Chapter Eleven

Kiran also yearned for answers, but he discovered that the urgency had somewhat diminished. It was as if they had lost some of their significance, now that Gwyneth had been located. It wasn’t that his desire for knowledge had waned. He still longed to unravel the mysteries surrounding his kind and ensure their safety. However, the trail that led to these individuals behind his problems could also help Gwyneth find her way back, which meant saying goodbye, and it put Kiran in a difficult position.

No! his wolf vehemently protested. She stays!

“We cannot force her.” He sighed.

Then let us not. Let us give her a reason.

“A reason?”

To stay! Even if she has an opportunity to go home, let us show her why she should not.

“A reason…” Kiran mumbled, intrigued by his wolf’s suggestion.

Perhaps he could persuade Gwyneth to remain. Having lived through thirty-four winters, he had never encountered his mate, yet now that she had appeared, and was talking about leaving, he wasn’t even sure he could permit her to go anywhere. But maybe he could demonstrate to her that being in his world wouldn’t be unpleasant and that she didn’t need to return to her own to find happiness. The very idea brought a smile to his face.

“How will we convince her?” Kiran asked.

Continue showing her our world. Mirana asked her the same thing: What if she could learn to love our world? Wouldn’t that make her want to stay?

“I guess it would.”

Then work on that, and let us see where it takes us.

Kiran nodded, determined to demonstrate to Gwyneth the positive sides of staying with him and embracing his world.

***

When Gwyneth woke up, sunlight was streaming through a small crack in the curtains. She groaned and rubbed her eyes before glancing around the room. “Kiran?” she called out, but she found herself alone in bed, still dressed.

She had believed she was fine and not that exhausted, but the fact that she had slept through the day and night indicated otherwise. With newfound energy, she quickly dressed just as Kiran entered the room, wearing new clothes as well. Gwyneth had only managed to put on her shirt when he arrived, and he smiled upon seeing her awake.

“Finally,” he said.

“What?”

“You’re awake.”

“I guess you were right,” she admitted. “I did need some sleep.”

Kiran smiled before he approached her and planted a light kiss on her lips. Then he stepped back. Gwyneth savored the kiss and couldn’t help but smile back at him.

“Let’s go get you something to eat, and then we are going riding,” he suggested.

“We are… what?”

“Riding.”

“But we were going to work now.”

“No, we are going riding. I still have a lot to show you,” he informed her, then turned and walked away.

Gwyneth couldn’t help but feel intrigued by Kiran’s enthusiasm. She quickly followed him, though she didn’t like his suggestion at all. There was only one thing on her mind, and it certainly wasn’t going riding. “Kiran, we have work! Important work!” she protested.

“And it can wait,” he replied with determination.

“No, it can’t!” Gwyneth insisted as she caught up to him, walking downstairs and into the dining room. “Kiran!” she continued to voice her concerns.

However, he seemed to be ignoring her and instead greeted the group seated at the dining table, who were enjoying their breakfast.

“Come!” he called out to her and waved her over when he reached the head of the table.

Reluctantly, Gwyneth shook her head but walked closer and sat down beside him. She turned to Kiran, feeling frustrated. “Seriously.”

“What?” he replied with a hint of amusement.

“We should work,” she emphasized.

“And we will be working,” he reassured her.

“How?”

“By going riding, you will learn the lay of the land. You will gain a better understanding of this world.”

“I’m looking for the ones trying to ruin your world,” Gwyneth reminded him.

“Yes, and by understanding our world, we might find clues as to where they might be hiding,” Kiran added.

Yet, Gwyneth couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this ride than met the eye. Why was it so important to him?

“I can’t ride,” she confessed.

“What?” Kiran seemed genuinely surprised.

“I can’t ride. I can drive a car, but I can’t ride,” she reiterated.

“What the fuck is a car?” one of the others at the table chimed in.

“It’s something that can go very fast,” Gwyneth explained.

“Faster than a horse?”

“Much faster.”

“How do you not know how to ride?” Kiran asked.

“I live in a city. Riding isn’t necessary there. Even if I lived in the countryside, it wouldn’t be a skill I’d need,” Gwyneth clarified.

“How do you get around, then?” Kiran inquired.

“With a car.”

“I don’t know what that is?” Kiran admitted, sounding even more confused.

“It’s like a box on wheels.”

“A carriage?”

“Yes, but this one doesn’t need horses to make it move. It moves on its own,” she tried to explain.

“How?”

“With a motor.”

“I’m becoming more and more confused,” Kiran admitted, causing Gwyneth to chuckle.

“Even if I explained the complexity of it, I don’t think I’d make you any less confused,” she admitted.

“No, probably not,” Kiran agreed. “But it doesn’t change the fact that you will come riding with me. We will just share the same horse.”

“Wouldn’t that exhaust the poor creature?” Gwyneth wondered.

“Our ride won’t be long,” Kiran assured her.

Gwyneth sighed, realizing that Kiran was not going to budge on this matter.