Eleanor entered the store, a smile lingering on her lips. She walked around the counter and sat on the stool, staring somewhere ahead in a trance. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice Cecilia staring at her with interest.
Click-Click…
Cecilia clicked her fingers in front of her face and asked, "What makes you happy?"
Eleanor was jolted out of her reverie, her smile fading. She pretended to arrange the herbs, saying, "Nothing."
"Nothing!" Cecilia sat down beside her and added, "Don't lie. You were smiling like a fool. And oh… that blush…" She pointed to her face. "Your cheeks are still red."
Eleanor touched her cheeks. "I am not blushing." She blushed furiously, yet she claimed she didn't blush. "I walked all the way here in the heat. The weather is getting hotter, you know." She fanned her face with her hand and blew some air. She feigned to be okay but couldn't stop her heart from racing.
Cecilia cocked her head and regarded her with a squint, skeptical. "Why were you smiling then?"
Eleanor stole a glance at her. She came up with an excuse. "I remembered something funny. Is that a crime?"
"Not at all." Cecilia groaned and rolled her eyes. "I thought you had found a hot guy. But it turned out that you remembered a joke. Humph… How can I forget that you run away from the guys like they are the plague?" She rose to her feet and walked out. "Come back home early. Papa is taking Mamma to the town for treatment."
"Oh, crap. I have totally forgotten about it." Eleanor let out a deep sigh. "Focus, Eleanor. You should stay away from Zane. He is not yours. He can't be yours."
Zane couldn't stop smiling. He felt joy bursting in his heart. He found everything pleasant and colorful. Everything seemed to be musical. Even the chirping of the birds sounded like a piece of a melodious song.
He liked the new feelings blossoming in his heart. At the same time, he grew a bit restless as he desired to see her again. He had just waved goodbye to her a few minutes ago, but he was already missing her. He wished he could rush back to her.
"Huh…" He chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "How can I hold off until tomorrow?" he murmured and hurried to the packhouse.
When he arrived home, a servant rushed over to him.
"Alpha is expecting you in his room." The servant bowed to him.
Zane walked up to his father's room, his smile disappearing. He saw Dimitri standing by a window, his back to the door, his hands on his back.
Knock-Knock…
He knocked on the door frame and asked, "May I come in?"
"Come in." Dimitri glanced at him over his shoulder.
"I have things to do," Zane said as he walked in, his tone cold. "Please say it quickly, whatever you have to say."
"Can't you sit with me for a while?" Dimitri asked, turning to him.
Zane averted his gaze, his face solemn.
Dimitri regarded him from top to bottom. The worry was evident in his eyes. "How are you feeling now? Are you still having a headache?"
"No," Zane replied shortly.
Dimitri moved in closer to him. "You can share anything with me. I am here to help you."
"You didn't show up when we needed help," Zane hissed under his breath, his hands curling into fists.
"Zane…" Dimitri reached out to hold his shoulder.
Zane took a step back. "I shall leave if you have nothing to say."
Dimitri stepped back and made his face stern. "I want you to be careful around Ruby," he said, his tone cold. "Keep in mind that the Blue Moon Pack has always been our enemy for a long time."
"Ruby is my mate," Zane retorted. "She will never deceive me. Don't worry about that."
"I am being cautious," Dimitri stated with the same cold tone. "As an alpha, I am always protective towards the pack. I hold no grudge against Ruby. But it is also true that I don't trust Gustav. I suggest you stay vigilant around her. Keep in mind that you were kidnapped while you were with her."
"This does not prove her involvement in the kidnapping," Zane snarled, gnashing his teeth. He turned aside, trying to keep his rage at bay. "Anyway, I don't want to talk about it right now. If you don't have anything to say, I will leave."
Dimitri said nothing afterward. He kept staring at him indifferently.
Zane could tell by his demeanor that he wanted him to leave. He didn't waste any time getting out.
His mood turned sour. The happiness he had felt just moments before had evaporated. There was nothing but anger in his heart at that point. He headed straight to the training ground.
He found warriors training for combat. He walked past the group and into the gym.
"Why don't you join us?" Lucas asked.
"I will come after a while," Zane responded slowly, as he proceeded forward.
"Why?" Connor sneered. "Come on. Let's have a fight." He rubbed his wrist, smirking.
Zane ceased his steps and gave him a sidelong glance. "I am not in the mood to fight."
"Oh…" Connor chuckled. "Afraid to lose?"
Zane turned to him, his eyes growing frigid. "I don't fear anything," he snarled as he walked over to him. "Prepare to lose again."
He positioned his left leg in the back, his fists guarding his chest.
Connor lunged at him, punching him in the face. Zane leaned back at the right moment, Connor's fist flying over his head. He moved quickly around him and gave him a backward kick in the back.
Connor stumbled forward but managed to keep his balance. He spun around and threw his arm backward.
Zane ducked and threw an uppercut punch to the side of his sternum.
"Ugh…" Connor groaned and arched his back, holding his breath.
Zane pounced on him and pinned him down, his knee pressing against his throat. "Yield…" he growled, his eyes switching from black to hazel.
Connor could hardly breathe. He tapped him on the thigh.
Zane rose to his feet. "I will kill you the next time you challenge me." He stormed out of the training ground.
Connor coughed and rubbed his throat, glaring at his departing figure with loathing.
"Don't always seek to fight him. Come on. Take my hand." Lucas offered him his hand.
Connor swatted his hand away and leaped to his feet. He gave him a stern glare before walking away.
Lucas smirked and went back to training with the warriors.
************************************************************************
The next day…
Eleanor was running late this morning because she had waited until her aunt and uncle had left for town. "Oh, my… Linde will scold me again today," she murmured as she hurried to the packhouse. Her leg pain had subsided significantly, but she still limped a little. "She probably won't help me," she continued. "Who knows what else she will ask of me?"
As she entered the packhouse premises, she saw the warriors training on the ground. Her eyes rested on Zane. She blushed furiously as she noticed his bare torso, which was a perfect V. Her mouth hung open as she stared at his bulging chest muscles.
'So hot…' her mind whispered.
Eleanor didn't move a bit, as if her feet got trapped on the ground.
Zane's whole body was full of sweat. Under the supple sunlight, the sweat beads on his shoulders shone like pearls.
Eleanor's gaze fell to his six-pack and then to the waistline of his pants. She sank her teeth into her bottom lip as she envisioned something naughty. Her thighs clenched as her imagination ran wild.
'Control…' her inner voice cautioned her.
She shifted her gaze to his face, only to find him staring back at her. She flinched and averted her gaze instantly.
"Shit…" she cursed under her breath and walked towards the packhouse with her head bowed, mortified. "Stupid woman. It is so disgraceful to stare at someone."