Chapter 8
A smile danced upon my lips as our eyes met, a silent understanding passing between us. It was a connection that felt both familiar and foreign, like two souls recognizing each other in a crowded room.
But I knew better than to let myself get lost in the depths of those bright eyes. I had learned the hard way that protecting myself meant more than just physical strength; it meant guarding my heart from potential pain.
I quickly averted my gaze, only to find Elijah's eyes fixed on me, his gaze unwavering. Unbeknownst to me, he had been watching me closely, studying my every move. I returned his smile, but the presence of Alpha Henrick reminded me of the boundaries that needed to be upheld.
Weary from the battle, I bid farewell to my companions, expressing my need for rest. Alpha Henrick, ever the gentleman, offered to escort me to my room, and I graciously accepted. Side by side, we walked down the dimly lit corridor, the silence between us filled with unspoken words.
Finally, we reached the entrance to my room, and as I prepared to bid him goodnight, I caught a glimpse of something in his eyes. It was a look that held a secret, a hidden message waiting to be revealed. My curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn't resist asking. His response caught me off guard, and laughter bubbled up from within me, releasing the tension that had been building throughout the night.
"Why do you harbor such envy towards Elijah?" I inquired, a mischievous grin adorning my lips.
"I can't help but notice the peculiar way the two of you interact. Is there something more than meets the eye?" he asked, his curiosity evident.
"Do you truly believe I would find interest in him?" I retorted, a playful smile dancing on my face as I raised an eyebrow.
"Perhaps," he responded, his words carefully chosen.
Summoning my courage, I leaned in closer to him. However, my attention was momentarily diverted when I noticed his lips up close. They possessed a vibrant shade of red, almost feminine, yet undeniably strong. Oh, Clara, what thoughts are crossing your mind?
"I am not one to easily develop feelings for another," I stated, a smile lingering on my lips as I locked eyes with him.
I held my breath, captivated by his gaze. I couldn't deny that his face was a sight to behold. After a brief moment, I turned away and began to walk away from him.
"Goodnight, Alpha," I said, a smile still adorning my face.
"Goodnight, my future Luna," he replied, his smile matching mine.
Suddenly, a fluttering sensation filled my stomach. I quickly shut the door and took a deep breath, attempting to quell the unfamiliar emotions. His words were sweet, a stark contrast to his true nature.
With my arms crossed, I stood by the window for a few minutes, gazing out at the wolves guarding the Castle.
The following morning, a knock on the door jolted me awake. I quickly got up and made my way to the door. As I opened it, I was greeted by Martha, who had brought me breakfast on a tray. She smiled at me and I returned the gesture.
"Come on in, Martha," I said, stepping aside to let her in.
"Thank you," she replied, bowing slightly.
After she left, I sat down at the small table and devoured the food hungrily. Once I was done, I headed to the bathroom for a quick shower. As I was getting dressed, there was another knock on the door. I wrapped a towel around my body and went to answer it, only to find Alpha Henrick standing there with a smile on his face.
"Hey, Alpha," I exclaimed, my eyes widening in surprise as I spotted him.
"Hey there, Clara. Sorry to interrupt, but you might want to get dressed first," he said, quickly averting his gaze from my towel-clad body.
I couldn't help but tease him, lowering the towel slightly and asking, "Why? Don't you like what you see?"
His tone turned serious as he pleaded, "Clara, please."
His reaction only made me laugh, knowing that beneath his tough exterior, he was still a gentleman at heart.
That familiar fluttering sensation in my stomach returned, but I pushed it aside, not wanting to dwell on it for too long. Instead, I changed the subject, showing him the dress I had chosen.
"Do you think this is okay for me?" I inquired, seeking his opinion.
With a smile, he replied, "It's absolutely beautiful, Clara," his eyes scanning me from head to toe.
His innocent gaze made me wonder if there was more to him than met the eye. Little did I know, he was harboring a devilish secret.
Once I was dressed, he asked me out, and we strolled down the corridor towards the library. He mentioned wanting to show me something, and my curiosity piqued. Was it a book or something entirely unexpected?
Upon reaching the library, we made our way to the far end, and to my surprise, a hidden door suddenly swung open. I glanced at him, and he simply smiled back at me.
As we stepped into the secret room, my eyes widened in awe at the sight of gold and pictures adorning the walls. Among them was a portrait of a strong, muscular man who bore a striking resemblance to Alpha, and a stunning woman. He introduced them as his parents.
"You and your father bear a striking resemblance. Your smile and the tip of your nose are just like his. However, your eyes, those you inherited from your mother," I remarked with a smile.
He grinned in response and reached for a pearl necklace hanging on the wall.
"Ever since I was young, I witnessed the immense love they shared. My father would do anything to protect my mother and his pack. Unfortunately, he lost his life," he shared.
"This necklace serves as a symbol and a memory of their love," he added.
As he recounted his story, a tinge of sadness flickered in his eyes. I couldn't decide whether to sympathize with him or be glad that he understood the pain of losing a parent.
"That's why I aspire to be like my father. I want to love and protect you until my last breath," he declared, his gaze fixed on me.
His intense stare made me feel as though I was melting under his gaze. So, I shifted my attention to the abundance of gold surrounding us.
"I can't believe how much gold there is," I exclaimed, filled with awe.
"Oh, those are merely decorations," he responded with a mischievous grin.
"Decorations?!" I exclaimed, unable to conceal my disbelief.
"Why are you so surprised?" he asked, genuinely curious.
"Nothing," I fibbed, not wanting to offend him.
I couldn't fathom that gold was so commonplace to them that it was used as mere decorations. In the human world, it was a precious treasure highly valued. If I could bring some of this gold back with me, I would become an instant billionaire.
As I surveyed the room, I realized that I was likely the wealthiest woman in the world. Gold bars were scattered everywhere, and the castle was adorned with this precious metal.
"Are you alright, Clara?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
Snapping out of my thoughts, I smiled at him. He returned the smile, and we continued our stroll.
Suddenly, my eyes caught sight of a letter wedged into the wall. I approached it and touched it, but it was written in Greek, a language I couldn't comprehend.
"I don't understand what this says," I grumbled.
"Alpha and Luna were united until their last breath," he said with a smile.