Chapter 15
1032words
The footsteps are excruciatingly slow but don't stop. My mind is left to ponder on who it might be, I fear for my life as I feel the intruder get closer. For the life of me, I just want to be alone and I don't think that is too much to ask for.
First, my brain thinks of Liam. I get excited at the possibility of his looking frantically for me and ends up infiltrating my pack house to pick me up.
I am unbelievable, and I know it. Who else in their right sense of mind gets excited at the prospect of something so possibly abstract while in possible danger?
I lie painfully still on the bed; even my breathing is regulated, and it's difficult for me. I only hope I look convincingly deep into my sleep.
Thinking about Liam again, my heart shattered at the betrayal and my giving way to my impulsive thought. I thought of telling him the next time we met, but then I thought otherwise. But would that make me any different?
One more step from the intruder and I quickly stop my fantasy. Using all my senses, I try to pick out if it's Liam.
Weird as it may be, with the few times spent with Liam, I had already mastered the sound of his footsteps, and it is nothing close to the one I hear, even though this one is slow and deliberate.
Next is his scent. Liam smells like the woods, to be exact; he smells like the woods touched by early morning dew mingled with the ever-lingering smell of cigarettes.
If it was Liam, there is no way he wouldn't have hurriedly reached out to me upon entering my room, right? Right?
Wait, there is no way Liam would have known the exact position of my room. At this thought my body began to tense afresh.
Don't get me wrong, it's not like I didn't have this at the back of my mind, but thinking of it has helped snap the fantasy-filled part of my brain shut. I am a helpless romantic you know.
The intruder chose this tense moment to kick against something, and it made me a jerk; the long pause on the other end made it convincing enough that whoever it is, is being cautious.
He or she can only be this cautious if they have malicious intent and with this, I began to think of what to do to protect myself. The only person I have in mind right now is Diana.
What is it she wants? Forcefully drive a knife through my throat or stomach? Strangle me? Suffocate me with one of her pillows? This is killing me!
Immediately, I feel this person close; my hand reaches out for the closest thing on my bedside, and in the most agile manner, I attack the intruder, but my actions are predicted as he holds me in place.
Seeing it's Aiden, whatever suppressed rage in me flares up and I struggle to get myself free of him.
'I don't mean to scare you, Moon."
'I know you don't, you came to bid me farewell to the land of the dead."
He chuckled, he chuckled, the nerve of this prick!
He made to release me and I turned to attack him. Probably sensing that, he holds me in place.
'Don't touch me! Don't you touch me?" I said in disgust.
'Your voice." He said leaving me be.
'I will shout and talk however I want."
'Make sure to explain what you have been doing with our rival." He replied leisurely, his hands in his pocket.
The audacity of this man, resorting to emotional blackmail, are we?
'A threat?" He shrugs.
Thinking about it, I wasn't able to identify the scent that kept me hooked for so long until recently. I could have figured he was the one and maybe raised an alarm. I doubt the members of our pack will turn up but I would have tried it out anyways.
'What are you doing here?" I question, feeling my eyes get hot.
'I came to see you. I was worried about you." He shamelessly replied.
He was worried about me? Oh please, tell me something else. It sounded like the joke of the month and I let myself laugh. The moon a few weeks ago would have been love-struck at that clause, but not this Moon, not after all that happened tonight.
He felt uncomfortable but not angry.
'If you were worried about me, you would have shown it right there."
Remembering the embarrassment and pains, I felt from the fall, Diana's mocking stare, and most especially, his disinterest, lack of concern, and acknowledgment of what happened, my nose flared, and my hand trembled with rage.
'Yes, I know but you don't understand…"
'Keep your excuse. There is no use getting worried about me Aiden." I said, feeling proud of myself that I could counter him without feeling guilty or afraid.
'It is clear you are only this way when alone with me," I said before I could stop myself but I prayed he didn't see that as an invitation to do otherwise.
'I wish I could explain this to you. It is more complicated than you think."
We held our gaze for a bit before I broke it, I refused to get involved in his manipulation, not after tasting something better.
'About earlier…" He started but I interrupted him.
The hinting of what happened earlier did something strange to my insides. I hold out my hand to stop him from continuing his words.
'It never happened, let's leave it that way."
'But we can't pretend it didn't happen Moon." He said, bringing one of his hands forward, his face as soft as butter, not the one I would bother licking though.
'What then do you want to do – about it?"
The moment I caught myself asking that question, I paused and regretted it instantly but the look in his eyes shows he thought something else of my pausing.
'Let's date, a secret relationship." He declared with maximum confidence, the look on his face relaxed and hopeful.
