My eyes for awhile, staring at the ceiling. My body felt heavy, but the lingering sensation of warmth on my hand made me pause. That dream… it hadn't felt like a dream at all. The touch of Anna's hand, brushing against my skin, had left a strange, almost electric trace, as if it had been real. I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake the feeling, but it clung to me stubbornly.
I glanced at the clock on my bedside table. 12:00 PM. My heart skipped a beat. How had I slept so long? I hurriedly swung my legs off the bed and stood, stretching, trying to shake off the lingering haze of sleep. My limbs protested, stiff from remaining in one position for too long, but the urgency of the day pushed me forward. A quick bath, a change of clothes, and I was ready. Still, the dream haunted me, replaying fragments of a beautiful woman, a baby bump, a family I didn't recognize, yet somehow I felt connected to it.
I descended the stairs to the ground floor, my steps cautious yet hurried. The familiar scent of the house grounded me slightly, but the memory of the dream left a subtle unease in my chest. In the living room, Kathy sat comfortably on the couch, her phone forgotten as she noticed me entering.
It seems Alexander had finally stopped Mia from attacking Kathy.
"Good afternoon," she said casually, though her eyes were sharp, immediately noticing the distant look in mine.
"Afternoon," I replied softly, forcing a smile.
"You slept for a long time today, not feeling well?" Kathy asked.
I shook my head and said, "I slept late last night."
Kathy nodded her head and said, "You must be hungry. I'll get the servants to serve breakfast for my one and only sister." She said with a smile and jogged to the kitchen.
She seems more than happy, now she was no more tied up to her room.
After she went to call the servants, breakfast or maybe lunch was served for me and Kathy sat opposite to accompany me.
As I ate my breakfast, the dream of last night still weighed my mind.
Kathy asked if something was off with me asked, "You're miles away. Something on your mind?"
I hesitated. The dream felt too strange to recount, yet the lingering warmth of Anna's hand and the reality of it compelled me to speak. "I… I had a dream," I confessed, walking toward her. "It was… different. So real it felt like I had left this world entirely."
Kathy raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. "Different how? You dreaming about someone?"
"Yes," I said. "A very beautiful woman… she had a baby bump, and for some reason, She called her Anna. I… I don't know why."
"Anna?" Kathy repeated, tilting her head. "So what's the problem with dreaming about a woman?"
"It wasn't just the dream," I said, my voice almost a whisper. "It felt real. I saw the Green Lineage Pack… and our grandfather, someone I never met. We… we even talked about our Late Uncle Rufus who seemed… the father of the baby." I swallowed, my hands twisting nervously in my lap. "I could feel her hands… the warmth… it felt like I had stepped into another world entirely."
Kathy laughed softly, shaking her head. "Elena, that's just your imagination running wild. Hallucinations, maybe. Or you were half asleep, half awake."
"I… it wasn't like that," I said quickly, but she only smiled and reached for my hand, squeezing it. "You worry about too many things. You've seen our uncle Rufus, Grandpa's picture, and your mind has spun a story around it. That's all."
I decided not to argue further, letting her words soothe the lingering unease.
Before I could dwell more, Kael entered the dining room and picked a red apple from the tray of fruits on the table, dressed in riding attire, boots polished, his jacket snug and comfortable. "Afternoon, ladies," he greeted, his voice friendly.
"Afternoon," we chorused.
Kathy's curiosity peaked immediately. "Where are you off to?"
Kael grinned. "We're heading to the forest for a ride. Want to join us?"
Kathy's eyes lit up. "We've never ridden horses before. That sounds amazing!"
Elena froze slightly. "I… I don't think I should," I muttered.
Kathy nudged me gently. "Come on, Elena. We've never tried it before. We should at least experience it."
I sighed, reluctantly agreeing. "Fine… but only because you insist."
Kael led us to the changing room, showing us the riding attire for ladies. Kathy picked hers out effortlessly, slipping into the snug outfit that fit her comfortably. I, however, struggled. Nothing seemed to fit right; every jacket felt too tight, every pair of pants slightly off. Kathy, noticing my frustration, shrugged. "I'll go meet the guys outside. Take your time."
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I found something wearable, even if a little snug. I hurried to the riding area, breath catching when I saw the horses lined up, their sleek coats glistening under the afternoon sun. Lucian, Kael and Alexander were already seated.
Alexander was on his horse, a tall white stallion with a proud neck and steady, attentive eyes. His posture was perfect, almost intimidating in its grace. Lucian and Kael were on either side, their horses equally impressive, muscular, and well-trained.
Kathy had mounted Kael's horse which was slightly smaller than Alexander and Lucian's.
Ensuring her own comfort and independence. She beamed with excitement.
Alexander's eyes swept over us and landed on me, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Took you long enough," he teased.
I ignored him, focusing on a horse that was being fed not too from where I stood. The animal's dark mane shimmered in the sunlight, and I felt a shiver of nervousness.
I wanted to ride a horse myself but I don't want to be thrown away.
I didn't know which horse to ride, and just as I approached Lucian's, Alexander was suddenly at my side.
"Here," he said, his hand gripping my elbow, "you're coming with me."
Before I could protest, he lifted me effortlessly onto his white horse. My hands instinctively gripped the reins, heart thudding wildly, and my legs hovered uncertainly. Alexander mounted behind me, his hands steadying me against the horse's strong back.
"Hold the reins," he instructed, his breath grazing my ear.
I froze, my face heating instantly as memories of last night, the teasing, the closeness flooded back. I obeyed, gripping the reins tightly as the horse shifted beneath us.
Alexander's presence was both grounding and unnerving. His body was close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from him.
He simply adjusted our balance subtly, ensuring I wouldn't fall. His calm control made me feel oddly protected, even as i didn't trust him one bit.
"Slow today, huh?" he murmured, the teasing in his voice undeniable.
I argued, "I'm not slow. I'm careful," I retorted, cheeks flushing further.
"Careful," he repeated, smirking. "Sure. You're taking your time… too much time, that's all."
I ignored him, focusing on the horse and trying to maintain composure.
Kathy was already ahead, laughing as Kael guided the horse with patience. Lucian followed closely behind, attentive and focused. Alexander nudged our horse forward, setting a steady pace.
The horse moved gracefully, muscles rippling beneath me, ears flicking at the smallest sounds. Its white coat was a rich, dappled brown, strong and powerful, with eyes that seemed almost intelligent. My hands ached slightly from gripping the reins, but Alexander's presence reassured me or did it?
He could just decide to throw me off this horse this second. Him being nice to me was one of the things I'll never be used to.
"You're doing fine," he said quietly. "Just keep your back straight, feet in the stirrups."
"Yes, sir," I muttered, annoyed at his teasing tone but grateful for his guidance.
He chuckled low, clearly amused by my terse response. "Good. Listen, if you had been any slower, I would have carried you all the way here."
I groaned silently. "You think I need carrying?"
"Maybe not," he said, his voice softening, "but I wasn't taking any chances."
I clenched my jaw deciding not to retort as every word of his always comes out annoying.
"You're gripping the reins too tightly," he said, leaning slightly closer. "You'll tire your hands."
"I'm trying not to fall," I muttered, wishing I could hide my embarrassment.
"If you fall, I'd catch you." he teased.
I rolled my eyes, not enjoying the way his presence made me both annoyed and flustered.
As we rode, the wind rushed past, tangling my hair. I couldn't help but notice Alexander's ease as he rode the horse, his movements fluid and confident. He occasionally brushed against me accidentally, shifting slightly to guide the horse, and each time, I felt a blush rise to my cheeks.
This was way more embarrassing as I expected it to be. I was riding with the man I hated the most in the world.