Zane did not say a word. He didn't bother with her struggle either. He dragged her to the bushes, where no one could see them.
The thorny branches of the hedges ripped up Eleanor's gown on her thigh. Some even pricked her. The pain added to her anger.
"What do you want?" she exclaimed as she yanked her hand back. Her chest rose and fell as she cast an unpleasant look at him, the skin between her eyebrows forming a 'V'.
Zane spun around to face her and snarled, "I warned you not to stare at another man, but you are flirting with Lucas. You don't take my words seriously, do you?"
'Flirting with Lucas!' Eleanor murmured in her mind, her eyes narrowing. She was red with anger. "I am not flirting with him," she grumbled.
"I am not blind." Zane moved in closer and held up his index finger. "Stay away from Lucas. This is my last warning."
"And you expect me to obey you."
"Yes."
"What if I don't?" Eleanor cocked her head and leveled the glare.
"Oh, don't dare challenge me." Zane shook his head. "You will not like my counteraction."
"I am not challenging you," she retorted. "I am just curious why you are asking me to avoid men. Why is it wrong for me to be in love with someone?"
He grabbed her arm and drew her in closer. "Because I said so," he hissed.
Her thick eyelashes trembled when his hot breathing fanned her face. "So, tell me who I should love, "she said, not tearing the eye contact.
'Me…' Zane was about to say it but paused at the end. He kept staring into her eyes, restless.
'Why can't you say it?' Eleanor murmured to herself. She averted her gaze and pulled her hand back, letting out a sigh of dismay. "One day, I will find my mate. You can't stop me falling for him." She turned to leave.
Zane tugged on her arm. "I won't let that happen."
"Why?" Eleanor yelled.
Zane was so mad at her defiance that he lost his ability to think straight. He growled, "Because you are wolf-less."
He immediately regretted saying that. But the words that had escaped his mouth could never be taken back. He stared at her with melancholy in his heart.
Eleanor gaped at him, stunned. She didn't expect him to say that. She often heard pack members call her wolf-less. When she heard Zane saying the same thing, she felt terrible. The word "wolf-less" that came out of his mouth slashed her heart like a sharp dagger. Her eyes welled up with tears.
"You should stay away from a wimp like me." She turned around and dashed away shortly after saying this.
"Eleanor…" Zane stretched his hand and called her, his voice barely audible.
He wanted to rush over to her and draw her into his embrace. He wished he could apologize to her. But all he did was stand there and watch her walk away from him.
"Fuck…" He kicked the air and pulled his hair.
Eleanor returned to the kitchen and noticed Linde serving the food. She mustered a smile, but Linde scowled at her.
"You said you would take five minutes off. What took you so long?"
Eleanor flushed instantly. She couldn't tell her that she had encountered Zane, who had dragged her into the bushes. "Uh… I…" she stuttered.
Linde held up her hand. "If you are going to apologize, don't apologize. I am not in the mood to hear your apology. Go serve the food."
When Eleanor glanced around the dining hall, she saw everyone except Zane. She picked up a platter of steak and went out of the kitchen with her head bowed. She served Dimitri first, then the rest of the group. All she wanted to do was finish the serving before Zane got here.
Eleanor was so engrossed in her duty that she did not see Ruby stretch her leg in her way. She tripped and fell to all fours, the food platter smashing on the floor. Her face turned crimson in seconds.
The steaks and the broken pieces of porcelain plate were all over the floor.
"Oh…" Everyone gasped, looking at her.
Zane, who had just entered, also ceased his steps and peered at her, stunned.
Ruby sneered in her mind. She was happy but feigned to be annoyed. "Can't you see?" she snapped. "I have never seen such a clumsy maid. Clean up the mess fast."
Zane scowled at Ruby, not happy with her tone. He walked over to Eleanor to help her but came to an abrupt halt when he noticed Lucas squatting beside her. His hands curled into fists as soon as he saw Lucas's hand on her back.
"Are you okay?" Lucas asked.
"Yeah," Eleanor murmured.
Linde rushed over to them with a trash can. She bowed to Dimitri and apologized, "Sorry, alpha. I will clean up the mess."
She crouched down and started collecting the strewn shards of porcelain. Eleanor also joined her in the cleaning.
It was only then that Lucas stood up and returned to his seat.
"What a clumsy woman," Linde hissed, glaring at Eleanor. "Can't you do a simple job properly?"
Eleanor pulled her chin down even more. She was so embarrassed that she wanted to disappear right away.
"Zane…" Ruby squealed and pulled him closer. "I have been waiting for you."
Zane mustered a smile and took a seat next to her. He didn't forget to take a quick look at Eleanor.
"Look at her. What a mess she has made. You shouldn't keep a maid who doesn't know how to work." Ruby shot a disgusted look at Eleanor.
"You should eat instead of focusing on the maids," Zane said in a low, yet cold tone.
Eleanor glanced at Ruby as she stuffed the steaks into the trash, irritated. She was not sure if Ruby had purposely obstructed her path. She became enraged as she saw her coquettishly smiling at Zane and feeding him. For a brief moment, she wished she could use her power to lift the glass of water and splash it on her. But she stood up and returned to the kitchen, holding the trash can.
While everyone ate quietly, Zane glanced at Eleanor.
"Zane…" Ruby grabbed his jaw and made him look at her. "Where are you looking at? Eat." She shoved a chunk of steak into his mouth.
Zane pulled a smile over his lips as he chewed the steak. Ruby returned his smile, although she was unhappy that Zane couldn't stop staring at Eleanor.
************************************************************************
Zane waited for Eleanor to finish her job and leave. He considered apologizing to her. When he saw her walk out the packhouse, he dashed after her. In the meantime, he spotted Lucas following her. He crept behind a tree and watched them. When he saw them smile and chat, his blood began to boil.
"I have something to pick up from the market," Lucas said. "I thought I would walk with you."
"It's my honor."
"How is your sister?" Lucas asked after hesitating for a while.
"She is fine," Eleanor replied promptly. The smile on her face gradually faded as she asked, "Why do you ask about her?" She looked at him with suspicion.
Lucas chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head. "Well, she used to come to the packhouse with her mother. Nowadays, I don't see her. I am curious about how she is doing."
"Oh…" Eleanor nodded in realization. "Since my aunt is not well, Cecilia has to take care of the shop while I work in the packhouse."
"I get it."
"She also wants to go to the packhouse. I'll bring her with me when my uncle and aunt get back home."
They continued chatting while heading towards the market.
Zane perked up his ears to hear what they were talking about. In the end, he dropped the idea. He kept watching their receding forms, his hands forming tight balls.