Malia’s POV
“I’ve never been more convinced about anything. So believe me when I tell you that if you were mine, I’d never et you slip through my fingers,”
I breathed in deeply and smiled thinking how naive he was.
“Was it another woman that came between you two?” He asked.
I nodded and tried to push back the dam of tears that threatened to burst.
Ronan noticed my fast-losing battle with tears and placed his hand on mine.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know this conversation was going to affect you so much. I promise I won’t bring it up again.”
I offered him a watery smile and he gave me some time to compose myself.
Clara came up to us to ask if we were enjoying our meal and Ronan answered for the both of us.
We finished our meal not too long after that and the waitress returned to bid us goodbye. I rolled my eyes as she stood too close to Ronan in the guise of removing something from his hair.
If ‘obvious’ was a person!
We stood up to leave and I spied Clara glaring at our intertwined fingers.
“For my safety, you should come back to this restaurant and ask your waitress out on a date,” I said as we settled into the car seat. “If looks could kill I’d be a dead woman by now.”
“Ignore Clara. I don’t think she’s even relationship material. Both Derek and Scott have had her.”
My eyes widened in surprise. “Well, I think she has a thing for fighters or should I say warriors,” I observed.
“That’s her business. She could sleep with the entire troop for all I care,” the nonchalance in his tone made me smile.
When we arrived at the palace, I was already half asleep. Ronan shook me gently and I sat up straighter in the car.
“We’re at the palace,” he said and I nodded.
“Would you like me to carry you to your room?” He asked.
I was tempted to say yes but I reasoned that Ryder wasn’t going to like it too much. He had seemed jealous when I told him that Ronan and I were going out on a date.
I shook my head. “Thanks for the kind gesture but I think I’ll walk.”
“Very well then, I’d be happy to walk you,” he said with a grin and slid out of the car.
One of the guards ran up to us immediately after I stepped out of the car.
He gave a small bow to Ronan and turned to me. “The Alpha Ryder demands your presence immediately.”
I rolled my eyes. What was it now?
I saw Ronan’s eyes narrow slightly.
“You can go, I’ll take her to him myself,” he said to the guard.
“He’s not in his room and he specifically asked me to return with her,” the guard replied.
Ronan scowled at him. “Where the hell is he then?
“The late Luna’s room,” he answered.
He gave him a curt nod. “Let’s go, Malia,” he said tugging on my hand.
“The Alpha said I should lead her in through the back of the building,” the guard said, a bit impatient this time.
My eyebrows arched in surprise and I wondered why Ryder would want that. It had to be pretty serious.
“We have to leave here now,” the guard said, shifting from foot to foot, impatiently.
“Fine, the three of us can go together,” Ronan said.
The guard shrugged and led us through the back of the building. I didn’t even get the chance to stop and admire the scenery because the guard was walking so fast that I nearly had to run to keep up.
“What’s with the rush?” Ronan asked as we ascended a winding staircase.
“The Alpha said it was a matter of urgency,” he answered.
My eyebrows furrowed in concern. “What the hell is going on? I asked.
“I’m not sure. I’m forbidden from saying anything. The Alpha will answer your questions when you get to him.”
Ronan scoffed.
We ascended another flight of stairs and headed down long hallways.
Why on earth did the late Luna decide to have her room so far away from the rest of the world? I wondered.
I was already thinking that my legs were going to give up on me when Ronan and the guard stopped in front of a double door.
The guard raised his hand to knock but Ronan threw the doors open unceremoniously.
“What the hell is going on brother?” He demanded.
I felt my jaws drop to the ground as I took in the beauty of the room. It was definitely meant for a queen. The late Luna definitely had a thing for pastel colours and fancy scented candles.
“Good evening to you too, brother,” I heard Ryder drawl.
He was sitting comfortably on a sofa and he had a smirk on his face.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
He ignored me and continued addressing his brother. “I don’t remember sending for you. Or did I?” He asked, fixing his gaze on the guard.
“No, you didn’t, your Majesty.”
“So to what do I owe this unexpected visit?” He asked, returning his gaze to Ronan.
“Cut the crap brother. What’s going on?” He asked.
“Why are you so interested?” Ryder queried with an annoying smile.
“In case you haven’t noticed, she’s my friend and nearly a member of our troop. I have to look out for her and ensure that she’s safe,” Ronan replied.
Ryder scoffed. “We’ll talk about the troop thing later but for now you should excuse us. I’d like to speak with Malia… alone. Don’t worry she’s not in any mortal danger,” he grinned.
Ronan glared at his brother, anger evident in his eyes. The tension between them was frightening, for a moment, I wanted to escape this place until they were done with the stating contest.
Ronan finally withdrew his gaze. He hesitated for a moment, looked at me. I gave him a small smile. “I’ll let you know immediately when I get back to my room.”
He nodded and without giving his brother a second glance, went out of the room.
“You too,” Ryder said to the guard.
He bowed deeply and left the room as well.
Finally, we were alone.
“Now what the hell is going on?”