CHAPTER 8
The following morning, I continued my routine and went for my morning jog. When I returned to the packhouse, I walked in through the back door and, honestly, I was not surprised to find Landon waiting for me; I had kind of expected it since I hadn’t asked for permission to leave
before heading out.
He was leaning against the bench in the laundry room, which I needed to pass through to
reach the stairs that led to my room.
With his arms crossed, he stared at me as I entered.
“I thought I said you couldn’t leave without my permission,” he said.
“You knew I jog every morning. I didn’t think that counted,” I replied.
“It does. You’re not allowed to go on those morning jogs anymore,” he said, trying to walk
away.
“Why? I’m not doing anything. I’m just jogging. Ask your patrols; they all watch me!” I replied. He turned back around slowly, wearing a disdainful expression.
“Because I said so. That’s why,” he said in a low, menacing voice before walking away.
I went up to my room, took a shower, and got dressed. I sat in the chair under my window, staring out at the ocean when someone knocked on the door. I walked over and answered it.
“Breakfast is ready,” Mara said.
“Does Landon want me there?” I asked.
“He does,” she replied. I nodded and we walked downstairs.
I went to the main table at the front of the room and sat quietly, eating my breakfast. I noticed that Kai sat next to me this time. I didn’t pay much attention to him at first; they were all discussing pack business since Kai was the head warrior. However, I couldn’t help but notice
him glancing over at me occasionally.
When I looked back at him, he smiled, as if he wanted to say something, but he also glanced over at Landon. Then the girl Landon had brought home approached the table and sat next to him for breakfast. She was so close that if she had gotten any closer, she would have been sitting on his lap. He seemed perfectly fine with it, talking to her and even putting his arm around her. As a result, Hayden started acting a little strangely around me as well,
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< CHAPTER 8
“So, Arabella, how are you doing with those books?” Hayden asked.
“Oh, pretty good. I just got them last night,” I replied.
“Yeah, it looks like they’ll keep you busy for a while,” he said.
“About a week, maybe,” I responded, not looking up from my plate.
“You had like five books when you left the library,” Hayden noted.
“Yeah, like I said, I don’t sleep much, and I like to read,” I explained.
“What kind of stuff do you like to read?” Kai asked.
“Pretty much anything, but I think history is my favorite subject,” I answered.
“Like World War II and that sort of thing?” he inquired.
+8 Points
“Yeah. I’ve read books on Marie Antoinette, Catherine the Great, and Alpha Matias. That book
was pretty hard to find,” I said.
“I’ve never seen any books on Alpha Matias. He was the greatest werewolf warrior that ever
lived,” Kai remarked.
“Yeah, I still have the book if you want to borrow it. I wasn’t going to let it go once I found it,” I
offered.
The girl hanging off Landon started laughing in her nasally, annoying voice.
“He’s a warrior, sweetheart. They don’t read,” she chuckled.
“Are you saying that all warriors are stupid or something?” I asked, causing Hayden to choke
on his food. Everyone at the table turned to look at her as if she had done something wrong
while she was just trying to make a fool of me.
“Landon, make them stop looking at me like that. I didn’t do anything wrong,” she whined.
“Just get back to what you were doing,” Landon replied, sounding annoyed.
“That might actually be a pretty interesting read,” Kai said, and I gave him a small smile.
That’s when I noticed the atmosphere change around the table and in the dining room.
I wasn’t sure what was happening until I turned around and saw Harper walking through the
dining room, heading straight for our table. “Harper, you never come to these breakfasts. I thought you hated them,” Landon said.
“I do. I’m kidnapping your wife.” Harper declared, as if Landon had no say in the matter.
< CHAPTER 8
“Excuse me?” Landon asked.
+8 Points >
“Arabella and I are going out on the boat today. So, come on,” Harper said, pulling my chair out
for me.
I stood up, but Landon slammed his fist on the table.
“She’s not allowed to leave this packhouse without my permission,” Landon said.
“Since when the hell did you become such a tyranical dickhead?” Harper asked.
“She’s my wife. Those are the rules.” Landon insisted. So Harper glanced down at the woman by his side, and then back at Landon.
“Who the f**k are you? I’m taking Arabella out. And there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”
Harper demanded.
She grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of the dining room.
My heart raced like a wild drum, each beat echoing in my ears as we emerged from the
packhouse. The crisp morning air wrapped around us, sharp and invigorating, but my anxiety
lingered like a shadow. Harper paused, turning to me with a sharp gaze that revealed her
concern, transforming her usual expression into something more intense and understanding.
“I am so sorry,” she said.
“Why?” I asked, confused.
“I had no idea that he was treating you like that. Believe me, he has never acted like this
before. It’s not what I would have expected from him,” she explained.
“Maybe I shouldn’t go. I mean, he’s going to be really mad when I get back,” I said, feeling
uncertain.
“He won’t be mad at you; he’ll be mad at me. And I promised you a fun day, so let’s go,” she
reassured me.
We made our way to the beach and walked straight onto the jetty, where the massive boat
was docked. As I stepped inside the luxurious motorboat, I marveled at how anyone could live
comfortably on it for months without missing land.
“Wow,” I exclaimed, taking it all in.
“Yeah, it’s pretty nice. It hasn’t been used much since Dad bought it, but he made sure it’s kept
in pristine condition,” Harper said.
She signaled to the captain that we were ready to go. They unhooked us from the jetty, and we
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< CHAPTER 8
began heading straight out to open waters.
“Alright, I had a feeling you would need this,” she said, handing me a bag.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Something you obviously need on a boat,” she replied. I looked inside and found a bikini
along with some other clothes.
“Oh, no. I don’t need these. I’m fine in what I’m wearing,” I said.
+8 Points
“We’re going to be sunbaking on the deck and swimming in the ocean. Go get changed; I am not taking no for an answer,” she insisted, pushing me toward the back of the boat where the
bedroom was located.
