Chapter 104 Chapter 104
The image would not leave my mind. Elara, standing too close to a man I had never seen before. They looked so serious. I had wanted to hide before Elara looked at me.
I slowed my steps as I walked away, keeping my head down. The man had been dressed entirely in black, that gave more room for suspicion. He had also stood with confidence of someone who did not fear being discovered. They were hidden in a corner. But what could they be talking about?
It unsettled me more than anything.
And who was the man? I wondered.
‘He definitely doesn’t belong in this pack. He has no scent’ my wolf murmured.
I didn’t think much of his scent because I was standing far away from them, my wolf was the one with the heightened sense of smell. I exhaled slowly through my nose.
My first instinct was to go to Lucian. To tell him everything I saw, the mysterious man and the way Elara leaned in, familiarity in her posture. That would be a perfect way to have her leave. But even as the thought formed, I pushed it aside.
Not yet.
Lucian was already strained, I realized that after our talk. He was torn between his duty and emotion. If I went to him now without proof of what I saw, it would only sound like suspicion fueled by jealousy. Or he would think I’m feeling threatened again. Elara would also used that against me when she was called. I refused to hand her that weapon.
No. I thought.
If Elara was planning something, I would be the one to uncover it myself and have her exposed. Watching her been sent out of this pack would be retribution for everything she had done.
I turned down a side corridor, deliberately changing my path. My eyes flickered back once, just to be sure I wasn’t being followed.
Nothing. Still, my unease did not fade.
Lina. I thought next. Lina would listen to me and she would believe me. She would even support me in uncovering the truth. But the image of Lina’s knowing smile rose in my mind, after I had left her earlier. Heat crept up my neck and I pressed my lips together.
I didn’t want Lina’s tease. I would just speak to her about it tomorrow. I needed quiet. A space to think and be alone.
The library.
It clicked in my head immediately. That was the best place for peace and quiet. At least, I would be alone and won’t see anyone. I turned in the direction of the library when voices drifted from the corridor ahead.
Male voices. I slowed down and then recognized them.
Ronan and Damian.
This was the first time I was seeing them both together. Are they friends? My shoulders stiffened. I considered turning back not because of Ronan but because I didn’t want to see Damian again but it was too late. They were already in view.
Ronan was the first to notice me. His expression shifted immediately, concern softening his features as he stepped forward.
“Luna” he said gently. “It’s so good to see you”
I turned my head politely, already angling my body to pass them.
“Ronan. I’m sorry, I’m in a hurry” I said with urgency so they would believe I actually had something to take care of.
Damian said nothing but I felt his gaze press into my skin. It made my spine tighten. I had warned him not show his face to me again. I kept my eyes on Ronan, refusing to acknowledge Damian’s presence.
“You look tired. Are you…”
“I’m fine” I interrupted softly.
“Damian and I are here to get something” Ronan explained and I just nodded.
“You know him, right?” He asked.
Damian shifted like he was about to speak and I inhaled sharply.
“I should go. Please excuse me” I said already stepping back. Ronan hesitated, then nodded.
“Of course. We’ll talk later”
I didn’t wait to hear whether Damian would say anything else or if Ronan would question Damian about the tension from the moment ago. I turned and walked away, hastening my steps. Only when I reached the doors of the library did I allow myself to breathe.
A safe haven.
Inside the library, the air was cooler and calmer. Dust and old ink greeted me. I remembered my last encounter in this library. It had me thinking for days. I dared not lift any book for fear of reoccurrence.
Instead, I found the chair and sank into it with a quiet sigh. My fingers traced the wood absentmindedly has my thoughts circled back to the man in black.
His height.
His stance.
Something about him tugged at my memory.
‘You have seen him before’ my wolf murmured.
I frowned. Had I? I closed my eyes trying to remember where I had seen that height and stance before. But my memory seemed to be a blur. The man stood with confidence like a warrior or hunter. My stomach.
Could it be one of the warriors or guards? That was why his height and stance were looking familiar. But what would one of the warriors be doing with Elara?
‘Helping her’ my wolf stated. ‘From now, you have to keep a close eye on her but do it secretly’ my wolf urged. I nodded.
“I will” I whispered to myself.
I was going to watch her closely and Lina would help me. As for the man, she was talking to who looked familiar. I would watch the warriors and guards to know who it really was.
I reached for the nearest book without really looking at the title, opening it out of habit rather than interest. My eyes skimmed the page but the words refused to settle. Time slipped by.
The quietness in the library wrapped around me, it was grounding. The tension in my shoulders calmed, exhaustion taking over. I did not remember laying my head down. I did not remember closing my eyes. But when I woke, it was dark.
For one moment, panic flared in my chest. I thought myself in an unknown place taken by them. Then the memory rushed back at once, the library, Elara and the man in black. I straightened abruptly, my heart racing.
“How long…” I murmured, rubbing my face.
Then I remembered I was alone here and I was speaking to my self. I thought of Lucian. He might have noticed my absence now and searching for me.
‘Leave here, he would be worried’ my wolf said.
Guilt twisted in my chest. I didn’t mean to spend a lot of time here.
I stood quickly gathering my cloak as I hurried towards the exit in the dark. The library doors creaked faintly as I slipped out into the corridor and walked straight into something solid. Or rather someone. I gasped, stumbling back and then froze.
Damian.
“What are you doing here?” I demanded sharply, annoyed that he’s face is the first I see after waking. His brows lifted slightly, as though he was amused.
“Looking for you”
“Looking for me? How did you even know I was here” he smiled but there was something about it.
“I figured you would be going to the library when I saw you earlier”
That did nothing to ease my nerves, rather it felt creepy. How did he know I was going to be here till this time and come to look for me.
“Well move. I need to leave now. Lucian would be looking for me” I said, stepping around him. He shifted sideways, blocking my path.
“Ailsa….”
“I don’t have time for this, Damian. Leave my way”
“Just listen to me for a moment, please” his plea did not change my mind. I was now wary of Damian.
“No Damian. I’m not interested in what you have to say” my patience snapped. I tried to pass him again but he blocked my path.
“I’m really not in the mood for this. I warned you the last time that if you ever showed yourself to me, I would report you to Lucian”
“I know but I couldn’t stay away. I told myself that too but I couldn’t stop thinking of you. Didn’t you think of me?”
“No, I would never think of you. Now get out of my sight before I scream” I moved again and this time he reached out and caught my wrist. My breath hitched.
“Let go” I said, my voice low and dangerous.
“I just want to talk. I would not do this if you agreed to have a conversation with me” he insisted.
“What part of I don’t want to speak with you, do you not understand? Leave me the fuck alone and stay away from me” I swore, trying to remove my hand from his grip. His grip tightened slightly not enough to hurt but to stop me.
“I’m not leaving here until you speak to me” my wolf surged forward furiously.
I was almost in a half shift when a voice cut through the corridor like a blade.
“Let go of that hand!!”