A week later.
"Hurry up and deliver this to the Alpha of Velvet Moon Pack," the elder said in a commanding tone.
He stretched a parcel towards Ryan as his face was wrinkled in irritation. Ryan darted his eyes from the parcel to the elder. He wondered what was in it.
Was it something dangerous again? However, he stretched his hands to receive it. Bowing his head to the floor with shaky hands, Ryan retrieved the parcel from the elder immediately.
"Make sure you deliver it to their Alpha. If they do not want war, they have to fulfill all that is in there," the elder spat out.
He coughed before he continued speaking while Ryan's head still remained bowed before him.
"We will only give them the peace which they solicit for if those demands are met within the ultimatum stipulated there. Deliver what I aaid to him," the elder said.
"Yes my Lord," Ryan said and turned around out of the room.
He strode into the hallway wondering what the elder meant by saying there was an ultimatum. Ryan sighed as he took a good look at the parcel. He wished he could see what was in there. The elder was known for making excessive demands.
Ryan shook his head and strolled outside where his horse was waiting for him. A servant held it by its reins. Then he bowed to Ryan and passed it to him.
Ryan took the reins from the burly-looking servant and climbed the horse. He galloped out of the palace grounds.
________________________
In no time he was at Blarney castle. Ryan dropped from his horse and smoothened his breeches before ascending the stairs leading into the castle.
However as he strode in, his eyes caught a beautiful lady in a white silk gown. She had long hair and a beautiful figure. As if on cue, Adrienne turned to him.
She had sensed something which he had also. Ryan's world purred at her sight. She had beautiful eyes, a pointed nose, and full red lips.
Forgetting that he had to deliver a parcel to the Alpha, he padded in her direction. The woman had aroused his wolf. He was happy. This was his mate. She hadn't died after all as the priest had said.
Joy burst through Ryan's seams as he took brisk steps towards her. He had thought he would be lonely with no one to share his feelings with. Since those at the pack now treated him like he was a pest.
"Good afternoon, milady," Ryan smiled at her.
Adrienne eyed him with distaste written all over her. She had a good memory and could not forget who this man was. Even after so many years, she still remembered that night and sometimes suffered nightmares from its effect.
Sometimes she would scream from her sleep and awake drenched in sweat with fear gripping her insides. She never forgot anything about it.
Why was he here trying to act like all was well between them when all wasn't? She closed her eyes for a second
"Milady," Ryan repeated.
He wondered why she froze when she saw him. Why didn't she return his greeting too? Ryan frowned as she closed her eyes. She was acting strange.
Adrienne gasped as she opened her eyes. She remembered the split second when she was thrown into the river. Her killer was before her alive and healthy while she had spent the last seven years trying to deal with the bitter memories that tortured her.
She wished she could make him pay for what he had to her. Ryan looked around him, wondering who she was looking at and why her beautiful face had gone pale.
"Milady," Ryan moved closer to her when he didn't see anything suspicious.
With the parcel on his left, he tried touching her with his right. Adrienne couldn't bear to allow those hands to touch her again. They repulsed her. Every bit of him repulsed her.
She backed away and raised her hand to strike him on the cheek. It wasn't for what he had done to her years ago, that was for trying to touch her again.
"Never ever speak or try to touch me again!" She said and stalked away in anger.
He blinked twice.
Ryan's hand flew to his cheek. He rubbed it to relieve the scalding pain her hand had inflicted on him.
He squeezed his face in pain and turned back to see her retreating figure. Who was she? She was familiar. He knew her scent but couldn't remember her face.
Why had she slapped him? Ryan gathered himself together and walked into the castle. He would think about it later but for now, he had to deliver the elder's urgent message.
Two guards escorted him into the living room where the Alpha sat on his throne with weary eyes.
"Son of Glengariff, to what do I owe this visit?" The Alpha asked.
"My Lord, here is a letter from the Alpha. He demands that you give him a reply before the ultimatum." Ryan spoke bravely as the face of Glengariff.
Ryan passed the parcel to a servant who took it to the Alpha. The Alpha opened it as he took cursory glances at Ryan.
He read through the letter while Ryan looked around. He wondered where the lady had gone. Ryan wished to see her once more before he left. For some reason, his heart was troubled. Had he offended her?
He wanted to ask her why she had done that. He racked his brain hard to remember her face but nothing came. It was as if he had never met her, but knew he had. Where did he meet her?
"Tell the Alpha that we shall accede to his request in some days after we prepare our gift to him," the Alpha said resignedly.
"Thank you," Ryan bowed and turned out of the palace.
As he strode to his horse, he saw her with some girls at the extreme end of the palace. Adrienne turned back to him. She eyed him before focusing her attention on what she was doing.
That was when he remembered her.