Malia’s POV
I munched happily on a chocolate bar after Ronan had told me that it was Derek who brought it for me. He had left me with an exasperated sigh after he had tried and failed to pull me out of my bed, arguing that I looked fine.
I flipped through the pages of the book as I chewed, content about the fact that I was in bed and outside on the training field. It was quite sunny.
I chuckled as I remembered the look on Ronan’s face when I had told him that I wasn’t supposed to be exposed to the sun as a woman because I just had to keep my skin looking beautiful.
He had murmured something about how ridiculous it was for me to complain about the sun and its effect on my skin when I was willing to fight with men and go for battles where I could be wounded and have scars on my so-called skin.
This time I finished the book and was sleepy by the time I was done. I slept off trying to convince myself to get up and take my bath first.
I awoke slowly. I decided not to open my eyes but to will myself back to sleep. I wasn’t quite ready to get up. Sleep refused to claim me so I sighed and sat up.
I raised my arms above my head and stretched. I felt much stronger.
I decided that it was time for a bath and lunch of course. But there was no way my conscience was going to let me eat another meal before bathing.
I peeled off the covers from my body and rolled out of my bed.
I ended up spending more time than was necessary under the shower.
It’s not like I was going anywhere anyway, so I could take as much time as I wanted.
It wasn’t until my stomach growled loudly in hunger that I left the bathroom.
I quickly donned a sundress and slipped on a pair of strappy sandals after nearly burning my scalp with the hair dryer.
I opened my door just at the same time Ryder’s door opened and a rather teary-eyed Lila walked out. She paused to glare at me for some seconds before proceeding down the hallway.
I was curious. Had he already set her aside and told her about his intention to make me Luna? I wondered.
I pushed Ryder’s door open, not bothering with knocking. He was at the mini bar pouring himself a drink.
I approached him with uncertainty. Not sure about what mood he was in.
“Go away, Malia,” he said without looking back.
I took a deep breath and walked with determined steps until I was right beside him.
I took one look at the empty bottle and my eyes widened in surprise. “Please don’t tell me you drank all of this today.”
He smirked. “I won’t.”
I watched in concern as he downed the content of his glass.
He paused to look at the cup in his hand for a while.
“Ryder,” I murmured.
He smashed the glass against the wall suddenly and I flinched. “What is wrong with you?” I queried with mild irritation.
He raised his head to look at me and I shrank back at the fury I saw in his eyes.
“Why are you here, Malia?” He quizzed.
His voice was calm. Too calm.
I swallowed nervously. “I was just concerned when I saw Lila leave your room in tears. I had to come see if everything was okay.”
He gave a harsh laugh. “Don’t worry Malia. Your boyfriend told me how Lila was threatening to reveal your identity to the public and I handled it. She’s going to leave you alone. You can leave my room now.”
I was puzzled and at the same time filled with relief that Lila wasn’t going to be threatening me anymore.
“Ryder, did I do something wrong?” I asked gently and he scoffed.
“You never do anything wrong. Sweet, innocent Malia. I was just a fool to have believed that you and my brother were just friends.”
My forehead creased in confusion. “We’re friends Ryder.”
He gave me a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Since when did friends start kissing each other or wasn’t that you and Ronan on your bed, pretty close to each other yesterday?”
I closed my eyes for a moment unsure of what to say. I vaguely remembered that Ronan hadn’t shut the door properly when we entered my room the previous evening. Ryder must have seen us through the crack.
Ronan and I hadn’t kissed but we had nearly done it and I felt guilty about that.
“We didn’t kiss,” I said.
He snorted and gave me an ugly look. “Leave my room,” he ordered. I didn’t need to be told twice. I hurried out of his room trying to fight back my tears and wondering why I even felt bad.
It wasn’t as though Ryder and I were anything but friends.
Keep on telling yourself that. A voice said.
I shut his door behind me and slid to the floor. I propped my hands on my knees and rested my head. I just sat there for a while feeling angry and hurt and confused at the same time.
I vaguely heard voices but I paid them no mind.
Someone shook me gently on the shoulder and I raised my head to find Ronan, Scott and Derek looking at me with concern written all over their faces.
Ronan squatted so that he was at eye level with me. “What’s wrong, Malia?” He asked, tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear.
I shook my head and a frown spread across his face. “Did my brother do something to you?” He asked and I could hear the barely concealed rage in his voice.
I got to my feet and he straightened also.
“Talk to me, Malia. If my brother did something to you I sure as hell know how to handle him.”
I mentally rolled my eyes. “He did nothing,” I murmured and moved past him to my door.
I heard him say something to Scott and Derek before he appeared right beside me as I pushed my door open.
He waited until I was lying on my bed before he spoke. “Right now, I’m worried sick about you, Malia. You have to tell me what’s going on?”
I gave him a small smile as I drew the covers to my chin. “I guess Lila is not going to be bothering me anymore. Ryder has taken care of it,” I replied softly.
His forehead creased in confusion. “Isn’t that supposed to be good news?”
“Please talk to me.”
I exhaled a shaky breath. “He saw us. He thinks we kissed.”
“He’s angry and hurt and..”
“Why does it matter to you? Why does what he thinks matter? It’s not like you’re in love with him. Or are you?” He queried.
I just stared at him, unable to speak. I knew my feelings were going to hurt him.
He closed his eyes and sighed.
“Malia, he doesn’t deserve you. He’s not worthy of your love,” he said softly.
I just closed my eyes and willed myself to sleep, not trusting myself to speak lest I burst into tears.
I felt his weight lift from the bed and heard his retreating footsteps. I didn’t open my eyes until I heard the door slam shut.
I stared at the door for a while wishing that Ryder would appear and we’d sort things out.
Ryder didn’t appear and I ended up falling asleep.
It was the delicious smell that woke me up and my stomach cramped painfully in response.
What would I do without Penelope? I wondered with gratitude as I opened my eyes.
She was standing in front of my bed with a tray of food. I grinned at her and she rolled her eyes.
“I think I’m going to have to start collecting a little something from you for bringing your food to you,” she grumbled.
I chuckled as I sat up. “I’m a guest here, remember? I think I’m supposed to be served.”
She snorted and placed the tray in front of me. “Here you go, your Majesty.”
“Thank you my dearest servant,” I provoked.
She took a deep breath and I heard her pray for patience.
“You do not plan to kill me, do you?” I asked in amusement.
“I don’t want to risk the wrath of the Beta and the Alpha. You happen to have stolen their hearts without even trying.”
“Is that jealousy I hear?” I asked as I tore into my chicken. She snorted and sat beside me. Before I knew it, she had torn a bit of my chicken and stuffed it into her mouth.
She chewed with obvious glee as I glared at her.
She swallowed. “That’s payback for your smart mouth.”
“Indeed. Just say that you wanted my chicken,” I said, transferring the tray to the other side of me where she couldn’t easily reach.
“Are Lunas always this stingy when it comes to food?” She queried with a mischievous grin.
“Whatever. I’m selfish when it comes to my food and I am proud of it.”