Ivonne's POV
Like a moth to a fire I traced it down the stairs and lastly to the kitchen door which was obvious. I remained on the doorframe and contemplated if to enter when a shirtless figure showed up and clouded my vision.
For some reason the lines and ridges of his abs seemed familiar and my index finger reached out to touch as my brown eyes moved upwards to meet his smirking expression.
A dark image from the night of my drunken rendezvous flashed through my mind for a reason unknown to me. It was too vivid and clear to ignore and I strived to search my subconscious for an answer but that was all it permitted to give me in that second.
"You can run your tongue on it like you did last time," his hot breath fanned my face and a question popped into my gaze as it was directed at him.
"What?" I implored, trying to gauge if I heard him correctly.
"You can take your hands off now," he said instead and to my surprise kissed my forehead. "Except if you want me to put my hands on you too."
I took a step back and withdrew my fingers from his abs, my cheeks heated and goosebumps lining my skin from his words and actions. Quietly, I turned away from him and headed back to the stairs.
"Breakfast is ready," he called behind me. "Isn't that why you came down?"
"I'll be back," I murmured in a shy voice and didn't even look back when I had his amused laugh.
I hurried all the way to the top and went straight for Lora's door, hoping I'd have a moment with her while hiding from Tobias and at the same time, calm my messed up emotions.
"Lora." I knocked on the barrier separating me from her room. "Are you up?"
"Yes Luna, hold on," she answered after which I heard some shuffling and a sound of the bolt moving. The door was pulled inward and she peeked out her head to survey her environment. "You are alone."
"Were you expecting me to come with someone?" I inquired, lifting a brow in question.
"I don't know," she blurted and opened the door the rest of the way, shrugging at my inquisitive glance. "Maybe he wanted to come explain things himself."
"Like he'd do that," I scoffed and walked in while she nodded her head in acknowledgement.
"Yeah that's totally far fetched for an Alpha especially one who breaths power and dominance like him," she murmured and I peered at her in surprise.
"How did you know?" I implored as I sat on the bed and narrowed my eyes at her.
"I'm sure everyone who has been in the same space with Alpha Tobias knows that," she explained in a chuckle. "Rumor has it that part of the reason Alpha Lincoln stays clear of Alpha Tobias's way is not only because they are enemies but also because he is scared of him."
"Who told you such?" I interrogated, having the feeling it might be true as a result of having witnessed it a few times.
"As I said," she rolled her eyes and gave a small smile, trying to hide her nervousness at the fact that I might be offended judging by our history. "Rumor has it. It's only left for us to either believe it or we don't."
"True," I blurted in agreement, my brown eyes taking in her attire of a maroon colored dress, one out of the many she always seemed to have abundance of. In all my years knowing Lora as she served me, I'd noticed 98% of all her clothes comprised of dresses.
"So what brings you to my room Luna?" She asked politely. "Do you need anything? Your abrupt knocks on the door made me think so."
"No I don't need anything," I replied and turned my face away from her direction. Lora had known me for years and I knew her to be a smart woman who would undoubtedly figure something was wrong if I didn't.
"If you say so," she mumbled in a non chalant tone much to my relief.
Tilting my head back to where she was positioned I asked. "Isn't that a good thing? I'm here to keep you company. Seeing as we've only got each other to rely on. This is a new place, a new pack, a new environment so we have to stick together."
"Of course we should," she leaned over to give me a hug. "I'll always be by your side Luna." "Had something to eat?" I quizzed and tapped her back affectionately before she released me.
"Yes, the Alpha sent a young man up to bring me my food," she informed, a blush staining her cheeks.
"Oh really," I murmured, smiling mischievously as I guessed something fishy was starting to bloom from her reaction. "When was that?"
"About 2-3 hours ago," she revealed and my brows squeezed in confusion.
"What time was that?" I implored and glanced around the room till it stopped at a digital clock on her vanity table. "Damn it's past 11 already?"
"Yes," she answered. "What time did you think it was?"
"Never mind," I shook my head in wonder. "That explains why I'm hungry."
"I perceived something nice the moment I opened the door," she conveyed. "What are you making?"
"Not me," I denied and her forehead crinkled in a frown. "Him."
"Him, who?" She asked in confusion, not getting whom I was referring to.
"Alpha Tobias," I announced and right there her jaw hit the floor, her eyes too wide for her face as shock took over her expression.
"Wait, what?" She managed to croak out the question, her throat suddenly dry.
"I'll go see what he prepared and return soon," I stood from the bed and strolled to the door, leaving her shocked in the room.
Seconds later I was back to the down floor and almost at the kitchen when he strolled out with a tray that contained, bread slices, ham, butter, eggs, salad, ketchup, and a steaming jug of sweet tea.
"Why haven't you put on a shirt yet?" I asked in a quiet voice as I observed he was still in the same state of dress I had left him.
"Because Ivonne," he called as he dropped the tray on the table which comprised of six chairs around it and in a flash, covered the distance between us to stand in front of me, warm minty breath fanning my cheeks. "This is my house and my pack. I'm the Alpha and I can do whatever I please to do."
"I know," I gulped, my heart beat picking up as my eyes immediately darted to the tight abs, my brain screaming at my fingers not to touch them while my wolf was urging me to. "But please can you?"
"Why?" His lips curled in a smirk, blue eyes twinkling. "Because it's distracting?"
"Yes," I replied before I knew it and immediately clamped my lids shut in embarrassment and cursed myself silently while Tobias chuckled.
"All the more reason I shouldn't wear a shirt then," he tapped my cheek with his thumb and turned around to seat at the head of the table while I opened my eyes slowly.
"I want to see how distracted you can be," he winked, voice light with amusement and for a moment I pondered on why people saw him as the heartless Alpha. "Come on, let's eat."
"Thank you for the meal," I said appreciatingly as I pulled out the closest chair to him on the left and got seated.
Halfway through the silent meal time we were sharing I asked the question which had been hovering over my head since I went to bed the previous night. "Now that I'm here, what's the next line of action?"
"I've scheduled a meeting with dignitaries of this pack and the elders council," he informed to my satisfaction. "Don't worry I have things all planned out."