Chapter 12: Dressed up

Ruelle’s POV

I had staggered out of my bed this morning with determination in my blood. I was still weak all over and there was a particularly sharp pain that exploded in my lower back with every step I took, but I didn’t let it deter me. I needed to see my Papa. I needed to tell him that he was making a mistake sending me away with the Iron Alpha. I’m sure if I reason with him, he will understand.

My journey to my Papa’s study was cut short though, because while I had managed to climb down the stairs, although it took close to forever, I walked straight into my convention of sisters, all seated leisurely in the sitting room. Valka was the first to look up and see me, her eyes widening in shock.

“Ruelle..!”  At her voice, my other sisters turned, their own surprised expressions on their faces. “What are you..? Are you okay?”  She stood, her hands clutching her dress at the sides. Valka never showed any signs of anxiety, but I simply took it as she was worried about me and ignored it.

“I’m fine”. I gave a small smile, shifting uncomfortably on my foot. It was difficult to stand.

Thessa rushed to me, her eyes wide with worry as well. “The Alpha said he had found you in the woods. What happened to you?”

I looked around, my mind working to find what to say. “I had a little… accident.”

“Mama says you were hit pretty badly”. Seren calls from behind them on the couch, a confused frown etched to her face. “Do you remember what happened?”

“Yea, do you?” Valka was the next to ask.

I do. Very clearly. “Not really...”  I shook my head.

“It’s good that you’re okay now. Maybe you’ll stay away from the woods this time around. We always told you it wasn’t safe”. Thessa mumbled. I nodded, choosing to ignore the underlying jab in her words. I had other things on my plate right now.

“Where is Papa?”  I asked them, changing the subject.

“He is with the Iron Alpha in his study. Why?”  Thessa asked, then dipped her chin as she stalked towards me. “Speaking of, he seemed really worried about you. The Alpha that is, he also refused to leave until he made sure you were okay”

“I’m sure he was just being nice. He would have done the same had it been anyone else. He is an Alpha anyway”. I countered, trying to sound as convincing as I possibly could. Not just for them but for me too. I’m sure the only reason he stayed was out of guilt that he was the cause of what happened to me. Nothing more. I excused myself and carried on to find Papa, but I didn’t miss the knowing look Seren gave me from her spot on the couch. She was the only one remotely aware of what is happening between Thorne and I, even though I have no idea how she knows.

I limped all the way to Papa’s study, finding the door slightly open. Muffled voices came from inside, but I was too impatient to listen in so I pushed the door open further. As expected, Papa was seated on his large chair behind his wooden couch while the man who was reason I wanted to pull my hair out of my scalp lounged leisurely on the couch. They seemed to be having a casual conversation before I came. They both turned to stare at me, Papa with worry all over his face and Thorne with a blank look.

That bastard. He looked like he was expecting me.

“Little moon…” Papa’s soft voice cooed as soon as he saw me. My eyes were fixed on Thorne’s and we held each other’s gazes, unmoving.

“Can I have a word with you, Papa?”  I finally peeled my eyes away, turning to stare at my Father. He stood up quickly, mumbling his rushed excuse to Thorne as he rushed towards me. We went to the hallway to talk. He shut the office door behind him.

“You are not strong enough to be moving around like this, sweetheart”. He mumbles, sadness laced in his voice. He raises his eyes to meet mine. “Are you okay?”

I shake my head. “No Papa.”  He steps towards me immediately, his hand coming up to my shoulder.

“What is it?… Are you in pain—”

“I don’t want to leave with him, Papa. Please don’t allow it.”  My eyes were glassy now, I needed him to see how genuine I was. If he knew I didn’t feel comfortable with it he wouldn’t allow it. I’m sure. “Please don’t let him take me”

Papa sighs and looks down, shaking his head. “Little moon… I know you don’t want to but it is for the best. He saved your life, we should at least be grateful for that”

And so fucking what?! I wanted to scream to him that he was the one who put me in that situation in the first place! But admitting that to my Papa might do more harm than good.

“But Papa… we can be grateful to him without you sending me away with him, it’s not fair.”  I nearly stomped my foot on the tile.

Papa was brainwashed, I’m sure of it. I don’t know what he told him but I can swear it was all lies.

“Ruelle listen to me…”. Papa sounded serious, his both hands spread out on either side of me, caging me in. “I know you don’t like it right now, but this is something you can grow to love. Someone you will grow to love. I’m not sending you away recklessly, little moon. I’m doing this for your future. Thorne is a good man, I’ve known him for as long as I can remember and I know he will take good care of you.”  He steps back with a sigh, his hands falling at his sides. “If anything little moon you should be happy he has chosen you, several other women…”

I was already shaking my head before he finished that statement. “Papa I had to damn near lose my life before he chose me!”  My eyes were brimming with tears now and I huffed, wiping it aggressively. I didn’t want to cry over this. I turned on my heels and marched away from my Papa. Since he can’t help me I’ll go speak with my Mama. Everybody knows Papa does whatever Mama says.

I don’t get far though. Just as I am about to walk past Papa’s study a hand shoots out and latches unto my arm. Not painfully but enough to be a mean firm grip and I already know who that hand belongs to. I rolled my eyes, not wanting to deal with him right now. I attempt to pull my hand away “Let me go”

“We need to talk”. His deep voice echoes in the hallway as he emerges from behind the door, his stupidly beautiful face still set in an unreadable expression.

“I don’t need to talk to you I’m going to talk to my Mama…”

“If there is anybody you need to talk to, it’s me not your Mama.”

I shake my head, still trying to pull my hand away despite him not budging. I look behind me at my Papa, who just stands there and watches the whole exchange in silence. It makes fresh tears to pour from my eyes. I give up and let him pull me into the study. Once inside, I yank my arm from his grip and he lets me.

“What are you holding over my Papa’s head?”  I turn to him with my hands on my waist and my face set in a frown. “Why are you threatening my Papa to let you take me?!”

He lets out a humorless laugh, turning on his heel to walk to the couch and take a seat. “Well, I will gladly have you know that he was the one who suggested it.”

I don’t show him my surprise but the furrow of my brows do the trick. He wants to start telling lies now?

“I’m sure when he suggested it, he didn’t expect me to agree, but little did he know that my only reason for coming to that Gathering was to take you with me”

“Liar”. I turn to leave once more. How he gets up from the chair and glides over to me in seconds, I don’t know. But all I know is that just as I am about to turn the knob again, his both hands find my waist, pulling me back to press against his hot, solid frame.

“I am not a liar.”

“Yes you are.”

“And you are true to your words?”

I push away from him like he’s the plague.    “Excuse me?”

“You told me to come back for you. You made me feel terrible for leaving.” He takes a step in my direction and I take one corresponding one away from him.

“I never told you to come back for me”. I retort cooly, still walking backwards while he walks forward.

“You thought about it. You didn’t need to say it I could see it in your eyes.”

I let out a dry laugh. “So I’m guessing I should be grateful that you came back for me, huh? You did me such a huge favor by coming back to get me.”  My back was pressed against one of my Papa’s shelves now.

“I don’t do huge favors, little moon. I’m only back because I want to be.”  His raspy voice warms my ears and burns them at the same time.

“Then how is that my fault?” My hands fly to my chest.

“It’s not.”  He takes another step forward, his body heat already warming me up from where he is stood. “You waited for me. You wanted me to come back”

“Well, against my better judgment I thought we belonged together.”  I quirked my head, staring into his eyes, waiting for him to say something. He doesn’t. Typical of him. He says everything and anything until the very moment you want him to speak, then he goes mute. I used to think it was an attractive trait but now it just simply annoys me.

“We do.” Is all he says.

“No”

“That is why you’re coming with me.”

“I’m not coming anywhere with you.”

“We leave at noon.”  He turns to leave but pauses at the sound of my voice.

“Why are you doing this to me?”  He doesn’t turn around, but I don’t need him too. I don’t want him to see the tears in my eyes so it is for the best. “What are you trying to achieve by taking me with you against my will. Can’t you see? Can’t you see that I don’t want to go with you? Why are you doing this?”

“Because I know why you don’t want to leave with me.”  He slowly turns back around to face me.

“And why’s that?”  I no longer care that he is seeing the tears pouring down my cheeks at my frustration.

“You’re doing this to punish me.”  He says matter of factly. “If I had come in any other way, any other day, you would have come with me. Because you want to. But you are doing this because I came to the Gathering with another woman. You don’t think I belong to you anymore and you’re scared.”

I let out a dry laugh, pushing away from the shelf and making my way over to where he is stood. “Well since you know every fucking thing. Why are you still trying to take me with you?”

“Because you don’t know anything”. He lowers himself till his face is only a hair’s breadth from mine, his warm breath fanning my face. “But soon you will. And right now you might think otherwise but you do belong with me. You’re mine Ruelle, and I’m not letting you go. Not now not ever.”

I take a step away from him and look away, but he doesn’t seem fazed by it.

“I’ll have your Maiden get your things. She can come with us if she wishes. We leave at noon.”  He turns around and walks out the door, leaving me to my thoughts once again.