Eleanor stalled on the track, her hand that held the glass shaking. She felt as if someone was mercilessly squeezing her heart. At the same time, she grew enraged. She wished she could pull Ruby from his arms and drive her away. But she suppressed the agony. She was well aware that she could never be with Zane. It was painful to accept the reality that he was not hers but Ruby's. Even though it was painful to watch them together, she had to endure it.
She fought the urge to cry as she approached them. She put the glass on the table and went back to the kitchen without disturbing them. However, she couldn't hold back her tears.
Zane glanced at her receding form. He kissed Ruby only to make her jealous. When he saw her indifferent attitude, he became irritated. He stopped kissing and leaned back in his chair.
Ruby was still in his lap. Unaware of his sour mood, she smiled coquettishly as she reached for the glass. "Allow me to feed you."
"Uh-huh…" Zane smirked. He drank the juice when she put the glass on his lips.
"Hey, Zane. You are awake." A familiar masculine voice drew their attention. Zane glanced back and saw Lucas approaching them.
"I came to talk to you, but you were sleeping." Lucas sat in the chair across from him. "What took you so long to wake up?"
Zane continued drinking the juice without replying to him. He was a bit upset with him since he suspected that Lucas had feelings for Eleanor.
"Why are you looking for him?" Ruby asked, taking a quick look at Lucas.
"I have got something important to talk about," Lucas replied.
"You can discuss it here."
Lucas chuckled. "I think his mood is not in conversation right now." He turned to the kitchen and called out, "Eleanor, would you get me a glass of juice?"
"Sure." A quick response came from Eleanor.
She poured a glass of juice and came out of the kitchen.
"Thank you." Lucas gave her a warm smile as he took the glass.
"You are welcome." She returned his smile before going back to the kitchen. She didn't even glance at Zane and Ruby as if they were invisible.
Lucas drank the juice, his smile lingering on his lips.
Zane grew infuriated as he saw him smile. He was now sure that Lucas was having an affair with Eleanor.
All of a sudden, the sweet juice tasted bitter to him.
He took the glass from Ruby's grasp and put it on the table. "I am in a full mood for the discussion," he said, his tone cold. "Why are you looking for me?"
"Some rogues invaded the border last night," Lucas said as he set the glass down. "They killed two guards. But three of the rogues were also killed."
"Is that so?" Zane arched his eyebrows as if he was not aware of the incident.
"Someone killed them ruthlessly." Lucas kept his face stern, suppressing the urge to smile. He had perceived Zane's smell in the woods along with the rogues.
"Who killed those rogues?" Ruby asked.
"You should ask him." Lucas picked up the glass and drank the remaining juice in one go. "Find me when you are free." He stood up and walked away.
Ruby scowled at his departing form. "Who is he referring to?" She asked, turning her focus to Zane. But she found him staring somewhere else. She followed his gaze and saw Eleanor working in the kitchen.
A pang of anger hit her heart. She didn't like it when Zane stared at another woman, especially in her presence. She wondered why Zane was looking at a lowly maid.
As she took a good look at Eleanor, she realized how pretty she was. Her curvy figure and sweet face could attract any man.
Ruby became jealous. She immediately began to despise her. She couldn't stand it that someone as humble as Eleanor caught Zane's attention.
"What are you looking at?" She snapped, pinching him on the arm.
Zane moved his eyes to Ruby, dumbfounded. He felt awful, assuming she caught him ogling Eleanor. "Nothing." He shook his head, pretending to be innocent. "I was thinking about something."
Ruby regarded him with a squint, trying to know if he was telling the truth. "What are you thinking about?" she asked.
After a while, Zane murmured, "I ran into the woods last night and encountered the rogues."
"It was you who killed the rogues!" She squealed, her eyes widening in surprise.
Zane nodded. "What bothered me was that a rogue claimed it was not them who kidnapped me."
"How can you trust a rogue?" Ruby scowled at him. She pretended being annoyed, hiding the anxiety in her heart. "They are always wreaking havoc on the pack. Who else would kidnap you?"
Zane didn't agree with her. He believed that the rogue was not lying. He didn't continue this conversation, though. "Alright. I got to go find Lucas. Talk to you later." He kissed her brow before standing up and walking away.
Ruby returned her focus to Eleanor. She was not sure whether Zane was staring at her. But she had already started disliking her. She feared that Eleanor could try to enchant Zane with her beauty in her absence. She glared at her with loathing before storming away.
Zane found Lucas at the gym. "What did you want to talk about?" he asked as he approached him.
"I was wondering what you were doing in the woods last night," said Lucas, striking at the punching bag.
"Can't I go for a walk in the woods?"
Lucas grabbed the punching bag and looked at him. "You certainly can. However, wandering alone in the woods at night is not safe. You could have called me."
Zane chuckled bitterly, rubbing his fist. "I guess you have forgotten who I am."
"I am serious, Zane." Lucas's expression turned somber. "It is a relief that you are unharmed. What if the rogues injured you? They could have kidnapped you again."
"I am capable of dealing with the rogues," Zane growled, inching towards him. "I don't need you to look after me."
Lucas frowned at his enraged look, puzzled.
"If you have any doubts about my abilities, you can put them to the test. I will gladly demonstrate to you. " Zane gave him a stern look and challenged him to a fight. His hands ached to strike him.
"I have no doubt in your skills." Lucas smartly dodged his challenge. He had no desire to fight with his best friend. "I am only worried about your safety. Please inform me the next time you go to the woods." He gave him a warm smile as he tapped him on the shoulder.
Zane could no longer stay angry with him when he saw his smiling face. "Sure," he said with a nod.
Then he told him whatever the rogue said about the kidnapping.
"He was telling the truth," Zane continued. "I can feel it."
Lucas's face turned solemn as he remembered Dimitri's suspicions about Gustav. He suspected Gustav was behind the kidnapping. But he did not say it aloud. He thought to find out the truth first.
"Who could it be?" Zane asked. "Do you think the Bloodlust Pack is behind it?"
"Tsk…" Lucas clicked his tongue, shaking his head. "If Alpha Damian had kidnapped you, he would not have left you alive. It's not him."
"Then who is it?"
"We need to find it out. Just don't go alone in the woods. It's risky until we figure out who is behind it."
"Connor?" After some thought, Zane said the name.
"No… It's not him." Lucas denied it straight away. "Well, he undeniably dislikes you and aspires to be the alpha of the pack. But I don't think he will do something like abduct you. He would like to defeat you in a fight to claim the alpha position, rather than sneakily attack you."
"I am not sure. I don't trust him at all." Zane hit the punching bag over and over again.
An hour later…
When Zane returned to the packhouse, he noticed Eleanor going to the backyard. He looked around at the servants who were working in the hall. After making sure that no one was paying attention to him, he followed her in brisk steps. He yanked her arm and dragged her along with him.
"What are you doing?" Eleanor hissed, trying to break free from his grip. She looked back, afraid that someone would notice her with him. "Let go of me."