Malia’s POV
I headed straight to my room with ease this time. It was becoming quite easy to navigate the endless maze that was this palace.
When I got to the hallway leading to my room, I tried to walk as quietly as I could. I also shut the door carefully. In case Ryder was in his room, I didn’t want him knowing I was back.
I didn’t think I had the emotional strength to face another Hawkins brother at the moment.
For a while, I just paced the room confused about Ronan’s confession to me. He barely knew me for crying out loud.
I was also quite disturbed about the attraction I felt towards him. It wasn’t too great but it was there. I wasn’t ready for any sort of romantic relationship, not after what I had experienced with Zade.
My heart ached as I thought about how magical things were between us until the elders of his council started poisoning his mind.
But still, I couldn’t put all the blame on the elders. If he had really loved me he would have defended me and wouldn’t have made me feel so worthless when Victoria suddenly appeared.
I let out a frustrated breath and settled on the window sill. Everyone looked busy and purposeful. I felt guilty about not doing anything.
I thought about going to the training field but I didn’t want to run into Ronan just in case he decided to train today.
I uttered a swear word as I collapsed on my bed. Why couldn’t he be comfortable with us being just friends? I wondered.
I heard the knock on the door and promptly ran to the bathroom. I locked the door and listened as Ronan entered the room and called my name.
I ignored him and wished he’d leave me alone for now.
I heard his footsteps get closer and stop in front of the bathroom. He tugged at the handle and I was relieved that I had had the good sense to lock it.
I heard him give an audible sigh. “Malia, I’m sorry if my feelings upset you. I’m sorry for not thinking about how you’d feel. I really cherish what we have now. Our friendship. I do not want to lose it. Please call or visit when you’re ready to talk to me,” he pleaded.
I remained silent and waited until I heard his receding footsteps and the click of the room door.
I waited in the bathroom for a while just in case he was tricking me and listened carefully for any sound.
I finally crept out of hiding and breathed a sigh of relief when I discovered that the room was empty.
I lay on the bed and was already drifting off when I remembered what Lila had said to me. A part of me was bothered. She definitely knew something I didn’t. And since she was smiling about it, it was something that could get me in trouble.
My mind raced as I thought about all the wrong things I could have possibly done.
I dismissed my fears. I didn’t have anything to hide. She wasn’t going to find any dirt on me she could use against me.
I suddenly sat up straight in panic as another thought popped up in my head.
What if she had found out about my history with Zade and had gone to tell him where I was?
I shook my head in doubt and laid back on the bed. The only people who knew about my connection with Zade were Ryder and possibly Ronan, but I didn’t think either of them could have told her.
I shuddered in fear as I thought about what would happen if Zade found me. I didn’t want to return to the Silver Crescent Moon Pack… ever. Not after all the humiliation I had received while there.
I curled up in a fetal position and cried myself to sleep.
I slowly roused from sleep and the first thing I felt was someone watching me. I kept my eyes closed and pretended to still be asleep.
A few minutes passed before the person spoke.
“You’re a very bad actress. Has anyone ever told you that?”
I mentally groaned at the sound of Ryder’s voice. Not another Hawkins brother!
I slowly opened my eyes to see him seated comfortably on a chair watching me with those piercing green eyes of his.
I sat up and stared at him too.
After a while, he chuckled. “What do you think this is, a staring competition?”
I shrugged. “Well, you started it”
“You look better when you’re asleep,” he said and I couldn’t help wondering if that was a compliment or an insult.
“Why are you here?” I questioned, folding my arms beneath my breasts. “And please don’t tell me you just came here to watch me sleep. I know I’m that gorgeous, but still…”
He gave me a look. “Don’t flatter yourself. I was just bored and I thought I could use your company.”
I snorted. “Indeed.”
He ignored my sarcasm. “So tell me, what did you do today?” He asked.
My eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion. “Why are you interested in what I did today?”
“I’m the Alpha here. I ask the questions and you give the answers,” he said in a commanding voice.
For a moment I felt hurt. We had spent the night together so I didn’t understand why he was suddenly speaking to me in such a tone.
Then I remembered what had nearly happened between Ronan and me at the conference hall and wondered if someone had seen us and reported to Ryder.
Because that was the only thing I could think of that would have brought about his sudden interest in my activities.
But who could have seen us? I wondered.
The answer came to me immediately and my eyes narrowed. Lila.
She believed the Alpha was interested in me, so of course, she’d want to do or say anything to make him angry or become uninterested in me. I bet she had even told him that Ronan and I had had sex in the conference hall. The snake.
“I’m still waiting for an answer.”