*Danika*
The drive home was quiet, with Alonso sitting far from me at the back of the car with his face outside, not saying a word to me. It wasn’t as though we just shared something special back in the restaurant.
I was ached deeply because of his aloof behavior towards me. At the same time, I was also worried about the presence I felt back at the restaurant when we were leaving. This wasn’t one of the new sensibilities that I have developed recently since starting my training, I sensed it and I wonder if Alonso felt it too. Maybe that’s why he was back to his shell.
“Are you okay?” I made the first attempt at a conversation since he wouldn’t.
“Yeah, and you?” He gave me a precise glimpse and when I nodded, he went back to staring outside the window, possibly his way of dismissing me.
I bobbed my head like a lizard, bit down my lower lip to suppress the compelling tears fighting to exit my eye, and in turn faced my part of the window.
Soon the car pulled in front of a well-lit building and the doors slid open. Then Alonso faced me.
“I have a business to finish up here, I will see you at home.” I was thinking he was going to give me a hug or maybe a kiss, but my hope was quashed when he alighted without a second glance and walked into the building.
The car pulled off the edifice and I let my tears flow without further restriction. Thanks for the back of the car that was indistinct, which made my action inconspicuous to Luther. I don’t want this. I don’t want to pretend to be okay when I’m not and I couldn’t hold myself from letting go. This pain is raw like someone was stabbing a knife into my chest repetitively.
When the car finally reached the mansion, I didn’t wait a minute and ran out of it straight to my room. Within the confines of my room, I cried so hard. My body wracked with sobs restricted for so long. I couldn’t help myself.
Why does it hurt so much when people you love hurt you like this? It feels like the world was coming to an end. Like there is a bowl of fire and you were placed inside while the fire roasted you to ashes. That was how I felt.
This night was so incredible and splendid with him back at the restaurant until he got that link. I don’t want to think about it but something tells me he had stopped at that edifice for a detour so he wouldn’t be seen coming in with me. While that was a good idea, still, I couldn’t bear it. When am I going to stop putting up with this? Is it until I grow old and die, I will keep trying to understand him, allowing him to seek comfort in my arms but doesn’t fully accept me as his?
This is all messed up.
The more I keep taking it from him, the more messed up it becomes, and yet I was not getting anywhere. He couldn’t even be decent enough to remain civil to me till the end of the day! What an awesome night ruined by him!
After a while of lamentation, I decided to leave the ground and go to sleep hoping to wake up tomorrow and as usual, forget today ever happened. First, it was Alfred and now, it was my mate.
Perfect!
I trudged further into the room mindlessly, but on reaching my bed, I was struck back to the present when I saw another package laying on the bed. This time it was a red lingerie with a red withered rose sitting on top of it. I panicked, picking up the withered rose, and noticed a card hanging by the side. When I dropped the rose and opened the card, my panic grew with what was written in it.
‘I hope you enjoyed your date?’
I looked around the room frantically, my eyes first finding the back window was opened the other day. It was locked. I hastily dropped the card and ran to my closet to see if anyone was hiding there, waiting for me to appear, to attack. After a few round-ups, the room was clear of any presence, making my hysteria grow worse.
Who could be doing this? I am very certain I locked my door when I left and the only person who has my keys was Nadia. She couldn’t have done this, because firstly she didn’t know I was going out. Or was it Alonso? Did he send this to make up for his indifferent attitude?
Gad, I’m losing my mind. What are all these puzzles for? First, no one would give me the answers I seek and then I come home to roses and dresses, dinners, and afterward a withered rose and lingerie!
I palmed my head, falling back on the chair to eye the lingerie. It’s a beautiful piece. However, I’m never going to touch it until Alonso gets back and I ask him about it. I cupped my forehead, thrashing my legs in irritation as I realized I will have to wait for him instead of going to sleep as I had planned.
I went to lock my door and then came to drag the chair close to the window and sat looking out while I waited. At least that would help keep my mind off the turmoil surrounding me.
Outside was fully lit artificially with rainbow-shaped light fixtures. The tree branches were twirling to the heavy breeze, which this evening seemed a little on the tremendous side. I think a storm is approaching since we haven’t had it for a fortnight. When eventually it comes, it’s going to take days to abate, during which we would be stuck inside the house. This period comes before the full moon and the period when wolves breed a lot of pups due to the chilly weather.
Our brother creature like the werefoxes enjoys the cold weather most and hunts with the season, as well as procreates millions of pups for raids. I learned all this in the hospital from the nurses and doctors, whom I relate with.
This place has been a blessing, a blessing that comes with thorns in the form of Alonso and so many unanswered questions. Perhaps I should simply go back to being the former docile, weak, and clumsy Danika. By then, I won’t have to worry about what I am, or would anybody bother giving me sleepless nights like I have been having lately.
My thought was interrupted when I saw the headlight shine from the side of the building, implying the King is back.
I rose and quickly dashed to the closet to pick up my shawl which I slung on my shoulders and rushed out of the room.
When I got to the study, I pulled the knob until the door bolted open and I entered inside to wait for him until he appeared. Surely he would come here, he never misses it.
I sat on the couch by the side of the study, my eyes racking around the room looking for something intriguing to latch my hands on. Then my thoughts went to his desk. Maybe I can write something. Yes! I can write anything. I haven’t really written anything because I haven’t gotten the chance to, unlike my sister that was sent to school back in my pack.
My father didn’t think I was good enough to acquire an education like my elder sister. To him, I would make a perfect domestic wife to my unfortunate mate while my sister would make the perfect Luna.
I sat on the King’s chair and picked up a paper, then started looking for a pen. There was no one on the desk so I pushed out the drawer to check, and my eyes landed on the frame of a woman. The same woman whose picture was hanging in my mate’s room.
I took it out and skimmed through it closely. She was indeed a very beautiful woman with eyes that saw deep into the soul, which would account for why he wouldn’t stop thinking about her even in death.
My adventure was concisely cut brief with the smell that wafted through my nostrils indicating the arrival of the King. I speedily threw the picture back and sat on his chair with my hands crossed on the desk, and a charming smile placed on my face.
When the door opens, there he stood observing me succinctly as though uncovering my little mischief.
“Hey!” I stood and batted my lashes, trying at what I see Paisley do most times. He blinked rapidly and came in fully, closing the door and leaning on it, his eyes still darting at me.
“What are you doing here? You are supposed to be in bed,” he said, eyeing me neutrally.
“Yeah! I went to my room to sleep but then I saw the stuff you sent to me and said to come and appreciate you even though it’s a bit… Strange…” I chose a softer lane.
“What stuff are you talking about?” he cocked a brow up.
He wasn’t the one? “The withered rose and… red lingerie!”
“Red lingerie?” he inched close. “Where?”
“In my room!” I blurted, fear encompassing my body as it seems he wasn’t the one that sent it.
“I didn’t send anything like that. Have you touched it? Removed it?” He grabbed my hands and flipped them in inspection, his countenance muddling with concern.
“I didn’t.”
“Stay here, I will go and see it.” He made to leave.
“But-”
“Stay here! I mean it, Danika!” He wagged his index finger on my face and stormed off.
I cupped my head in my hand, blowing out a loud gust of air. Who could be doing this to me?!
Sneaking into my room and leaving my windows open?
Gifting me with lingerie and a withered rose?
Is this some sort of a sick joke to the person?!
…