Chapter Twenty–Seven
Von 19 1V
A solemn mal almost desolate atmosphere has fallen onto the manor in the day since Simon’s visit to the buse. That was quickly followed by the vinespected appearance of Larken and all that had proceeded. Alplu Kalden had been increasingly silent since the meeting, often lost to his own: thoughts. I dich’t know what was going on inside of his head as he’d kept to his office and private chambers.
On more than one occasion I’d considered asking him of the troubles that plagued his mind these days. Even though we didn’t have the mate bond. the goddess intended for us. I grew concemail for his state of mind. Was he troubled by the demands that Supon made of lam! Or was there mor going on? Ar the last minute, I clamped my month closed and went on my way, deciding it was none of my business.
Destified mates or not, he didit belong to me. Nor Lo hain. Alpha Kadden made his feelings towards me pantully clear the morning he awoke, to learn whurd lappened. He’d been angry about what transpired between is and hated tue for allowing him to mark me as las. In the weeks since
be mumor was now he’d marked then, he’d shown me in every possible way just how
have a clue why continued to say, other than the thought of leaving hun was
ne, he’d be weakened my abseise. As for ch he detested my piresrive. The only reason I was still
heartbreaking
In the passing days, Tathen found my self low in the thoughts swirling around made of my head. Conflicted feelings I couldn’t understand. What was to become of me? What did the fature hold? 1 had no answers for either. Kad den hadn’t really gone into detail about what was expected of my presence here, other than I wasn’t to leave. And the fan that while Freuded in the manor I was expected to wait on hum, cater to his every need. Which I’d done exactly that, For the last month I had tended to every need the man could possibly have, sive for bodily,
A heat hummed between my legs at the thought of the one need l habit been allowed to cure. Not that I wanted to. I tried to convince myself of though the wetness between my thighs said otherwise. I wanted Kadiden I wanted that man to tear the clothes from my body, mount me between my legs, and ride me like our lives depended on it. A crimson flush rise up the side of my neck as the mental image entered my mind, ashamed and conbarrassed at my thoughts.
What the fuck was wrong with ine? How could I be so fucking shameless? For weeks the man had done everything in his power to humiliate and degrade me, but still, I wanted him with a fiery passion. Was | stupid! A glumon for punishment? Yes, was forced to admit. Because no mind the cruel and harsh treatment Freceived from him, it Duled to change my mind. 1 wanted lum, needed hun. And it took everything inside of me to keep from stripping down in front of him and ondering him to fuck me
–“Von?” lúas visice caine.
Jerking my head opright as I heard the deep and gruff bantoor, the color drained from my face. Oh goddess, did he know! Had he somehow sensed the arousal humming inside of me! Silently begging he was blind to the truth of my bust, Estepped away from the shelf I was dusting. Deame to stand before his desk, though I dared not meet his gaze. “Who can I do for you alpha?”
“Alpha eh” he grunted. “What happened to Kadden”
He had tue there. In the begiming, I’d become prone to calling ham by las nume, but here recenly I kept to his title. My shoulders shrugged. “You’ve made it clear that I am nothing more than a servant in your home, so I am merely offering you the respect you’re owed”
He furrowed his brow. “Don’t.”
My head did jerk up this time, widened eyes stared clown at the man not having expected that from him “You don’t want me to call you by your
“My name is Kadden,” he cut me off. “Use İL”
“Okay” bit back the grin.
Finish jotting his signature at the bottom of the document in his hand, it was added to the pile he’d worked on “You will be relieved of your
duties for the remainder of the day, possibly tomorrow too. A lady will be arriving at the manor in a couple of hours, you are to pick out
whatever you want.”
Ticcessary
“Whatever I want?” What was he talking about?
He nodded still lost in thought. “Please choose something that suits your delicacies but is also tasteful and elegant. Preferably something that doesn’t put your attributes,” he almost growled at that. “On display for the entire world to preview to their liking. Kadden did growl this time.
“Alph–Kadden,” I quickly corrected, unable to miss the tightened expression when attempted to call him by his title. “Tm a little confused. You’re sending someone to the manor to bring me clothes. What on earth for? I don’t go anywhere.”
“We’re having dinner tonight,” Kadden replied
Tarched a brow. “Here!”
“Lorenzo’s,” was his answer.
Shock ripped through my solar plexus at the announcement he made, which happened to be the most influential restaurant in town. Id often dreamed of going there as a child but hadn’t been allowed due to my low standing, I gulpeil “You’re taking me out to dinner.”
Rising up from the seat he came around to the front of his desk, standing less than a foot away from me. A hand came up to touch the side of my Jace “My daughter claim. I have become a prisoner inside of this manor and demands I come to dinner. [[I do not she will drag me out by force. My son has chosen to be in attendance for the evening, so this will be the perfect time to meet,”
“You want me to meet your children!” I was floored down to the very pit of my soul at the knowledge of what he was trying to tell me. “What on
Chapter Twenty–Seven
earth for How do you intend to explain my presence!”
It’s time the three of you proper meet. And
Has hand fell away from my face. “Yes, I’d very much like it if you’d be in attendance for the evening, it’a our bond might not be usual, but you are going to be a part of my life so it’s time you get to know them.” Are you going to tell them?” I wondered.
“No.” His answer was quick and straight to the point. Kadden had never been one to mince words or tell bes. “At least not right away I want to g them the chance to get to know you before I drop that bombshell on them.”
I was astonished at the sudden turnaround in the man, the knowledge he intended for his children to know. A definite difference from his determination to hide our bond and pretend I was a servant. “So how exactly do you intend on explaining my presence at dinner‘”
“You’re an old friend of the family.” Kadden offered the same one he intended on giving his children. “At least you’re an old friend of Sarah’s. I don’t know how you knew my wife and when exactly the friendship began, but I can see she meant a lot to you. I know my children would love to get to know you at least where Layla is concernel”
“I do miss her,” I whispered.
ir to dinner.”
“I do too,” he admitted, a truth that was plainly evident on has face every day, though he hadn’t dared admit it. “So please come to
Inodded. “I’d be honored to go”
I started in leave his personal office to await the woman he’d mentioned when his voice suddenly stopped me. “At some point, the two of us tired to talk, as there are some things I would like to discuss with you”
My mind went back to the conversation between him and Simon, though he wasn’t aware of my presence. Simon informed him of the decision the Rennant and council had come to, where the throne was concrmed. Was this it? My head bowed in ascent. “We can talk after dinner or maybe over
lunch tomorrow.”
“We will,” he promised.
