Chapter Eight

LORI’S POV:

I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand. Emilia was already pale and I couldn't hear her breathing. We turned slowly at the same time.

There he was, in all his glory. As usual, he was wearing mostly black. The sleeves of his black button down was specked with gold. His hair that always looked wet, was combed back. He looked regal and so formal.

It was hard not to stare at him. Especially with the mate bond tugging me towards him. I was spending almost every waking hour trying to quench the feeling of mad attraction I felt towards him.

I noticed the younger man standing next to him. He was as chiseled as the Lycan King, a few inches taller. And equally good looking. He had blond hair and wore no frame glasses. He watched me with a look that I thought was humour.

I wondered who he was.

“Emilia,” the Lycan King called. He passed the brown folder he was holding to the other attractive man. “What is she doing outside the penthouse?”

“I-” Emilia stuttered, unable to find a response.

I stepped forward, using my hand to shield her. The Lycan King lifted a brow. “I can explain. I asked her to take me outside.” I replied.

“And you agreed?” He asked Emilia. It was almost like he was pointedly not listening to me. I was peeved.

“I was very stubborn about it so she agreed.” I said, furrowing my brows at him. “If you’re going to punish anyone it’s me.”

The Lycan King’s eyes flitted to mine. He took a step forward and I immediately felt that intimidating aura of Alphas. But, this was different, this was far worse. I wanted to shrink and run away.

“You should know better than to disobey me, Little Wolf.” He began, his voice a low growl. “You knew that there were consequences for your actions.”

His eyes changed colours briefly showing me that he was tapping into his power. He was doing it to scare me, to force me to respect him.

Emilia had already lowered her eyes and bowed, unable to look him in the eyes. I, on the other hand, planted my feet firmly on the ground and clenched my jaw.

I stepped even closer. “I’m not your prisoner. I shouldn’t have to sneak around just to go outside.” I replied.

The Lycan King searched my eyes and I saw the ghost of a smirk at the side of his lips before he stepped back. I exhaled, not realizing that I’d been holding my breath.

“My territory, my pack, my building; my rules,” he replied and gestured to the elevator with his head. “Get back in. Now.”

I huffed, ready to argue when Emilia grabbed my arm and shook her head. The look she gave me forced whatever retort I had down my throat. Something was on the line. She had something to lose.

Or maybe it was someone.

Dejected, I walked into the elevator with Emilia. The Lycan King stepped in, taking my left hand side with the man I assumed was his assistant. He smelled like a wolf so, there was that.

The elevator ride was quiet and long. When we got to the entrance, the guards at the door saw me and widened their eyes, rushing forward.

“Lady Lorenza!” One of them exclaimed. The other looked at the Lycan King and swallowed, stepping away from our path when he saw the look on his face, “Apologies, sir. We didn’t realize that she was the one. We thought it had been the other maid.”

“I’ll deal with this problem, later. Escort her to her room.” The Lycan King replied before he walked into the penthouse.

The blond man waited, watching me with eyes that looked blue-ish green. He quirked one of his brows and gestured at the door, a small smile on his face.

It wasn’t mocking. It was actually friendly.

I walked in after the Lycan King followed by Emilia and the stranger. Emilia said nothing as the guards escorted us to my room. When we were in, I said, “I’m so sorry.”

Emilia nodded but I saw her mask slip back on. Whatever space I'd thought we'd made was gone. Emilia wasn’t going to make the same mistake.

“Get some rest. I’ll have Bri bring you your breakfast.” She bowed and turned, leaving the room.

I lost a friend as quickly as I’d made one. And I was looking forward to how our relationship would have grown after this.

I sat on the bed and sighed deeply, falling backwards. There was a knock and I heard the door open.

“You can just leave it on the table, Bri.” I replied, not bothering to look. I placed the back of my hand over my face, shielding my eyes from the light coming from the window.

When I don’t get any response or hear the door closing, I turned my head. Standing by the door, was the blond man. I sat up quickly. “What are you doing in my room?”

He held up his hand, in a way of surrender. “I mean no harm.” He said.

I sat on the bed, eyeing him. “Who are you? And what do you want with me?” I asked.

He adjusted the cuffs of his suit, his eyes fixed on me as he did that. “I’m just a bystander in this story of yours. There’s something about you that makes Elijah want to keep you safe and hidden away from the rest of the world.”

I suddenly didn’t like him that much anymore. He knew too much. He was going to find out that I was the descendant of the moon goddess.

But it wasn’t enough for me to gloss over the fact that he’d just brought up a name I wasn’t familiar with.

Elijah?

“And it’s not just that you’re his mate. Let’s just say I find you rather interesting, Lorenza Guinevere.”