Chapter 10
Gradel
The information my father just dropped on us solely occupied my thoughts to the extent that I didn't even remember I had asked Hegar to bring a woman over.
Going to war was the last thing I looked forward to and now it seemed like my father told me, intending to stop from returning to the human world entirely.
I was torn between acting nonchalant and getting my personal effects ready and staying back to help him with this war.
"Hello, Prince Gradel, I've been waiting for you." I heard the moment I stepped into my room.
Still irritated by the news, I glared at her, more disgusted that she sat on my favorite chair. I snorted at her and she jumped out of the chair, bowing her head.
Her face became red in embarrassment as she kept shifting from one foot to the other. The act only reminded me of the woman I'd kept in the cell which made my skin crawl. I wasn't supposed to remember that.
At least not when I was about to get a little respite.
"Take off your clothes. Didn't Hegar tell you what to do?" I grumbled, taking off my shirt as well.
"My apologies, Prince, he didn't brief me at all. And I didn't know what would be your preference so I decided to stay clothed. I'm so sorry..." Her voice quivered as her robe came off, exposing the large chunk of her smooth skin that her lace underwear couldn't conceal.
She was beautiful, no doubt, but she wasn't Iris.
Not again, I clenched my fist. The witch had infiltrated my thoughts and even my wolf seemed to enjoy the torture because he purred at every memory of her.
That would be over soon because I was going to flush her images out of my head right now. "Lie on the bed," I demanded with a harsh tone.
My eyes followed the rapidity of her movement onto my bed. She laid on it, her thighs widened in earnest anticipation of my next move. What she didn't know was that I was also conflicted. I wanted her, but the urge to ravage her as I'd wished a few hours before entering the room was slowly wearing off.
Now I wanted to be anywhere else but here and it was all because of that thief.
One second, my slacks had dropped to the floor and the next second I was wedging myself over her body. My fingers reached for her bralette and I unhooked it, freeing her breasts that looked eager to be sucked.
The image of Iris's perky bosom flashed before me, causing me to pause.
"Is there any problem, sir? Am I doing something wrong?" She asked calmly, intruding my thoughts as my breaths came out unevenly.
My eyes darted to hers and the fear in them was evident. My body went cold that moment and I withdrew from her. I should have reveled in her fear and taken her as my body yearned, but I was too good-mannered for that.
"Take your stuff and leave. I don't need you anymore." I commanded flatly.
My tone of finality gave no room for her opinion so she did as I said and scurried out of the room. My heart raced faster than normal with blood rushing to my groin.
I wanted to be relieved of the torture that came with this feeling so I did the only thing that came to my head.
******
Chatters resonated from her room. Her voice was very vibrant and relaxed for someone who had fainted a few hours ago.
The guards opened the door and silence reigned the moment I let myself in. The maid I'd asked to watch over her sprung to her feet while Iris lowered her lashes.
"I see you are getting better,"
"Good evening, Sir. Thank you for taking care of me even though I don't deserve it." She replied, still evading my gaze.
I didn't understand why she couldn't look at me, and what was more confusing was why I wanted her to look at me when she would be executed in a few days by my order.
The search for my bracelet was proving fruitless. Because of her, I've lost an important part of myself yet my body kept desiring her.
It was absurd.
I snapped my fingers at the maid and she left the room immediately. Tension was slowly building up, something I didn't look forward to and the worst part was that I still didn't know why I was here.
"I didn't expect to see you and now that the maid isn't around, I want to thank you for your generosity-"
"Why are you thanking me? Did you think I'd allow you to die so easily?" I asked, leaning on the window sill with my attention trained on the garden.
She sighed and her chains clanked. "I know that it wouldn't be hard to tear me apart if I made a wrong move so why don't you unchain me and allow me to feel my wrists for a moment? At least before I die,"
I turned around and trotted towards her. "For someone who is under my mercy, your tongue is quite unbridled,"
"I'm sorry, sir, but it continues to hurt me that you still don't believe that I was just a victim of circumstance. Contrary to what that man told you, the bracelet was stolen from me and I had plans of returning it to you." She defended herself.
"I don't care what you say and if I'm being honest, I don't know why I'm here. Maybe I came to spite you, and make sure your will to live dissolves with time,"
She whipped a surprised glance at me and then sniffed. "Well, you've been doing it from the first time you saw me so I'm not surprised," She retorted.
Between my temper and my undeniable admiration for her, I couldn't tell which one grew faster. "That's because you are what everyone says you are, a despicable and unrepentant thief. Are you that wretched?"
She shook her head and bit her lips. "I didn't ask for any of this," She argued lightly like she was tired of arguing already.
"And I didn't ask for the most priced possession that was given to me by my late mother to be taken away from me right after I'd returned to this pack," I blurted through clenched teeth, gripping her shoulder tightly.
Our eyes were locked and our breaths came out in quick paces. She winced at the painful grip I had on her shoulder, but I had no intention of loosening it, instead, I increased the intensity while she let out a muffle.
"You brought this upon yourself so get ready for whatever comes out of it."