Ethan Rider
I looked up from my phone, swatting a glance into the rearview side mirror for any sign of her, growing impatient.
I cursed underneath my breath, pushed the door open, and stepped out of the car when I saw her approaching. She halted immediately, her gaze trailed at me, acknowledging my figure. She contemplated in her head on if to proceed or retract.
''What are you waiting for?'' I threw at her, my impatience dissipating momentarily at the sight of her.
She lowered her gaze from mine, taking in her bottom lips as she resumed her strides, faster, to take the other side of the car.
An awkward silence shook the air after the sound of the revving engines subsided. I chose to center my attention on the road and the clothes store we were driving to.
"Could you roll down the window a bit please?'' She spoke, appealing enough.
I stared briefly at her, while she strictly avoided making contact. I sighed quietly, reached for the control, and did as she requested.
"Have you had any food today?'' I asked. Not because I was willing to strike up a conversation or I wasn't comfortable with the silence. She looked somewhat weak, and how lightly she had floated into me back at the mansion when I tried to get her out of the way of the maid.
''Not really.'' I wasn't surprised by her response. I strictly contemplated dropping at a restaurant first or visiting the clothes store and having the food on our way back.
I settled on the first, swerving into a restaurant once one came into sight. We got out of the car, and at that moment I realized she was still putting on the dress from the coronation.
''This is a bit too much. Couldn't you have changed the clothes?'' I grew sensitive about the environment, not welcoming the displeasing idea of the amount of attention we were bound to command.
Maybe going to the clothes store first would have been a better option.
"You didn't give me the time to.'' She muttered, but I could clearly make out her words.
I contained my displeasure, growing alert instead.
Thanks to the miserable curse, my enemies grew like weeds in a farm, ready to tear me down at my lightest. Many of them hovered around right under my nose, hiding in the cloak of elders and Alpha's servers, orchestrating their attacks through men of the pack who are supposed to serve me in diligence.
I had become a prisoner of my own court, unable to parade freely and unarmed without fear of a pending attack.
I subconsciously pulled Riya to my side, locking my fingers in hers. I only realized my action when she came to a stiff stop, her eyes regarding me in stun and amusement.
"Just come with me." I ignored her overreaction and pulled her in with me.
As expected, we got greetings and compliments from a couple of people, congratulating our union. Some genuine and others fake smiles. I wished it were written on their foreheads.
''I'll just have hamburgers and Sprite,'' Riya ordered, passing the menu to me.
I glanced at the menu in her hand and my menu lying on my side of the table. She traced my gaze and retrieved her hand.
"Oh. Don't you want to order something?''
It was impossible to explain, but her inquiry sent a strangely suiting warm sensation across my troubled heart. A zeal to order something because she asked hit me. I was also starving. But I couldn't let my guard down.
''I'm fine.'' I declined, tilting my head at the waiter to get her orders alone.
"Aren't you hungry?'' Riya asked again, her gentle voice waving an ineffable air of peace in the haze.
I keep wondering how she ended up a stripper at that bar. It took the whole of my shit to not lose it when I saw her among Keegan's holy maiden daughters.
Though her innocence stood out. Her innocence that night I selfishly stole her body to cover up my circumstances. I probably felt indebted to her, for helping me without getting the required appreciation for it. I should make it up to her, shouldn't I?
"I guess I shouldn't have asked, sorry for asking.'' Her voice cut me out of reverie, sweeping her gaze from me to let it wander the space.
"The coat, did you dispose it?'' I asked, partly in an attempt to make up for unintentionally ignoring her.
''What coa…'' Her eyes popped. "The coat!'' She yelled, attracting some attention our way. But she didn't seem to care, fuelled by whatever realization that seemed to orchestrate her behavior. "We have to leave, I need to get home right away please.''
''Relax….'' I tried coaxing but she was on her feet within seconds, slipping out of the chair.
"Riya!'' I cautioned on my feet.
"Is everything alright ma'am.'' The waiter arrived just in time, the steaming burger buns causing a controversy to Riya's resolve.
"Pack it up, we're leaving,'' I commanded the waiter, unspoken anger consuming my insides.
The waiter returned in minutes and we were back in the car. I turned on the engines, ready to make a reverse back to the mansion.
"I'm sorry,'' Riya mumbled out. I ignored her. "I'm really sorry. It's just that I was left with no option after you ripped my clothes completely and left me with just the coat. I wore it home, and it's still in my room.''
I rubbed the tip of my tongue against my mouth, slightly uncomfortable by her language.
''I just got scared my sisters may find it and show my father.'' She added, physically shaken by the mere thoughts of it.
This was the point it pricked me to ask about her stripping job. I fought the urge, unable to come down to a conclusion.
"I'll have some men go to your house.'' I ended up saying instead. "I'll tell them about th
e coat and make sure they act discreetly about it.''
"Why?'' She blurted out.