Chapter 179
~ NYSSA
Rowan watched me carefully all through dinner, and it didn’t ease up even after we got home.
He pretended not to look, but I felt his eyes on me everywhere I went. I felt his probing gaze and saw his deep frown as he tried to make out the reason for my silence.
The news from earlier had caught me off guard. I’d hoped that I would be able to forget all about my family and put that part of my life behind me, but it was as if the world was mocking my decision, forcing me to do the direct opposite.
I sat in the living room, scrolling through my call logs until I settled on a number; the one that called all those days ago, trying to offer information on my family. I’d told them to fuck off, now here I was, staring at it, fingers hovering over it.
A part of me wanted to call and find out what they knew, while another part wanted to delete the number and say fuck it and take my chances.
“We should tell Rowan first,” my wolf said. “He’ll know what to do p>
I snorted. “Rowan will say delete it. I don’t think he has a lot of trust in people he can’t see p>
“Maybe that’s a smart choice. He has been alive for over a hundred years. Maybe that’s what kept him living this long p>
I rolled my eyes at her sarcasm. “We need answers, and we need them urgently. This is the only way. Besides, I’m only enquiring. If it gets too suspicious then I’ll call it off p>
It was clear she did not agree, but rather than argue, she sighed. “I hope you know what you’re doing p>
I didn’t, however, I hoped that my actions weren’t bad enough to get me fucking killed.
I rose to my feet and began up the stairs when I heard Rowan’s chair shift as he stood to his feet. I turned to find him already following me and levelled him with a frown.
“I’m in the house,” I said pointedly, crossing my arms over my chest. “You don’t need to follow me everywhere p>
“I’m looking out for you p>
“You’re suffocating me,” I corrected.
He sighed, running his hand through his hair. “That’s not what I’m trying to do, I want p>
“I know what you want,” I said softly. “I know that you’re concerned, but I am not a ticking time bomb, and I’m not going to lose my shit. I feel fine, hell, I feel better than I have felt all morning p>
It wasn’t a lie.
After the steak, I felt strangely better and both the thirst and the hunger vanished. I suspected it had something to do with the amazing fruit juice they served after as well.
It was the most refreshed I’d felt in days and I made a mental note to order it from them more often.
Rowan frowned, but to my surprise, he lowered himself back into his seat. “If there is a problem, I need you to call me p>
I held up my hand in mock salute. “I will. Although, I can’t imagine what problem could arise inside the house p>
With one last pointed look at him, I headed up the stairs and thankfully, he didn’t follow.
Once I was safely in the confines of the room, I pulled out my phone and dialed the number.
With each ring, my heart hammered wildly in my chest, my stomach knotting as a ball of uneasiness coiled tightly in my chest.
It rang out and I frowned deeply, stomach dropping when I realized that I might have missed my chance. Perhaps they truly intended to honor my wish for them to fuck off.
“So much for trying,” I mumbled.
I rose to my feet, heading back down when my phone buzzed on the bed.
I was on it in an instant, swiping right when I saw that unknown number flash across the top.
“Hello p>
“I was surprised to see your call, Nyssa—or should I say, Luna, now? Congratulations on your ceremony. Did you get my gift p>
My stomach hollowed out. “The flowers… you sent them p>
“Of course I did, I was congratulating you. Just because you refused my help does not mean that I cannot at least be courteous p>
My skin crawled at the smooth words and the hair at the back of my neck stood on edge.
Despite being alone, I could not shake that icky feeling that I was being watched. I couldn’t help but rise to my feet and draw the curtains closed.
“To what do I owe the pleasure, Nyssa?” he asked suddenly. “Why did you call p>
It was now or never.
This was my chance.
“I want to know. You said you could tell me the truth about my parents, I want that information p>
Silence stretched between us for a minute.
He didn’t speak, only the sound of soft breathing on the other end of the line let me know that he was still present.
Each second felt like fucking torture, and just when I was about to end it, he spoke.
“I wonder what changed your mind,” he mused. “If I were to ask p>
“That’s none of your concern,” I snapped. “Will you tell me or no p>
“Feisty,” he drawled. “I’ll tell you, but not over the phone. I’ll send you an address p>
“I am not meeting you alone,” I cut him off. “I am not desperate or stupid. I don’t know you p>
“Don’t come alone then,” he said simply. “Come with your mate, it would be fun to see him. I have heard so many things p>
I couldn’t tell if he was joking or not. “You’re not worried p>
“Why would I be? I have zero intentions of hurting you. You may not realize this yet, Nyssa, but you and I are on the same side p>
I said nothing in response to that, mostly because I didn’t know what to say.
“Let me know when you’re ready and I’ll send a location. I look forward to meeting you p>