34 Iris
–
When I woke up. Cassian was not in bed. I got up and went about my day. At leau Frried in, but what happened the night before kept playing and replaying in my head is touches set my skin aflame or the sensual intensity as he looked at me like I was all his The way he seemed to curl into my touch as though he could not get enough. His hair through my fingers and his scan on the pads of my fingers.
It was so contradictory to the Alpha that Had encountered when I was captured. He was not the beast that I once thought him to be. He seemed and felt humm. The vulnerabilay in his voice as he spoke in his sleep, struggling against the tendrils of his nightmare
Father, please stop. he had said in
When had he wanted his father to stop? A lump formed in my throat as I suspected what type of father had raised him. Was it the same case at Abelt When in his past tortured him so badly that it continued to haunt him in his sleep!
A helper came by to tell me that breakfast was ready. I made my way to Abel’s room to see that he had already been served food and was eating without issues. I gave him a quick kiss on the head before I dashed to the dining table. The last thing this (needed was drama because Thad been
Luckily, not everyone was present when I arrived, and 1 sat in my usual seat, I took a breath of relief too early as Zahila’s voice broke through my.
calm
“You are to enter with the Alpha.” She said snarkily, “Or are you that deme?”
People occupying the table snickered while blinked in surprise. “L.. did not..”
“Know!” She said, amber eyes blazing with animosity that I felt in my bones. “Of course, how would you? She toned down the bitterness in her expression before adding. That is why I will be your coach. I will ensure that you know all that you need to.”
I nodded, swallowing hard. The weight of Zahila’s animosity pressed down on me, making me feel small and insignificant. The other occipants of the table watched with interest, their eyes flickering between us, eager for any drama to unfold.
“Thank you.” I managed to say, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “I appreciate your guidance.”
Zahila’s lips curved into a tight smile, her eyes gleaning with satisfaction. “Good. We start after breakfast. Be prepared.”
Cassian made an appearance and greeted the table but did not meet my eye. And after a few minutes, I noticed that he was avoiding looking at me. Did he believe that what had happened last night was not meant to happen! I could not read him. I found that it hurt me if he did not think me worthy of seeing his unease and to attempt to soothe it.
I focused on my plate, the food suddenly looking unappetizing. I forced myself to take a few
bites. I pushed my
my food around absent–mindedly
“You are not eating Iris,” Cassian’s voice broke through my whirling thoughts “Something the matter.”
Tlooked up at him, our eyes finally meeting. “LL, Iwas caught off guard and unable to give a convincing answer.
He raised a brow. “Something bothering you! The way he looked at me pointed to something else. He was asking if what happened last night had made me perplexed.
I shook my head. “Not the case,” I replied. “Everything is fine.”
I could see the relief seep into his features. “Okay then.”
It warned my heart that he cared to ask me how the previous night made me feel. The meal went on without a hitch. Except that I had a horrible prickly feeling that someone was watching me. Soon, Cassian left the table.
Zahila finished her dish first. “Laina, meet me at the library once you are done.”
Suddenly, swallowing my food became hard, but I nodded, dreading what was to come. She was a bit more snarky than usual, especially for a morning. I will be there.”
She gave in one last condescending glare. I was led to the caule library. The library was a grand room filled with rows upon rows of ancient books and scrolls. The scent of old paper and leather bindings was strong, and the morning light filtered through the large windows, casting a warm glow. over the space. Zahila was already there, standing by a large ook table covered in books and documents.
“Si,” she commanded, nut bothering with pleasuries
Labeyed, feeling her eyes on me the entire time. Once seated, she junhed a stack of books towards me.
“These contain the history and traditions of our pack,” she began, her tone cold and precise. “You need to understand our post to know your place in our future. Don’t give yourself hope you will not actually be included in that buture of our pack, it’s just a formality,” she scuffed.
I bat my lap to prevent myself from saying something that I would regret. I had to remember that it was all really just a formality. None of it was actually real
I glanced at the books, their titles written in an archaic script. Till do my best.” I said, hoping to diffuse some of her animosity.
Zalla snorted. “Your best had better be good enough. We expect nothing less.” She retrieved a came and my heart leaped into my throat. “And if you fail to give your very best,” she came closer to my ear and whispered. “You shall be punished like a student.”
My cars were ringing and bale rose in my throat, Init | forced myself to stay calmi
Zahila smirked like a predator that could smell its prey’s fear. “No need to get jumpy. You will find that I am very lenient.” But I had a sinking feeling that that was far from the truth. I was not leaving this library scathed.
“And I am sure, like the disgusting maggot that you are, you will go running to the Alpha at the slightest discomfort, but I want to think before you
act.” Her eyes flashed with malicious delight. “You can defend yourself in this castle, but what of your brother?”
My blood ran cold the moment she mentioned Abel, my eyes widening into saucers.
