Chapter 51: Chapter 51

~ NYSSA

I was in a daze the entire drive home.

For once, Eric didn’t try to fill the air with his usual jokes and humor, he just stayed silent, the sound of the howling wind filling the vacuum.

As soon as we got home, I headed straight for the bathroom.

Despite getting cleaned at the hospital, I could still feel the sticky blood between my fingers and the stench of death clinging to me.

It was probably hitting harder because I hadn’t been at the hospital in weeks. Judging by the number of casualties, I could count on spending more time there.

The rogue problem was getting worse, and it seemed like the palace guards weren’t doing anything to help it. We were still losing people, arguably faster than before.

I had no idea why the rogues chose to target us and not any of the other packs around, but right now, there wasn’t much I’d do to make it stop.

I stood under the hot shower, scrubbing my skin until it was red and raw. The stench still didn’t leave me, but I knew that unless I wanted to take off my skin, there wasn’t much more that I could do.

Leaving my hair wet and soaking, I pulled on an oversized shirt and sweatpants and headed down the stairs.

The smell of chicken and rice filtered up to my nose and my stomach grumbled loud.

Eric was busy setting up a plate for me on the kitchen counter when I walked in. He looked perfectly at ease with my bright pink apron around his neck. It looked so ridiculous on him that I couldn’t help but laugh.

“You look ridiculous,” I told him.

His eyes snapped up and a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “I would have you know that pink is very much my color. I looked amazing in it.”

I rolled my eyes playfully before taking a seat. “Thank you, you didn’t have to do all of this, you know? Your job is to guard me, not—”

“Do you really still think I’m doing this because it’s my job?” he asked incredulously. “You’re a cool chick, Nyssa. You’re one of the decent ones in this pack. I’d much rather be here than deal with the pretentious assholes at the pack house.”

“That’s not very nice,” I whispered, taking a bite of my food.

It was surprisingly good.

I wasn’t sure what I expected, but a part of me just assumed that someone like him wouldn’t know how to cook.

He shrugged. “I’m not nice.”

“You’re nice to me.”

“Because I enjoy your company, and because you’re nice to me back. You’ve fed me for the past few days when you didn’t have to. You’re a good one, and you’re the King’s mate.”

I went deathly still at his words.

I risked a look at him through my lashes only to find that he wasn’t even looking at me. He was standing in front of the sink, cleaning up after himself.

“I don’t know where you got that idea from-”

“You can cut the bullshit, Nyssa. I’m not stupid. The King doesn’t ask for us to keep an eye on just anyone. Why would he care about you out of every single person in this pack? Why would he invite you back to the palace?”

“Maybe he’s just being nice.”

At that, he snorted. “Have you met the King? He isn’t nice. Hell, he makes the rest of us look like saints. He’s a good ruler, but approachable is not one of his best qualities, at least not with the guards.”

He turned to me finally, wiping his wet hands on his pants.

My food lay half eaten in front of me. I hadn’t been able to force a single spoon into my mouth since his admission.

“How many people know?” I asked softly.

He shrugged. “A lot of us suspect, but until he says something about it, we can only assume.”

“Are you going to tell anyone?”

“Judging by the frightened look on your face, no. I don’t know what’s going on with the two of you but I think it’s wise for me to stay out of it for now. The king—”

He suddenly went silent, his spine straightening almost instantaneously.

The softness was gone from his face in a flash and in its place was a stony look, the same kind I’d seen on the faces of the other guards.

I opened my mouth to ask what changed when I heard it… the front door.

I turned just in time to hear footsteps filling the air. Eric didn’t make a move to step in front of me, so I knew whoever was approaching meant me no harm.

I was shocked however when I saw Aria standing in the middle of my doorway.

We hadn’t spoken since the last time over the phone, but last I knew, she was in the palace. If there was any news about either her or Rowan coming here, Henry would have mentioned it during the council meeting yesterday.

That meant her visit was a surprise… but why?

She looked out of place with her wild hair and deep blue jacket with gold trimmings. Her lips were pressed into a tight frown as she stared at Eric behind me.

“Gossiping about your King, are you?” she drawled. “When you were asked to watch over her, I don’t think that included being in her home.”

He didn’t falter or blink. “I apologize, I will take my leave.”

He headed for the door but I rushed to my feet, blocking his path. There was a flash of emotion in his eyes, but it was gone almost immediately and replaced with that stoic coldness.

“He’s not leaving,” I said firmly, turning to Aria. “If anyone is leaving, it’s you.”

She blinked. “Excuse me?”

“This isn’t your palace. This isn’t your pack. You don’t get to come into my home and give orders,” I snapped. “When you come to someone’s home, you knock, you don’t just barge in.”

Her hands crossed over her chest. “Your front door was unlocked.”

“I don’t give a fuck if it was wide open. I don’t know what the hell you’re doing in this pack, but I know it has nothing to do with me. In my house, I give the orders, and I want you out, now!”

Surprise flashed across her features, but she quickly masked it, giving me a tight smile. “As you wish.”

She cast one last look at Eric before walking out.

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