Chapter 5

Artemisia We walk back to the pack house more or less silently. The silence is only disrupted by me commenting on the garden or the house. As we reach the front yard of my home, I gesture along the paths splitting in front of us. “This way you reach the back of the house.” I look up at him, expecting his gaze to be directed to the house, only to find him looking at me. And as the massive flirt I am, I blush terribly while I stutter, “Erm… There is like a garden with high bushes designed as a… well… like a… around a set of fountains…” I remember my brother telling me how he saw Alpha Blackwood punish a warrior for having stuttered in front of him when he had visited the Blood Fang Pack territory. So, I’m a bit frozen at seeing a slight smile on his lips. “And over there would be the lake.” I clear my throat, trying to shake off the feeling of his eyes burning into my skin. “There are a few benches and flowers and a playground for the kids.” Oh, Goddess. Shut up! “It’s nice there.” I press my lips together as I avoid his gaze to look at the path that leads to the lake. This is so embarrassing. “Show me then.” “Huh?” My eyes dart up to his, and he makes a small gesture with his head. “Show me.” He says, his deep baritone making my heart skip a beat. Goddess, I’ve been engaged. When did I get back to act like a lovesick teenager? “Sure. This way, if you please, Alpha Blackwood.” As I walk in front of him on the dirt path, I concentrate on not tripping over my dress with my high heels as I feel his overwhelming presence following me closely. Reached the lake, and I let go of my skirt to turn around to him. “Tadaaan,” I say a bit too enthusiastically. “You really like it here, do you?” I nod, making him chuckle. Again, I find myself drawn to him as I think of how I could listen to him chuckling for hours. Oh, no! Am I crushing on our tormentor’s Alpha? We walk to a bench a few steps away from us and stare at the lake silently. I push down the urge to say something just to end the silence as it will definitely be embarrassing. Thinking about how it’s not awkward at all and how much I feel at ease with him, has me worrying. I bite the nail of my thumb thinking about the last time I felt like this in the company of a man. But seeing all the horrible dates I had after breaking up with Riccardo, there is really no surprise. Oh, Goddess! He isn’t my mate, is he? Before my panic can rise drastically, I calm myself down, as his scent must have been enough for me to spot him as my second chance mate. And even if his scent is mouthwatering, it isn’t screaming mate. “Is that a quirk of yours?” I look at him confused, finding him smiling. The hell?! “Erm… what?” “You do that pretty often. Also, during the ceremony.” His eyes fall to my lips, and I remove my hand swiftly. “Oh, yes. Sorry, it’s… I do it without thinking.” “Don’t worry.” He says, directing his eyes back to the lake as he leans back on the bench. “It’s adorable, actually.” My heart beats so fast, that I risk deafening at the loud thuds in my ears. “Oh… Thank you.” I’m glad that he is looking at the lake as I must be looking like the most embarrassing tomato on earth. As I risk a look, I find him watching the surface of the lake concentrated. And I must say that he is quite the eye-catcher. It’s not only that he is tall and broadly built but also his squared jaw, the dark expressive eyes, and the high cheekbones that must set every she-wolf under a spell. The way the moon shines on his features has him looking even more gorgeous. And now you are drooling. He clenches his jaw shortly before he turns to me, lifting his brow. The action tears me out of my daydream, but I guess it is too late to regain some of my decency. Goddess, he must be able to hear my heartbeat go crazy. So embarrassing. “You are the daughter of Alpha Franco, right?” “Yeah.” I spit out, maybe a bit too loudly. As if I was answering the question of my favorite teacher enthusiastically. “I’m his favorite, actually.” Goddess, can’t you stop me?! His chuckling anew makes me feel less stupid, even if it doesn’t take my wish for a black hole to swallow me this instant away. “I bet on that.” He jokes, making my heart sing. “But honestly, I’m so lucky. My brothers are the best, even if they are too protective most of the time.” “Well, if I had a sister like you, I would probably lock her up somewhere to keep her from all the creeps around.” I laugh out loud, and he shakes his head. “Seriously. I would have nearly started a war at Ricky-boy just breathing in your direction.” I’m fighting for air as I crack up while he just smirks at me. “Oh, Goddess!” I push out a deep breath and wipe a tear from my eye. “I don’t think anyone wants to risk a war with you, Alpha Blackwood.” “Cayden.” He growls, making me stare at him wide-eyed. He didn’t really ask me to be on a first-name basis with him. ‘And we will be thankful for this opportunity and not decline it to bring shame upon ourselves and our pack.’ My wolf says disparagingly, and I gasp as I haven’t heard from her since the day we were rejected. “Sure, erm… Alpha Cayden.” I feel my face heat up as he leans in, growling. “Drop the Alpha.” Oh, dear. Caressing a strand of hair behind my ear, I push down Cassy whimpering in my head. “I’d be honored to, Cayden,” I say, feeling as if my tongue had become numb. “All my pleasure, Missy.”