“Yeah.”
So why is he avoiding my gaze then?
He’s looking anywhere but at me. It’s awkward, and I don’t even know what else to say. Thank Moon Goddess, the room is quite dark because I must be red right now. I can’t help but touch my hair nervously. Try and remember your list, Nora.
“Thank you for lending me your apartment. “
“It’s yours,” replies his deep voice.
And here we go. I shake my head.
“It’s nice of you to let me stay here, but this... this isn’t mine.”
“You don’t like it?”
“No, no, I... I do like it, but that’s not the issue. I just can’t afford to buy such a place, and if I can’t, then I can’t say it’s mine.”
I’m so nervous, I can feel my voice trembling. Damian is so intimidating! He’s standing a few steps away from me, and neither of us can bear to look at the other. What kind of conversation is this?
“It’s a present then.”
“No.”
I can tell his silver eyes have gone ice-cold. Oh no, he’s definitely mad. He crosses his arms but won’t add anything. What does this silence mean? This distance between us is so infuriating! I can barely contain my wolf who wants to run to him, so why is he so distant? He looks like he doesn’t want to be here and doesn’t want to see me. Does he have any idea how awkward this is for me? And quite intimidating, too. I feel so tiny facing him. He’s right there, standing totally quiet and imposing, domineering the room effortlessly. I get up from the sofa, tightening my kimono around me.
I couldn’t tell where I find the courage to stand in front of him. I’m trembling. “Why you won’t let me work?”
“It’s dangerous,” he says in his ice-cold tone.
“But I need the money.”
“No, you don’t.”
What does he mean? I can’t expect him to shelter me indefinitely! That would be way too optimistic of me.
His short answers are annoying. And scary, but still irritating. It’s like his aura suddenly turned the room darker. I want to step back, but my wolf won’t have it. Something is chilling down my spine, something I can’t describe that has to do with my instincts. My werewolf instincts.
But I’m still hopelessly attracted to him, and that makes his rejection attitude even more painful. I nervously bite my lip, trying to think of what I can do, what I could say. Why is this so difficult? I wish I could trust him; I wish I knew what he’s thinking right now. But here he is, indecipherable, cold, and barely talking. Doesn’t he want me? Is he rejecting me? My body grows cold just from that scary thought alone.
“I need to work. I want to.”
“I said no.”
“Look at me!”
Oh, Moon Goddess. I just screamed.
Why am I like this? I’m shaking, I’m tearing up, but I don’t care. This whole situation is so impossible! And I’m tired of it! Tired of waiting for a sign from him, tired of his distant attitude. I know we’re basically strangers, I know I’m not pretty and not mate material, but still!
My cry finally made him look at me, and he seems shocked. Okay, I am surprised by my own reaction, too. I wipe the beginning of a tear with my hand, trying to act tough like I’m not refraining a sob. Calm down, Nora. I take a second and look at him in the eyes.
“Why are you avoiding me like this? I... I know I’m not the girl one would wish for as his mate, I get that. But I...”
“Stop it, Nora.”
I obey immediately, I can’t help it. Damian is an Alpha, giving me a direct order. Stupid wolf instinct...
I turn my head to the window, avoiding his gaze this time. Is this it? Will he reject me now? I put my arms around me, feeling colder than ever. My wolf is whimpering continuously, and I feel like crying, too, but I won’t.
