CHAPTER SIX

What is going on? What's this feeling? She straightened up and coughed repeatedly, unable to meet his gaze.

“Are you not going to tell me sorry for bumping into me?” He shrugged, his hands wide open.

“You could have watched where you're going or maybe you stood there and knew I was going to bump into you. Am I wrong?” she adjusted her hair after which she shook her head so they fell behind her back.

What is he looking at? Why is he staring at me like that? Won't he say something? She pondered.

She waved her hand close to his eyes. “Are you now a statue or what are you doing?” 

Ryker raised his hand and dared to touch the mole on her face. Just as immediately, Eirlys shoved his hand while at the same time, her feet shuffled backward.

“What do you think you're doing?” 

“Just admiring the symbol on your face.” 

“And what about it? You don't talk about my mole… it's none of your business.” She backed away for a moment, then without another word, she turned on her heel and strode off.

Maybe I shouldn't have talked about it? But I was only joking, trying to get her to talk. It won't be easy talking to her. I just have to find a way around this but how can I bring down her ego. That I don't know. I'll just have to try. He thought and followed after her.

“Are you not going to wait up and let me show you to your room?” He hurried in his steps and in no time, caught up with her. 

“Where am I to crash for the night?” she stopped in her tracks.

“Come on.” He shook his head and walked ahead of her.

In less than a minute, he stopped in front of a door and gestured with his hand, his palm wide open. Eirlys understood what he meant— this is it, your room and it's all yours.

Eirlys shoved him as she stepped ahead. The door slightly creaked open as she slid it. She peeped while at the entrance and scouted with her eyes. It was almost an empty room. The only thing that was alive was the bed, it was high and it was one of the best things Eloise could wish for with her state. She stepped inside and could notice the writings on the walls. They were like symbols that caught her attention. 

Eirlys turned to notice Ryker who just stood there, watching her every move. She wanted to ask what it meant, who had been in the room before and why it was the only room he could make available for her. Afterall he was an Alpha and there must be another. Another room, better than this. But those questions caught in her throat. She could not bring herself to ask, trying to avoid talking to him.

“So, here it is. And if you need—”

“That'll be all for tonight, Ryker. Thank you! I won't be needing anything.” 

She tilted her head to one side, ushering him to leave as she had to shut the door. Ryker hummed, his eyes widening. He retreated, though he was silent. Eloise didn't bother to wait, she locked the door the moment he turned his back to her. 

She bounced on the bed and lay there. Her arms stretched so wide that her fingertips brushed the cold floor on either side.

The next day, her eyes fluttered open. She had been woken up by sounds. They were voices, coming from the other side of the door of the room she was in. She sat up at first, trying to catch a glimpse of the words that were being uttered.

Seeing she could not hear them. She launched herself off the bed in one swift, her movements urgent and sharp. She held her breath and pressed her ear gently against the door, straining to hear their muffled voices.

It would have been easier if only she had her wolf. Those that were wolfless fell into the category of those that were tagged as void. They were tagged as cursed and Eirlys had faced more than she could handle since she was growing up. Even with her ears resting on the door, she could not grasp their words.

All she could tell was that there were two voices and they were ladies. Like they were arguing about something. She straightened up and wondered what was going on. 

Well, she already had her guess and knew that coming back to a pack that once rejected her would stir up questions and she might probably be thrown out a second time. She just had to be careful and take in whatever that would be thrown at her. And now, the chatter she was hearing was all about her. So she thought.

With a steady hand, she turned the knob and pulled the door. She looked up and there they were. They were two ladies, facing each other. They both turned their heads to notice her when she said. “What is going on? How may I help you?”

Though, asking such a question took more than her own stored confidence, realizing she might be the one to finally answer questions. 

“And who are you? Who is asking?” One of the ladies questioned.

Eirlys eyes flickered to the other girl. She studied her for a minute in silence. Her eyes wandered off to the other girl that questioned her. The contrast was impossible to miss. The one who had spoken carried herself with an air of authority—her dress shimmering with fine embroidery and jewels around her neck and wrist… a clear mark of someone from the royal residence. And besides her stood the other girl, quieter. Her simple attire and lowered eyes looked obvious. Anyone could tell she was at service— maybe a maid.

Who could she be? No one could dress this way, especially not a girl like her… she let out a sigh.

“Will you just stay silent? Why are you here?” she placed her hands around her waist, her fingers wrapping around each side. It was a small, firm gesture, like she was trying to steady herself… or more like trying to ground herself for her next movement.

“And who is asking? Does it matter whether I'm here or not?” she looked away, trying to hide the side of her face where the mole was from her.

“Ryker brought you, right? And for what? Look at you. You're not even upto the standard of my maid… or are there any objections.”

Who is she? But how did words get out that Ryker brought me here. We came during the middle of the night and there were only a few guards awake. How come?

“I'm not here for this. Could you just go your way and let me be. I have other things to attend to.” she turned her back to her about to retreat back to the bed.

But just then, she felt a pull. It was the girl that seemed special, Celeste. Celeste pulled her back, returning her back to the spot where she was before.

“I'm talking to you. You don't turn your back on me.” She yelled, pointing her finger at her face. “Who are you and why are you here? Why have Ryker brought you here?”

Eirlys bit down her jaw. She could not meet her gaze. It was strong and filled with authority. And it wasn't because she could not. Her mole was the major problem. Whenever anyone was staring at her, she had always imagined and guessed they were not looking at her face but her mole. She was always quick to read the way their eyes wandered and with that, she had no other thoughts—than they were actually finding words to taunt her with her mole.

“Who are you? Why are you asking me? If I'm going to answer to anyone then it must be someone worth answering to. Don't you think so?” She put on a bold face but deep down, her heart was pounding.

“You want to know.” She chuckled. “I’m Celeste, Ryker's mate and will soon become his Luna… so, now, you tell me what you're doing here?”