Chapter 43
While I haven’t been banned from anywhere in the estate, it’s been more understood than not that I have no reason to be certain places anymore. Showing up at random on one of the brothers‘ floors is probably a bad look for me..
Especially when it’s Hugh’s floor. Especially this late at night.
My face burns hot at the sudden realization. Is that what Declan thinks? That I’ve come here for some sort of late night booty call. I was the one who rejected Hugh earlier today! Though I can’t tell Declan that.
-I can’t really explain myself at all.
“I just wanted to see if Hugh was home yet,” I say.
“Why?” Declan asks.
“Uh… I have something to ask him…”
Declan narrows his gaze. “You are a shit liar.”
My words clog up in my throat. Whatever reasoning I was about to make up gets lost there and I’m speechless for a moment.
In that moment, Declan places his hands on the wall on either side of me. Then, he leans down, his face so near mine. My gaze is prisoner to his. I crane my neck up to look at him. Our noses are only an inch apart.
“Tell me,” he says, his voice low and rough, like he’s furious. “Do you often come to Hugh’s floor in the middle of the night?”
Why would he be angry about that, even if it was true?
“No,” I tell him.
He must be able to see it’s the truth this time, though his expression doesn’t change. It remains hard–edged, the cold in his eyes freezing me over.
I wait on edge for a long few seconds, before with a dismissive chuff, he steps back from me. Immediately, he turns his body away so that he isn’t even looking at me anymore.
“Get the hell out of here. Go back to bed where you belong,” he said.
He doesn’t have to tell me twice. Quickly I scurry away.
Though, strangely, as I rush into the stairwell, a hint of disappointment washes over me.
Had I wanted something else to happen with Declan?
I stay in bed, unable to sleep, staring at the ceiling until I’m called to help make breakfast for the brothers.
I suppose this is my lot in life now. Even more than before, I will be called on to serve the Alphas. While the future seems bleak for me, at the moment, I’m happy just to have something to do to distract myself.
I like the servants too, usually, though they are quiet towards me today. I wonder if this is part of my new life, if no one of any social ranking with want to associate with me. I feel like some kind of pariah.
When the dishes are ready, I’m given Conrad’s plate of pancakes and fruit to take out to the dining room and the main tal where the brothers, Sylvia, and Diana are already seated. Peeking out, I notice that Hugh isn’t among them.
He still hasn’t returned from last night?
Fresh worry cooks up inside of me. No one else seems particularly alarmed by his absence, but to me, the thought of him in some kind of sex–addled haze has my entire chest tied up in knots.
One of the servants pushes me toward the door. “Go, before it gets cold.”
Chapter 43
Realizing what I’m doing, and what I need to do, I hurry forward toward the table. No one even looks at me.
My chest hurts so much, the pain seems to pang through the rest
my body.
My feet feel sluggish. My strength is leaving me. Everything’s going dark around the edges.
Just as I reach the edge of the table, I start to fall.
I see Conrad move towards me.
→ +25 BONUS
Then, nothing.
Today’s Bonus Offer
