2: Into oblivion

Alora’s POV

Everyone disappeared from the living room leaving me alone. I looked at the expensive suitcase Rune came back with and decided to let the butler take it to his room instead.

I don’t want to go there and cause myself unnecessary trouble when he just showed that he didn’t care an ounce about me. Not that I don’t know but hope is my biggest weakness.

With a small sigh, I went to the kitchen to get the meals I cooked the entire morning along with a few other maids though they were gossiping all around about things I don’t care about and I did most of the work.

I arranged the dining room, kept Rune’s silver utensils the way he likes them. One wrong misstep and I will be punished for it. I hope he doesn’t summon me today because I’m really not in the mood.

An hour later while I was standing beside the wall patiently waiting for them to come in so I could serve them, they started filing in one after the other. Mother and father first followed by Rune and Cielle.

In the middle of their meal while I waited in case they needed something else though I was sitting on the dining table eating, I wanted to be anywhere but here, Cielle brought back the gift subject.

I smiled bitterly at that knowing she won’t let it be then I said it was okay. I mean, this is the nth time he traveled without getting me a gift and he would give Cielle.

Cielle gave me a mocking pitiful look making me feel pathetic. Are my emotions showing in my eyes? I made sure I mastered the art of hiding them whenever I’m around this family.

At this point, father asked, "Why didn't you bring Alora a gift in the first place?"

Uh, is he just noticing that Rune never gives me gifts after finding out I wasn’t his biological sister? Kudos to you father. I thought in my head while biting on a piece of chicken.

Rune said indifferently, "She's not my sister, dad. There is no need to buy her anything. I have brought it for my sister and that is all that matters.”

From my peripheral vision I saw father shaking his head but didn’t say anything while mother continued to eat her food like nothing was going on on the table. Cielle, she is smug.

I clenched my fists and bit my lip to keep from crying. He doesn’t have to keep rubbing it on my face that I don’t have parents or family now. That I have been easily replaced like I meant nothing.

After a moment, mother said in an airy tone that she usually used to brush off the tense atmosphere. She is always good when it comes to that.

“Anyway, it's good that Rune came back at this time, the pack has a lot of things to take care of, and Cielle is going to get married to Beta Dylan soon, you need to help with the arrangements too. I mean, your friend and sister?” She clapped her hands together.

Cielle suddenly turned to me and narrowed her eyes into slits. I don’t know why she is more on edge now than she’s ever been before. Is it because she thinks I’m in her hair again?

I have been avoiding her most of the time.

"Alora, why are you frowning? Aren't you happy I'm getting married?" Cielle asked with a pout of her pink lips.

I shook my head and denied it instantly. “Oh, no. I’m thinking about the stain I wasn’t able to clean earlier.”

Cielle sneered, not believing me because yeah I sounded lame giving that excuse but at the same time I don’t care about her marriage. I’m thinking of nothing. I just frown a lot.

My life is defined by that frown now. Nothing makes me happy.

"You're just jealous that I'm marrying Dylan ! You'd better put your little mind away, Dylan can only be mine, he never liked you!" Cielle smirked at her last statement.

"You don’t have to worry about that. I am not jealous of you. Happy wedding to you both.” I responded in a cool voice.

I mentally rolled my eyes and confessed in my mind, "Even though he's my ex-fiancé, I really don't care right now. You can have him. You already stole my family, fiance is nothing.”

My parents got me engaged with Dylan at the age of sixteen. But when Cielle came back five years ago, the bride choice was immediately changed to Cielle. Which wasn’t surprising.

I noticed the sharp look from Rune's eyes staring at me across the table and I swallowed. Those eyes. They have the power to do so many unpleasant things to me and they can change my mood no matter the situation.

I thought to myself, "He must hate me double now. He must be afraid that I'll steal his sister's man?"

It’s not like Dylan was in love with me when we were engaged. It was something only our family knew and we kept it that way for the longest time. They have nothing to worry about.

That night after finishing the dishes, I went to my room and took a hot shower letting the steam envelop me in a brief moment of solace. The water washed away the grime of the day.

Heaviness still settled deep within me holding me down. Exhausted, I slowly slipped into my nightgown so ready for the day to end. I climbed into bed ready to escape into the reprieve of sleep.

But as soon as I pulled the covers, my hands froze midair. There was someone already there in MY bed. My heart pounded in the confines of my ribcage when I saw who it was. Rune.

Before I could think or breathe, Rune’s strong muscled hand shot out and gripped my wrist pulling me down on the bed. I fell on top of him with a whoosh of breath escaping me.

“Still not over Dylan, Red?” He asked in a whisper, his breath hot against my ear.

I shuddered both from the sudden cold and the sickening warmth of his breath. Something rock hard that I’m now familiar with whenever I’m around Rune settled in my stomach.

“No no. I’m over him. I swear.” I answered in a shaky tone, my voice just above a whisper.

“You better fucking be.” He growled softly, a very dangerous edge lingering in his tone earning another shiver from me.

Without another word, Rune’s lips crushed against mine, his kiss forceful and demanding. His hands roamed over my body, roughly pulling at my clothes until I was naked beneath him.

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself to endure, knowing I had no other choice. My mind screamed in protest, but my body, trapped under his, could do nothing but submit as always.

His mouth was relentless, leaving a trail of hot, open-mouthed kisses along my breasts, my stomach, and lower. Every touch was a command, every kiss a claim, and I had no strength left to fight him.

Rune’s hands slid between my thighs, parting them with ease. His fingers moved with practiced skill, coaxing responses from my body that I couldn’t control.

I bit my lip to stifle a moan, hating myself for the way my body reacted to his touch. He noticed, a dark chuckle rumbling in his chest as he continued his assault on my senses.

Rune’s hands gripped my hips, pulling me closer, deeper. His pace quickened, his movements becoming more frantic. Whenever he travels and comes back, he is frantic.

My body responded against my will, a wave of unwanted pleasure building within me. I fought it and failed as usual because Rune knew my body too well. He angled his hips just right, hitting that spot that made me see stars.

With one final, powerful thrust, he pushed me over the edge. My body convulsed around him, and he followed me into oblivion.