Chapter Twenty-seven
Hunter’s POV
I paced back and forth in my office, unable to shake the frustration in me. The shattered pieces of the tea set on the floor reminded me of my outburst that morning.
I hadn’t meant to lose control like that, but already raging about the killings at the site, the sight of Faelen had triggered something inside me… something dark and uncontrollable.
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to focus on anything else, but it was impossible. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her terrified expression, heard the shatter I caused against the wall.
I knew it wasn’t just the rage of the killings that bothered me… it was the awkward situation with Faelen last night.
I had intended to crush her spirit when I’d caught her snooping around when she shouldn’t be, but it had turned into something else shockingly.
It felt like it was her who had broken my spirit, and not able to remain with her there, I’d stormed off like a frightened little girl.
I felt embarrassed about it now, which I knew contributed to my outburst… that and the disturbing fact that I’d kissed Faelen back when she had attempted it.
She had somehow become bold enough to throw it in my face, though I can’t say I blamed her, as I was being a complete jerk blaming her and making threats.
It had ended up blowing in my face.
Something else disturbed me even now. The way Caleb looked at her when she stood at the door, the concern in his voice when he asked if she was alright… it made my blood boil, even though I kept telling myself it was ridiculous.
Jealousy? No, that couldn’t be it.
What was there to be jealous of? Faelen was just a servant, someone who had no place in my world beyond doing what she was told. And Caleb was my friend, loyal to the core.
So why did it bother me so much to see him treat her with kindness? Why did it irritate me to think that Caleb might care about her, might even… desire her?
The thought made my stomach twist.
I tried to push it out of my mind, to convince myself that I was overthinking it. Caleb was just being Caleb… kind, considerate, always looking out for everyone, even the servants.
There was no reason to be upset by that. And yet… I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more to it.
Why was he so concerned? Why had he left so abruptly after I gave that vague explanation about my anger toward Faelen?
We were discussing something important… the situation at the border, something that needed immediate attention… yet Caleb had abandoned the conversation without hesitation, leaving me alone with my rage and confusion.
I slammed my fist against the desk, the sharp pain in my knuckles distracting me from the chaos in my head. This wasn’t me.
I wasn’t the kind of man who let emotions control him, who allowed jealousy of a emotions… if that’s what this was… to cloud his judgment.
But no matter how much I tried to deny it, the truth was staring me right in the face, I was jealous. Jealous of the way Caleb treated Faelen…
I was certainly jealous of the connection he seemed to have with her, even if it was probably nothing more than simple decency. And that realization only pushed my anger further.
I hated it. Hated that I was feeling this way, hated that Faelen had this kind of power over me. She was a servant for goddess sake!
Nothing more.
Yet, here I was, letting her get under my skin in ways I couldn’t even begin to understand.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to regain control of my thoughts. I needed to focus on the important things and push all thoughts of Faelen and Caleb out of my mind.
The neighboring pack situation at the border was too important to let my personal issues get in the way.
With a frustrated growl, I grabbed my coat and stormed out of the office. I needed to clear my head, to get away from the suffocating thoughts that was not just threatening, but was already consuming me.
Maybe some fresh air would do me good, help me regain my composure before I did something I’d regret again.
Outside, I stopped at the entrance of the estate, my gaze catching sight of Caleb and Faelen in the distance. My heart sank as I saw them together.
Caleb was walking her toward the estate, his expression calm and sweet, while Faelen walked beside him, slowly, as if they were deep in conversation.
I couldn’t quite place the immediate surge of anger I felt, but it was unmistakable, even though I’d just promised myself not to bother about it.
The funny thing is that, I still tried to convince myself that it wasn’t jealousy. That there was no reason for it. Of course there were…
Caleb was just being his usual self, and Faelen was a servant… one I had no business feeling anything for. But I did, and the sight of them together stirred the anger in me I was trying to bury.
I couldn’t stand to watch them any longer. I made my way towards them, my steps quick and heavy.
As soon as Faelen saw me approaching, she froze. The fear in her eyes was palpable, and it only fueled my frustration.
Caleb noticed me too, his surprise evident. “Is something wrong, Hunter?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.
“We have… unfinished business,” I snapped, my anger barely contained. I didn’t bother to explain further. I turned my attention to Faelen, fixing her with a cold stare. “Aren’t you supposed to be at your duty post?”
Faelen’s eyes widened in fear. She gave a slight bow, mumbling a quick “Yes, Alpha,” before she turned and hurried away, her steps quick and unsteady.
I watched her go, the sight of her retreating figure did nothing to ease my frustration. I turned back to Caleb, who stood there stunned and silent.
I jerked my head in the direction of the estate, signaling for him to follow me. Caleb hesitated for a moment before falling in step behind me, his expression unreadable… I knew there was something heavy in his mind.
We walked in silence, the tension between us almost physical. I had to clear my head, to address whatever the hell was going on with Faelen, Caleb’s concern, and my own emotional outbursts.
Once we were inside the estate and away from prying eyes, I turned to Caleb. “What was that about?” I demanded.
Caleb met my gaze with curiosity. “I was just making sure Faelen was alright,” he said calmly. “I’ve noticed she’s been under a lot of stress lately…. From you especially.”
I scowled, my anger swirling inside. “She’s a goddamn servant, Caleb! Her well-being isn’t our concern. We have more important things to deal with.”
Caleb’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing. I could see the frustration in his expression, but he kept his composure.
We needed to address the border situation, but my mind was still tangled in the mess of emotions from last night and earlier.
I took a deep breath, trying to be calm in my anger. “Let’s get back to business,” I said sharply. “We still need to discuss the situation at the border.”
Caleb nodded, and we moved towards my office. But even as I wanted us to talk about the pressing situation, my mind kept shifting to her… and the unexpected chaos she had stirred in me.
Once we were alone in my office, Caleb approached me with a look of concern that I couldn’t ignore. “Hunter, is there something going on with you?” he asked, his tone careful but direct.
“What do you mean?” I asked, expecting an explanation.
“You’ve been acting really off all morning. It can’t just be the border situation that’s got you like this.”
I brushed off his concern with a wave of my hand. “It’s nothing,” I snapped. “Just pissed off about the issues with that stupid pack. That’s all.”
Caleb’s eyes narrowed, and I could see he wasn’t buying my excuse. “Hunter, I know you better than that. There’s more to it. It’s about Faelen, isn’t it? She seemed…”
I cut him off sharply. “Drop it, Caleb. I don’t want to hear about it. We have more important things to focus on.”
Caleb hesitated for a moment, his gaze hanging on me with an intensity that made me a little uncomfortable.
He knew I was hiding something, and I could see the frustration in his eyes. But he also knew better than to press me further when I was edged.
With a gentle sigh, he nodded. “Alright, if you say so. But remember, you’re acting really weird and no matter how much you want to deny it, it’s starting to show. And refuse my help, fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
With that he turned and started to walk away, to leave me alone with my thoughts. I thought about what he said, and for a second I wanted to admit everything, but I couldn’t. An Alpha having growing feelings for a servant girl? It just wasn’t right.
“What about the issue with the killings? How are going to handle that?” I called out to him as he walked out.
“We’ve already talked about it Hunter, you told me to handle it my own way. I’ll handle it!” he shouted down the hallway as he walked off.
As the door closed behind him, I sank into my chair, feeling the weight of my frustration and confusion press together on me.
Caleb was right about one thing… there was something eating at me, and it wasn’t just the border issues.
Faelen’s image haunted my mind, the kiss we had shared last night, the fear in her eyes, which made me feel bad within… it was all too much.
I hated how she had gotten so much under my skin, and how my own reaction to her had me so unsettled as well. Caleb was right, I was acting weird, but that needed to stop.