Glowing

Malia’s POV
I rolled my eyes. The male gender never failed to amaze me with their level of playfulness.
I knew Penelope felt the same way because her expression mirrored mine.
“It’s so good to see you, Damien,” Ronan said with a grin.
“You’re taller,” Damien commented.
“And more muscular too,” the Beta added smugly.
“I’m sure I can beat you now. I challenge you to a duel. Tomorrow morning. The training grounds.”
Damien smirked. “You still haven’t changed. You’ve always been one to overestimate yourself. I accept your challenge.”
A smile slowly spread across Ronan’s face as he looked from his friend to Penelope. “Are you two…?”
Damien nodded and wrapped his hand around her waist, pulling her closer to him.
“Isn’t she the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?” He boasted.
Ronan chuckled as he nodded. It was no secret that mates saw each other as the most attractive in the world. It beats me how some of them still end up cheating.
“Is she your mate?” Damien asked, gesturing to me. The beta looked at me and I smiled.
“I’m not his mate,” I answered.
“Yet,” Ronan chipped in, earning a raised eyebrow from Damien.
I rolled my eyes. “You know it doesn’t work that way,” I reasoned.
“Says who?” I’ll have you know that I make my own rules in this world,” he said and I snorted.
“Don’t mind him. He’s being delusional,” I said to Damien who promptly chuckled.
“Do you mind if I borrow your mate for a few minutes?” I asked.
He shrugged but he did look like he had a problem with it. I didn’t think I cared.
Penelope was reluctant to leave his side and I had to practically drag her away from him.
“We’ll be right back,” I called out over my shoulder as we headed towards the front of the building.
I took one look at Penelope’s face and burst out laughing.
“What?” She grumbled.
“Whatever happened to you’re not ready for a mate?” I reminded her and she tried not to grin.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied.
“Oh, yes you do,” I said.
“Whatever,” she murmured. “Where are we even going?” She queried.
“I have no idea,” I answered and she stopped walking to give me a look.
“Are you serious right now?”
I chuckled. “I have to pee and I don’t want to go all the way back to my room when there could be a restroom around. So I need you to show me where one is,” I replied.
She rolled her eyes and led me back inside the building. She led me through the hallway opposite the one that led to the ballroom.
We rounded a corner that led to yet another hallway before she stopped in front of a door.
“Here we are,” she said.
She frowned when I didn’t immediately go in.
“What now?” She murmured.
“Let’s go in together,” I answered and she rolled her eyes.
“Fine.”
I smiled and opened the door. The room was large and the floors and walls were covered with marble tiles. There were about ten fancy sinks and toilets. All in all, the room felt really comfortable.
Penelope scoffed. “I thought you wanted to pee,” she said.
My eyes quit roaming and focused on her.
“I never knew a restroom could be so beautiful and comfortable,” I replied.
“Yeah, yeah. You can come here next time but don’t forget to bring a camera. Hell, you could even move in here if you want. But for now, can you please use one of the toilets so we can get out of here? I need to get back to Damien,” she said impatiently.
I smiled mischievously at her before entering one of the toilets. I was tempted to stay longer than usual in there just to frustrate her but I knew I was most likely going to regret it. Penelope could be vengeful at times.
She was staring at her reflection in one of the mirrors when I got out.
“You look dazzling, Pen,” I said. In truth, she had even become more radiant since meeting her mate.
She turned to face me. “Now let’s go.”
I smirked at the love shining in her eyes.
“Do you still have a crush on Ronan?” I teased.
“Malia,” she warned.
“Okay, okay. I’ll stop.” I said.
She rolled her eyes as she headed for the door.
“For now,” I added under my breath.
“I heard that,” she said and I giggled.
Ronan and Damian were having an animated conversation when we returned.
Penelope immediately went to his side and I tried not to roll my eyes.
“We were waiting for you two to return before we head back inside. It’s kind of chilly outside, don’t you think?” Ronan asked.
Pen nodded in agreement and she and Damien led the way.
Ronan and I took the rear.
“Have I told you how especially irresistible you look tonight?” He asked.
“I think so. You don’t look bad yourself,” I replied. “It’s amazing how transformative a suit can be.”
He smirked. “That’s a backhanded compliment if I ever heard one.”
I giggled.
I spent the rest of the ceremony gorging on the delicacies that were served.
Penelope had thrown me dirty looks twice or thrice but I had ignored her. We only lived once. I had to enjoy it in any way I could.
I felt tired and sleepy from all the food and decided to call it a night. I tried to slip out of the ballroom without Ronan noticing. He had been by my side since we re-entered the ballroom but luckily for me, Derek had come to pull him away just when I was thinking about retiring.
I stopped when I got to the entrance and allowed my eyes to roam the ballroom one last time.
I sighed in disappointment. Ryder had somehow mysteriously vanished. My eyes narrowed in suspicion as I suddenly realized that Lila had been curiously absent.
I shrugged. Her whereabouts weren’t really my business anyway, I just thought those kinds of ceremonies were her thing.
Or perhaps, she and Ryder had made up and were now having hot sex.
I was so lost in my jealousy that I wasn’t conscious of my environment. I ended up colliding with a wall.
“Ouch,” I moaned.
“Do you need a visit to the doctor? Because it seems your eyes aren’t working,” a familiar voice said.
I looked up at Ryder. Apparently, he was the wall I had run into. I just stared at him at a loss for what to say.
“It seems you’ve gone dumb too,” he said.
I was suddenly pissed. I scowled at him and tried to brush past him.
He grabbed my arm. “Aren’t you supposed to apologize? Besides, where’s your boyfriend?” He queried.
I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. Now please let me go.”
“What happened? Did you two have a fight?” He taunted.
“Let me go Ryder,” I snapped.
“And what if I don’t?” He ground out.
“You heard her. Let her go.”
I groaned inwardly. Ronan’s interference was just going to make things worse.
Ryder scoffed but he let go of my arm and walked slowly towards his brother.
I silently prayed to the Moon Goddess that they wouldn’t end up throwing blows at each other. I wasn’t sure I could have that on my conscience.
They regarded each other silently and I could feel the tension between them.
Ryder then brushed past him and continued down the hallway. I released a breath I didn’t realise I had been holding.
“Are you alright?” Ronan asked. I nodded.
“Let’s get you to your room then. And please next time don’t disappear on me like that.”
He took my hand and we headed towards my room.
I went straight into the closet and with a satisfied sigh, slipped out of my dress and heels. I felt so tired but I knew I had to take my bath. So I had a quick warm shower and donned my nightie.
Ronan had already left by the time I left my closet and I breathed a sigh of relief.
I didn’t have the strength to face any Hawkins brothers.
I slipped under the covers and fell asleep almost immediately after my head touched the pillow.
I awoke and promptly groaned. It was as though someone was swinging away with a hammer at the side of my head. I desperately needed the herbal tea Penelope recommended the other day.
I knew I was going to have to get to the kitchen myself because I was damn sure that Penelope was still asleep in Damien’s arms and I was comfortable with asking any of the other servants.
I groaned as I rolled off my bed and sighed when I realized I had to go get a robe because my nightie didn’t really cover much.
The kitchen was curiously deserted when I got there despite the fact that it was already past eight. Perhaps they all had too much wine and stayed up late.
I sighed in frustration as I tried to figure out where the tea packet was kept.
“Something told me I’ll meet you here,” Penelope’s voice filled the kitchen and I nearly wept with relief.
I turned to face her and the first thing I noticed was how positively different she looked. She was glowing.
“You’re a lifesaver Pen. I need that tea. My head hurts like crazy.”