Chapter 15 Fourteen
Howard.
“How could you miss such information, Howard. You were to report such incident immediately it happened not when damages are done.” There was anger laced with disappointment in my father’s voice. I can’t seem to lay a finger on why he’s exaggerating this.
“Father, I did not think he was Alpha Damon’s son. And he shouldn’t have crossed my line.” I try to make my father understand but he’s not giving me that benefit.
“His father is threatening to attack Direwood,” my father said worriedly.
“Alpha Damon doesn’t have half the power Direwood pack possess…”
“Damages will still be done, Damn it.” He slams his hand against the wooden desk. I stay mute and observe him. He sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose before he slumps into his chair.
“We would secure each angle and each wall. We’d double up the security and make sure no one comes near our territory.”
My father wasn’t at all convinced and it makes me wonder why he’s so worried about this too much. This wouldn’t be the first a nemesis threatens to attack but fail. Why is he so worried about Alpha Damon’s pack attacking?
It’s his son’s fault for trying to attack me and Nora the other night we were by the cliff. He wanted Nora as his slave and I defended her from him which led him to falling off the cliff. He didn’t die, just severely injured and now his father it threatening to attack us for his son’s heedless choices.
“Go now, go to your wife.” He dismisses me and I somehow feel disappointed. I prefer standing here and being yelled by my father than go back home and face Nora after I had left her.
I stepped out of my father's study, feeling a mixture of anger and frustration coursing through me. Nora must be feeling hurt and dejected, but I couldn't bring myself to care at that moment. I had warned her, told her that I'd make her life a living hell if she dared to marry me, but she seemed to think she could change my mind.
She had the audacity to confront me about us being fated mates, but I didn't care about the moon Goddess pairing us as mates. Love wasn't something I believed in, and I wasn't about to let anyone dictate my life, not even some supposed cosmic bond. I refused to be tied down, and Nora should've seen that coming.
I needed to clear my mind, and going home was out of the question. I didn't want to face Nora and the emotions that came with it. Instead, I decided to head to the bar, hoping a few drinks would help me forget about the mess I had created.
As I entered the dimly lit establishment, I found a quiet corner and ordered a drink. The alcohol burned as it went down my throat, momentarily numbing the pain and anger swirling inside me. I tried to distract myself, but thoughts of Nora kept creeping back in.
Part of me wondered if I had made the right decision, but I quickly shook that off. I couldn't let myself be swayed by emotions or the idea of fate. I needed to stay strong and stick to my resolve.
I took another swig from my drink, letting the alcohol wash over me, numbing my senses just enough to take the edge off. The dim lights of the bar danced around me as I scanned the room, seeking some sort of distraction from my troubles.
And there she was, a vision of seduction, moving gracefully through the crowd. A mischievous smirk played on my lips as I watched her draw nearer, her alluring gaze locked onto mine. I knew this encounter wouldn't lead to anything meaningful, but it was precisely what I needed in that moment – a temporary escape.
Without hesitation, she perched herself on my lap, her touch gentle as she traced her finger along my face. "What brings someone like you here?" she inquired, her voice dripping with charm. I couldn't help but chuckle at her audacity, knowing she knew who I was.
The alcohol loosened my tongue, and I carelessly admitted. “I am running away from an unwanted marriage, a fate imposed upon me by my father's ambitions.”
In hindsight, it was a foolish thing to disclose, but I found myself inexplicably drawn to her, as if her magnetic allure had unlocked my guarded secrets.
She smiled, her lips curving into a knowing grin. "Would you like me to make you forget about your troubles?" she teased, the question laced with suggestive undertones. In my inebriated state, I nodded eagerly, my half-closed eyes never leaving her captivating gaze.
In that hazy moment, I willingly surrendered to the allure of her company, seeking refuge from my unbridled reality.
As we stumbled into my home, the weight of my earlier troubles seemed to fade into the background. My senses were heightened, my heart pounding with excitement and anticipation. I was caught up in the whirlwind of the night, embracing the spontaneity of it all.
Without a second thought, I led her straight to my room. Her lips immediately lingered on mine, eager and inviting. But as her passion intensified, I couldn't help but feel a disconnect, a void that separated me from the raw emotions she was trying to evoke. It was a feeling I had grown accustomed to – a lack of attachment or genuine affection for the women I took to my bed.
In the dimly lit room, I allowed myself to be swept away by the moment, giving in to her desires and mine. Yet, amidst the heat and fervor, my mind wandered to someone else – Nora. A boisterous mixture of frustration and resentment welled up inside me, tightening its grip on my heart.
I couldn't shake the memory of all the kiss I shared with Nora, those kisses that had stirred something in me. It had been a moment of vulnerability that I loathed myself for embracing. My lips had touched hers, and for an instant, I felt a flicker of something real, something beyond mere physicality. It had terrified me, how she could stir such emotions within me, and I had recoiled, pushing her away.
In the midst of this passionate encounter with the woman before me, I couldn't help but compare her to Nora. The way her lips moved against mine lacked the depth and meaning I had felt in that one stolen moment with Nora. It made me resent her, even as she desperately tried to bring me pleasure.
I tried to focus on the present, on this woman who was here with me now, but the ghost of Nora lingered in the back of my mind, taunting me. I cursed myself for allowing her to have such power over me, for still affecting me even though I wanted nothing to do with her.
As the night wore on, I kept up the façade of desire and passion, but deep down, I knew something was missing. It wasn't her fault; it was my own emotional walls that prevented me from truly connecting with anyone. I used casual encounters as a way to numb myself, to escape the vulnerability that came with real intimacy.
I opened my eyes to the morning sun, I noticed the room was empty. However, I could hear the sound of running water coming from the bathroom. It hit me suddenly - the girl from last night, the one I had a one-night stand with, was taking a shower in my bathroom.
Memories of last night flooded my mind, and I couldn't help but curse my actions. I brought Nora home after our wedding reception, but instead of being with her, I left without any explanation and ended up with someone else. I didn't feel remorse, though, as I had warned Nora about my feelings and she had to face the consequences of her actions.
My hatred towards Nora consumed me, and I found myself wishing her pain and suffering, hoping it would make her hate me as much as I hated her.
The girl stepped out of my bathroom, my towel wrapped around her chest, I couldn't help but feel annoyed by her audacity to think she had time to take a shower in my place. My mind was still reeling from the events of last night, and having her linger around only added to my frustration.
"What the hell are you still doing in my house?" I blurted out, unable to hide my irritation. She seemed taken aback at first, but quickly brushed it off.
“I am leaving now,” she said, nonchalantly as she gathers her stuff.
I waited as she dressed up, trying to keep my impatience in check. I didn't want her to stay any longer than necessary, and I just wanted to be alone to sort out my thoughts and emotions.
As we stepped out of my room, the girl and I were met with a horrifying sight - Nora stepping out of her room, witnessing the whole scene. Despite her shock and misery, I remained emotionless, showing no sign of regret for my actions. We walked past Nora without a word, and I could feel her gaze burning into me, but I refused to let it affect me.
I had warned Nora before, and she had chosen to ignore my feelings and actions. This was her consequence, and I felt no sympathy for her pain. It may have seemed heartless, but I couldn't bring myself to care at that moment. The girl I had slept with left, and when I turned to face Nora, she was standing on the last step of the stairs, her eyes filled with disappointment.
Still, I felt no remorse.
Deep down, I knew this situation was messy and hurtful, but I couldn't find it within me to care about the pain I had caused Nora.
“I was worried about you last night,” she said, her voice breaking as she did. I felt my anger intensify. I glared at her and, without a word, walked towards the kitchen.
Inside, the maids were busy working, but as soon as they saw Nora and me together, they quietly exited, giving us space. I grabbed a mug and started making myself a cup of coffee, trying to focus on something else to quell the rising rage inside me.
Nora continued speaking, and her words only fueled my anger further. I couldn't bear to listen to her, so I yelled, “Fucking shup up! Fuck! If this bothers you so much, then leave. No one is fucking holding you back.”
I watch her face turn pale white. It was as if every word I said was rubbing salt into an already painful wound.
She looked at me one last time, and in that moment, I saw a mix of regret and sadness in her eyes. But it was too late for remorse. The damage was done, and I was beyond the point of revoking my vows against her.
As Nora walked out, I felt a mixture of relief and peace.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, but the anger still simmered beneath the surface. I knew I had to give myself time to process everything and decide how to move forward. For now, I needed to be alone and figure out what to do next.