Chapter 27 Touching me like a lover
Rue drew back in complete shock and looked at him.
"Excuse me?"
Thane carefully brushed her hair away from her face and held her chin. "I want to know about your parents." He repeated.
She rose to her feet suddenly, putting enough distance between them.
"Why are you acting strange?"
Thane frowned. "What do you mean?"
"A few nights ago, before the skinwalkers attacked, you were going to punish me for hiding the truth about my identity to you. Since I got here, you have treated me with nothing but contempt and scorn. You asked me not to read meanings into the kindness you show me, yet here you are, touching me like a lover. A minute ago, you felt so relieved to see me awake. What the hell is happening?"
Thane didn't speak after her outburst. He just stared at her silently.
She was right. He had no right treating her softly, then switching over like she meant nothing. And he was done denying the fact that he felt extremely drawn to her.
As for Rue, she regretted her outburst almost immediately. She hadn't meant to lose control. Thane was messing with her mind, and she didn't know what was right and wrong anymore.
"Forgive me." She said softly. "I didn't mean to be so rude and disrespectful. But you're driving me insane."
Thane slowly rose and moved towards her. He took her hands and held them in his, while she stared at him silently.
"You're right." He murmured. "I shouldn't treat you that way. I shouldn't mess with your mind like that. From the moment I brought you, I have felt inexplicably drawn to you, and I have tried to ignore it, but it is a losing battle."
Rue looked at him in surprise. He was so tall, she had to tilt her head to see his face.
"You're... drawn to me?" She repeated.
He smiled a little, like he couldn't believe it himself.
"Have dinner with me tonight." He said suddenly, much to her surprise. "A real dinner. No more 'not reading meanings into it'. How about that?"
Rue was still confused. "But, I don't understand. Why the sudden change? Why me?"
Thane caressed her cheek. He had no idea why he was doing this, but for once he was ready to find out why Rue felt so different, and why he couldn't resist her out of all the ladies in his harem.
"I guess we'll talk about it at dinner." He said, then asked hopefully. "Will you come?"
Rue had promised herself that she would have nothing to do with Thane. Her goal still remained the same; taking back her pack from her uncle.
But standing before Thane now, listening to his soft voice as he practically begged her to have dinner with him, she couldn't resist, especially when she also felt drawn to him too.
"Alright." She nodded. "I'll have dinner with you."
"Thank you." He murmured. "I was in a meeting with the council before Annabeth told me you were awake."
"You have to go back." She finished for him. "I know. I'll just head on to my room."
That fell silent for a moment, gazing into each other's eyes. Now that the secret about their yearning for each other was out, the air became awkward.
"I'll see you at dinner then." Rue smiled and walked towards the door. But before she stepped out, she turned and glanced at Thane. "You asked me earlier if I remembered what happened last night."
He nodded silently.
"Did anything happen that I should know about? You seemed worried, and Annabeth was shocked to see me awake. I know it wasn't just mere sickness. Something happened, didn't it?"
Thane thought of lying to her. He didn't want her to know about his transformation every blood moon, but at the same time, he knew she wouldn't let it slide.
"I'll tell you at dinner." He murmured. "I promise."
She smiled and nodded. "Alright then."
Turning away, she slipped out of the room and shut the door.
A minute later, Henry entered. "Well?" He asked.
"She doesn't remember a thing." Thane muttered. "Her memories of last night are gone."
"How is that possible?" Henry frowned. "You said the skinwalkers chased her. How could she forget that?"
"I think it's because of the drug she was injected with." Thane said thoughtfully. "But that isn't my main concern. Something has changed about her."
Henry looked up curiously.
"What changed?"
"She had bruises when I brought her back this morning. On her face and her feet. The bruises are gone now. Healed."
Henry was dumbfounded. "She has a wolf? I thought she was born wolfless"
"She still has no wolf." Thane murmured. "But her healing abilities have certainly awakened. And it's only a matter of time before her wolf awakens too."
"Why do you say that in a bad way? Shouldn't that be good news?"
"It is good news." Thane agreed. "But I still haven't confirmed if the skinwalkers are after her. If they are, then it means she's more than just a werewolf."
"What else could she be?"
"That's what we're going to find out." Thane turned around and looked at him. "I'm going to tell her what happened, see if it jogs her memories."
"Do you think that's a good idea?"
"It's the only way. I need to know who took her into the forest, and also if they have a connection with the skinwalkers."
Henry nodded. "Alright. What do you need me to do?"
"Keep an eye on the wolf council. They've been acting suspicious for a while now."
"I thought I was the only one who noticed it. When you suddenly left, they huddled together, talking in whispers. Don't you think you should call them out plainly?"
"No." Thane shook his head and moved towards the window. "If they know I'm suspicious about them, they'll become extra careful. Feigning ignorance would make one of them slip up."
He turned around abruptly. "Assign Enzo to keep an eye on their every move. I want them monitored constantly."
"Yes, Alpha." Henry nodded. "And what about Rue?"
"I'm still going to try out my suggestion."
"Using her as bait?"
Thane nodded. "If it works, then it means the skinwalkers are after her. I also think they're attacking more now that it seems her powers are awakening."
"Alright, Alpha. But one more thing. What about your feelings for her?"
"Feelings?" Thane repeated. "I don't have feelings for her."
"You definitely feel something for her, even though you don't know what it is. And there's also the golden thread of light. If she turns out to be your mate..."
"I'll kill her." Thane said without hesitation. His expression was dead serious. "I did it before with Ariadne, and I loved her. If it turns out the moon goddess sent Rue my way because she's my mate, I won't hesitate to kill her. I won't let my curse catch up with me a second time."
"But Rue is innocent."
"And so was Ariadne, yet she died. The only way Rue will be safe is if she isn't my mate."