Ruby was lying on her side, her elbow propping her up. She flashed a provocative smile as she fiddled with her gold chain. Her dress was sheer and short, barely covering her voluptuous figure.
Zane stalled right next to the door, his eyes glued to her exposed thighs. His gaze slowly moved upwards, resting briefly on her cleavage before moving to her face.
Her sexy appearance could arouse anyone's desire. But Zane was not in the mood for sex with her. His mood was sour as he couldn't get rid of the images of Connor touching Eleanor. Even though he kept himself busy at work, he failed to stop thinking about Eleanor. Besides, the inspection of the entire forest area exhausted him. All he wanted to do was take a shower and sleep.
"I have been waiting for you," Ruby said in a nasal tone, smiling provocatively.
Zane chuckled and made his way to the bathroom.
"Come to bed." Ruby grabbed his wrist.
Zane ceased his steps and gave her a sidelong glance. "It's late. You should go back to your room."
"Why?" She squinted at him. "Everyone knows we are mates. We will get married soon. What's the problem if I spend the night in your room?"
"I am tired, Ruby." Zane exhaled, wiping his face.
"Come here. Let me give you a massage." She smiled coquettishly, pulling him in closer.
"Be obedient. Go to sleep."
Her glumness replaced her smile in seconds. She rolled out of bed instantly, her eyes welling up with tears. "I thought I would have some time with you when you got back. You no longer adore me. I will go back tomorrow. Sorry to bother you. You won't see me again." She walked out, wiping her tears.
Zane felt uneasy, watching her cry. He grabbed her wrist and drew her into his embrace. "I didn't mean to hurt you. Don't cry." He patted her back. "You are welcome to stay here." He cupped her face and kissed her on the brow.
"Are you sure?" She was overjoyed on the inside but pretended to be skeptical.
"Wait for me in bed. I will be right back." Zane walked into the bathroom.
Ruby jumped onto the bed, a gleeful smile on her lips.
An hour later…
Ruby had planned on having sex with him. But she didn't manage to seduce him, even after several attempts. She eventually tired out and fell asleep in his arms.
However, Zane was wide awake, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. His mind kept racing towards Eleanor. He wanted to know what she was doing.
'Is she asleep or awake like me? Does she even think about me?'
"Uh…" He rolled to the other side, frustrated with himself for continuing to think about her. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep.
The scene of Connor brushing his thumb against Eleanor's cheek crossed his mind, making him open his eyes frantically.
"Ugh…" he groaned and shifted his weight to the other side. He immediately felt guilty as soon as his gaze landed on Ruby. His mate was beside him, but he was thinking about another woman. He hated himself for his infidelity.
'What is going on with me?' He murmured to himself and lay on his back, hiding his face behind his hands.
He grew restless even more. His desire to see Eleanor grew stronger with each passing minute.
He couldn't stay calm any longer. He looked back at Ruby. After making sure that she was deep asleep, he slowly clambered down from the bed. He softly opened the door and made sure it did not squeak. He glanced back at her once more before sneaking out of the room.
The entire packhouse was dark and deafeningly silent. Only a yellow light was glowing faintly in the hallway.
He snuck out of the house, avoiding the watchful eyes of the guards.
It didn't take him long to get to Eleanor's house. He hid behind a tree and looked at the two-story house ahead. He could see the window of her room from here.
"She kept the window open today as well. Is she expecting someone to come to her room?" He gnashed his teeth, enraged. He dashed to the house, looking left and right.
The light of the porch faintly illuminated the surroundings. Since everyone in the pack was sleeping, it was eerily silent. The owls hooted from time to time.
Zane climbed the pipe to her window as he had done before. He saw her sleeping with her face towards the window. He held the window sill and dragged himself up. In the next moment, he jumped into the room.
Thump…
She was so deep in sleep that she didn't hear the noise.
Zane's lips subconsciously curled as he inched towards the bed and crouched down beside it. He held the edge of the mattress and stared at her, resting his chin on the back of his hand.
Her pretty face was glowing under the dim light of the room. Her rosy lips were slightly parted. Some strands of hair falling on her cheek stuck to the corner of her lips.
He reached out to push her hair away, his fingers gently brushing against her cheek.
The tingling sensation disrupted her sleep. Eleanor opened her eyes and saw a silhouette beside her bed.
"Ah… mm…" she shrieked, terrified. However, a large palm sealed her mouth, muffling her voice.
She stared at the figure with wide eyes, shaking in fear.
"Shh…" Zane pressed his index finger against his lips. "It's me… Zane," he whispered.
She blinked, and her brain slowly began to function. When she realized it was Zane, the fear left her mind, and rage took over.
She swatted his hand away from her mouth and sat up frantically. "What are you doing here?" she fumed, her mouth twisting. "Do you enjoy breaking into other people's homes at night?"
"For your kind information, I only sneak into your house." He smirked and sat down beside her.
Eleanor rolled her eyes. "What brings you here?"
Zane leaned in, putting his hands on either side of her. Eleanor leaned backward, her eyes widening. She grew nervous.
"To warn you," he murmured.
His warm breath fell on her face, causing her eyelashes to tremble.
She blinked twice and asked, "What?" Her voice was just above a whisper.
She had no idea what had happened to her voice, nor did she know where her rage had vanished. She swallowed when she noticed him leaning in closer. His proximity increased her heart rate.
"Connor is not someone you should hang out with," he continued in the same low tone. "He is not good for you."
Her eyes became cold. Her anger began to rise once more. "Now you are going to decide who I should hang out with and who shouldn't."
"You should listen to what I am saying," he grumbled.
"I don't need you to look after me." She pushed him away and rolled out of bed.
"Hold on…" Zane grabbed her hand and pulled her back to bed.
Clang-Clang…
Eleanor's hand collided with the empty glass on the side table, causing it to drop to the floor.
Zane drew her in closer. "He randomly fucks she-wolves in the pack. He is dangerous. Stay away from him."
"I only…"
Knock-Knock…
"Eleanor…"
The knock on the door, followed by Cecilia's voice startled Eleanor. Her stomach knotted, and her hand flew to her mouth instinctively.
"Cecilia is awake," she whispered, looking at the door. Her face turned pale. "What should I do?"
"Are you okay?" Cecilia's voice rang out from the other side of the door again. "Eleanor…"
Knock-Knock…
Zane moved his gaze to the door, releasing her hand.
Bang-Bang-Bang…
"Open the door."
Eleanor jumped out of bed and hurried to the door. She opened the door and then closed it as soon as she went out.
"Why are you banging on the door?" She scowled at her, feigning to be annoyed. But she could hardly stop her heart from racing. Her nervousness caused her fingertips to become cold. A cold sweat began to form on her brow.
"I heard some noise." Cecilia looked at the door.
"Oh… I was… going to the bathroom." Eleanor tried hard not to stutter. "My leg hit on the bedside table, and the glass dropped."
"I see." Cecilia nodded, breathing out a sigh of relief. "I thought the rogues had broken into the house."
"Don't worry." Eleanor laughed awkwardly, squeezing her shoulder. "Go and sleep."
"Be careful. Don't leave your window open." Cecilia returned to her room after warning her.
"Phew…" Eleanor sighed in relief, placing her hand on her chest. But anger gripped her heart when she turned to her room. "This man will never stop troubling me." She gnashed her teeth and entered the room, only to find Zane sleeping on her bed.