Malia’s POV
Penelope arched an eyebrow.
“Ryder told me yesterday that Lila had travelled and today at the training field, I learnt that Derek had also travelled to go see his sick mother,” I explained.
“Don’t you think it’s not a coincidence? What if he lied about his mom being sick and he’s actually vacationing somewhere with Lila?”
“There’s only one way to find out,” Penelope said.
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. “You’re not about to suggest that we pay Derek’s mom a visit to see if she’s actually sick, are you?” I asked.
She chuckled. “Of course not. Though we could do that.”
I gave her a look.
“I think we should call them both. You will call Derek under the pretence of wanting to check on him and know how his mother is doing and I’ll call Lila under the pretence of having a package for her,” Pen said.
I gave her a puzzled look. “How’s that going to help us know if they’re together or not?”
She rolled her eyes. “The background noise,” she replied.
I gave her a sceptical look. “I don’t think that’s going to help. What if the backgrounds are both silent or what if they just happen to be in similar places? There are so many what-ifs,” I said.
“Let’s just try it, Malia.”
“Okay. Fine.”
I reached for my phone and dialled Derek’s number.
He picked up on the third ring and the first thing I heard was a particular song playing in the background.
“Lia, I’m so sorry I disappeared without telling you. I had a short notice,” he said.
“Make it quick,” Penelope mouthed and I nodded.
“It’s okay Derek. I just wanted to see how you were doing and to know if your mom’s getting better,” I said.
“Thank you, Malia. I’m holding up well and my mom’s getting better.”
“That’s so good to hear. I gotta go now. I’ll talk to you later. Bye.”
I hung up before he could say something.
Penelope looked at me expectantly.
“There was this song playing in the background.”
She nodded and gestured for me to be quiet as she dialled Lila’s number.
“How the hell do you have her cell phone number?” I mouthed.
She shrugged and then her eyes warned me to stay silent as Lila picked up.
“Hello. I have a package for one Miss Agatha Adams here. I’m just calling to confirm….”
She rolled her eyes as she moved her phone from her ear.
“She’s so rude to everybody. Didn’t even let me finish before she hung up,” Penelope complained.
I snorted. “Did you call her to see how rude she could be?” I asked.
She playfully glared at me.
“So….” I urged impatiently.
“If it was Rihanna’s Man Down you heard, there’s a high probability that they are together,” she replied.
I nodded. “Exactly what I heard.”
“The Alpha will be so pissed if he finds out,” Pen said.
“What if they just happen to be in different places playing the same song?” I wondered.
Penelope shook her head. “There can’t be so many coincidences,” she reasoned.
“But we’re going to need to catch them in the act before we allow ourselves to be certain that they’re having an affair,” I said.
“Let’s hope we’re that lucky,” she replied.
I finished my meal and Penelope took the dishes away.
I sat by my window for some time watching the members of the pack start to retire for the night.
When I got tired of that, I picked up the book I had collected from the library and after reading a few pages, I concluded that I was just deceiving myself.
I shut my room door behind me and knocked on Ryder’s. I tried to convince myself that I wasn’t there because I missed him but because I needed to ask him for a favour.
He opened the door and cocked an eyebrow when he saw that it was me.
My heart skipped a beat and I reminded myself not to look into his eyes.
He opened the door wider and gestured for me to come in.
“To what do I owe this honour?” He drawled.
“Can I sit?” I asked.
He rolled his eyes.
“It’s unlike you to be so proper,” he said.
I kept on standing and he scoffed.
“Oh for the love of the Goddess, please sit,” he said.
My lips curled into a smile and I settled on the sofa.
“What have you been up to all day?” I asked.
He raised an eyebrow then his lips curled into a slow seductive smile. “You missed me, right?”
I scoffed. “Please do not flatter yourself.”
“I’m here because I need a favour from you.”
He leaned back in his chair and smirked.
“I never knew this day would come when little Miss Independent would ask for my help.”
“So, what do I get in return?” He asked.
I scoffed. “My undying loyalty,” I answered.
“Fair enough,” he said. “Let’s hear it.”
“Lucien thinks I should only be allowed to train with the soldiers and not fight alongside them. I don’t just want to be trained, I also want to use what I’ve learnt to defend this pack and also other packs that might need our help,” I said.
“I’m afraid, Malia but I can’t help you. In fact, I agree with Lucien,” he said.
“But why? I am not a spy and I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself,” I replied.
“Yeah right. This is coming from someone who is afraid of dark stairways,” he said dryly.
“That is different,” I protested.
“Malia, focus on using your training to defend yourself. You might need those skills in the future,” he said.
“You’re just as bad as Lucien,” I grumbled.
“If it means preventing you from being killed in a fight, then I’m going to take that as a compliment,” he replied.
I got to my feet. “I should take my leave now. Thank you for your help,” I said acidly.
“Don’t you dare take another step,” he ordered.
“What are you going to do about it if I do,” I said and took another step.
“Don’t try to push me, Malia,” he growled.
“What if I enjoy pushing you,” I replied and instantly regretted it.
“Don’t pay attention to that,” I added quickly. “I’ll just take my leave,” I said and made my way to the door.
My hand was already on the handle when I heard him behind me.
“I warned you, Malia.”
He was close. Too close. His breath tickled my ear and I tried to suppress a shiver.
“Okay. Fine. I’m sorry. I’ll stay,” I said in a shaky voice.
“Good girl,” he drawled.
I withdrew and I missed the heat of his body close to mine. I turned and saw that he was already making his way to the dining table.
“I already ate,” I said as I pulled out a chair.
“Malia is rejecting food. That’s a first.”
I scowled at him and he chuckled.
He snapped his fingers and a maid appeared with a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup.
The smell made my mouth water.
I watched his mouth as he ate and realized I was hungry in more ways than one.
He caught me staring and I quickly averted my gaze.
“Are you sure you don’t want some of this?” He asked with a smirk.
I shook my head and continued to admire the intricate designs on the table mat.
“I’d love to see you in action one of these days. I’d pay you a visit on the training field,” he said.
“I have a better idea. Why don’t I challenge you to a duel?” I asked.
“So that you’ll use that opportunity to murder me? No, thank you,” he replied.
“You’re a lot smarter than you look,” I said.
He scowled at me.
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,”
“Come to think of it. How do you think the members of your pack are going to feel when they find out that their Alpha is afraid of duelling with a woman?” I provoked.
“Stop wasting your time, Malia. No matter what you say or do you are not going to get me to duel with you,” he replied.
“You’re no fun,” I said.
“I like it that way,” he replied.
“So when’s your sister coming home?” I asked.
The spoon of soup never made it to his mouth. The room became deathly silent.
I chuckled nervously. “Forget I asked.”
“I do not want to hear anything about a sister from you again. Do I make myself clear?”
Something in his tone warned me not to mess with him.
I nodded. “I won’t bring her up again. I’m sorry,”
He snapped his fingers again and told the maid she could take away his half-eaten meal.
If she was surprised, she didn’t show it.
Ryder was not one to waste food.
“Can I have some of that?” I asked the maid.
“Right away, ma’am,” she replied and hurried off to the kitchen.
I took a peek at Ryder and saw that he was looking at me with an unreadable expression.
“What?” I asked.
“You’re just something else.”