Eleanor stalled momentarily, her jaw falling apart.
"What the hell?" She snarled and walked over to the bed.
She reached out to push him down, but her hand paused a few inches away. When she saw him sleeping soundly, she couldn't muster the courage to wake him up.
"Huh…" She plopped on the bed next to him, sulking. "You shouldn't be sleeping here," she murmured. "Your mate is jealous of me. She will trouble me more if she finds out you spent the night at my place. Why did you come here?"
She didn't get any response from him. All she could hear was his long, steady breathing. She wished she could throw a bucket of water at him.
"Ugh…" she groaned and lifted her fists in the air as if about to hit him. "Um…" She dropped her fists on her lap, her mouth twisting. She was so annoyed that she wanted to slam the bedside table on him. But all she did was sit quietly on the bed, fuming.
After some time, she moved her gaze to him and couldn't look away from him. As she continued to stare at him, she grew enchanted. She couldn't stop herself from reaching out to stroke his jaw.
"If you keep coming, it will be difficult for me to control my heart," she whispered. "Could you leave your mate for me?"
Her face turned gloomy all of a sudden. She remembered the curse that the evil witch had mentioned. Sadness gripped her heart.
"No…" She drew her hand back and stood up in an instant. "We can't be together." She walked to the other side of the room. "You should stay away from me. I am not suitable for you. I can't be with you…" She continued murmuring as she sat on the chair, hugging her knees.
"You should stay away from me. You don't know me. I will only bring you disaster. Ruby is perfect for you. Don't deceive her because of me." She lay her head on her knees, and a few drops of tears rolled down.
The next morning…
The birdsong and supple sunlight coming through the window awoke Zane. He opened his eyes with a squint and looked around. He gradually realized that he had spent the night at Eleanor's house. His wandering gaze fell on her, sleeping on the chair with her head on the armrest.
"Shit…" He felt guilty.
Because of him, this poor woman had to sleep on the chair.
He jumped out of bed and dashed over to her.
She had her one leg folded and other hanging from the chair. Zane smiled as he found it cute to watch her sleep soundly in an uncomfortable position. After staring at her for a while, he lifted her and carried her to the bed. He put her down gently.
She opened her eyes and looked at him.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up."
"Mm…" Eleanor was still not fully awake. She snuggled up on the pillow and smiled a bit.
Zane stroked his finger against her cheek, "It is still early," he murmured. "Sleep for a while."
He looked at her with longing, resisting the urge to kiss her. After some hesitation, he stood up and jumped down from the window.
Eleanor felt as if she were dreaming. She closed her eyes again and fell asleep.
In the packhouse…
Ruby rolled over to the other side, stretching her hand to find Zane. She could feel nothing but a cold mattress. She extended her hand even further. When she could not find him, she groggily opened her eyes.
"Mm… Zane…" She called him as she sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Are you in the bathroom?"
Silence…
"Where is he?" she muttered, getting out of bed.
She walked over to the bathroom and knocked on the door. "Baby… are you inside?"
Silence…
She pushed the door open.
There was no sign of Zane.
Ruby frowned, wondering where he had gone so early in the morning. She walked out of the room without bothering about the sheer nightgown she was putting on. As she walked down the stairs, she saw Zane coming in.
"Where have you been?" she asked, approaching him.
When Zane saw her in that flimsy nightgown, his eyebrows knitted with frustration. He glanced around and found the male servants ogling her. It irritated him even more.
"What are you doing here?" He grumbled, removing his shirt. He draped the shirt over her. "Don't come out wearing something like this." He held her arm and led her to the bedroom.
Ruby smiled gleefully, looking at his fury. She liked it when Zane cared for her. "I came out to find you. Why did you wake up so early?"
Zane felt a pang of guilt. He left her in the bedroom and spent the night at another woman's place. "I… uh…" He scratched his head. "I woke up early and couldn't sleep. So, I went for a walk." He mustered a smile. "It's still early. Sleep for a while."
"And you?"
"I am going to training." He cupped her face and kissed her on the brow before heading to Lucas' chamber.
Ruby returned to the room and lay on the bed, still smiling. She sniffed the shirt. Her smile gradually faded as she smelt something.
"What is this smell?" She sniffed it again.
It had a herbal scent with a hint of rosemary. The herbal scent on his shirt was natural since he had just returned from the woods.
What concerned Ruby was that she found the scent familiar, particularly the rosemary tinge. She had detected this scent earlier. Her pupils constricted as she tried to recall where she had smelled it.
She sniffed the shirt again. She remembered getting this scent from Eleanor.
"That bitch," she snarled, her face contorting with rage. She squeezed the shirt. "He went into the woods to meet her. Why?" She exclaimed, throwing the shirt down. Her face turned red as rage pulsed through her veins.
"You are mine, Zane. Mine… No one can come between us… no one…" She threw the pillow down.
Her chest rose and fell violently. Anger quickened her heart rate. "I will kill her if she tries to snatch you away from me. And you… You will only love me. I will make sure of it." She dashed out the door and went straight to her room.
************************************************************************
Bang-Bang-Bang…
"Eleanor… Are you still sleeping?"
"Mm…" Eleanor groaned and stretched her muscles. She yawned widely.
"Eleanor…"
Bang-Bang-Bang…
"Did you take a day off?"
"Why are you banging on the door?" Eleanor mumbled as she rolled out of bed. She rubbed her eyes and went over to the door. "Why are you disturbing me?" she asked as she opened the door. She groggily looked at her.
"Are you not well?" Cecilia frowned and put her hand on her forehead. "The temperature seems normal."
"I am fine." Eleanor swatted her hand away.
"No, no, you are not okay. Something has happened to you. Otherwise, you wouldn't have slept until now. I have never seen you get up so late."
"Late!" Eleanor looked at the outside through the window. "What?" Her pupils dilated in shock. The sleepiness evaporated instantly.
The brightness outside made her realize that she was late for work. She didn't go to collect the herbs either.
"You don't have to go to the packhouse if you are not feeling well," Cecilia advised. "I will go." She smiled, her eyes brimming with anticipation of seeing Zane.
"Are you sure?" Eleanor was reluctant to let her go. She was afraid Ruby would hurt her. "No, no… I will go get ready. It won't take long." She turned to go in.
"It's okay." Cecilia grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "I will explain to the Alpha that you are not well." She smiled. "Rest today."
Eleanor wanted to stop her, but she couldn't. She had always seen her getting excited about going to the packhouse.
"Okay." She smiled and gently patted her on the shoulder. "Be careful. Don't mess with Ruby."
"She can't mess with me." Cecilia took a fighting stance and slashed the air with her hands as if swords. "I will beat her if she tries to fight with me." She pouted, her eyes narrowed.
Eleanor couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, alright. I get it. She can't defeat you."
"Isn't it? I am the best." Cecilia raised her chin, her chest swelling with pride. "I have prepared the breakfast. Eat before it gets cold." With that, she went out.
Eleanor returned to her room after closing the front door. She remembered last night's incident as soon as her eyes landed on the bed.
"You, scumbag," she grumbled, feeling irritated. "It's all because of you." She moved her gaze to the window. "I will keep this window close."
She walked over to the window and slammed it shut. "You can no longer enter my bedroom. I will not open it even if you beg me. Humph…" She turned and dashed into the bathroom.