Chapter 8 8
Odette's Pov
My steps were stiff as I made my way to the dining hall downstairs. After three days of ignoring me, Aaron finally wanted to see me.
Questions ran through my head as I went downstairs.
Why did he agree to meet with me?
Did he genuinely want to see me or was this just one of those days where he would eat with me because he's got the time?
I groaned and ran a hand through my hair.
“This way, ma'am.” Caesar said, leading me towards a large double door.
The air in the dining hall was chilly and made the castle feel hollow.
Caesar hadn't spoken to me since the library. He had even stepped forward and pretended I wasn't there. I told myself he was doing that to protect me because he was my guard but the silence stretched for a pregnant pause, I bit back a giant sigh.
He knocked on the door and took a step back.
“Come in,” a familiar voice said.
I swallowed and put my hand around the door knob to open it. Nothing had prepared me for the next thing I saw.
Sitting beside Aaron was a tall, graceful, blonde curly hair pinned perfectly on her head. Her gown shimmered faintly, like the diamonds around her neck. She looked the same way she did during dinner a few days ago.
What the heck was she doing here?
“My Luna,” the woman said, "I hope I didn't disturb you.”
I forced a small smile on my face as I sat down on one of the chairs.
“Forgive my boldness, Your Highness, but I am Leila of Greystone Pack, “ she curtisied. “I arrived this morning with my mate, Alpha Adam.”
At the mention of that name, something in my chest tightened. I could even feel the stiffness from him from way over here.
Shortly after, Adam joined us, smiling too easily and staring at me for too long. I forced a polite smile and welcomed him to Blackwood Castle. I nearly asked him what the heck he was doing here.
After breakfast, Arm and Aaron excused themselves to discuss with each other, leaving just me and Leila in the room.
I reached for a cup of tea when she smiled. “The journey here was pleasant. I mean, Aaron's land is very beautiful,” the she looks old at the foggy window. “There’s something haunting about this place, don’t you think?”
“I suppose there is,” I said carefully.
She turned her gaze back to me, and for a moment, I saw something that looked like pity cross her eyes. “You must find it lonely here, my Luna. So far from your home. Married into a family as... complicated as this one.”
Her tone was light but I understood the meaning behind those words. She wanted to make it sound as though I was unhappy here but deep down, I wasn't. I don't have any gone I can remember and though their family was complicated, I made sure to steer clear from them, especially her.
I pretended she hadn't said that and smiled back. “I manage well enough. Aaron has been very kind to me.”
Leila’s smile deepened, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Kind?... oh yes. That’s one word to describe him. He is very kind indeed for not consummating your marriage. ”
“What?” I blinked. “What does consummate mean?”
She pushed her chair closer to mine till the distance closed. “It means… Aaron has not fulfilled the marriage rites by …. sleeping with you and it's a good thing he hasn't. Adam told me about Aaron. He said he's not quite himself these days.”
I pushed the part about marriage rites to the back of my mind and frowned. “What do you mean?”
Leila tilted her head, as if deciding on how much truth to feed me. “There are rumours, you see. One that says when the Blood Moon rises, that Aaron becomes... different. He becomes murderous and no one can stop him.”
My stomach churned but I ignored the hollowed feeling. “I don’t listen to rumours, Leila.”
“Of course not,” she said smoothly. “But sometimes rumours save lives. I hope you understand what I mean, don't you?”
I nodded. “Of course, I do.”
Her gaze dropped to the locket resting on my chest and she smiled. “That’s beautiful. May I?”
Before I could answer, she reached out and touched it.
“Silver,” she murmured. “A curious choice for someone married to a Blackwood.”
I furrowed my brows. “What are you saying?”
Leila’s eyes softened in a way that almost made me believe her concern. “Nothing, dear Luna. Only that the last woman who wore this necklace died. Aaron was the one who killed her.”
She lowered her voice and leaned closer. “Aaron is a monster, Odette. That's what he has always been.”
My breath caught at the sound of my name on her tongue. “You should go.”
“I’m only warning you.”
“Leave.”
For a heartbeat, neither of us moved. Then she smiled again, that same perfect smile that made me uncomfortable and curtsied.
“As you wish, Luna. I do hope you sleep well tonight.”
When she left, the silence that followed was unbearable.
After dinner, I retired to my room and sank on the edge of my bed, my fingers still tight around the locket.
Clarissa must've noticed because she put her arm on her shoulder. “Are you feeling okay, dear?”
No matter what I did, Leila's words echoed in my mind.
Aaron is a monster?
What is that supposed to mean?
Suddenly, I thought of Aaron’s eyes that night. They were red, wild, and blood-thirsty. He was a monster? The thought made me shiver. But then came another thought. What if it wasn’t him I should fear?
What if Leila had come to plant fear in my heart? After all, she was the mate of the man who had whispered to Aaron once at dinner and made him slam his fist on the table.
No. I couldn’t trust her but yet, her words wouldn’t leave me alone.
I rose and walked to the mirror. For a long moment, I just stared at myself, the girl who had come here as a bride and how I had to survive the once place I should call my home.
The door creaked later that evening.
I didn’t turn to see who it was. I knew who it was before he spoke.
“You had a visitor.” Aaron said in a soft, calm voice.
“Yes,” I said softly, turning to face him. “Leila.”
Irritation flickered through his eyes and he clenched his fist. “She shouldn’t have come here.”
“She said she and her mate came to welcome me.”
“She came to warn you, didn't she?” he snapped.
Something inside me broke then. The fragile patience I’d been holding since the day he started avoiding me. “And why shouldn’t she? Shouldn’t I be warned if my husband is dangerous?”
He flinched, almost imperceptibly, but I saw it. I hated that I saw it.
Aaron turned away, running a hand through his hair. “Whatever she told you, don’t let her poison you. Adam and his mate live off fear. They twist the truth until it serves them.”
“Then tell me the truth.” My voice shook. “Tell me what she meant when she said you were cursed.”
His shoulders stiffened.
Silence stretched between us until he finally spoke. “You think I don’t ask myself that same question every night?”
I swallowed hard. “Aaron…”
He dragged his hand through his hair. “Every woman I’ve ever loved has bled for it, Odette, every one, so if you want to believe her, do it. But don’t think for a second that I’ll let them touch you.”
He stepped closer, his voice hoarse. “You should fear me but I swear to you, I’ll spend what’s left of my life making sure you never have to.”
Then he left before I could decide if I believed him.