Connor introduced Eleanor to his friends, who were surprised to see her.
"Isn't she the owner of the "Mystic Herbs" store?" One of them exclaimed.
"She is the new cook of the packhouse," another one said.
They also wanted to say that she was wolf-less, but no one dared to utter that word. They exchanged surprised glances with each other.
Connor looked around and noticed Zane drinking and watching them. The anger and jealousy in his eyes didn't go unnoticed by him. He had failed to provoke him a while ago. But he believed that a little extra effort would be enough to drive him berserk.
"The only thing that matters to me is her sweet nature." He deliberately raised his voice above the tone he normally spoke in so that Zane could hear it loud and clear. He put his hand on her lower back and glanced at her. "She cares about me. That's what I want. And of course…" He almost yelled, stroking her cheek with his knuckles. "She is beautiful."
Eleanor became agitated. His constant rubbing against her back pricked her skin.
"Excuse me." She swatted his hand away and crossed the yard to the other side, where people were dancing and singing.
A flash of anger crossed Connor's face. It didn't last more than a few seconds, though.
He chuckled when he looked back at his friends. "She is shy. Let me check on her."
A grimace replaced his smile as he walked over to her.
Connor could never stand it when someone disregarded him. His self-esteem was hurt when Eleanor walked away from him.
He felt humiliated in front of his friends.
He had tolerated her defiant attitude because he knew she was different from the other women he fucked. But it didn't mean that he would let her disrespect him.
"Why did you come here?" he fumed. "My friends wanted to talk to you."
Eleanor cast him a passing glance. She had lost interest in talking to him. "I can't do this. I am not comfortable."
"What did I do to make you uncomfortable?" Connor's face darkened with each word he spoke.
Eleanor closed her eyes to suppress her uneasiness. "I think I should go back home." She turned to walk away.
"Hello, would you like to join us in dancing?" A pretty young lady approached them with a grin.
Connor drew Eleanor towards him and said, "Of course."
"No… I am sorry," Eleanor interjected. "I was going home."
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Connor asked. "The night is still young. Let's dance."
The young lady grinned even wider. She put laurel wreaths on their heads.
"Connor…" Before Eleanor could protest, Connor dragged her to the group of people dancing in a circle around the bone fire.
They joined the group, linking arms with each other and following the steps of the dancers. They stepped in and stepped back and hopped to the left and then right to the beat of the drum. Connor even joined the chorus.
Eleanor couldn't help but laugh at hearing Connor sing. Seeing her smile, Connor became overzealous. He started singing loudly, sounding offbeat and out of sync with the others.
It made Eleanor laugh even harder.
On the other side of the yard, Zane was fuming, watching them laugh and dance. He gulped down one after another glass of wine, his eyes bloodshot.
"Stop it right now." Ruby grabbed his wrist when he was about to pick up another goblet of wine. She glared at the waiter and signaled him to leave with a nod.
"How much do you intend to drink?" She was furious at his unsettled appearance.
"Isn't it the victory party?" Zane quirked his lips. "This is because of me." He pressed his index finger against his chest. "I killed the rogue leader. This victory is in my name, and I am celebrating it." He motioned for the waiter to come over.
The waiter returned to him with a tray of wine glasses and bowed.
Zane picked up a glass and took a swig.
"Let me take you to the bedroom." Ruby held his arm and stopped him from drinking.
Zane yanked his arm back, the wine spilling out of the glass. "Why are you taking me to the bedroom?" He let out a disgruntled grunt. "Do you want me to fuck you?"
Ruby felt heartache and annoyed at the same time under his scornful look. She was only trying to help him. Why was he insulting her?
"Are you not satisfied yet?" Zane continued with contempt. "There is not an inch left in my room where I haven't fucked you. You even kept me locked up to get fucked. Do you intend to lock up with me again?"
"Enough, Zane," Ruby snapped, her eyes glistening with tears. "You are humiliating me." Her voice faltered as unbearable pain was about to engulf her.
Zane had been struggling to contain his temper for a long time. After hearing her sharp tone, he lost his cool.
"Why are you still here if you are so displeased with me." These hurtful words escaped from his mouth effortlessly, as if he didn't care about Ruby at all. "Why don't you go back to your house?"
"Zane," Ruby muttered in disbelief, a shudder running down her spine. She feared that he would break up with her.
"We should stay away from each other for a few days," Zane asserted. "I want to give myself some time to think about whether I should continue this relationship or not."
Ruby grabbed his wrist and stopped him from walking away. "No, Zane." Her tearful gaze was imploring. "Please don't push me away from you. I love you. Let me stay by your side." She placed her hand on his cheek, but Zane quickly swatted it away.
"I have made up my mind. I need time to think. Go back home. I'll make arrangements for your departure tomorrow."
He walked away from her.
Ruby rushed over and blocked his way, her face paled in panic. "Zane, please." She held his hands with her trembling hands. "I am…"
Zane held up his hand and silenced her. "Don't make me irritated. Or else, I will send you right away."
Ruby immediately let go of his hand and stepped back, her breathing hitching her throat. Tears streamed down her cheeks without her knowledge as she watched his retreating form.
She ran into the house, covering her mouth. She bumped into several guests on her way, but she rushed to her room without stopping, not bothering about the curious looks from her surroundings.
Bang…
She slammed the door shut behind her.
"Ahh…" She screamed, clenching her fists. But her voice could not surpass the loud sounds of the drums and musical instruments playing outside.
"Ahh…" She let out another frustrated shriek, pulling her hair. Her heart rate increased as boiling fury rose in her chest. Her breathing was shallow.
"Eleanor…" She took her name, gnashing her teeth. She held her responsible for everything. "You will pay for it. I swear to make your life a living hell." She clenched her fists so hard that her nails cut into her skin.