing more on my mind.

I am almost back in the kitchen when I hear laughter traveling from the living area. It has to be the first time I have heard such easy sound in the pack house, as everyone is always so uptight and scared of Darian.

Rather than go to the kitchen, I edge instead towards the sound, stopping just before the archway that leads into the living room. I hold my breath for a second when I see him there, sprawled causally on one of the long couches.

"Yeah, I remember!" he is laughing at something Darian said, his head thrown back in amusement. His eyes appear more golden than amber now, and the mystery about him is toned down a bit.

Darian is right next to him on the couch, the perpetual scowl on his face missing. That is shocking. It’s so strange seeing him smile like that.

“It’s so nice seeing you here again,” Evelara says in a falsely high voice, sitting elegantly in a corner. "We missed you at the mating ceremony, and when you didn't show up, I thought you wouldn't be coming anytime soon. Although your brother didn't admit it, he was a little bit sad about it."

I roll my eyes at her words. She speaks to Lucian like she’s trying to win him over without sounding so desperate. I only met him a few minutes ago, but I am certain he is not easily fooled.

And from what he said about her, Lucian isn’t her greatest fan.

“I missed my flight,” Lucian sighs, and for some reason, I feel like that is a lie. He has this mysterious glint in his eyes that tells me he just cooked up an excuse. He just didn’t want to see his brother get mated to Evelara.

"And there were no other flights on that day. I think it was a dangerous day to fly or something."

I stifle the chuckle bubbling in my stomach.

“I heard Rome is such a pretty city,” a petite girl says from beside Lucian. I have seen her before.

Lirra, the Beta’s daughter.

“Will you take me with you when you go there next?”

Her fingers draw circles on Lucian’s arm as she gazes at him, but he doesn’t flinch. Still, he doesn’t pull away from her. A smirk graces his lips, the same one he wore when he walked into me in the west wing.

“I don’t know,” he answers, not exactly looking at her. “A lot of other girls have asked me the same question. I’m thinking of asking you all to take numbers.”

Evelara laughs, but Darian does not.

"I'm hungry," Lucian mutters suddenly, casually taking Lirra’s hand off his body as he sits up on the couch. “I totally forgot about that because I was eager to see Darian.”

“I’ll have one of the slaves bring some food to your room,” Evelara says at once, getting on her feet. Being the lady of the house and the Luna of the Greyhide pack looks good on her, I have to admit.

Lucian frowns slightly. “I already know who I want to serve me.”

This causes Evelara to pause. “You just got back. How do you…”

“Amaya.”

He stares directly at me, where I am hiding behind the arch. He must have seen me the minute I got here. Was he waiting for me?

Everyone turns to stare at me. It is impossible to back away or act like I haven’t been there for a while. So, I take a few steps forward, keeping my head bowed low and hoping the full glare of light doesn’t wake the crest.

“Lucian.” I look up in time to see the scowl I am so familiar with return to Darian’s face. “We have a lot of hands for that. Leave Amaya alone.” There is a warning beneath his calm demeanour. Even Evelara notices it.

“Amaya is one of the hands, isn’t she?” Lucian counters. He seems to be having a great time with this. “There’s nothing wrong with her serving my food. Unless…”

What is Lucian doing?

I risk a glance at Darian, and I feel it. The mate bond. He hates that his brother wants me personally, but cannot say why because of Evelara. Still, he clenches his jaw and folds his hands into fists, as if preparing for a war.

His scent changes, now tainted with something darker. Possession. I recognize it because I can feel everything that goes through him.

“She’s busy,” Darian retorts. “Aren’t you, Amaya?”

It isn’t an ordinary question. It’s laden with an instruction. But Darian has to do more than that ot get his brother to back down.

“I insist, Darian.”

“How about I…” Evelara begins to say, but I cut in, probably making her hate me even more.

“I can do it.” I bring my eyes back to the ground, not wanting to look into Darian’s eyes. “I’ll bring his food to his room.”

Lucian looks like a child who has just been handed his favorite toy, as a smile covers his features. I don't wait to hear anymore, walking to the kitchen to grab a tray. I place some toast, juice, cheese, and sausages on it before heading upstairs.

His door is slightly open.

“Lucian?”

“What’s the deal with you and my brother?”