CHAPTER 10: THE WOLF INSIDE
Ryder's POV
Don't flinch. I told myself with her in my hands. Her body fit perfectly against mine, trembling and damn close. Her breath was shaky.
Then that cough. I turned instinctively to see Viktor. He was smirking like a fool. "Did I interrupt something?"
I rolled my eyes and released Elodie from my grip. She didn't fall this time.
He took a step back as he noticed my frown. "No."
"My bad. Please, go on. Don't let me ruin the moment," he said, but it was already ruined.
Sometimes I wished I could rip the smile off his face. Elodie brushed her hair with her hands, looking anywhere but at me.
"Is anyone hungry?" Viktor said casually and we both stared at him.
"Yes," I said, walking away. I stopped when I knew no one was behind me and raised my arm to my nose. I sniffed, pleased I had her scent on me.
~
Elodie was twitching her fork. I found it cute. Viktor sat across from me grinning when he met my eyes. He was seated next to Elodie. I hated it. She could have sat anywhere else but near him.
"Ow," Viktor said. "Did you sleep well?"
"Do I look like I had a bad dream?" I responded.
"I wasn't talking to you," he said. "Let the lady talk."
"I tried to," she said shyly.
"Not used to the house, I see," he went on talking. "Maybe, Ryder could give you a personal tour."
I shot him a look. He must have a death wish. "That's never going to happen. Eat your food."
He did anything but was. His attention was fixed on her. "Hang on, you have something in your hair," he said and reached forward, picking a small white feather off her curls.
My grip on the fork tightened. My wolf roared. "How dare he touch what's mine?"
I calmed down, biting my cheeks on the inside. Elodie gave a small laugh. My heart danced at the sound. Why did she have to laugh with him and not me?
She thanked him. "Viktor," my heart raced.
He chuckled, completely ignorant of me. "I should take you around the garden sometime. There are different flower breeds. Lavender is my favourite. What's yours?"
The questions spilling from his lips were too much, and she answered. She didn't have a favorite on her. I watched them, grabbing my fork tightly and stabbing my steak.
They stopped, looking at me then continued talking.
My wolf was pacing inside me, restless. "She's laughing for him. Not us."
"Be quiet," I said, but he wasn't the type of wolf to get low easily.
My body jerked. "He touched her. We should cut his hands."
"He's my uncle. Killing him is not right," I replied, silently communicating with the mind link.
I picked up the glass of water, and sipped slowly, trying to calm the rage in my heart. Viktor kept talking, throwing stupid jokes. Her soft, sweet giggle and smile rose every second.
Why wouldn't they just eat quietly?
My group tightened and then…the glass shattered, scattering to the floor with water and my blood dripping from my palm.
They kept silent. Now, I had their attention.
"You're bleeding," Elodie gasped, rising from her seat and rushing to my side.
"I'm fine," I said.
"No, you're not," she said and picked the clean napkin on the table, held my palm, and cleaned the blood.
That touch. Her warm touch sent sparks to my body. She kept cleaning and I felt myself getting weaker. I pulled my hand away, leaving her shocked.
"It's fine," I said.
"But…" she started.
"It'll heal soon," I answered. "Are you going to finish eating or stand there?"
She moved, heading back to her seat and I felt stupid for talking. Why couldn't I shut my mouth?
That night, I couldn't sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her laugh at his jokes, and it drove me nuts.
My wolf wasn't calm either. He kept pacing, talking. "He's getting closer to her."
"That's not my problem."
"She's our mate. Why are you so stubborn about it?"
"You seem pretty healed from the last one."
"Pushing her away won't help us," my wolf complained.
"Neither would you running up in my head." I cut the mind link forcing myself to sleep.
~
My eyes opened when I heard the sound of a car's engine. Unlike the other wolves, I could hear at a much longer distance. This was closer.
I stepped out in the courtyard, dressed in casual clothes, and saw the walking breath of trouble heading towards me.
My younger brother, Draven. He was wild, carefree, the pack's playboy and never listened to instructions.
"Hey, brother, nice to see you," he cheered.
I wasn't pleased. I crossed my arms, watching him with a frown. "You're back, early."
He shrugged. "I got bored with the city and wanted to come home. Don't you miss me?"
His cheeky smile was the same. I rolled my eyes and walked into the house with him behind me.
"Your room's still the same," I said, and was about to walk away when I sensed Elodie. I looked up, and she was walking down the stairs.
Draven whistled, forcing my face to his side. "Well, well. Who is this?" He said slowly.
I didn't like his tone one bit. He walked up to her, held her hand and I was quicker, pulling his hand away from hers.
"She's off-limits," I declared.
Draven grinned. "I'm Draven," he said to her, acting like I didn't exist.
"Elodie," she answered.
"I'm Draven's younger brother," he introduced.
"She can tell," I cut in.
"Can I talk to the lovely lady by myself?"
"No," I said coldly. "Get your back up before I have you out the door."
He looked back at me, amused. "Chill, bro. I'm just being friendly. You are so cold."
My eyes squinted at him. He was never friendly. That was always a sign. "Would you like me to show you how nice I can be?" I asked and he paused.