Chapter 17: Not his favourite

Rue sighed blissfully as she soaked in the gold tub. The bathroom Yolanda had taken her to was much better than the harem.

Still, she couldn't stop the torrent of thoughts that moved through her mind.

She badly wanted to understand why Thane was suddenly being nice to her. If it was because he was trying to bed her, he had a long thing coming.

She wouldn't let him touch her. Never!

Yolanda stepped into the bathroom then, holding several tubes of scented bath oil.

"Isn't it nice to be the Alpha's new favorite?" She asked with a wide smile. "I knew this would happen the moment I saw you. Your kind of beauty is ethereal. Out of this world."

Rue blushed lightly at the compliment and smiled a little. "Thank you, Yolanda, but I think you've got it wrong. I'm not his favorite."

Yolanda snorted as she lined the bath wash on the edge of the tub. "Not his favorite? Haven't you noticed how he treats you differently? He doesn't even care about the other girls in the harem."

"He locked me in a cage last night." Rue argued. "He threatened to kill me."

"And did he?" Yolanda asked, arching a brow perfectly. "Where did you wake up this morning? The cage? Or his bed?"

Rue didn't know what to say, so she fell silent.

"Stop being in denial, Rue." Yolanda continued. "It's obvious you've replaced Katherine. You're his favorite now, so I advise you to use it to your own advantage. No more escaping."

Rue looked up sharply, and Yolanda gave her a pointed look.

"Yes, I know you tried to escape." She continued. "The Alpha told me. There are a lot of eyes on you now, so it will be impossible for you to try and escape again."

She added a generous amount of the bath oil into the tub while she continued to talk.

"The fact that the Alpha didn't kill you for daring to escape means he's fond of you. Don't take it for granted, okay?"

Rue didn't want to argue. So she sighed and nodded. "Okay."

"And be kind to him. Be respectful. You might just enjoy your stay here in Eryndor."

It was on the tip of Rue's tongue to ask what would happen to her if Alpha Thane ever took a much younger concubine, but she stopped. She wasn't sure if she would like the answer.

"Take a long soak now." Yolanda said as she rose to her feet. "I'll have the maids bring you the dress the Alpha chose. Don't be late. Remember you're having breakfast with him."

As she walked away, Rue frowned after her. Thane chose a dress for her? This was getting weirder by the minute.

She lay back against the tub and shut her eyes. This time, she didn't think about Thane and his sudden kindness.

She thought of the dream she had. What did that white wolf mean? It was all too confusing and she was beginning to think her past wasn't as it seemed.

...

An hour later, she stood before the floor-to-ceiling mirror, staring at her reflection.

The person who stared back at her looked different. Softer, more feminine, more beautiful. Her blonde hair had been styled into a pretty ponytail.

The red dress clung to her snugly, hugging the swell of her hips before flowing down her legs. The sleeves were dainty, hanging loosely over her shoulders.

She turned to the side and stared wide-eyed at the soft curve of her bum. Growing up, she had been ridiculed by jealous friends for being curvy, so all of her dresses were large and spacious, like ball gowns.

But with this tight fitting gown, her hourglass figure was prominent. She felt really beautiful.

"Look at you." Yolanda called from the doorway. "You're going to take the Alpha's breath away."

Rue felt her heart skip a beat. A part of her was tempted to see how Thane would react when he saw her, but the other part was reluctant.

"Come, come. The Alpha is awaiting you."

Yolanda grabbed her hand and pulled her along. All the way to the castle, Rue's heartbeat thumped heavily.

...

Thane had just settled down in the grand dining area. He looked towards the entrance, his gaze searching as he waited for Rue.

The table was covered completely with golden platters, filled with food. The maids stood around the table, waiting to be called upon, while two guards stood at the entrance of the dining area.

He perceived her scent before he saw her. He turned, his gaze landing on her as she stepped inside.

The moment her eyes met his, everything froze. The air stilled. The maids disappeared, along with the guards. Yolanda faded off.

All that was left was him and Rue as they gazed at each other.

His expression was plain and unreadable, but his eyes burned with desire, with the crippling urge to claim her right there, bent over the table.

Then Yolanda cleared her throat and the moment was broken.

Thane's face hardened as he rose and beckoned on Rue.

"Leave us." He commanded.

The maids instantly scurried out, while the two guards shut the doors, leaving just Rue and Thane together.

"Come, Rue." Thane said with a small smile. "Come sit beside me."

Rue swallowed to dampen her throat which had suddenly gone dry. Then she lifted her chin and walked towards him.

Thane watched her advance, his gaze following the gentle sway of her hips. The dress fitted her like a second skin, and he was pleased he chose that one.

She stopped beside him and carefully placed her hand on his.

"Thank you, Alpha." She said softly. "For the dress, and everything else."

"My pleasure." He smiled charmingly, and Rue was struck yet again at how breathtaking he was, especially in that dark, formal outfit.

She looked away and lowered into the seat beside him while her heart slammed rapidly against her chest.

Thane could clearly hear it, but he chose to say nothing as he filled up a plate with roast beef and pasta, and placed it before her.

"Thanks." She smiled shortly and focused on her plate.

Thane hummed in response, then filled up another plate and slowly began to eat.

Silence reigned for several minutes while they both ate and pretended like they weren't stealing glances at each other.

"Is it to your liking?" Thane asked after a while.

When she gave him an innocent look, he pointed his chin at her plate. "The food, I mean."

"Oh." She gave a small smile and nodded. "It's really good."

She flinched suddenly when he reached out to grab the wine goblet beside her.

Sighing softly, he pulled back. "Calm yourself, Rue. I'm not going to hit you."

"I didn't say you were."

"Then don't be so restless."

He leaned close and held her chin, turning her face towards him. "I need you to calm yourself."

Before Rue could respond, the doors to the dining opened and Katherine waltzed inside in a red dress similar to Rue.

She took one look at them and scowled. "What the hell is happening here?"