Nia's face turned pale when she saw Connor approaching. She hung her head down, afraid he would scold her.
"Why are you here?" Ruby snapped, her face solemn. She didn't like the disturbance. "Didn't you go to attend the meeting?"
"The meeting is over," Connor replied as he offered Eleanor his hand.
Ruby wanted to chase him out. But she changed her mind in the end. She figured Zane would be here soon since the meeting ended.
Eleanor took his hand and got to her feet. "Thank you," she murmured.
"You are welcome, sweetheart." Connor gave her a warm smile. He glanced at Ruby and added, "You shouldn't be messing around with the servants of the packhouse. It doesn't suit your personality."
"Humph…" Ruby turned around and stormed away, her friends closely following her.
"Are you okay, sweetheart?" Connor returned his focus to Eleanor and inspected her from head to toe, his gaze full of concern.
He hid his cunningness so well that Eleanor didn't suspect he was acting worried.
"Yeah. Thanks for helping me." She smiled a little.
"Don't thank me. You can come to me if they bully you next time."
"That's so thoughtful of you. But I can take care of myself."
Connor raised his eyebrows, astounded at her response. It was rare for a woman to grab his attention. Eleanor's boldness piqued his interest. He became curious to get to know more about her.
"I have to finish cooking." She turned to leave.
"Wait a minute."
Eleanor paused and looked back at him, her eyebrows furrowing.
Connor went in closer. "You have got dirt over here." He stretched out his hand and cleaned the dirt off her cheek with his thumb. "It's gone now." He smiled, his gaze lingering on her amber eyes.
Zane, who was heading to his room, stopped in an instant when he noticed Connor with Eleanor. He felt as if all his blood was rushing to his head. His eyes switched from black to hazel as he saw him touching her face. His wolf howled in his head, ready to take control and tear him apart.
Just as he lifted his leg to walk over to them, he heard Ruby calling him. He paused and glanced at her.
"You are finally free." Ruby linked her arm to his arm and gave him a smile.
Zane looked back at them, only to see Eleanor walk into the kitchen while Connor picked up a pancake and ate it.
"How was the meeting?" Ruby asked, drawing his attention.
"Good."
"Let's go to the room. I have got so much to tell you."
"Mm… The pancakes are really tasty."
They turned to Connor and saw him approaching them, licking his fingers.
"Eleanor is indeed a good cook," Connor continued. "You should try the pancakes." He winked at Zane before walking away.
Zane clenched his fists so tight that his knuckles were white. His wolf went berserk and roared angrily. It took his entire being to keep his wolf in check.
"You should fire that maid," Ruby said, successfully grabbing Zane's attention.
"What did she do this time?" Zane asked as he proceeded to his room.
"She is so slow," Ruby complained, "and clumsy, too. If she was in the Blue Moon Pack, I would have fired her."
Zane grew irritated. He paused on the track and growled, "This is not the Blue Moon pack."
The rage in his eyes made Ruby frown. She snapped, "What do you mean? Are you trying to say I have no authority over here?"
"Ruby…" Zane grimaced and pinched his brow. It was getting increasingly difficult for him to keep his cool. "I am trying to say that the maids are not worth your time." He tried hard to keep his voice low. "There is a lot you can do. Enjoy with your friends and go shopping."
His words immediately dissipated Ruby's sour mood. She grinned and threw her arms around his neck. "Will you go shopping with me?"
"Of course." Zane wrapped his arms around her. "I am a bit busy these days. Have fun with your friends. I promise to spend time with you whenever I am free."
"Are you trying to get away from me?" She pouted.
"Don't do it," he grunted, a grimace appearing on his face. "You are aware of the recent increase in rogue attacks in the pack. We are planning on destroying the rogue gangs."
His serious look made her realize that he was not lying. She figured she shouldn't put any pressure on him to spend time with her. Furthermore, she was not yet done punishing Eleanor. It was a good thing Zane was keeping himself busy with pack matters. He would be too busy to check on her. This would give her the freedom to deal with Eleanor. She believed she would drive her out of the packhouse before Zane resolved the rogue issues.
"I am just kidding." Her smile resumed as she playfully punched his chest. "I won't interfere with your work."
"Thank you for understanding me." Zane smiled back at her. "Wait for me at lunch. I will be right back." He walked into his room.
************************************************************************
"Okay, I am going back home," Cecilia said, picking up her purse. "Don't forget to bring the groceries." She was about to leave when she noticed Eleanor staring ahead in a trance.
She frowned and poked her on the arm. "What are you thinking so deeply?"
"Huh…" Eleanor came to her senses. She didn't hear anything Cecilia said.
"What is the matter?" Cecilia sulked. "You have been lost in your thoughts since you returned. Did anything happen in the packhouse?"
"No…" Eleanor shook her head and drew her chin down.
Cecilia's eyebrows furrowed even more as she studied her. "Hang on... did Ruby do something to you?" she asked fiercely.
"Cecilia…" Eleanor breathed out a sigh of dismay. "Aren't you late?"
"I am sure something is bothering you. Can't you share it with me?"
"There is nothing I cannot handle. Don't think too much. Go back home."
"Very well." Cecilia stormed out of the shop, stomping her feet.
"Huh…" Eleanor sighed loudly, looking at her departing form.
She had been thinking about how Ruby and her friends had caused her problems early this afternoon. She couldn't have finished cooking in time if Connor hadn't intervened.
Eleanor figured that Ruby wouldn't stop troubling her. In this situation, it would be hard for her to keep working in the packhouse.
The job paid her well. The income from the shop was modest. It was not sufficient to feed the family. Besides, the treatment for her aunt was expensive. It was not the right time to quit the job.
Eleanor was not sure how to resolve the issue. She thought about what Connor had said. She was not very fond of him. So, she didn't consider taking help from him. But he saved her from Ruby and her friends. This made her reconsider his offer.
"First of all, I should stay away from Zane," she muttered. "If he keeps coming after me, no one can save me from Ruby's wrath."
She kept herself busy cleaning the shop and arranging the herbs.
In the packhouse…
When Zane returned to his room at the end of the day, he discovered Ruby on the bed in a flimsy nightgown.