Chapter 6

Ariel’s POV Trent watched me intently as I bit into the sandwich. The silence between us grew heavier with each passing second. I could feel his gaze on me, making me feel uncomfortable. My fingers trembled slightly but not so obvious as I reached for the glass of juice, pretending not to notice how observant he was being. My stomach grumbled again suddenly. “Eat. It’s obvious you hadn’t had a proper meal in days,” he teased lightly, the corners of his lips lifting in amusement. I nodded, still feeling a bit nervous. He didn’t press further, just watched me with those intense eyes that seemed to see right through me. It was unnerving and I was becoming more uncomfortable. A moment passed before my thoughts caught up with me again. The hushed voices I’d overheard earlier rang loud and sharp in my memory. My thoughts churned, spiraling back to the hushed conversation I’d overheard yesterday. Alpha Trent’s venomous words about avenging his father, his belief that I was Alpha Matteo’s daughter, coming to his pack with an ulterior motive. The memory sent a chill down my spine, and my fingers tightened around the glass of juice. And the fact that Alpha Trent believed I was the daughter to his enemy and that of his father made me question my stay here. I was in the lion’s den. Maybe I would pay for the crimes of my father or perhaps Trent would make me suffer as much as my father made his father suffer. “Can I ask you something?” I said, placing the half-eaten sandwich back on the tray. He raised a brow. “Only if it doesn’t come with a side of you running off again.” “I won’t run.” I replied. I hesitated for a moment, not knowing if it was right to question him. But then, I summon my courage to speak. “Why didn’t you think twice before helping me and sheltering me?” His expression shifted ever so slightly as he creased his brows. Unbeknownst to my question and braveness. Then I continued. “You didn’t even hesitate. You didn’t ask questions or demand explanations. I could’ve been anyone… someone dangerous, even.” I paused. “Why would you take a stranger into your home?” He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest, his lips twitching into a smirk. “Little lamb.” He called. “Because we’re mates, little lamb. That’s reason enough for me.” The moment he said that, I felt the mate pull but I ignored it. This isn’t the time to feel emotional. And that wasn’t the answer I had expected. He never seem to be serious, always jovial and its beginning to annoy me now. I looked at him, unsure how to phrase what I truly felt about the whole thing. “But that shouldn’t be the only reason. What if I was lying to you? What if I had ulterior motives?” He chuckled, an amused, hearty laugh. “Are you trying to convince me you’re dangerous? A murderer? Should I start watching my back around you now?” He questioned, more like he was teasing me. I wouldn’t know. But his words made me feel shivers run down my spine. I couldn’t deny it that I was becoming more afraid around him. “I’m not dangerous.” I snapped. Trent leaned forward and chuckled. “Because you just said it yourself,” he replied calmly. I blinked. “Said what?” “That you could betray me, that you could have ulterior motives. People with bad intentions don’t usually announce the possibility of betrayal so openly.” He grinned. “That’s what makes you not trustworthy.” My breath hitched slightly at how easily he turned my words around. “You’re joking.” “Half-joking,” he winked. I swallowed hard, the moment suddenly too heavy for my chest. “So tell me little lamb. Would you want me to find out everything about you or you tell me yourself?” He questioned, now looking serious. The teasing faded from his features, and I could feel the shift in the air. “Do you want me to find out everything about you?” he asked again. Was it that the facade of a good person he had been wearing had expired and he would torture and question me and make me confess to crimes I had no idea of? He studied me for a long beat, then leaned back again with a shrug. “Alright. I’ll wait. When you’re ready to tell me, I’ll be here.” That simple statement, so casual and relaxed, scared me more than if he’d threatened me. My heart skipped a beat, not in affection, but in dread. Did he already suspect something? Did he know more than he let on? “And if I refuse?” I questioned. Trent’s smirk returned, but there was something softer behind it this time. “Then I’ll have to throw a dramatic tantrum, curse the moon goddess, and mourn the loss of my beautiful mate.” I stared at him, stunned by his response. “That’s… not funny.” His words are scaring me. “You’re right. It’s not,” he said, smile fading just enough to reveal the sincerity beneath. “Little lamb,” he called, taking few steps closer as he sat next to me, his eyes boring tenderly into mine. “Whenever you’re ready to let me in on your past,” he continued, “I’ll be here, waiting patiently. There’s no rush getting to know each other.” He crouched slightly, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “No more questions. Eat.” He said. He didn’t wait for my response as he took the sandwich from the tray and began to feed me. I took the first bite and then took a sip of my juice when suddenly, Trent’s phone buzzed. He brought out his phone from his pocket. The moment he laid eyes on the screen, his expression changed into something cold and emotionless.