Brittany looked back at the cook and her stare was a silent urge for her to leave. With an understanding nod, she bowed and stepped back, disappearing into the kitchen. Brittany wanted to tell her she could leave the house entirely now that her work was done, but she felt that would sound a bit rude.
Hesitantly, she reached over, stretching to pick up the phone. She answered the call with the swipe of her thumb and the blaring tune stopped, leaving the room in silence. She cleared her throat.
"W-Why did you…" She spoke first, "…call?"
"Brittany…" He took her by surprise when he said her name in a low, breathless voice. "…I'm sorry it took me so long to ca--" A thud interrupted his words, sounding like bodies colliding and tumbling to the ground.
Brittany pushed herself to her feet quickly, her grip tightening on the phone. "Nathan." She called. She had a really bad feeling. Just where had he been? What was he doing?
"W-Where are you? Are you hurt?"
Silence.
"Nathan!"
The unsettling silence continued for a while longer, before a sudden grunt calmed her racing heart. "Fuck." He huffed. "Sorry, there was a minor interruption. But why must you be so cute when we are so far apart? Are you worried about me? I bet you've been eagerly waiting for your husband's return. Rest assured, I've missed you too."
"W-What?" Wide-eyed, her fingers curled into her dress in discomfort. "No! T-That's not…." She bit her lip. "…Y-You speak this way even after what you've done? Your father seemed really upset." She steered the conversation in the direction it was to go. "What…will you do?"
"What will I do? Hmm." She heard a crunch, like a bone cracking, then a sigh. "Nothing…as long as you remain untouched."
"Me?" Dread twisted the pit of her stomach. "Am I…in danger?"
She held her breath when his answer was delayed for a second too long.
"Its possible…" He uttered. "…since I've been dealing with a shit ton of pests on the way back. I'm assuming father's presence has already been requested by the council? Well, I don't mind the extra work, its not everyday my brother spares me so much attention. However, should anything happen to you…if anyone hurts you, I don't think I'd be able to let it pass like I've always done."
"I don't understand…" She lowered herself back into her chair when her legs threatened to give out, and fidgeted nervously with one end of the table cloth.
"You don't have to understand just yet. You're at home, right? I'm just about done. I'll get there in around an hour, but I just wanted to make sure that you're okay."
"I'm fine…" She choked out, "I haven't seen anyone since the party, except for Miss Wensley."
"Then stay inside. If anyone comes by, I need you to remember every face you see. Can you do that for me?"
Brittany pressed her lips tightly together and fell silent. Was he telling her to expect someone, perhaps an executioner?! How was she to remember faces when dead?!
She didn't exactly have a hand in that woman's death yet she was getting caught up in their pack's troubles. And Nathan, who committed the actual crime, ran away from the repercussions to god knows where.
How long would he keep her around, drowning in the fear of never getting out alive?
"I understand…" She finally said, just as footsteps rounded the corner. Her eyes darted to Miss Wensley who had entered the dining room. The woman mouthed that she was leaving then bowed her head as she slipped by the table, hurriedly heading towards the front door. Brittany watched her back as she left, cocking her head. Why was she suddenly in a rush?
"I scared you…didn't I?" Nathan continued to say, "I left without a word because there was something I had to take care of urgently."
"Something?"
"Things were moving faster than I anticipated and certain people knew more than they should've. It was my mistake. I should've been more careful. But I took care of it. Its done, everything is done. And considering how it's a full moon tonight, I think it's the perfect time to tie our fates. Then, you'll be able to feel it too…our bond…"
Brittany's brows furrowed. Once again, he mentioned a bond that did not exist. He didn't want her to ask questions and yet he kept saying the most confusing things.
"When you say that…what do you mean? What's done? Why…do you keep saying things yo---"
"You'll understand this time." He promised, "When I return, I swear you'll know exactly what I mean. For now, I'll be back. Wait for me, alright?" An abrupt beep followed those words, signaling the end of the call. He didn't even give her the chance to finish speaking.
She pulled the phone from her ear and looked down at the dark screen, frowning. She hated this kind of cluelessness more than anything. What exactly was she going to understand? The reason he kept spouting nonsense? Or his strange obsession for her?
Even his own brother said it was ridiculous to think he truly held any kind of feelings for her in his heart. Larson had barely met her, yet it was as if he could already sniff out how worthless she was. Her pack despised her, her friends didn't need her and her mate didn't love her in the slightest. Nathan should be no different. That was why, more than anything else, thoughts of if and why him of all people cared for her perplexed her the most.
But she had grown tired of trying to understand. Of course, it felt like there was more to this situation than she could ever imagine, a lot more. And she wasn't blind to the red flags. But she was beginning to wonder… if there could really be something between them that she could not feel. What if…there was truly a bond, a strange twist of fate that tied her to a man that wasn't Miles?
She told herself she was being naïve, yet the thought somehow warmed her battered heart.
For sure, the greatest threat to her life was the fact that he brought her here, within his pack. But even though he was secretive and menacing, she felt Nathan was also gentle and affectionate with her. It made it impossible not to want to believe that he truly wanted to protect her. Whatever his intentions were, she wanted to believe that he was the only one left in the world that meant well.
Sighing, Brittany set the phone on the table face down and got up. She could smell the food from the kitchen, but she didn't feel like eating. She had already showered a bit ago, but she thought perhaps another shower would give her mind a moment's rest.
Tying her hair into a ponytail, she clutched her dress with one hand and gripped the banister with the other, slowly ascending the stairs. He said he would return and that she should wait. She could only do as he said.
But a sudden knock on the door made her freeze.
Nathan told her another hour, he would not have arrived just after finishing the call. Or did Miss Wensley forget something?
Brittany turned, sniffing the air. Indeed, she could smell the cook's scent, but just before that could settle her mind, she picked up on another scent, one that she didn't recognize.
Despite her unease with the unexpected company, Brittany stepped off the stairs and slowly made her way towards the front door. Even if she listened to her gut and ignored those knocks, she was sure Miss Wensley could find her way inside anyway.
Wiping her sweaty palm in her dress, Brittany reached for the knob, twisting and opening the door. She peeked outside hesitantly, and was greeted by two figures. Miss Wensley who stood by the doorway, quickly steered her gaze to the floor as soon as Brittany opened the door and a man loomed over her from behind, tall and muscular. His shoulder-length, ginger hair was thrown over one side of his face and she could only see one of his blue eyes as his stare seared into her soul. His hostility was instant.
"Sir Larson has called for you."