14. Chapter 14

Chapter 14

-Reese-

N aomi hadn’t exactly seemed thrilled by the prospect of a bond between us or having to spend time with me. Both reactions had been deeply displeasing, enough to fuel my fury. I longed for her to desire my company. When she mentioned the idea of rejecting each other, it ignited my anger. It wasn’t solely due to the fear of insanity. Rather, it was the thought of it that made me feel disgusted. Despite my resistance to our connection, a part of me yearned for it, making rejection unacceptable. We would simply have to see where this journey led us.

However, displeasure with our situation extended beyond just my family. When I explained the problem and the potential solution to Rosa, it had hurt her deeply. She hadn’t spoken to me all night, keeping her distance. The next day, she continued to avoid me, and I couldn’t blame her. Fortunately, we both found solace in our work, momentarily escaping the strain our complicated situation placed on our bond.

As night fell, a new responsibility beckoned, one I surprisingly didn’t feel entirely reluctant about. Standing up from my chair, I felt the weight of everyone’s gaze.

“I will be going,” I stated, feeling the discomfort in the room. “We can continue the work later.”

Silence followed, and the thumping of my heart reverberated in my ears. As I turned to leave, it felt like everyone knew about an affair no one dared to address. I sighed, exiting the office, steeling myself for what lay ahead.

Pushing aside my nerves, I searched for Naomi, but she seemed to have vanished. The more I looked, the more frustrated I became. Could she truly be avoiding me? She had been very reluctant to even spend time with me.

You did throw her into prison and accuse her of trying to seduce you , my wolf pointed out.

“You think I did that with a happy feeling? I didn’t desire to throw her into prison, but you must see that this situation is odd,” I countered.

I didn’t say I didn’t see it, but the little thing is obviously hiding.

“You don’t hide from an Alpha,” I growled, my frustration mounting. I resolved to wait in the living room, hoping she would emerge eventually.

Settling into a chair, I crossed one leg over the other, drumming my fingers on my knee.

You should have decided on a place to meet , my wolf chastised.

“I didn’t anticipate having to search. I am the Alpha!” I retorted.

She doesn’t seem impressed by your status. Remember what she said? She’ll be seen as a social climber. It’s a dangerous situation to dive into headfirst , my wolf reasoned.

He had a point. Perhaps Naomi was weighing her options. But what alternative did we have? She had proposed rejection, but the thought left a bitter taste in my mouth. In that moment, I realized that rejecting Naomi was simply inconceivable in my current state.

“Stupid instincts,” I muttered.

What do you mean? my wolf inquired.

“Alphas typically form deep attachments to their mates. I can’t even entertain the idea of rejecting Naomi without feeling a pang of bitterness.”

But we don’t know if it would even work , my wolf reminded me.

“True, but her avoidance won’t solve anything.”

She does seem rather timid, doesn’t she? my wolf observed, his tone softening.

“It’s not uncommon for lower-ranking wolves,” I remarked.

Yet she makes it seem endearing.

“Let’s not rush into anything. We still need to understand why we feel this way about her,” I cautioned.

Perhaps I’m just adjusting more quickly , my wolf suggested.

“That’s not necessarily a positive thing. Have you lost interest in Rosa?” I asked pointedly.

My wolf fell silent, leaving me puzzled. His response should have been straightforward, but instead, his silence left me uneasy.

“Well?” I pressed.

Just find Naomi! he growled at me.

“Don’t snap at me,” I hissed back.

I rolled my eyes, knowing this waiting was starting to get ridiculous. You didn’t make an Alpha wait, and once I got my hands on Naomi, I was certainly going to have a word with her. I pushed up from the couch and began searching once more before wondering if she might have gone home. Where did she even live?

But as I was walking down one of the hallways, I heard a strange thud. I looked around, seeing no one there but me. However, a door caught my attention. There was nothing special about it, except, as I came closer, I noticed someone had broken the handle. It hung loosely down the side, obviously not usable anymore.

I reached out, breaking it off before ripping the door open. The moment I did, someone tumbled out, and I caught the person before they hit the ground.

As I helped steady them, I noticed a slight tingle in my body from where we were touching, and when I looked down, I saw who it was. Careful, with a bit of a shy look, Naomi stared up at me, her eyes blinking fast, and she seemed a little tearful. I gazed into the room she had been in, seeing there was no window.

“How long have you been in there?” I inquired, as she took a step back, yet my hands didn’t leave her arms.

She sniffled a little.

“W-What time is it?” she asked.

“It’s five in the evening.”

“Then most of the midday,” she admitted in a low voice.

“Why didn’t you call for help?”

“I… did.”

I began seeing a clearer picture here, and I shook my head. It seemed Naomi had already been branded, and I did not enjoy it. Out of instinct, I reached up, wiping her wet cheek, but she seemed even more reluctant to be near me, obviously because of what she had just endured.

“It won’t happen again,” I stated.

“Of course it will,” she whispered, looking at the ground.

Do something. She is upset.

I didn’t know what to do, so I ignored my wolf’s words.

“I will make sure it doesn’t.”

“Please, Alpha Reese, it’s already starting,” she murmured before she tried walking away, but I seized her below her elbow, keeping her back. She turned, gazing at me with a confused expression.

“You’re mine for the evening,” I reminded her, her eyes growing wide as if she had forgotten.

“I-I think we should wait,” she stammered.

“No waiting. You’re mine for the evening,” I repeated, relishing saying those words more than I should.

She sighed, letting her shoulders slump. She certainly wasn’t interested in being around me for a few hours, but we needed to. I couldn’t figure out these confusing feelings if we didn’t.

“C-Can I eat something first?” she murmured.

“Yeah, let’s get you something to eat.”

“Y-You’re coming with me?”

“If we are to spend time together, then it might be a good idea to eat a little as well,” I suggested.

She nodded, understanding the significance of eating together for wolves. I let her arm go, and we walked side by side, Naomi subtly drying her wet cheeks and trying to seem more composed. But the sight of her upset cut me deep, deeper than I had ever been cut by anything, and I had been stabbed before. I sighed, wanting to do something for her, but I still felt rather afraid of this strange connection between us.

I ended up being quiet instead, following her into the kitchen. She went directly to the fridge, starting to make herself something to eat. Others were in the room, soon going to get started on dinner. I noticed the way they watched her with disdain in their eyes, thinking she relished this situation. A dark rumble left me, akin to a low growl, and they all snapped their eyes to me before lowering them in submission.

I moved in behind Naomi in a shielding manner, and when she felt me, she turned around, gazing up at me, confused.

“Continue,” I urged.

“D-Do you have to stand so close?”