Kim informed Arthur that I had changed my mind, so he was waiting at the bottom of the staircase as I descended.
He stared at his phone and did not realize I was there. I cleared my throat to get his attention.
He looked up to see me in the tight, short dress with my hair in a bun at the base of my head, showing off my face and high cheekbones. Apparently he did not like what he saw by the look on his face.
I gripped my clutch until my fingers were white, trying to keep my cool.
"Is there a problem, alpha?" I almost sneered.
He was furious but it only made me feel more validated.
"Shall we go?" I asked sweetly.
He gave me a curt nod. The town car pulled up and as I was getting in Arthur grabbed my upper arm and pushed me against the side. It was not rough as I had been treated from other males. He was clearly holding in his frustration but even in his fury, he was gentle with me.
LWhy are you doing this?" He almost hissed. His face was less than an inch from mine. His scent was intoxicating, like fresh pine. Almost like home.
"Doing what, alpha?" I whispered sweetly.
The driver was watching and people were taking an evening stroll. They probably assumed we were two lovers in a passionate conversation. Not two strangers trying to deal with a political nightmare.
His jaw worked as he tried to keep his composure. "
"The way you are dressed," he hissed. "It's…"
"Just what every other woman would wear," I interrupted him.
My lips almost brushed his as we angrily stared one another down.
He shook his head, "perhaps they dress this way but they don't have… they don't look like you."
"Am I supposed to cover up more than other women because I have curves?" I asked pointedly.
He thought, "maybe if I was able to touch those curves I would not feel so uncomfortable."
He released me and walked around the car to his side.
I was shocked at his statement. He was insecure but for some reason it did not make me feel happy.
The dinner was boring as I knew it would be. We had not spoken since his outburst on the street but I was okay with that. The other wives were like clucking hens gossiping. I had never understood that saying until I had met these women.
Arthur's peers were stuffy and entitled. They grazed their eyes over me as their wives bragged about the massive rocks on their fingers.
Shiny things kept them occupied as their men carried on with their affairs. Some of these men had public mistresses. I could not understand why these women allowed themselves to be humiliated.
It would take more than a promise of a treaty, for me to be publicly humiliated.
—————————————-
The ride home from the dinner was silent for the most part but then he began to speak.
"How was your food?" He asked casually.
I looked over to him in the dark of the car, my eyes adjusted even though they glowed.
"Fine?" I said in question form.
He analyzed me as his eyes were glowing silver. I would never really get use to that.
"I am sorry," he said as if it caused him pain.
"For?" I pressed.
He growled, "for acting the way I did before we left the house."
I knew it was hard for him.
"I accept your apology. But I will not be going to any more of these dinners."
"I did not plan to invite you to another," he said indignantly.
"Why?" I asked sharply.
I could decline to go but there was no reason he should not invite me.
"I don't have to explain myself," he said coldly.
I shook my head.
"Alright," I swallowed my pride.
We pulled up at the house and I immediately got out before someone could open the door for me.
Rushing into the house to get away from him, I twisted my ankle but I kept going. I would have walked on a broken leg before I stayed in his presence. Kim was worried by my expression but she would not pry.
I stomped up the stairs flipping off my shoes as I went. Before I reached my room I heard Arthur enter the house.
"M'lord," I heard Kim welcome him.
Arthur growled as he stomped up the stairs. I hurried into my room before I had another encounter with him.
I stood in the darkness of my room listening to him walk down the hall. I had never been a coward. There was never a fight I backed down from, I had tasted the blood of my enemy many times, yet this whole situation made me feel like a child. It was not me. This was not who I was. Arthur stopped at my door and knocked.
I did not respond but that of course did not prevent him from entering. He seemed confused that I was standing in the dark. I watched him cross the room and turn on the bedside lamp.
"May we talk?" He asked calmly.
I nodded and shut the bedroom door.
"Talk, alpha," I said determined I would regain my personhood again. Instead of behaving like an angry teenager.
He sighed trying to find the words.
"I did not like how those men looked at you." He began. "In human terms they see you as my wife because you wear my ring. But we know differently and that makes me feel insecure. It is… disconcerting to think about another man feeling he has an opportunity with you."
His words seemed foreign coming out of his mouth.
"You really do sound English," I murmured. "I mean apart from the accent obviously."
He seemed offended, "I'm trying not to upset you. I apparently have a habit of doing that even when I'm not speaking."
I shrugged. "Just be upfront and honest. I've become very tired of the politics and smooth words. This is not for me."
He nodded. "Agreed, we will be more upfront with each other. No secrets."
"Thank you," I whispered.
"You're welcome, now I want something in return," he said plainly.
"What?" I asked crossing my arms waiting for an impossible request.
"Will you move into my bedroom? It would be a better way for us to get to know one another."
"I'm not having sex with you," I said sternly.
He shrugged, "I'm not asking you to." He was being honest, I could tell. He wanted to keep up appearances. "I promised not to force you."
I sighed, "I'll have Kim move my things in later this week." I did not know why I was agreeing to this but I could not find fault with his logic.
He looked around my room. "Why not tonight? You don't need all your things right now."
Before I could respond my phone went off on the table beside him. He looked down at the screen and I could feel anger radiate off him.
He cleared his throat. "I'll leave you to talk to the boy." He breezed past me.
"Alpha," I called to him. He turned to see me. Between his icy stare and my phone vibrating my mind swam as I searched for words. "Ask Kim…." I sighed. "Ask her if she will bring me my bag. I'll… I'll pack up my necessities tonight and have her bring them to your room."
He nodded softly. "Thank you," he said genuinely.
"I'm just there to sleep," I reiterated.
He snorted with laughter. "I promise you, you have nothing to worry about."
My pride was pricked. "I'll have you know many men find me attractive."
"What's your point?"
I rolled my eyes. "Your snide response, kinda makes it seem that you find it funny, or not true."
He cocked his eyebrow, "You don't think I know men want to sleep with you?"
I felt awkward now that he put it into terms. "Never mind." I murmured. "It sounds idiotic when you put it that way."
He realized what I had meant. "You want me to be jealous."
I sighed. "Just go so I can talk to the boy," I shut the door in his face.