Kade
Leaning closer to the window to have a view, I peeked through it, wondering what Esmeralda was doing in there.
As if on cue, her hands reached for Jade’s, pulling her closer as if something would snatch her from Jade.
Why was she always scared?
What was she scared of?
“You should be protecting her, Kade,” Tyson’s voice filled my head.
“Welcome back, buddy,” A small smile graced my lips. It was good to have him back, after going mute for weeks because of my cold attitude toward Esmeralda and ordering her not to see her witch friend.
It hurts. It really hurt her.
Each day, I could see hurt in her eyes and I could feel the aching of her heart even if I haven’t marked her. It grew every day, like a tumour, spreading inside of her, eating her happiness.
Who introduces his mate as a housekeeper? And plans on keeping her identity hidden?
Argh!
I felt sorry for her but at the same time, there was nothing I could do.
I couldn’t bring myself to trust her, not after I was betrayed once.
History mustn’t repeat itself again.
“Go to her, Kade. She needs us,” Tyson whimpered.
My gaze met her petite figure as she muttered inaudible words to Jade who kept smiling as they walked farther into the garden.
I should go to her. I should protect her. But here I was, acting like a jerk.
Shutting my eyes quickly as a foreign feeling coursed through me. Reviving my dead feelings. And at once, I wanted to hold her, to embrace her, to feel her lips against mine, to claim her as my mate.
Mine.
“No,” I gulped loudly, shoving the feeling aside.
No!
I wasn’t going to be fooled by an innocent face again.
I shut my eyes at once, taking a deep breath before expelling it into the air. My hands caressed the edges of the drapes for a while before yanking them apart, giving me more room to see my mate.
Her hands tapped Jade’s, calling her attention to a giant flower on their path. Jade’s expression brightened as she tugged at Esmeralda, before running her caramel hands on the sunflower plant.
Sunflower. Jade’s favourite of all flowers.
I watched keenly as Jade turned to Esmeralda, saying things to her.
I could bet that she was telling her how sunflower was her favourite. I didn’t need to use my wolf hearing. Jade was always predictable.
Her hands ran the length and breadth of the sunflower, leaning close to take a deep breath of its sweet scent before urging Esmeralda to do so, which she did shyly.
Why was she always shy?
Where did her self-esteem go?
Jade’s hands found Esmeralda’s hands again, pulling her closer to her, urging her to have a view of the rest of the flowers.
I bet they won’t be able to check out all the flowers in the garden if they keep at that pace.
Curiosity hit me as I watched the two ladies, walking hand in hand.
Jade and Esmeralda.
When did their friendship start?
It was an open secret that Jade was great at starting friendships, but Esmeralda was the opposite. After separating her from Selene, she preferred being alone, shutting everyone out.
A part of me was glad that Jade found her, and not Vanessa. Esmeralda was safe with Jade.
Some minutes ago, I needed a distraction.
Esmeralda was my distraction.
A smile played on my face when Esmeralda knelt to have a view of a water Lily, breathing its scent.
She looked so perfect.
I couldn’t help but notice how clean and beautiful she looked compared to the first time I saw her. Her sticky mass of unkempt hair turned out wavy, bouncing on her head as she moved. The wide smile plastered on her oval-shaped face highlighted her beauty, making me want to stare at her all day.
And her eyes. Oh, her eyes were the most beautiful ones I have ever seen.
It was so warm, inviting and alluring.
For a few seconds, I got lost in them.
The warm-golden colour had me spellbound and the moment she stared at my window, my heart skipped a beat.
Did she see me?
“She is beautiful,” Tyson whispered in my head.
I affirmed, nodding slightly, “She is,”
An unexpected pur escaped my lips when tucked her hair gently behind her hair after the wind ruffled it. At that moment, I wanted her.
What was wrong with me?
I snapped myself out of my fantasy, reviving my cold self, but it melted when Jade plucked water Lily and tucked it in Esmeralda’s hair.
What is it with her?
I have never purred at the sight of a she-wolf and nobody has ever captured my complete attention.
My inability to pur for years made me feel I couldn’t pur. But I was wrong. She proved me wrong.
My purring started with Esmeralda.
But she made me do it. She did it effortlessly.
Who are you, Esmeralda?
What are you doing to me?
I found myself asking, wanting to know her. But will she let me? After being cold to her?
Argh!
I’m such a jerk.
“You can always fix things,” Tyson’s gruff voice resonated in my head.
“Not now, Tyson. I’m still watching,” I replied with my eyes fixed on Esmeralda.
My smile vanished the moment Esmeralda bent to pluck a dandelion. Sadness crept into my soul and placed a mighty frown on my face.
You shouldn’t have done that, Esmeralda. You killed the mood.
Shoving the dandelion to Jade’s face and expecting a familiar smile, she was greeted with Jade’s fallen face.
Her brows creased and I could see her lips moving. I knew that instant that she was asking Jade if everything was alright.
Jade replied with a long sigh and her eyes were fixed on the dandelion whose pappus was blown by the wind gradually.
Resisting the urge to use my super hearing as Jade said a few words to Esmeralda while stealing glances at my window.
A frustrating groan escaped my lips.
I wanted to hear all they said. But I didn’t want to eavesdrop.
I respected their privacy.
My breath hitched the moment Esmeralda’s gaze was locked on my window. Sadness filled her eyes.
Jade must have told her about Amelia, her friend.
I’d appreciate it if she didn’t go into details.
Esmeralda froze for another moment with her eyes still watching my window as if she could see me.
Though my window was tinted, which obstructed the view of people, I couldn’t help but believe she could see me.
Even if she couldn’t see me, she could imagine me standing close to it.
Reluctantly tearing her gaze off mine, she dropped the dandelion on the floor, following Jade’s direction as she led her to other flowers.
What was she thinking of?
Why was she sorry for me?
I didn’t need her pity.
“Alpha,” A familiar voice rang in my head almost immediately, jolting me from my thoughts.
“Fuck!” I groaned.
It better not be something unreasonable.
“Apologies, Alpha,” He quickly added, knowing I was irritated by the interruption.
“What is it, Lukas?” I gritted my teeth.
“We caught another snooper and he is from the Dark Moon Park, just like the other one,”
“What?” I yelled.
One spy wasn’t enough, he brought two spies?!
I was beginning to overlook the Alpha of the Dark Moon Pack’s excesses. He needs to be dealt with.
“Where is he?” I asked, grabbing my shirt and wearing it in a haste.
“He is in the dungeon,”
“Good. Keep him alive, I’m on my way,” I replied, blocking the mind link.
Fuck!
I was being lax with the Alpha and he was taking me for a fool!
Not anymore.
Giving Esmeralda one last look, I peeled my eyes off her, heading out of the room, embracing my ruthless self once more.
It was time to be merciless and cruel.
It’s showtime!