Chapter 76 Their looks
SCARLETT
It was a lazy afternoon today, and Ryker was engrossed in the palace matters, while Zora was…well, who the heck cared where she was, or what her defiant self was up to? Although she'd so far been making for a good show of entertainment through our regular 'chats'
Her oval-shaped face and eyes that seem to change color clearly didn't give away her sharp tongue.
I wonder how eye color works for her.
The sound of my footsteps in the quiet hallways echoed into my ears until I heard a faint sound. My eyes brows deepened, hastening my steps to where the sound came from.
The garden. Too curious to make out what the sound was about, I brushed past the flowers without casting a glance even though they were my 'thing' and fixed my gaze ahead instead.
“Give it back Tyler, else I'd tell mom”
“Try calling her from here if you can”
The two kids seemed to be lost in their argument as they still didn't notice my presence a few feet away from them.
A glimmer flickered in my eyes as I watched Leah shut her eyes like she was trying to gain concentration.
Sweet Moon goddess! Could she really summon her mother from here?
Does she even know what she is?
Then she opened her mouth and almost screamed my ears off.
A few hours was all I needed to know these two brats belonged to Zora and maybe Ryker.
It doesn't matter, though. Once I take my rightful place beside him, it won't matter.
They won't matter.
“Oh hey there redhead”, Tyler waved, noticing me.
I scoffed inwardly.
Brats.
Like mother like son.
“It's Miss Scarlett, kid, have some respect” I instantly rebuked, snapping my fingers at him.
“Wish I could say the same for you, Miss Scarlett” he retorted, grinning mischievously. "When will you realize you're the odd one out. It's better to save yourself from heartbreak than swear off love later on."
Smarter than his mother, I see.
“Don't have to stand here and take this” I muttered under my breath, casting one final glance of disdain at them before turning around to walk away.
I hadn't gotten far within the palace when I noticed the courtroom doors opened. This usually meant Ryker was on a little break from handling the Pack's duties.
He must be in his study by now.
A quick smile played on my lips as I made my way to the coffee room and then to Ryker's study.
“Knock Knock” I sang playfully from outside, pushing the door open and making my way inside.
“Scarlett”, Ryker acknowledged without looking up from the papers on his desk. “Any issues you might be having, you can please let Wesley know about it. I'm quite busy at the moment”
I forced myself not to think anything, as I still had no idea of the full extent of Ryker's abilities… yet.
Can he really compel me?
“Oh I know better than to disturb you, Ryker. I'm just here to help in the little way I can” I replied, setting the coffee on his desk.
"In preparation as your future, Luna," I added.
"I have no interest in you Scarlett, go back to the council. You have no place here."
"Ryker...." I pleaded, "Let's make this work. I am everything you need in a Luna."
Just like that, he went back to ignoring me and paid me no attention, not even slightly.
My jaw ticked in annoyance, the silence stretching between us until the door opened again, startling the both of us this time.
Zora.
I narrowed my eyes at her, but she strode past me with shoulders raised.
A light scoff escaped my lips, looking down at her in disdain. “What are you doing here, Zora?”
She lazily settled on the couch, sipping from the glass in her hand.
“I’d say for the same reason you're here, but I'm not a tramp”, she sneered towards the untouched coffee on the table. “who begs her way into a relationship."
I folded my arms across my chest in defense, ready to talk hee down, but I thought better against it. A Luna should be lenient to her subjects.
Dinner was nothing short of the usual. Zora and I sat on opposite sides of Ryker while throwing words back and forth like they were pieces of bacon.
“Here, extra meat for strong bones” I said, placing a piece of steak on his plate.
“Whoever told you that?”, Zora inquired, a mocking tone in her voice.
My fingers shook slightly, holding the cutleries in my hand. “why should you care” I whispered, the brokenness in my voice disgusting me for a moment.
My eyes gradually turned cold, burning holes into Ryker as he gulped down his wine in oblivion.
"You really aren't going to say anything about your plaything being a bitch?"
"Insult her in one more breath and that's the last thing you'll do." Ryker said coldly, his eyes leveling me down.
I felt like a pest clinging on to me‐
No, I felt really small under his gaze.
I scooted my chair back and left the dining room. I have some place else to be anyway..
More important and it's almost time.
The palace was still surprisingly guarded this night.
Every single wing had guards patrolling with watchful eyes.
Still, it wasn't hard to find a blindspot.
Fortunately, my brief encounter with the kids earlier this afternoon led me to one right here in the garden.
Very smoothly, I climbed down the walls, landing safely outside the palace walls, and made my way through the town.
The cold air was enough to freeze me to numbness, but I guess my heart was already cold enough to set me on this mission in the first place.
“You're surprisingly early ”, I said, staring straight ahead into the thick darkness in front of me.
“How are things at the palace?” he asked, his voice causing the hairs on my skin to rise.
My heart pounded, recollecting my emotions at dinner.
“As awful and testing as it could be”I replied grudgingly, "Goddess, I hate borh of their guts!"
"Are they suspicious?"
"I'm playing my role well, of course not. When is it going to be? I feel like one more day and I might actually try to take them on myself."
“Patience Scarlett, everything is being set in place, just a little more”, he tried to cajole me,
“It's been torturing days now, and the bastard is so unbothered. If you ask me, the best time to strike is now”, I swiftly turned to face him, glaring into his masked face.
I don't know who this is, but we have a common goal, destroy the pretend happy couple.
That's all I need to accept my ally.
He seemed to study me for a bit, then turned around as if to walk away, “Then one more day it is Scarlett”.
I released a sigh of relief, watching his back disappear into the darkness.
One more day, and I can't wait to see the looks on their faces.