MALIA’S POV
I waited for him to settle down onto the kitchen stool beside me before I spoke.
“You didn’t tell me you had the hots for Lila before your brother claimed her as his.”
He stiffened and a frown formed on his face. “And who told you that?” He queried.
I figured there was nothing he could do to hurt Penelope so I mentioned her name.
He looked betrayed. “I never knew she had a loud mouth,” he said.
I gasped in surprise. “How can you say such a thing about Penelope?”
He scoffed. “I can say anything about a servant, especially one who doesn’t know how to keep her mouth shut,” he replied.
“You’re forgetting that she’s our friend. My best friend.”
He gave me a look. “Your friend, Malia. Not mine.”
I sat there speechless for a moment thinking just how much Ronan had changed.
It suddenly occurred to me that he was just trying to stir me away from the conversation about him being in love with Lila.
“But I don’t understand one thing,” I began. “Is she trying to date you since she can’t have your brother?” Because I figured that that’s the only reason she asked me to stay away from you.”
Ronan scoffed. “Why would she leave an Alpha to date a Beta?” He queried.
“I wonder why,” I answered, looking him in the eye.
He bit into his scone and chewed.
“Is there something you’re keeping from me?” I asked. He was quiet for a moment and I saw the hesitation in his eyes before he spoke.
“I have no intention to keep anything away from you, Malia. But if I inform you of my plans, I’m sure you’re going to disapprove.”
Then he brought his voice down to a whisper.
“Though Lila assumes she means something to me, I’m only allowing her to think that because she’s an important part of my plan. Her help is crucial. After I’ve successfully executed my plans, I’m going to put her in her place and it’s definitely not going to be beside me.”
I wanted to tell him how cruel I thought that was. I knew Lila could be mean at times but I wasn’t sure she deserved to be treated like that.
“I know you think I’m being cruel to Lila, but trust me, she deserves it,” he said.
I thought of how much I could say without making him suspect that I already knew of his plans.
“Is anyone going to get hurt?” I asked in a whisper.
His eyes told me that my question caught him off guard but he quickly recovered.
“It’s not my intention for anyone to get hurt but if it happens I want you to know that the person deserved it,” he answered.
“Just like Lila?” I queried.
“Yes. Just like her.”
I nodded and got off the stool.
He arched an eyebrow. “Why are you leaving so soon?”
I heaved a sigh. “I……”
“You have another meeting with Penelope?” He interrupted, his tone laced with sarcasm.
I rolled my eyes and walked out of the kitchen without saying a word.
He was right behind me by the time I got to the door.
“Malia, I was quite harsh earlier and I’m sorry,” he apologized.
I gave him a small smile and nodded. “I’ll see you around,” I replied as I opened the door.
“Let me walk you to your room then,” he offered.
“There will be no need for that,” I replied a little too fast.
He regarded me in silence for a moment and then nodded. “I guess I’ll be seeing you around then,” he said.
I waved him goodbye and walked down the hallway. I heard the door slam hard and I tried not to flinch.
I was amazed by just how much people could change within the twinkling of an eye. I had always thought of him as being incapable of causing harm to anyone. I mentally groaned as I saw Lila walking towards me.
Could the day get any worse?
She had on a fake smile that instantly caused my stomach to hurt. I tried to give her a smile and hoped she would just pass by me without saying a word.
I wasn’t that lucky.
“I see you and the Alpha are now an item,” she began and I wondered how the hell she knew that.
“Oh come on, it’s so obvious. I can smell him all over you,” she added when she saw my surprised look.
I highly doubted that. If it was so obvious, Ronan would have said something. Lila obviously had a spy or something.
I shrugged. “I guess that’s good for me then,” I replied and continued down the hallway.
She laughed. “It won’t be for long though. So enjoy it while it lasts.”
I knew perfectly well what she meant. I ignored her and made my way back to my room.
I stopped in my tracks when I saw Derek standing in front of my room. His lips quirked in amusement. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” he said.
I walked forward warily. “I’m just surprised to see you. Would you like to come in?” I asked, hoping he’d say no.
“Yes,” he replied and I mentally groaned as I held the door open for him.
He looked around as he settled himself on my bed to my irritation. Whatever happened to the chair?
I sat down on the bed, careful to put enough space between us. I smiled expectantly at him and he cleared his throat before he spoke.
“I just wanted to say thank you for returning my bracelet and for not saying anything about your suspicions. Lila is my mate and I love her so much. So much that I’d do anything for her. I’d be anything for her,”
“Including being her side piece?” I interrupted.
He bowed his head and sighed. “I understand I can’t give Lila what she wants but I’m going to help her in any way I can to achieve her dreams,” he answered.
I scoffed. I didn’t know whether I should be disgusted or impressed by his love for her.
“Has it ever occurred to you that she might just be using you?” I queried.
He raised his head to look at me. “She loves me, Malia. There’s no doubt about that,” he replied.
I had to bite my tongue to keep from calling him a fool.
When I trusted myself to speak again, I cleared my throat. “Lila is lucky to have a man like you. I hope she knows that.”
He smiled. ” I think she does. I’m lucky to have her as well.”
I gave him what I hoped was a smile and the room was silent for far longer than necessary.
Just as I was thinking of an excuse to make him leave, he got to his feet.
“I must leave now. I have to see Ronan.”
I nodded and walked him to the door.
I sighed in relief immediately I shut the door behind me.
I was still mad at him though. His foolishness was no excuse for conspiring with Ronan to kill Ryder.
I lay on my bed and thought of how the Alpha planned to stay alive. He had not made any arrest yet and he was too unbothered for my liking.
I wasn’t sure of the exact moment I slept off but I did and when I woke up, Ryder was standing in front of my bed with a scowl on his face.
I rubbed my eyes as I sat up, wondering what I had done wrong this time.
“What’s wrong?” I asked groggily.
He sighed before replying. “Weren’t you supposed to come to my chambers after meeting with my brother? I thought I specifically told you to do so.”
I had to bite the inside of my cheeks to keep from laughing.
His tone and facial expression were very much like a five-year-old who didn’t get his way.
“I’m so sorry about that. I totally forgot,” I said.
He looked at me expectantly and I raised an eyebrow, wondering what else he wanted me to say or do. He let out a sigh and moved closer to pull me to the edge of the bed.
“Ryder what are you…?”
The rest of my words were cut off as he effortlessly raised me up into his arms.
He didn’t put me down until we reached his bedroom where he dumped me unceremoniously on his bed.
I tried to look offended.
“You and your brother need to stop hauling me like a sack of potatoes,” I grumbled.
His expression became murderous and I realized my mistake.
The image of me in his brother’s arms wasn’t going to sit well with him of course. I immediately got off the bed and planted a kiss on his lips.
I pulled back a little to see if he was still angry.
I sighed at the scowl on his face and planted another kiss on his lips. He still looked angry.
“Ryder come on,” I said, hitting him playfully on his arm.
He rolled his eyes. “You really need lessons on how to make your partner less annoyed. I’m appalled, considering the fact that you’ve been married before. Was a peck on the lips okay for Zade anytime he got mad?”
I scowled at him and this time I punched him hard on his arm. He smirked and wound his arm around my waist to pull me close to him.