Hunting Game

ELSA'S POV:

Nothing had changed in the past few days except that the security around the pack had been tightened. One of the new maids recruited was found dead at the border between the Blood Moon Pack and a neighboring pack. Alpha Nathan believes it's a war signal; however, he had sent words across, and the neighboring pack said they had nothing to do with the death of the maid. But still, he didn't take it lightly.

Rue has been parading herself as the pack's future Luna. Her pregnancy had gotten to the ears of every single member of the Blood Moon Pack.

I could say I have made quite a bit of progress with Ezekiel. He seemed to be wrapped around my fingers, ready to defend me.

Sometimes I feel sorry for him, but after remembering what his father had done to mine, any pang of regret in my heart disappears.

Sad to say, I haven't got anything on the Shadow Man or who wants me dead.

My phone rang, disrupting my thoughts. Ezekiel looked up from his tap and stared at me before going back to his tab.

"You're not going to pick that?" He queried.

I forced a smile, knowing that the caller was no one else but Mr. Graham.

I continued mopping the floor, ignoring him completely.

"Elsa?" He suddenly called, and I titled my head, ready to hear him speak.

"When you're done, tell the guards to get my things ready. We are going hunting.” He ordered with an edge in his voice.

"Yes Sure." I mumbled and finished up the floor. Gathering my cleaning equipment, I prepared to leave when Ezekiel stopped me.

"Come here." He ordered. I nodded and went to him with no expression on my face. I was bone-tired and needed to rest.

"Am I making you work too much?" His tone was laced with the softness I was familiar with.

I shook my head and sighed, "Not at all. I'm your maid. I should work like one."

Palming my face, he gazed at me intently and said, "You know you're more than that. I can't find a better way to always have you around me." He said and reached over to place a kiss on my forehead, then my nose and cheeks.

His touch felt warm and comforting. The feeling reminded me of when we shared our first kiss.

"Thank you." My voice was barely above a whisper. "But I don't have to work myself to death, you know."

His gaze filled up instantly with sadness. "I can't have anyone finding out about our relationship."

"The room is yours, and no one comes in here without a knock. You're literally making me work my ass off, yet you claim you love me." I set my lips in pout, battering my eyes as I tried so hard to welled tears in my eyes. I wanted to look so pathetic so I wouldn't have to clean up after him after every damn minute. He's literally the laziest dude I have ever known. Apparently he hasn't lifted up his fingers to clean up after himself ever. He only knew skills concerning politics and how to fight.

"Don't cry now. I'll let my father know you no longer wish to work as a maid."

I widened my eyes at his statement. "Are you planning on getting me fired?"

"But you're the one complaining that I make you do so much." He retorted with a passive expression, which made me feel like crying. I hope my charms haven't started to fade.

He usually does everything I ask whenever I pout my lips or bat out my eyes.

"Fine," I hissed, and I pushed him aside. "I know you don't love me anymore."

His expression turned into surprise at my outburst before he broke out into loud laughter, causing me to raise my eyebrow at his reaction.

"I love you." He said it in between laughs, his eyes sparkling with happiness.

I rolled my eyes as I got ready to leave.

"Whatever," I muttered as I walked past him. "Bye!"

"Wait!" He grabbed me and pulled me close to him, planting kisses on top of my forehead.

I groaned when his stubbles rubbed against my skin. "Get away."

"No," he chuckled as he continued his onslaught of kisses. "I really love you."

There was no doubt that it was his truth.

"You tell Rue that all the time." I replied, pushing him away slightly. He gave me a hurt puppy look and put his bottom lip out in a pout. "That's not fair."

"What's fair?" I blew up in his face, suddenly getting angry for no reason. "That the man who claims to love me is expecting a child with another woman and only showers me with affection in secret simply because I'm a maid."

"Now, that's not fair." He muttered, scratching the back of his neck, a clear indication that he was frustrated. I had no idea where I was headed with this argument.

"You don't expect me to announce our relationship, knowing that it can get you killed. If that's what being fair is to you, then I don't want to be fair. I want to be able to savage every sweet moment with you until I get this sorted out." He let out, his expression impressively serious.

"I'm taking over soon from my father, and I'll be able to change this godforsaken rule. We can be together without any hurdles. Just bear with me for the time being." He ended with a pleading tone.

I took a long, deep breath and smiled, "Okay." With that, I shrugged off his hold and left his bedroom.

I knew what I did wasn't necessary, but I needed to keep him on his toes.

I want to be publicly seen with him so I can set my next plan in motion.

********

During the hunting trip, Ezekiel and I shared not even a single glance. To worsen the situation, Rue came with us, and she wouldn't stop talking. I wouldn't lie; she was impressive with the gun.

But hey! Who cares?

Since I wasn't partaking in the hunting game, I just watched after them.

“You're Elsa?”

I turned towards the voice, and Mariel, the Beta’s daughter, stood smiling at me as she patted her horse. Among the people that came out hunting, she seemed to be the most friendly, aside from Chris.

“Yes.” I replied, and she smiled. “Rue wouldn't stop complaining about you.” She stated, chuckling. “No one has ever reeled Rue up, but you managed to do that in a few days.” Her eyes twinkled in excitement.

I felt quite proud of myself.

“Just be careful.” She warned and mounted her horse, the horse galloping away at once.

I got so tired of standing in a place that I decided to explore the woods and feed my eyes. I do well in the midst of nature.

I had just taken a few steps when I heard people talking in hushed voices. What I heard next set my heart reeling in panic.

I was dumbfounded, to say the least.