Arthur was a work-aholic. I did not fully realize it until we shared a room. It was late at night, almost one pm, before he came to bed and he was gone before I even woke in the morning.
Not that I was complaining, but his intention was to get to know me. Now it became more evident it was for appearances sake.
Breakfast and dinner were awkward and quiet. I began to hang out with Paeton more often and avoided MacAlister House. I took up the odd duties as the wife of the Supreme Alpha of course.
I agreed to go to pack functions with Arthur and other engagements that were necessary. Everyday I hoped Sean would allow me to come home or that the tribe would make a different deal with the British pack so I could have this union annulled.
My mind wandered as I watched the rain hit the window of the town car. I heard my phone vibrate so I idly began to read the text.
"Is that the republican leader?" Arthur murmured as
I responded to Tak's messages.
"The ex republican leader and yes it is," I said with little emotion.
"Good," he chirped.
I furrowed my brow glancing over at the alpha.
"Good? Just last week you almost melted my phone with your fury when he would call."
He shrugged, "I thought about it and realized I will need a liaison to the republic."
"Who said I would intervene on your behalf?" I asked seriously. "Why would you even want me to?"
"So I can steer their allegiance," he grew cold but at least was honest.
One positive thing to occur lately was the lack of pretense between us. Strangely if he were nicer we might have been friends.
"So you can take power away from their true leader? How very British of you..." I murmured.
He raised a dark eyebrow at my impertinence.
"How long before the Republic fails? He is still a boy. He cannot lead. That's why he lost his position." Arthur grew more defensive as he spoke. "There is more involved than telling people what to do. How anyone thinks he could preform what is required of him better than I, is ridiculous. I am the better choice." I noticed something in his silver eyes that made me smirk. "What?" He guarded himself.
Arthur is no longer talking about the alphadom.
"You're jealous," I whispered. "And not because you think I want you to be. You're actually jealous."
"What makes you think that?" he became flippant as if the idea were laughable.
"You said you were the better choice, were you referring to leadership?" I felt stupid. Men like Arthur only cared about power.
"I am the better choice," he reiterated and refused to explain.
"Alright," I murmured accepting his response. "But we agreed, no secrets."
It was quiet and awkward. I texted Tak back and I played with my phone trying to look occupied.
Arthur sighed loudly before he spoke again.
"He was your first love," he began. I looked up to Arthur's face. "You laugh with him, you have secret jokes, and he makes you smile. I have seen how you are with him. But with me you have been cold and calculating." I went to contradict him but he stopped me. "Alright, true this past week we have been cordial. We say good morning and good night but a great portion of the time we avoid each other. You would never treat Takoda that way..."
His words tugged at me.
"And?" I pressed.
"It makes me want to rip his heart out," Arthur said coldly. "I have never felt such red hot anger as the time you wiped blood from his hand and kissed his wounds." He sighed, "perhaps I've been too good at hiding it but that's how I've felt. When I knew damned well it was my wounds you should mend, my bed you should warm, it's I who should make you laugh."
I remained silent watching this perfect man show his flaws. A small voice chided me that I may have been wrong about him.
He looked to me for a response but I simply stared back.
"Speak please," He quipped. "I feel like a fool."
"Because you are showing emotion?" I smirked.
He shook his head. "Because I'm behaving like a young brute."
I giggled despite myself. "Instead of a vastly seasoned brute?"
He cocked an eyebrow at my impertinence. "I am in my prime, I would have you know."
"Middle aged," I continued to prod.
He sighed in annoyance. "You are not going to put me off with your ribbing."
I tucked my hair behind my ear. "And here I thought it was flirting."
He rolled his grey eyes. "Yes, pointing out that I'm middle age is working quite well."
"Why are you so sensitive about your age?" I asked genuinely.
He shook his head. "I'm not. In my circumstance and position, my age is an advantage. I suppose I am more sensitive to Takoda's youth. He is your contemporary. You have shared much together, he can understand how you view the world."
"You're not really giving me an incentive to choose you."
Am I really contemplating this?
He shook his head. "I'm saying it comes easier to him. He's never had to fight for your attention or work to find common ground with you; But I do. It should say more for me that I'm willing to do whatever is necessary to win you over, by whatever means."
I have been wrong about him.
We sat in quiet contemplation for awhile. The trip was tedious but I knew he needed the distraction from London. Sean's words rung in my ear. I had to consummate this marriage or a bunch of old men would hold me down for Arthur to do it. This trip was meant to be a honey moon but I knew it was his last attempt to break me in.
"Are you still friends with Paeton?" He asked spontaneously.
I was surprised he had bothered to remember her.
"Yes?" I said in question form. "Why did you find her attractive?"
His brow furrowed. "When you remember a man I don't automatically assume it's because you find him attractive." He pointed out. "Perhaps you're a little jealous as well." I did not dignify his statement. "In all honesty I could not even pick her out of a line up, but her name was odd enough to remember."
For some reason I relaxed.
"Yes, I'm friends with Paeton. But she could pick you out of a sea of 6'6 black haired, grey eyed men," I remembered back a few weeks ago when she had practically melted before him.
He shook his head, "I'm not sure why."
I snorted in laughter, "yes, you do."
He seemed disconcerted.
"It may fair me well with women but I have to prove myself twice over to men."
I nodded, "I understand that more than you know."
"Good," he smirked, "we are finding common ground." I rolled my eyes thinking of what Paeton said the day she met Arthur. "What?"
"Nothing, just thinking maybe we are too equally matched that's why this isn't working," the words slipped out but it was how I felt. "Opposites typically attract."
"Perhaps you are right," he agreed. I had expected him fly off the handle but he did not. "We are both very stubborn."
"I'm not stubborn," I said hastily.
He grinned widely. "Oh, okay."
I sighed, "perhaps a little."
He nodded, "maybe just a little."
"Being condescending isn't going to help your cause," I reminded him.
He cocked an eyebrow. "And here I thought I was flirting."
I stared at him and began to memorize his face; the lines around his mouth, the straight prominence of his nose, the fullness of his lips. Women would give half they owned to have such thick lips.
"Lilly?" He brought me back to attention.
"Sorry," I apologized. "Sometimes it's hard to believe how beautiful you are."
"You mean when I'm not being such a bastard?"
"Yes," I smiled brightly. "See you get me."