Chapter 21 Jealousy
CHAPTER 21: Jealousy
Seraphine's POV
“Let’s talk about last night.”
He repeated and for a split second, my mind went completely blank and then heat rushed straight to my face.
Damn it.
I turned away quickly, pretending to focus on the wet clothes in my hands and hoping the cold water would cool my cheeks. It didn’t. If anything, it made the strange feeling inside me louder.
Stupid bond.
Stupid lycan.
Stupid me…!
“There’s nothing to talk about,” I said quickly. “It was a mistake.”
Behind me, I heard him shift and I could feel his eyes on my back like heat from a fire.
“A mistake,” he repeated.
“Yes,” I snapped. “One moment of bad judgment. That’s all.”
Silence stretched for a while between us before he broke it again.
“Then why didn’t you stop me?” he asked.
I froze and my fingers unconsciously tightened around the cloth and I spun around to face him with my anger flaring bright enough to burn away the embarrassment.
“Why did you kiss me in the first place?”
His brow lifted slightly.
“What?” I demanded. “Is the mighty Lycan King weak after all? Falling for a fragile little human girl?”
His jaw tightened and I saw it. He was angry... but he was holding it back.
“Careful,” he said. “You’re testing my patience.”
I stepped closer with my chin high.
“Maybe you should test your own self-control.”
His eyes darkened.
“I know what you are,” he said slowly. “It has become clear to me that you were sent here to kill me.”
My heart skipped... but I didn’t show it.
“And yet,” he continued with his voice low, “I don’t understand why I’m drawn to you.”
That sentence alone was enough to make my skin crawl. I ready knew already but having to hear him confirm it with his own words was disgusting..!
“Then stay away from me,” I snapped. “Go. Leave me alone.”
For a moment I thought he wouldn’t. His body was tense like a coiled spring ready to snap but then he turned away without another word.
I watched him walk off, tall and proud and infuriating and only when he was gone did I let out the breath I’d been holding.
Goddess help me.
I dropped the cloth into the water and sat on a smooth rock by the stream, staring at nothing.
I came here with one goal. Kill the Lycan King. Simple, clean and final so why did everything feel like it was falling apart?
The bond pulsed quietly inside me like a reminder I couldn’t silence amd I really hated it. I haated how it tugged at my thoughts, my feelings and even my body.
I pressed my palms against my eyes. Pull yourself together, Seraphine. I muttered inwardly.
“You look like you’re fighting invisible demons.”
I jumped and looked up immediately.
“Maya!” I gasped.
She stood behind me smiling brightly and looking far too cheerful for everything going on.
“You scared me,” I muttered.
She laughed.
“Sorry. Good news though!”
I eyed her warily.
“I’m almost afraid to ask.”
“The king reassigned me to you,” she said happily. “I’m your maid again.”
Relief washed over me so fast it almost made my knees weak.
“You’re serious?” I asked.
She nodded.
“I am. Guess I’m hard to get rid of.”
I smiled despite myself.
“I’m glad it’s you.”
She grinned.
“Me too. Now let’s finish this before someone decides we’re plotting rebellion.”
That actually made me laugh.
We worked quietly and for the first time in days, I felt almost normal.. almost.
By the time we returned to the pack house, my arms ached and my thoughts were calmer but that peace lasted exactly three seconds before a group of lycan soldiers stepped directly into my path.
“Yes?” I asked cautiously.
“Lady Seraphine?” one of them asked.
I crossed my arms.
“Unless you’ve got another human bride hiding around here.”
“We are your personal guards,” he said. “Assigned by the king.”
I groaned.
“No.”
They didn’t even blink.
“You can go,” I said. “I don’t need guards.”
“We cannot,” another replied flatly. “Orders.”
“This is ridiculous,” I snapped. “I’m not a child.”
They didn’t move and I turned on my heel.
“Fine. I’ll handle this myself.”
I found Aric in the courtyard speaking with a few officers and he noticed me instantly. Of course he did, he was the big bad Lycan after all.
“What is this?” I demanded the moment he dismissed them. “Why are there guards following me everywhere?”
“For your protection,” he replied calmly.
“I don’t want it.”
“It’s not optional.”
I stepped closer.
“You don’t get to control every part of my life.”
“I do when your safety is involved.”
“I can protect myself,” I argued.
“I know,” he said. “That doesn’t change my decision.”
“You’re impossible!” I hissed.
“And you’re stubborn,” he shot back.
We glared at each other and then he turned and walked away. He had already made his decision and there was no going back really. I knew even then that I'd be forced to move everywhere with the soldiers breathing down my neck now.
I stood there with my fists clenched muttering curses that would have made my father proud.
“Oh, don’t look so murderous.”
I turned to see Darius leaning against a pillar, smiling like he’d just witnessed great entertainment.
“You enjoy this,” I accused.
“Immensely,” he said. “You should see your face.”
I sighed.
“Your cousin is unbearable.”
He chuckled.
“That’s his charm. Suck it up. He’s strong-headed.”
“I noticed.”
We walked slowly through the courtyard, talking about nothing important. Somehow, he kept making jokes. Bad ones. Ridiculous ones qnd somehow… I laughed. Really laughed.
It surprised me but then I felt it. That sharp awareness. I looked up. Aric stood across the yard, watching us.
His expression was dark. Intense. Jealous. The realization made something spark inside me.
I turned back to Darius and laughed louder. Aric’s jaw tightened. Good.
Then the bells rang. Sharp. Loud. Urgent. Alarm bells. Every lycan froze and my heart dropped.
Something was very, very wrong…