"Ok, we need to stop this conversation," Abby said, plucking me out of my mind. "Let's go outside, I think some fresh air is needed."
I didn't have time to say anything after seeing them both stand-up. We grabbed our drinks and went to the bar where the men were talking. As we put our drinks in the sinks. The men sitting around the island bar went dead quiet once we walked inside it. I saw Cory's agitation narrowing in on us cleaning and drying the glasses inside the Island bar. Unfortunately, he sat right across from us at the sink.
I noticed Abby looking up at Cory scoffing his eyes our way.
"We are just going to go for a walk outside," Abby said in this submitted voice.
Cory never said anything and only gestured for us to leave. Quite frankly, Cory petrified me and I was more than happy to get away from his dark and gloomy aura.
After we changed back into our clothes we left the pool and mazed ourselves around the mansion to see more men and women were awake and mellowing out. Once we went outside we started to walk off the patio under the large portico. That had a handful of men sitting on outdoor furniture.
"And where are you three going?" Daniel's grim voice stopped us before we had a chance to leave.
"Just getting some fresh air so we're going on a walk." Maria bravely answered but she knew Daniel was likely talking to her. Since John and Daniel are under the same Division.
"Don't go far," Zig was stern too. "We aren't fully patrolling since it's our day off. We don't need you and Abby running into trouble with the future Primary Queen. I don't think Cory is in the mood to tolerate much more today."
Maria responded respectfully, "will stay in the garden."
The men nodded an ok and then we walked off and out of their sight.
"What did they mean by that?" I was bewildered. "They seemed on edge too."
"I guess they're upset about the situation. Seems like some of the men are being moody today." Maria shrugged her shoulders, taking a guess.
"Plus it's a day off," Abby sympathized walking to my right. "They don't wanna have to rescue us. You being Cory's fiancee it will be the worst on those guys. Cory might not be happy about it since he's showing to be grumpy."
I sighed, "Cory did seem moody when we walked to the bar with him there."
"Yeah, that was on Maria and me," Abby confessed. "He didn't want us to be near him and his men while they were talking. He doesn't like interruptions and I kinda forgot. We were better off leaving our glasses at the hot tub."
I said, rolling my eyes annoyed and confused. "Ok, well back to my previous statement with those guys outside telling us to stick around. Cory is the one who is in charge and he allowed us outside. When Cory moved me in here, he permitted me to go anywhere I want, even outside. I was kinda hoping we could go to the woods."
Abby challenges me while laughing. "Well, if you wanna go ahead and tell those guys that. Then be my guess. And just a fair warning, Daniel has a mean streak to him."
My eyes gape and I saw Abby smirking at me while Maria remained quiet walking by my left.
"Okay, maybe I won't," I backed down, contemplating outwardly. "If I'm to be Primary Queen why does it seem like they can over boss me?"
Maria giggled and said. "Because they can. My husband's in their division so they boss me around all the time. We're hybrid women, we don't have a say. They're trying to be sure we are safe. Plus they're talking more to Abby and me. You're very important if you get hurt it could make Cory upset and that would cause problems for his men."
"I guess I'll try to understand that," I said, not fully sure if I meant it.
Maria nodded, continuing. "Honestly, it sounds like Cory isn't having the best day right now. So his men are trying to keep him chill and off their backs. It's rare to ever see Cory lose his temper but when it happens it's not a pretty sight. You have yet to see that side of Cory."
I tried not to gulp out so loudly to hear that. As we sauntered around the beautiful flowers and bushes. While I thought I never wanted to see Cory's bad temper.
Then I heard Abby speaking. "The last thing the men want is Cory on their backs about something, especially if it involves you. The bond is affecting him like it is with you. He'll act very protective of you and it could trigger anger. Cory isn't used to dealing with a bond. Right now his men won't know how he'll react. Everyone has noticed since Cory brought you to the Kingdom, that he hasn't been himself lately. Now everyone understands it because he imprinted on you."
I sighed discontentedly "will just walk the garden."
At this point, I wanted to drop this conversation about the bond connection Cory formed with me. When it isn't something you don't want it can be a very irritating topic. And somehow it keeps on being brought up! I just wish Cory would have closed the bond between us before it set.
"Oh, wait, I have an idea!" Abby said, hopping in her steps. "It could make this walk more interesting if we play a game."
"What kinda game were you thinking, Abby?" asked Maria.
"Let's play, find the insects, and count how many insects we find on the bushes and flowers. Whoever finds the most is the victor," Abby giggled loudly to answer.
Like Maria, I was dumbfounded about where this idea came from.
Maria swerved her eyes saying. "That sounds childish!"
Yet Abby gave Maria that childish look around me. Her look had a touch of 'I know you want to kinda expression!' Maria smiled and said more thrilled. "Alright, let's do this!"
What have I gotten myself into?