MALIA’S POV
I stared open-mouthed at the door he had just banged. I was more than shocked, I was completely blown away. The fact that he all of a sudden picked offense just because I was in Ryder’s room was the last thing I expected from him.
I was starting to know that he probably had some grudge to settle with his brother and for that reason, he didn’t want me associating with him but I never knew it had escalated to the point where he would get supper mad just because I had dinner with his brother.
Or was there something deeper going on between them that he wasn’t telling me about? I combed my finger through my hair as I finally shifted my gaze away from the door.
As far as I was concerned, I did nothing wrong just having dinner with the Alpha so I shrugged nonchalantly and went to bed. Whatever it was he was feeling, he would get over it when the right time came. I wasn’t in for the type of stress.
I climbed on to my bed and lay there silently watching the night sky until sleep stole my consciousness away from me.
Morning came in a jiffy as usual, I was out of my bed with the cocks starting with my morning routine of just laying down in bed for more than an hour trying to prepare myself for what the day would bring.
Then I proceeded to take my bath and chose clothes for the day. By the time I was done with all of these, the morning sun would have been up in the sky and then I would walk directly to the kitchen to get a share of my breakfast.
That was exactly what I did today and then afterward, I arrived at the training ground where I would spend almost half of my day until I got tired.
Barely a few seconds after I joined the soldiers, I was approached by Derek. Instinctively, I jumped in excitement and moved toward him. You don’t blame me when it has been over a week since the last time I saw him.
After he left for that assigned job at the neighboring pack, and had then moved to another with the same problem. He had been on the run saving the world for over a week. And the fact that I was unaware of his return made the happiness of seeing him double.
“Oh thank Goodness, I didn’t have to wait for long, I missed this sword” I patted at his waist where his sword was safely tucked.
He looked at me playfully and dramatically placed his hand on his chest.
“Here I was thinking I would finally be able to see my true friend after ages and what do I get? I am immensely hurt at the moment”
“Hey, don’t be dramatic” I hit him on the shoulder lightly. “I missed you too but I missed your sword even more”
“That is certainly not how to welcome a gentleman” He deadpanned keeping a straight face.
“Whatever makes you sleep at night” I huffed and turned toward the field walking beside him.
“So how was it? You managed to succeed or…” I questioned, changing the route of the conversation.
“Unfortunately, no. There are too many of them. Too many than what we had initially anticipated. These packs were supposed to take measures against these rouges before it escalated to a point like this.
Rogues are like a disease. When a single one finds its way into your pack, you either act fast and use him as a scapegoat for the others to see and stay away, or else, they are going to infest your pack, get to the heart, and squeeze the life out of it” He elaborated in a terrifying way. Even making symbols with hands.
“Well…. that is certainly not the kind of problem I want to encounter, ever” I pointed out honestly.
“I know right, they are devastating” He ruffled his hair.
“So what now? What are the advances made toward success?” I asked, genuinely interested in the conversation.
“You speak like someone I know, only he doesn’t ask questions but gives instructions” He smiled mischievously gazing at me.
“That wasn’t even the question I asked you” I rolled my eyes.
“Yeah, whatever, just stating the obvious.”
“Answer my question seriously”
“Honestly we do not want to get our pack too invested in this, because like I said, they are diseases and we do not want to get infected in the course of helping others. We have withdrawn for now but we might offer our help shortly after. After all, they are neighbors” He replied.
“At least you were generous from the start” I shrugged.
“That is all that matters right? And the thing is, we aren’t even helping expecting them to help us shortly. We are far up in the food chain and will probably not seek their help on any matter. Whatever we can’t handle is wayyy beyond them too”
“You need someone to walk all over your ego” I said, pointing a finger to his chest.
“Hey! I was just being honest and nothing more. You are violent” He moved my hand away, a wide smile on his face.
We continued on, suddenly, Derek leaned in and whispered, “Don’t look back now but I think Ronan is coming this way”
I didn’t wait for him to finish speaking before turning around and indeed, Ronan was walking in our direction but as soon as I turned, he halted in his steps and instead focused his gaze on me, as though he was having an inner battle with himself on whether to continue on or retreat.
I met his gaze, head on, I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in that head of his. Derek’s disappointed voice came from beside me.
“I told you not to look, damn it” Derek shook his head disapprovingly at me and I shrugged.
“You don’t blame me for that, I just can’t be kept in suspense” I retorted.