Chapter 32

Lorenzo.

Fucking Klaus!

I could not bring myself to think he might have done something to her. Which, of course, I wouldn't put past him.

She was in his arms, and I realized then, that nothing had ever irked me as much as this did. Needless to say, I didn't fucking trust him.

I held her, supporting her lightweight, as her knees gave out. And then, I swiftly picked her up, heading straight to my room.

Using a leg to push open the door, I got in, immediately placing her on the bed.

Tears matted her cheeks as she sobbed. Her lips trembled as her shoulders slumped.

Sitting beside her, my hands found their way to her chin, slightly raising it a bit. She flinched her head to the side, but I held on, cupping her cheeks rather.

I thought I was void of care and affection, but seeing her this way eats up at me, and I just wanna hold her to comfort her.

She bit her lips, trying so hard to hide her trembling lips. I reached out my thumb finger, gently prodding her lower lip out.

"I am deeply sorry, Valerie," I found myself saying, as I stared at her teary eyes. The words sounded strange on my lips, but it felt right. So right. Like I kinda needed it as well.

But, it only fueled her tears the more. They ran hurriedly down her cheeks, and my thumb kept wiping them off until it turned into a full-blown sob.

"He didn't deserve this," she hiccuped, "My father didn't deserve to die."

"I know, I know. I am sorry, love. I really am."

It was unnecessary to say I was at fault, and I knew a mere apology wouldn't cut it, but it was my only resort at the moment.

I pulled her gently to my side, cradling her head, as it rested on my chest, her body trembling against me.

I let her cry for a while until her sobs subsided, and I felt her heartbeat begin to normalize.

Just then, there was a knock at the door, eliciting a low groan from my chest.

I pulled away gently, my eyes boring into hers, noticing they were getting dazed.

"You need to rest," I said.

The knock sounded again, and I gently laid her down, on the bed and stood to get the door.

I knew for sure that must be Kai. He always has impeccable timing. But as I opened the door, the face that greeted me caught me off guard, causing my eyes to narrow in anger.

The maid!

The freaking maid from the other night. Standing at the door with her hands tucked at her side.

"You! What the hell are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in the dungeon?"

"I'm sorry, Alpha. Lu...Luna asked me to.."

Cutting the words out of her mouth, I clutched at her neck, as I stepped a bit out the door, "You must have a lot of guts stepping foot here. Who the fuck let you out of the dungeon!?"

"Luna Ellie... she..she asked me to come to her. I.."

"Well, she isn't fucking here."

I let go of her, and she tumbled on her feet.

My eyes roamed over her, snippets of the night before, flooding in my mind. I still didn't know how the hell I had lost control of myself that way.

She was wearing the same maid's uniform from the other night. The black and white gown which went down her knees. The first buttons of the dress were left off, and my eyes caught a bit of cleavage, bringing back flashbacks.

I shook my head, "Get the hell out of here and go do something useful!"

I turned my back on her, heading back into the room, when I suddenly paused.

"Wait!" I called out.

"Yes, Alpha," she responded, staring up at me as I turned to face her.

"See to it that a meal be brought to my room at once."

She nodded, "Yes, Alpha. I will quickly dish it..."

"No!" I cut her off. "You would prepare a fresh meal. Chicken Tortilla soup. You have five minutes. I would suggest you hurry up!"

I went back to the room, shutting the door behind me, as I made my way to the bed.

She was lying on her side, and I noticed the top of the hospital gown she was putting on, was wet with her tears. Her eyes were closed and it took me a while to deduce that she had fallen asleep again.

Heaving a sigh, I brought up the duvet, covering her exposed legs. And for a moment, I simply stared at her.

I nudged on the mind link, trying to reach out to Kai, but he was not responding.

Moving to the bathroom, I opted for a cold shower, to calm my nerves.

There is a fucking lot to be done... piles and piles of paperwork in the office which I haven't yet glanced at.

There is also the mating ceremony. The ceremony I'd dreaded to think about. But the date was fast approaching...hell, my Aunt was here already, and that lady wouldn't stop until she saw the success of it.

And then there's Ellie. Carrying my pup. The realization sent a surge of a strange feeling, I couldn't fathom, in me.

I was finally having an heir. What everyone wanted. What we all wanted. Or do I?

<<<<

An hour later, I was sitting on a sofa in the room, watching her as she slowly roused.

The maid had brought the meal exactly as requested, but I couldn't bring myself to wake her, so I asked her to bring it back in an hour. And just as I'd guessed, same time she decided to be awake.

"You okay?" I asked, watching her carefully, as she sat up in bed.

The meal was sitting on a tray opposite me, and I brought it to her on the bed.

Her eyes followed my movements warily, "What are you doing?"

Sitting beside her on the bed, I brought up the tray on the bed.

"You need to eat." I simply said.

Her eyes trailed to the meal and then to me, as she moved off the bed, "I am not hungry."

"Hey, where are you going?"

"Can you just...stop breathing over me? Please."

"Not until you have something to eat. You haven't had a reasonable meal for a while now."

Without saying another word, she got off the bed.

I turned to face her, "Where are you going?"

She stopped mid-stride, as she stood beside the bed. Locks of hair fell on her face as she spoke, "Can you just...let me be? I need my fucking space. I don't need you hovering over me. I need you to get out."

I stood up on the bed, making my way toward her, "I understand you must be upset and grieving, but you need to eat."

She shook her head and a strand of hair fell on her face, covering her eye. My hands stretched forward, tucking the strand of hair behind her ears.

"I need a phone." She suddenly blurted.

"What?"

"I need a phone and I need you out of the room. If you can't do that, just get out of my way." She moved away from me and headed straight to the bathroom.