Chapter 24
“Come along, we need to talk.” My voice cracked through the silence that enveloped the facade.
I called Caden out of the hallway as soon as I stepped down the stairs to check her room and make sure that she was OK. Cadens presence had confirmed my suspicion and had quietened the persistent question in my mind.
alone
I asked him to follow me down the passageway. As we walked, I told him in no uncertain terms that bringing Raya to the public was dangerous, and it put our whole pack at risk. “Do you not understand the dangers, Caden?” I asked him, my voice laced with anger. “This is not a game, and we cannot afford to take risks like this”
Caden tried to defend himself, but I cut him off. ‘I am not interested in excuses,” I told him firmly. “I want you to keep her away from the public. away from our pack, and away from anyone who might put her in danger, I don’t want to see her around here again. Understood?”
Caden looked surprised and brought up the fact that I seem to be defending her now, despite the fact that I seemed to hate Raya so much. are you suddenly defending her?” he asked. “I thought you hated her. I thought you wanted her dead.
Why
I growled low in my throat, frustrated that Caden was being so dense. “It’s not about defending her, I said through gritted teeth. “We cannot afford to have her out in the open like that. You should know better than to take such a risk.”
Caden looked down, chastened. 7 understand, Asher,” he said. “I won’t let it happen again.”
I nodded, feeling some of the tension leave my shoulders “Good. Now go back to the soiree and make sure to blend in with it all in case one of the dignitaries ask you about her. I’ll handle this.”
“What am I going to tell them?” He asked me, his brows coming together inquisitive.
“Tell them what a you have to tell them.” I said.
As he walked away, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated. Raya was a complication that I didn’t need, and the more I saw of her, the more I felt drawn to her. I had to keep her away from the pack, but at the same time, I couldn’t deny that something was brewing somewhere.
1 shook my head and let out a deep sigh, trying to push those thoughts aside. I had a pack to protect, and I couldn’t let anything get in the way of
that, well not for now.
I took a deep breath and knocked on Raya’s door. It was important that I made sure she was inside, safe and sound. I couldn’t risk any “Who’s there?” Raya asked from inside.
chances
I didn’t answer her. Instead, I yelled, “Open the fucking door I was angry, and I didn’t want to waste any time with small talk. As soon as she unlocked the door, I pushed it open forcefully, causing her to fall to the floor. I wasn’t happy with what I did, but I couldn’t bring myself to apologize because of my pride.
“Take off your clothes and change into something else. Wash off your makeup, and stay in this room until I give you further notice,” I said, my voice filled with anger.
She tried to protest, but as soon as she saw the expression on my face, she stopped talking and sat on the bed. I stared at her for a while, Hoic, before I finally barged out of the room.
my face
I couldn’t believe that Caden had brought her to the public area. I had warned him countless times about the dangers of bringing her out. It was clear that he didn’t take me seriously, and I was going to have to make him pay for his mistake.
I didn’t understand why I was so concerned about her well–being when I had made it clear to her that she should stay in her room.
I tried to push those thoughts aside and distract myself with other things, but I found myself constantly checking the time and wondering if she was okay.
I knew I had to stop this and focus on more important things but every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face and felt a sense of unease. I had never felt this way about anyone before, especially not a human. It was unsettling to say the least.
I tried to convince myself that it was just my protective instincts kicking in, but I knew deep
ep down that it was more than that. I couldn’t stop thinking about her, and it was starting to consume me.
I decided to walk back to the Chateau and speak with some people before retiring for the night to watch over Raya and make sure that she didn’t attempt anything stupid or stubborn, because the was very prone to doing so.
As I entered the grand ballroom, my eyes scanned the room, taking in the familiar faces of my Pack members. I saw Klaus and several other alphas who were deep in conversation. I knew I had to finish some of the businesses I had started earlier, so I made my way towards them.
As I approached, Klaus greeted me with a wide grin, and I could sense the playful glint in his eyes. “Asher, my old friend, how are you faring
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Chapter 24
tonight?” he said in a jovial tone and he was evidently drunk, he was only trying to die it but he seemed to be overdoing it.
“I’m doing well, Klaus,” I replied, matching his tone. Just had some business to attend to.”
“Business to attend to?” He asked, his face taking a very humorous twist. “Is there something you’re not telling me about that stunning lady? Is
there.”
“Oh, come on Klaus We laughed it off and joked about the women before I strode off to find Caden since I couldn’t find him where he was. He was getting on my nerves and I didn’t like it.
