Chapter 28
Iris
We had walked away a long distance from Hegar's house when he halted his steps with his arms behind him.
"Rule number one," He spoke in a surly tone. "Don't go anywhere without my knowledge. I know that we haven't done the mating rites because we aren't going to do it, but have it at the back of your mind that you are still under my protection." He dished out.
A very rude reply danced at the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed it, letting off a sigh. "I'm sorry for not telling you. You left abruptly and I wanted to know how Hegar was faring. He helped you to protect me, don't you think it's proper for me to show my appreciation to him?"
He grunted and fixed a stare, reeking of undeniable jealousy.
"No, it's improper. Hegar works for me and he won't appreciate what you did because he was trained to give his life for me. It's not like I don't appreciate it, but you should know your place." He stated with a very stern voice that caused my eyes to sting with tears.
I couldn't believe that my mind was yet to understand that he didn't want me.
"And is that why you've been pretending to be as strong as Hercules when you're a few seconds away from collapsing?" I spat.
He whipped an astonished glance at me. "Don't say what you aren't sure of and don't you ever suggest that I'm weak."
"We haven't completed the mating rites yet, Gradel, but that doesn't make any less your mate. We haven't been intimate but I wear your scent like a second skin, why don't you take advantage of it?"
My body was already flaring with desire, hence my directness.
"You are throwing yourself at me?" He questioned in amusement, tapping his chin with his lips pursed as if he were considering my offer.
"If that's what you make of it, but let's see it as a business arrangement. We are already fake dating and no one is going to catch feelings here, but don't you think you need me right now? The healer even confirmed it that day-"
He raised his hand sharply, cutting me off. "Stop!" He commanded, inhaling deeply. "What makes you think that I want you?" He asked bluntly.
"I-I" My lips clamped shut immediately, as I lacked words to defend my unguarded outburst.
"Look, I don't want to be dependent on you. My body will heal slowly, but it will, and that won't be because of you." He shut his eyes and heaved a deep sigh.
Streaks of emotions were already rising to my chest and the need to find a quiet place and let them all out overwhelmed me, but my feet remained rooted on the ground.
I'd already decided to face my fears and this was a huge part of it.
He resumed walking and I lingered behind him and then a question that should have stayed in my mouth jumped out before I could think.
"Why do you hate me so much?" I let out.
"Hmmmm," He muttered, "I don't have that many emotions to dump on you. My father has already taken all the hatred,"
Seeing that he wasn't going to give any reasonable reply to my question, I let silence reign, ensuring that he didn't feel my presence.
Once I got home, I'd begin to map out plans on how to get the bracelet. There was no need to blame myself for something that had already been done, but what mattered was how I'd take care of it even if I had to visit our seer.
My train of thought was disrupted when Gradel winced sharply. His steps wobbled even though he tried to act strong.
I couldn't tell when my legs took off on their own accord and got to him, all I knew was that entwined our arms together, asking him to drop his weight on him.
"If you hadn't been so stubborn, you wouldn't be in this position by now. Why don't you listen?" I chided under my breath while flashing fake smiles at the pack members who waved at us.
Their smiles were genuine and clueless about what was going on, which helped to set my nervous heart at ease as Gradel wouldn't want anyone to sense his vulnerability.
We finally got to his room where he crashed onto his bed like a dead weight.
"You can leave," He murmured.
I huffed and sat beside him. "Have you forgotten that I have no house and we are to share this room? Why can't you allow me to help you?"
Silence.
His coldness was unnerving but it wouldn't deter me from doing what I wanted, so I crawled towards him and placed my palm under his neck.
"You're burning hot,"
"I'll be fine," He retorted.
No he won't. If his father discovered that his son was on the verge of slipping into unconsciousness again, he'd behead me without a second thought.
I paced around the room, meditating on the best way to make him let down his guards and then a crazy idea dropped in my mind.
My fingers undid the zip of my dress and in a moment, I was naked before him.
"Gradel," I called quietly.
He threw a brief stare at me and looked away, weakening my resolve to carry out my intentions and then he gazed at me, his eyes brimming with unhinged lust.
His body went taut as he swallowed. "What are you doing?"
"The exact thing you don't want me to do. I won't allow your obstinacy get in my way of survival," I said, my body growing feverishly hurt with arousal.
His eyes closed and then he made a sniffing sound, a ghost smile touching his lips.
"I know you are scared of consummation, and that's why I won't cross my boundaries. I had to take off my dress to get you turned on and I think it's working, but like Silas advised the other day, there other things that can be done to make you feel better." My body was a nervous wreck, but I was glad that my voice wasn't showing it.
He straightened and asked. "What other things, if I may ask?"
Though I was unskilled as I'd never dated before, it didn't mean that I was oblivious of how to make a man feel good. Listening to gossip and reading books helped in that aspect, my only fear was pulling it off.
Determined to take the bull by the horns, I advanced towards him and dropped to my knees, my hands reaching for his slacks. It went off immediately and his huge cock sprang free. "This," I said and took him into my mouth.