Ryder's POV
I wanted her gone. That was the plan. It was simple and clean, and I had no point for distractions.
Never in my life had anyone spoken back to me the way she did. The fear in her eyes disappeared, and I saw anger.
I watched her walk away, and it sparked something in me.
Now I was at her door. My eyes wandered low to her suitcase, and I suddenly didn't want her gone anymore.
"Leaving already?" I taunted.
"You wanted me gone," she said softly. Goddamn that melodious voice. How could she speak so gently?
"Who said you could leave?" I asked, my anger rising for no reason.
She stepped back, getting into the room as I walked forward. I shut the door behind me and glared at her. "You don't move an inch unless I say you do."
"What do you want from me?" Her weak, shaky voice excited me.
I didn't know. I wanted her gone, and yet at the same time, I wanted her to stay. Her scent was divine, drawing me in, driving me insane.
And my eyes dropped to her hand. "You're hurt."
She held her hand, moving it away from my reach before I could touch her. "I'm fine."
"You're not."
"It'll heal. It always does," she responded, avoiding my gaze.
We hurt her. You hurt her. My wolf growled at me, repeating the words over and over in my head.
"Let me look at it," I said.
"No, I'm good."
"I wasn't asking," I said, and she stopped moving back. I took her hand and lifted her coat. It wasn't deep, but it could get infected if she didn't get it cleaned.
"Stay here," I ordered and walked to the drawer in her room, looking for something. I found the first aid kit and dropped it on the bed, then led her to it.
She sat on the bed, silent while I cleaned her wound. I got the piece of glass out and bandaged the cut.
She remained silent, and I started to feel itchy. I wanted to hear her voice.
"Thank you," she said, and my heart made a stupid jump.
I said nothing and left the room, closing the door hard and hurrying to my room. I shut the door, my heart racing as my back pressed against the wall.
I shook my head. This was nonsense. It was just her weak features getting to me. That's all.
For the next week, I buried myself in work — endless meetings, as long as I didn't get to meet her and have her scent cloud my mind.
Yet, every time I took a break, I could feel her. That boldness in her eyes, defying me, moved me. I was pissed off more than I should be... but thrilled.
It made sense when people feared me, but when they defied me, I broke them. And I wanted to break her to my will.
~
I woke up late since it was a Saturday morning and went about my usual day the normal half-hour exercise at the house gym, then a shower and a stroll after morning coffee.
Strolling into the courtyard, I heard someone laugh. It was peaceful, pleasing to the air, and I got closer. Elodie was playing in the snow, sweeping it off with her bare hands, wearing only a thin sweater.
Even as a wolf, she shouldn't be stupid enough not to realize she was more likely to get a cold than the betas and alphas.
Her delicate features blended with the snow, and I found myself worrying over her. I watched, not moving a spot, as she played with the maids, throwing snowballs at them.
When she stopped and made to leave, I hurriedly left and watched her from the corner.
I don't know why, but I followed her. She was shivering when she got into the house. I followed her, signaling silently to the maid to stay quiet until she got to the living room.
She was very slow to her surroundings and didn't notice me standing at the door while she crouched by the bonfire.
"That's fake," I said, and she turned quickly to me, her face filled with shock.
I shook my head, walked to the table, and picked up the heater remote. I turned it on and glanced back at her.
"You're freezing," I said.
"I'm fine."
She wasn't. Her fingers were red, trembling slightly as she rubbed them against her thin sweater.
"How old are you? Five?"
"I'm twenty-one," she replied softly.
"Idiot," I cussed and walked away. I returned with a thick blanket and threw it at her. "Wrap yourself with it before you freeze to death."
She smiled, and I felt that stupid thump in my heart again. "Thank you," she whispered, covering herself.
"I let you stay, and you're trying to die."
"I wasn't trying to do that," she defended.
"Are you sure about that?" I asked, and she nodded.
Her eyes glowed and seemed to call me forth. I looked away and crossed my arms. "Wear more clothes next time, or you might as well swim in the frozen lake behind the east gate. If you want to die, then do it properly."
Her smile dropped, and I felt a sudden pang of sadness. Why did it feel that way? I wanted her to be like this. Why did I hate it?
"Do you hate me?" she asked, and I almost choked.
"Yes," I answered.
"Would you be happy if I left?" she asked.
"Did I not make it clear before? You're only here because the elders permit it."
"I don't want to be a burden to you," she said, and I frowned. I hated the melodrama.
"Enough," I said and left her, heading to my home office. I hated pretentious people.
A few files down, I took off my glasses, massaging my forehead when my door opened.
"Alpha, I have bad news," the guard said, his breathing harsh. "The Luna drowned."
My heart dropped, and I froze solid on the spot. "No. She didn't…"