53- The Bitter Scent of Desire
POV Edric Eldoria:
I crumpled the paper, closing my fingers around it. I pulled at my hair with my free hand, grinding my teeth in a low growl.
"Very bad?" he asked, apprehensive.
"They felt Ruda’s death, that’s why they’re summoning me," I breathed in a low voice.
Of course they would have felt it. The elders were the oldest and most absolute force of our lands. One of our wolves had suffered a tragic death, emanating energy.
I didn’t want to involve them in this, much less the others. My mating with Lunara was something recent, unexpected. I could already hear that bastard Sullivan’s stupid jokes about the attacks. I tried to make it seem as trivial as something I’d done drunk.
And now I’d have to drag them all into this shit.
I would inform Aldren; I was planning to go to his territory and tell him what had been happening. Also to make him aware and strengthen his defenses. Aldren was pragmatic when it came to the safety of his pack.
"And now?" he asked, scratching his jaw.
"I’ll go to the dinner and tell them the truth."
"What truth?"
"That Lunara has a bastard ex-fiancé who’s after her. As my mated wolf, they’ll understand why I can’t hand her over to him."
He crossed his arms and furrowed his blond brows.
"You don’t want to hand the wolf over because you can’t, or by choice?"
I felt a heat building in my chest, spreading slowly, running through my veins.
"Alessio could kill her."
"I doubt that very much. To be quite honest, Edric, I think he wants her back out of wounded pride. Lunara ran from him, ruining his plans." He narrowed his eyes. "That’s why I asked. You could strike a deal with Alessio, hand Lunara over, as long as he keeps her alive."
My wolf reacted to what he said. My eyes glowed, my fangs lengthened, as did my nails. Just the mere possibility of leaving the little wolf with another alpha unsettled him.
"There will be no deal, period. Handing her over is out of the question, Anton," I snarled.
He raised his hands and backed away.
"All right, I didn’t say anything."
"The heads are still in place?"
"Yes, they are."
"Every time one of them attacks us, rip their heads off and put up more stakes. If necessary, we’ll make a gate of heads. Maybe then they’ll understand how bad the idea of invading my territory really is."
"As you wish," he muttered, lowering his chin.
I turned to the side and continued on my way, heavy steps toward my home. I needed to eat something, take a long bath, and sleep. It had been two nights since I’d been able to rest, reliving Ruda’s death every time I closed my eyes.
Alessio would pay for every second of my shattered peace.
The forest around me was shrouded in complete darkness, drowned in absolute silence. It was as if nature itself was mourning, grieving the premature death of the little wolf.
I watched my shadow slip across the trunks as the silver light of the moon illuminated my body each time I passed between the trees.
I had built my house in a more secluded place, because I wanted privacy. I liked the silence that, for many, might feel disturbing. Admiring the branches swaying against the wind and the wildlife was one of my favorite hobbies, that’s why I had put wide windows in the rooms.
The outside lights of the residence illuminated the stone path that led to the front door. The contrast with the surrounding forest’s darkness, swallowing us, made everything even more beautiful.
As soon as I climbed the first steps of the porch, the smell of sour cabbage and ground meat floated into my nose.
Sarmale. One of my favorite dishes.
Smiling, I stepped inside, eager for the appetizing meal. That was exactly what I needed to sleep well. A good, delicious, fitting meal.
Upon entering, I found Lunara sitting on the couch, staring out the window. Her knees were bent and she held the plate between them and her chest, eating sarmale dripping with tomato sauce. The smell had filled the house and made my stomach growl.
"Good evening," I greeted, approaching her.
The wolf raised her brows and swallowed her bite.
"I didn’t know you’d be coming home," she said, cutting a piece of the stuffed sour cabbage, dipping it in the sauce, and shoving it into her mouth.
"And why wouldn’t I come home?" I shrugged.
"I think there are houses… more interesting to visit."
Our coexistence was wonderful. When I was home, she stayed locked in the bedroom. And when I wasn’t… well, she was probably doing what she was doing now.
At first, I spent my nights at Thalira’s house, but ever since the wolf began to annoy me, becoming too invasive, I started avoiding her. It had been weeks since I’d barely seen her.
Beside Lunara, on the couch, there was a worn-out book. Something she carried everywhere. I wondered if she was learning to read or why she read and reread the same book a million times.
"Got food for me?" I cast a glance over the counter, searching for pots.
She let out a shrill laugh.
"Of course not; I didn’t even know you’d be back tonight."
I clenched my teeth, irritated.
"What do you mean you didn’t know, if I come back every damn day?"
"Oh, I’m sorry for not being interested enough to keep track of your routine."
I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes.
"You cooked just for yourself?"
Slowly, she dipped another piece of sarmale into the sauce.
She lifted her gaze to mine and popped it in her mouth, chewing and sighing.
Damn her!
"Yes." She shrugged. "I don’t know why you look so surprised and offended."
"Maybe because you excluded me?!" I snapped.
"And don’t you do the same? Any event in the village, anything involving the pack, you either don’t tell me how it works or simply leave me out!"
I widened my eyes, realizing. It was revenge. She was upset with me, angry for having been excluded from the assembly.
"It’s different…" I muttered.
"It’s not different at all." She jabbed her fork into a roll and brought it to her mouth, biting off a large chunk. The crunch of the cabbage made my stomach twist with hunger. With each bite came a sigh of satisfaction. "If you want to eat, make your own food. I’m not your maid, much less do I have any feelings for you other than disgust."
She was punishing me.
"Nicoleta spoke to you…" I stated, exhaling the words.
She swallowed the food.