A Feeling I won’t Admit

Chapter 4 – A Feeling She Won’t Admit

(Ravina’s POV)

I stood outside the packhouse, staring at the tall wooden doors, my heart beating faster than I wanted to admit.

I had come here to apologize.

That was all.

But now that I was actually here, I felt uneasy.

Would he even listen to me?

Alaric wasn’t the type of man who let things go easily. He was stubborn, cold, and impossible to read. But I had been unfair to him, and no matter how much I hated admitting when I was wrong, I was wrong.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward and pushed open the heavy doors.

The inside of the packhouse was quiet, but I could hear voices coming from the main hall. Strong, commanding voices.

I followed the sound, walking lightly so my footsteps wouldn’t echo.

As I got closer, the voices became clearer.

“You need a mate, Alpha.”

I stopped.

I wasn’t expecting to hear that.

“We’ve let you be for long enough,” an older man said firmly. “The pack needs a Luna.”

A mate?

I crept closer, pressing my back against the wall just outside the room. I knew I shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but my feet refused to move.

“We’re not saying you are not strong on your own,” another elder added. “But a leader needs balance. You need someone by your side.”

I heard the sound of a chair scraping against the floor, followed by a sharp sigh.

Alaric.

“I don’t need a mate to rule my pack,” he said, his voice deep and steady. “I have led for years without one.”

“The pack would feel more secure with a Luna,” the first elder said again. “An Alpha cannot stand alone forever.”

“We have already started looking for potential mates,” another elder added. “There are many strong she-wolves who would be honored—”

“That’s enough.”

Alaric’s voice was firm, cutting through the room like a blade.

Silence followed.

I clenched my fists.

Why did I feel like something sharp was pressing against my chest?

It wasn’t my concern.

It had nothing to do with me.

Alaric could take a mate whenever he wanted. It didn’t affect me.

Then why did it feel like my stomach had twisted into a knot?

I sucked in a deep breath, trying to ignore the feeling.

A chair scraped against the floor again, and I realized the meeting was ending.

I had to leave before they saw me standing here like a fool.

I turned quickly—

And slammed straight into a solid, unmoving chest.

A familiar scent of pine and earth surrounded me, making my head spin.

My breath hitched.

I didn’t need to look up to know who it was.

Alaric.

His large hands gripped my arms before I could stumble back.

For a moment, neither of us moved.

Then, his deep voice broke the silence.

“Were you eavesdropping?”

My heart pounded in my ears.

I looked up slowly.

His golden eyes locked onto mine, sharp and unreadable.

I swallowed.

“I—I wasn’t—”

He tilted his head slightly, his grip on my arms tightening just a little. Not enough to hurt. But enough to remind me he wasn’t letting me go that easily.

“Then why are you standing outside my office?”

I opened my mouth, then closed it again.

Damn him

“I was looking for the pack doctor”

A black eyebrow arced upwards.

"The pack doctor?"

I nodded brusquely. "I, uh… I wondered if they were present prior to going to get help."

He remained silent.

He simply looked at me.

His icy gaze sent a shiver along my skin, as though he could look straight through each thing I said.

"I didn't know you were injured."

I folded my arms, trying to look unruffled.

"It's not important."

His eyes flashed down, checking me over for damage.

Something in his face twisted my stomach.

Damn him.

I needed to get out before he asked me another question.

"Yeah," I replied, attempting to sound nonchalant. "I guess I should be going."

I turned—

"I'm getting a mate, you know."

His voice was low, but there was something deliberate in it.

I stopped.

My fingers curled at my sides.

Slowly, I turned back to him. "I heard."

His gaze never left mine. "And?"

I gritted out a shrug. "Why should I care?"

Something flickered in his eyes. Amusement? Challenge?

"I don't know." He took a deliberate step forward. "Why should you?"

I grit my jaw.

I hated it when he did this.

I hated the way he always seemed to think he could see something I couldn't.

"I don't care," I said again.

Alaric tilted his head, his eyes locked on me like a predator snaring prey.

"Are you jealous, Ravina?"

My heart pounded in my chest.

"No."

He took another inch forward.

I took a step back.

A twist of his lips.

"I think you are."

I held firm, tilting my chin up in refusal to be beaten.

"You're wrong."

His golden eyes appeared to obscure.

"Am I?".

I could sense the heat of his body, his presence choking but addictive at the same time.

I had to get out.

I should get out.

But I couldn't move.

Alaric hunched in closer, speaking in a quiet tone.

"If I were to take a mate at this moment, would that disturb you?"

"No," I gasped.

His hand swept over my wrist.

A jolt coursed through my entire body.

I drew a harsh breath, and he caught sight of it.

Damn it.

His smug expression grew wider.

Bastard.

I ripped my hand away from his and turned to the door.

"I hope you find someone," I flung back over my shoulder, though my voice wasn't as steady as I'd have liked.

I didn't wait to hear what he had to say.

I walked out of the building, my heart pounding.

But no matter how far I went, he words continued to echo in my head.

Are you jealous, Ravina?

And the worst part?

I didn't know how to respond