Chapter 32: Chapter 32

~ NYSSA

I tossed and turned in bed, willing Rowan’s scent to leave my nose, but no matter how hard I tried, it remained ingrained in my mind.

Long after I’d climbed into bed and turned off the lights, the feel of his hands protecting me, his scent surrounding me and the heat from his intense gaze. If I didn’t know any better, I would say that Rowan wanted me, but that had to be false… right?

He had done nothing but antagonize me since I arrived. Most times, he barely paid attention to me, but that look couldn’t be faked. I knew what want looked like, and that was exactly what I saw in his eyes last night.

When I managed to sleep, it was fitful, and I woke up in a sweat with the feeling of phantom hands over my skin and a coarse voice by my ears. My cheeks were flushed, my bed soaked with sweat and something else that I’d rather not think about.

I dragged myself to my feet with a groan, trying to ignore the pounding headache that threatened to consume me.

For a moment, I forgot about my hunger strike against Rowan. I took a shower and headed for the dining room, map in hand. It was only when the door opened and I saw Rowan seated at the head of the table with Aria next to him that I remembered.

I stood in the doorway like a deer in headlights. For a moment, I thought about running away. Memories of last night flashed in my mind and my cheeks grew hotter as I stared at Rowan, waiting for him to make the first move.

Instead, he looked away from me like I didn’t exist and went back to the newspaper in his hands.

Shame coiled around me like a rope. I’d spent the whole night thinking about him and he didn’t even seem fazed by it.

It was stupid of me to think that he cared about me in any way. I was nothing more than a political obligation to him and I suppose it was time I learned that.

Aria shot me a pitying look. “There are pancakes here. Chocolate chip to be precise.”

I gave her a small smile.

Despite her reservations towards me, she tried to be kind where she could. It was more than I could say for Rowan.

“Thank you,” I said softly, making my way over to her. “Pancakes are my favorite.”

I took the seat next to her, trying to ignore Rowan who was barely two seats away from me. His scent was so strong. He didn’t even have to try, his aura took up all the space in the room.

“Did you sleep well?” Aria asked and I could’ve sworn I saw Rowan stiffen.

“Not very well, I got… hot last night.”

Rowan coughed loudly, accidentally splashing some of his coffee on the table.

Aria cursed, reaching over for some paper towels and while she wasn’t looking, he shot me a glare that had my lips curling up.

The terrifying Alpha didn’t look so terrifying with splatters of coffee on his pristine white shirt. He could pretend all he wanted, but I could see through his bullshit and he remembered last night, just as much as I did.

“Careful,” Aria chided him. “I’ve always told you not to drink so fast.”

He snatched the paper towels out of her hands, muttering a few choice words under his breath. She rolled her eyes at him before turning her entire attention over to me.

“I apologize for the interruption. You were telling me about last night.”

“There’s nothing to tell really. I got hungry at night and came down for a little snack,” I said casually, watching Rowan out of the corner of my eye. “I’d have hoped the palace was a bit more exciting at night but it was… uneventful.”

Aria, oblivious to what I was trying to do, smiled mischievously. “If you’re looking for excitement at night you should check out the towns. They host a bonfire once a quarter on a full moon. It’s so exciting. I could take you for the next one. It’s in a few days.”

“I’d like that, thank you.”

Despite how confusing things were with Rowan, I was glad that I at least had Aria.

I wouldn’t go as far as to call her a friend, but it was nice to know that I at least had someone.

“Can I go out with you again today?” I asked but before she could respond, Rowan cut in.

“Don’t you have work to do, Aria?” he began, his voice a cold drawl. “You can’t abandon pick work to act as a glorified babysitter.”

My cheeks grew hot.

It was one thing to be scolded, it was another for someone to speak about you as if you were not there.

“I can work and show her around at the same time,” Aria tried to defend me. “Besides, she’s good at-”

“I don’t care what she’s good at. I don’t trust her around her pack work. After all, she is still tied to Henry. Who knows if she’s going to relay it all back to him over pillow talk.”

I wasn’t sure which was worse; the embarrassment or the anger.

For a moment, I’d allowed last night to deceive me into thinking that he was a good person. I was quickly reminded of how much of an ass he was.

I stood to my feet, the sound of my chair scraping filling the air.

Thick tension wrapped around the room, coiling around me like a noose. I wondered if I was the only one who felt it considering how neutral the lycans looked.

“You’re a self-righteous asshole,” I spat but he didn’t even look like he heard me.

He kept his attention fixed on the newspaper in front of him as if it were the most interesting thing he’d seen.

I was done with his games and the back and forth.

“My back is healed,” I continued. “I’m going home.”

“You forget that we have an agreement-” he began but I cut him off.

“I remember our agreement very well but I never stated that the two weeks had begun. I’m leaving and you can come for me in two weeks. Hopefully then you’re less of a dick-”

“Perhaps you should read documents before you sign them, Nyssa,” he drawled. “Your two weeks already began.”

My blood ran cold. “That’s not true.”

“Isn’t it?” he mused. “Perhaps you’d like to have a look at it again. I have an extra copy for you if you’d like.”

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