Chapter 49 My mistake
~Keith~
I glared at Matt, rejecting the urge to snap his neck and see if the moon goddess would somehow bring him back to earth.
"Matt," I called in a warning tone.
"What? I'm just an innocent bystander. A casual observer of what is clearly about to be an incredibly awkward interaction between you and your father's wife. In public. Where anyone could be watching."
He had a point, and I hated him for it. There were at least a dozen windows over the training grounds from the main house. Any one of them could have eyes behind it. My father could be watching right now, and I would have no way of knowing.
But I couldn't bring myself to care. At least not when Sage was walking toward me with that look on her face, her chin lifted and her eyes bright with a challenge I recognized all too well.
She stopped at the edge of the training area, close enough to speak but far enough to maintain the illusion of propriety. The servant hovered beside her, oblivious to the tension crackling in the air.
"Prince Keith," Sage said, and her voice was perfectly composed. Perfectly polite. Perfectly designed to give nothing away. "I didn't expect to find you here so early."
"Luna." I inclined my head in a show of respect, even as my eyes held hers with an intensity that was anything but respectful. "I could say the same. These grounds are usually empty at this hour."
"I was taking a walk,” she said. “The morning air helps clear my head."
"Does it? You look troubled." I tilted my head, studying her with open interest that I knew I shouldn't display. "Is something bothering you?"
Sage's eyes twitched with that knowing glint. "Nothing I can't handle."
"I'm glad to hear it. A Luna should always be in control of her emotions." I let the words hang in the air for a moment before adding, almost casually, "Wouldn't want any unnecessary stress. Especially with all the excitement coming up."
There it was. The flicker of heat in her eyes, there and gone in an instant. She knew exactly what I was referring to, and she didn't like it one bit.
"Yes, I've heard about the upcoming celebration," she said, her tone carefully neutral. "The whole pack seems quite eager for your fiancée's arrival."
Fiancée. She practically spat the word, even though her expression remained serene. I had to fight to keep the smile off my face.
"They are," I agreed. "It's been a long time since we've had such an honored guest. I'm sure she'll make quite an impression."
"I'm sure she will." Sage's smile was as fake as snow in summer. "I've heard she's quite beautiful. And accomplished. And absolutely devoted to the idea of becoming your mate."
Matt made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a suppressed laugh. I ignored him.
"You seem to have heard a lot about her," I observed. "I didn't realize you were so interested in my engagement."
"I'm interested in anything that affects the pack." Her eyes met mine, and I saw the jealousy burning there. "As Luna, it's my responsibility to stay informed."
"Of course. Your dedication to your responsibilities is admirable." I took a step closer to grab a towel from the bench nearby but really just to close the distance between us. I saw Sage's breath catch, saw her eyes drop to my bare chest before she quickly looked away.
The satisfaction that curled through me was almost indecent.
"You know," I said, lowering my voice so that only she could hear, "if I didn't know better, I might think you were upset about something. You seem tense, Luna."
Her eyes snapped back to mine, blazing with defiance. "I'm perfectly fine."
"Are you? Because your scent tells a different story." I leaned in just slightly, close enough to catch her scent. "You smell... agitated."
"It's warm out," she said stiffly. "I've been walking."
"Mmm. That must be it."
The servant was looking between us with growing confusion, clearly sensing that something was happening but not understanding what. Matt had given up any pretense of disinterest and was watching us with open amusement, his arms crossed over his chest and a grin plastered across his face.
Sage seemed to remember suddenly that we weren't alone. She took a small step back, putting proper distance between us, and composed her features into that serene mask she wore so well.
"I should continue my walk," she said. "I have duties to attend to."
"Of course. Don't let me keep you." But as she turned to go, I couldn't resist adding, "Luna?"
She paused, looking back over her shoulder.
"You have a very nice singing voice. Makes me want to shed tears of ecstasy every single time."
For a moment, confusion showed on her face, then understanding dawned, and her cheeks flushed. Her eyes went wide, then narrow, shooting me a glare that could have melted steel.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said through gritted teeth.
"My mistake." I smiled innocently. "I must have been thinking of something else."
She held my gaze for a long moment, and I could feel the bond between us practically vibrating with unspoken words. There was anger there, yes. Frustration and embarrassment and that persistent jealousy that she couldn't quite hide. But beneath all of that, there was something else. Something that made my heart race and my wolf strain against my control.
Want. Pure, undeniable want.
She wanted me just as badly as I wanted her. And being forced to watch from the sidelines while another woman prepared to claim me was driving her absolutely crazy.
Good. Let her feel what I had been feeling for months. Let her understand what it was like to want something so desperately and be told you couldn't have it.
Sage turned away abruptly, saying something to the servant that I couldn't hear. They walked away together, her spine rigid and her steps quick, practically fleeing the training grounds.
I watched her go, unable to tear my eyes away until she disappeared around a corner.
"That," Matt said from behind me, "was the most painful thing I have ever witnessed. And I once watched a guy try to flirt with a woman by listing all his allergies."
I turned to face him, unable to keep the grin off my face. "What?"
"You're enjoying this. You're actually enjoying the fact that she's jealous." He shook his head in disbelief. "You're a terrible person, you know that? She's clearly suffering, and you're over here preening like a peacock."