Chapter 12 Slowly losing my mind
Ruel’s POV
Elric stands frozen at the doorway, his eyes moving between us. An Inaudible vibration breaks out deep in my chest when I catch the hint of amusement in his gaze.
“Sorry,” he mutters, barely holding back a gasp. “I’ll… step out.” he says and immediately backs away, gently closing the door.
The silence that follows the click of the door is heavier than the redhead's breathing.
She takes several steps back, catching her breath, her chest rising and falling too fast. Her pale lips remain parted as those sullen eyes sharpen with fear and fury all at once.
In all of this, the only thing that fills my head is that strong, sweet floral scent. Like a curse it remains curled around my lungs, causing heat to spread under my skin, like someone lit a flame inside me.
I hate how my body reacts to it…her.
To the bond… Something I doubt she can feel. But what if she isn't my mate and I'm just imagining things.
But I've never felt like this just by looking at someone. By inhaling their scent. No one's ever had such alluring scent.
I drag my gaze away from her and calmly call out, “Elric,”
The door opens almost immediately.
“Sir?” he responds, allowing his gaze drift to Ira again.
I don't know why my jaw tightens at the unnecessary attention he gives her.
“Stay,” I tell him before turning back to Ira. “Listen carefully, Ira.” I start with control. The Alpha King has given strict orders regarding you.”
She straightens, but her lips don't move.
“You are to serve me,” I say, mentally recording how warm my chest feels when those words leave my lips. The thought of her being under me just feels unhealthily good.
“Directly under me.” I repeat, hating myself for engaging in the absurdity of my thoughts. “The orders are not optional.”
Her eyes grow wet but her shoulders lift subtly. “So I’m supposed to just obey?”
“Yes,” I cut her off. “Here, at the base, you don't have a choice. You will follow every instruction you’re given. You will report to me every morning. You will not leave until you are dismissed. You will not question assignments you are given. You will not talk back at me or try to attack anyone else.”
“I won't do it. You'll have to kill me first to have your way with me. I won't let a ma…”
“You are not needed in my bedroom, Ira. That is the one duty I'll never need from you. Not only are you not pleasant to look upon… but I also don't fuck servants.”
Her breath stops for a second. She blinks. And then a tiny hint of relief flickers across her face.
Her eyes soften for a moment and I'm left staring into those ocean eyes, my heart pounding so loud in my chest.
I clench my hands into fists, needing to keep myself grounded.
“Cortis!” I raise my voice just enough.
Within a second, Cortis matches in and just like Elric she glances at Ira… but with unhidden worry in her gaze.
“From today, you will teach her servant-etiquette,” I announce. “And proper posture… Everything.”
Cortis nods, “yes Commander.”
“Take her to the servant quarters, until I make up my mind about her.” I order.
Ira doesn’t move at first. She stares at me like she wants to spit in my face. Or cry. Or scream. I can’t tell which.
“You’re dismissed,” I say firmly.
Her jaw tightens but when Cortis gestures to the door, she turns and walks out, her scent lingering behind.
Elric lets out a low whistle. “Well,”
I raise a brow. “What?”
He grins slowly. That annoying kind that I mostly don't reserve energy for. “I wasn’t going to say anything, but… do you want to explain the position you two were in when I walked in?”
“Elric.” My gaze hardens.
“What? I’m just asking.” He lifts both hands. “Because from where I stood, it looked like you were considering the Alpha King’s suggestion.”
I glare even harder at him. “You’ve got it all wrong.”
He laughs, dropping into a chair. “Then why did it look like you were about to rip the clothes of the poor lady?”
“I wasn’t.”
He arcs a brow. “You were leaning over her,”
“She attacked first.” I blurt out.
“And you thought pinning her… positioning yourself right between her spread thighs was the best way to control the situation?”
I curse him under my breath. Mostly for reminding me of the heat that has immediately spread between us due to our proximity.
Elric grins wider. “Ruel… you don’t pin pretty looking ladies like that unless you’re…”
“Elric,” I cut in sharply. “Shut up.”
A softer laugh escapes him this time. “Relax, I’m teasing you… well mostly.”
I don’t respond.
Because the truth is, I don’t know how I let myself get that close.
I could literally feel her warm breath on my face.
Her soft body against mine. The warmth between her thick thighs.
Shit.
This isn't looking good at all. Still I'm done with getting interrogated over something I don't even understand.
“Why are you here? Didn't I tell you to handle the rogue?” I rest my elbows on the smooth surface of the table but I eventually lean back when I realize her scent is stronger on it.
“You did.” he nods, “He spoke up.”
“And?” I straighten, my ears attentive.
Elric taps a rhythmic beat with his fingers, muttering, “There are more strays than we thought in the East.”
I exhale slowly. “How many?”
“A lot. Maybe hundreds, maybe more. From what we gathered… what he was willing to give… they’re hiding.”
My eyes widen. “Hundreds?”
Elric nods.
“Damn,” I breathe out.
“Because the rogues we caught earlier were too scared to speak, and the other alphas have submitted false reports, we never realized how much work we still have.”
I run a hand through my hair. “Do you think the alpha King knows. Perhaps he feels we were aware of the truth and merely trying to deceive him.”
“Justifying his actions again, are you?”
“Say whatever you want but we both know that's a possibility.”
“No it's not. Because how would he find out outside of us?” Elric questions.
“Maybe there's a snitch in the East.”
“Ruel, we've taken down tens of their men. We've tortured them in the worst way possible and this is still the first to speak up. Only because I promised a quicker end to his misery.”
“You do have a point.” I admit but say nothing else, my eyes flickering to the door.
A hand sweeps the air before my face. “Ruel. Are you listening?” Elric frowns.
“What?”
He frowns, “You're distracted. I’m almost sure you are still thinking about her.”
I look away, furious about how I know he knows I know who he's talking about.
“She’s trouble, Ruel.” Elric mutters. “I can feel it from here.”
“She’s nothing,” I say quickly. ”And you're wrong. I'm not thinking of the servant.”
Dear goddess, I'm slowly losing my mind.