Chapter 19
Quarrel
***
Leila stared at the various types of berries that were planted a few minutes’ walk away from the pack’s garden. She heard Myrtle talking about it yesterday, and she couldn’t believe that the path going there was easy to follow.
Or perhaps, the pathway was already paved by the weeds and tall grass, and she had easily found her way to the magnificent place.
She giddily looked around.
The place was quite refreshing.
She was excited to bake using the fresh berries, and she was so excited to surprise Myrtle with it.
Well, Hunter’s face flashed in her mind, and she instantly blushed.
Yes, she was certainly doing this for Hunter. She knew how much he loves berries, and she wanted to bake him some Mixed Berry Tarts. She saw some materials and an old-fashioned model of an oven in the house, and she wanted to use it. She was just hoping that Myrtle could let her borrow it.
Leila was busy gathering the berries when she heard some sort of noise breaking the cozy silence. The birds suddenly stopped chirping as she looked at her basket which was already almost full.
She surely had lost track of time.
“I must go back now. I haven’t told Myrtle where I will be going.” She shrugged her shoulders as she stood up.
However, she flinched in shock as she felt a cold hand hold her arm all of a sudden.
She held her chest as her eyes widened. But she instantly heaved a breathy sigh when she saw Hunter’s serious and annoyed well, more of a furious expression that was reflected on his face.
Leila felt the electrifying sensation that was lingering in her skin, but his grim expression was telling her that he was just too mad at whatever.
Her forehead creased as he started dragging her back to the pack’s community.
It seemed like his annoyance… no it was anger that was directed at her.
She bit her lower lip as she realized that perhaps, it was because she didn’t tell anyone where she would be going.
“Oh, my! Wait a m-minute! Stop dragging m-me!” She tried to stop him, but he was just so strong that she couldn’t withdraw her arm from his grip.
Leila felt her breathing hard as he finally let her when they were already at the pack’s garden.
No one was there except for the two of them. Leila wanted to lash out in anger at him, but he’s looking at her a bit colder and more furious than usual so, she just shuts her mouth instead.
Besides, she knew that she was at fault. However, it was just near the community. He was overreacting!
Hunter had already started to talk and all she needed to do was answer him.
“What the hell are you doing there?!” He furiously stated in between his gritting teeth.
Leila heaved another deep sigh trying to calm herself.
“I need to get some berries.” She tried to lighten up his mood and smiled at him while she held up her basket, almost full of various berries.
However, Hunter seemed to dislike her idea, which made him more furious than he already was.
“What the f*ck are you thinking? You go alone in the woods just for those f*cking berries?!” He maddeningly lashed out at her.
Leila couldn’t believe his words her left brow shot upward.
“What are you talking about? Don’t curse at the food, Hunter,” she coldly replied making Hunter’s lips purse in annoyance.
“I am just telling you that it is not safe for you to wander alone. You thick-headed woman. I can’t believe you can talk that way after I search for you around here,” he irritatingly said.
Leila felt her heart slightly sting with pain. His words were so strong that they were hurting her like hell.
“Perhaps, it’s better if I didn’t bring you along here. You are such a stubborn lady who only selflessly thinks of yourself,” he furiously added.
Leila bit her quivering lips. She tightened her grip on the basket unconsciously.
She couldn’t remember whether she had felt this humiliation her entire life. She knew that what she did was wrong, but hearing those harsh words from him was making her heart clench in pain… A feeling that was heavier because of the words from him.
Leila swallowed the lump in her throat as her eyes moistened with tears.
Hunter’s forehead creased as she saw her broken state.
“I… I’m sorry for b-being a burden to y-you.” She croaked as a lone tear escaped from her eyes.
Leila didn’t see how Hunter’s face contorted in shock, as she had already turned her back on him and run away.
She didn’t know where to go but went back to the house, and she locked herself in her room.
It was a good thing that Myrtle didn’t see her. She wasn’t in the mood to explain why she was crying. She just wanted to let her heart out.
Well, in the first place, she couldn’t blame him for thinking that way, but she was also done with the rude things not to mention how dangerous it was to go alone in the woods, which was just sinking in in her pretty little head.
“You are such a fool, Leila…” She uttered under her breath as she buried her face on her knees and let her tears flow freely from her eyes.
On the other hand, Hunter was dumbfounded.
He had never seen Leila cry in front of him. Well, not until that night, when she was attacked by those rogues. He was just too… worried.
Mrytle told him that Leila wasn’t around, and he instantly went all over the community to look for her, but he just couldn’t.
She was his responsibility and being a failure in protecting her under their pack’s name wouldn’t do any good to them.
‘Or was it just because of that? Really, Hunter?’ A part of his mind mockingly commented.
He heaved a deep sigh as he harshly ran his fingers through his hair disheveling it entirely.
Hunter was devastated… and confused by his own reactions. He had never felt this protective and worried that he just wanted to turn the pack upside down just to find Leila.
“F*ck it…” He whispered with pure desperation in his voice.
Especially when Leila’s hurt, and tearful face flashed in his head.
“F*cking sh*t…” He cursed under his breath.
He felt hopeless as he clenched his jaw. He was a mess big time!
“You are such a rude man, my brother.” Hector suddenly commented as he appeared from the side.
He calmly leaned on the trunk of the tree just near him.
Hunter snorted at him. He didn’t even feel his presence hiding in the dark. Perhaps, it was because he was too preoccupied with Leila.
The mere thought of her made him more confused by all the emotions that were attacking him all of a sudden.
“Back off!” He hissed as he started walking away from him.
He was the least of the people that he wanted to see or talk to.
Hector sarcastically chuckled.
“You made her cry. What a way to treat a girl,” he sardonically commented.
He stopped for a bit before he scoffed and clenched his jaw.
“Mind your own business.” He coldly stated and continued walking away, but Hector being the hardheaded man that he was, gave him a piece of his mind despite of his annoyance.
“If I were you, you must talk to her and… Apologize.” He seriously stated.
Hunter sneered like he wasn’t bothered at all.
“As if I will do that…” He plainly murmured under his breath as he pretended like he wasn’t affected by Leila.
‘But you are!’ A part of his mind yelled mockingly at him.
“F*ck!” He whispered as he stopped and turned around taking the path towards their house.