The sun was peeking through the window. I rubbed my face; the cushion was wet because of my tears. I couldn't sleep for a second last night.
Whenever I closed my eyes, Selene's pleading face popped in my head. Her crying face, pleading on her knees before alpha Andrew.
This was all messed up. I wanted to know about Reed's past but at what cost. It was a lot more than that. I cannot bear it. I have not signed for this. I checked the time; the clock showed ten in the morning. Surprisingly, nobody called me today for training. Not even August.
I opened the door only to face the cause of my pain, the center of all my undesirable problems, my mate. He was sleeping before my door, leaning against the wall. He looked so calm and adorable. For a moment, I wished he would sleep more.
As if hearing my footsteps, he opened his eyes and looked directly at me. I tried to ignore him by walking fast toward the bathroom. After last night I knew he had questions I didn't want to answer.
"Esma!" he shouted behind me, quick on my heels. I did not look back and kept walking—just a few steps more. Before I could make it to the bathroom, he quickly tugged my one hand so hard that I fell back against him and closed the door.
He had purple bags below his eyes. He looked annoyed, either because of sleeping on the floor or maybe because of me ignoring him now. His eyes darkened with every passing minute. I tried to remember my encounter with him last night. Or maybe I have said too much.
I glared back at him and tried to free my hand from his hold, but he did not budge. I beat him, tried to claw him with my free hand, but he kept looking at me. "Leave my hand alone," I shouted, my throat hurting because of crying the whole night. I was one more minute away from another breakdown.
"What do you want?" I shouted once more in the hope someone would come to my rescue. He did not utter a single word but keep looking at me.
Suddenly, he lifted me bridal style and walked toward the bathroom. "Please leave me alone. I can walk by myself," I pleaded, but he didn't listen to any of them. He opened the door and walked towards the washbasin.
I looked at my reflection, and saying that I was shocked would be an understatement. I was terrified by my own look. My eyes were red and swelled due to continuously crying for the whole night. The tears were long dried on my cheeks. I was looking as if I was raised from the dead. I was looking like hell.
He dropped me on my feet with grace, stood silently, and kept looking at my reflection in the mirror. I opened the tap and let the fresh water touch me. After I was finished washing my face, I went to the bathroom. Reed left me alone after ensuring I wouldn't cry as soon he would leave me alone.
After I had finished my business, I walked downstairs. The whole house was empty. Reed put a fresh pot of coffee on the table and motioned me to sit. I complied without saying anything. He looked tired, as if he also had not slept the whole night.
I took a sip from the coffee, and immediately a sigh left my lips. This was the best coffee I ever tasted. Reed soon returned holding a tray of food and sat beside me. He did not say anything the whole time but just kept staring at me.
I ate the food awkwardly. Neither he uttered a single word nor me. I put the plates aside when I was full.
"Where are other people of the house?" I asked in a low voice.
"Gone for the training. I told your mother you had a headache, so she went to the pack house to meet someone, most likely your pack doctor," he said, still looking at me pensively. I hummed and played with whatever was left on my plate.
He caught my wrist to get my attention. "What happened last night?" he asked, looking straight into my eyes as if to catch me if I lied. I looked away, feeling a little intimidated by his intense gaze.
"Nothing." I stood from the table and started collecting the empty plates. He stood immediately and stopped me. He turned me to look directly at him. "Tell me, what happened to you last night?" His voice sounded desperate and vulnerable.
I pursed my lips before pulling myself away from him. "It's nothing you should be concerned about," I said, dismissing the subject. A feeling of hurt and anger crossed his eyes, but he tried not to show it on the surface.
"Leave me alone, remember we are nothing but just two alphas trying to save our people. Better to keep this that way," I said with a heavy heart. My own words hurt me more than him.
Before he could have said anything, his phone buzzed inside his pocket. He closed his eyes and took several breaths to calm himself before answering whoever was on the other side.
"Yes, I know, Asher. I am on my way." With that, he ended the call and looked directly at me.
"This..." He gestures between him and me. "This is not over," he said and opened the door of the house. With the final look at me, he left.
I don't know what to make of his sudden behavior change. He was...so bipolar.
One moment he was cold and distant, and the other, he was all loving and caring. I blushed, remembering how he picked me up bridal style a few minutes ago. Although I had rejected him, there was still some strange attraction, a thread joining me to him, a feeling I can't justify.
I don't know for how long I stood there thinking about him before August entered the house.
"That's what happens when you don't listen to your elder brother," he said, cockily eating an apple. He sat on the seat and watched me keenly.
I glared daggers in his direction but didn't say anything. First, I needed him. Second, I don't want my family's blood on my hands.
"Tell me, what I missed?" He looked at me amusingly, still eating the apple at a painfully slow speed. He closed his eyes as if ignoring me. I knew my brother very well. He never failed to laugh at my misery.
I glared at him for the whole minute before he opened one eye to look at me. The bastard was already suppressing his smile. I made a mental note to punch his stupid face. Or I can do it now.
"Well, there is no sign of witches. I have already talked to Dumeny and the other alphas. Nothing happened there which considered as suspicious from the witches' side," he said, closing his eyes again and sighing as if in pure relief.
Nothing happened from the witches' side. But Diana told me they were planning something on a bigger scale. They were readying themselves for war. Then how could they remain calm? I snapped out of my thoughts by hearing the snoring beside me.
August was fast asleep on the chair. He had worked very hard. It was my duty to go on patrolling last night, but I ditched it at the last moment, and Reed told me August went. He also didn't get his mate, and sometimes I prayed he would at least find his other half soon. He had every right to deserve the happiness he was worthy of. He worked hard, always worked in the fair of the pack. Always made their well-being his number one priority. He also deserves someone who makes him her priority.
I tiptoed to my room and closed the door behind me silently. I jumped to the bed, but a letter was placed carefully on one side addressed to me. It was sealed with some ancient label, and for some reason, I know who would send me this.
I opened the letter only to clear all my doubts.
Esma Rockwood,
I hope you are as beautiful as one of our sisters described you. I am really impressed with how you started training your people to fight us. Trust me. I meant no harm. I can convince you if you meet me tomorrow night in the forest alone. We don't want to fight you either. You will get the time and place in my next letter.
Looking forward to meeting you.
H.
I threw the paper in the dustbin as soon I finished reading it. The letter immediately caught fire. How could anyone enter my house, in my room? I didn't hear anyone entering my room. I was awake the whole night and only left my room now for a few minutes.
I laid on the bed thinking of all the scenarios, whether to go or not. If it was a trap, then I was also ready. I couldn't risk the lives of my pack.
I had to do this alone.