Chapter 140
~ NYSSA
My heart slammed rapidly against my chest as I followed Eric’s line of sight.
Sure enough, Rowan stepped out of his car, heading straight for the front doors. My mouth went dry as I stared at him, at the bulging muscles through his white shirt and his stoic expression.
“We need to go, now!” I hissed to Eric. “Once he goes inside, they’ll tell him we’re out here. Just floor it p>
“And go where?” Eric asked, amusement lacing his voice. “In case you forgot, you live together p>
I cursed. “You’re not helping p>
“Because I don’t want to help. I don’t know why you’re so panicked. Just hear the man out. He’s not going to throw you out of the pack or reject you. You didn’t see the shit he did when you were gone. I don’t think he would let you reject him if you tried p>
My heart warmed at the thought and a flush of red creeped up my neck.
“If you want to be with him so badly, why don’t you just tell him?” Eric asked, crossing his arms over his chest. “Why are you being stubborn? It’s obvious that you’re both into each other and I can smell him all over you so there’s obviously no problem in that department p>
I smacked his shoulder hard, sending him a warning glare but all he did was grin wider.
“It’s complicated,” I hissed.
Eric rolled his eyes. “How complicated could it be p>
“He killed my parents, Eric. I’m not supposed to want the man that killed them p>
“Did he have a reason?” I hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Was it a good one?” I nodded again. “Then fuck it! He didn’t do it to hurt you or to be manipulative. You can mourn your parents and still want him. Those two aren’t mutually exclusive p>
There was so much I wanted to say in response to that but I didn’t get to because Rowan walked out of the office, hands shoved in his pockets as he made his way towards the car. My palms grew clammy and my heart raced but I stayed completely still.
Rowan stopped right outside my window, his eyes drilling holes directly into me. I could not tell if it was by luck or deliberate considering that the glass was tinted.
“You should go to him,” Eric said softly. “Hear him out first, okay p>
I nodded slowly, exhaling deep before opening the car door. Rowan stood outside, hands shoved into his pockets as he smiled down at me.
“You wouldn’t be hiding from me, would you?” he asked, his lips curved upwards slightly.
“Maybe,” I admitted and he laughed softly.
“I figured you would, that’s why I came early. Do you want to grab your stuff so we can go p>
I nodded, dashing into the office to grab my things.
I stopped in my office for a good five minutes, silently assuring myself that everything would be fine and I was just overreacting. By the time I stepped out again, I expected Rowan to be pissed but he just leaned against his car, his hands crossed over his chest as he watched me.
“Where are we going?” I asked as he pulled open the car door for me.
“Somewhere p>
My brows rose. “Does this somewhere have a name p>
“We’re going somewhere we can talk, Nyssa. Don’t worry, we’ll be there soon p>
The word talk
Rowan seemed oblivious to my mental struggle as he whistled to himself, hands wrapped around the steering wheel. Every few minutes, he would glance at me out of the corner of his eye, his lips curving into a slight grin.
He drove down the city roads, passing by markets and stalls until the houses thinned out and more trees appeared. Rowan pulled to a stop in front of a large gate with a flower arch around it. He did not say a word as he stepped out of the car.
“Where are we?” I asked, stepping out of the car.
The smell of fresh flowers and trimmed grass filled the air. I could hear a lake somewhere in the distance.
He did not say a word as he gestured for me to come with him, leading me down a stone path until we arrived in front of a magnificent gazebo. Lights were draped all over it and vines crawled up the sides. It directly overlooked the lake I heard earlier and with the sun beginning to set, it looked magnificent.
Rowan stretched out his hand to me. “Will you sit with me p>
A small laugh escaped my lips along with some of my unease. I took his hand and allowed him lead me up the steps.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered. “How is it not filled with people p>
“It’s a private garden. It’s owned by a friend of the family. He lets me borrow it from time to time when I need to clear my head p>
“Is that what you want to do now?” I asked softly. “Clear your head p>
“I want to know what’s going on in yours, Nyssa.” He leaned forward on his elbows. “If you’d like, we can eat first and talk after p>
I shook my head. It was better to do it all ow, before the nerves and anxiety swallowed me whole.
“I should p>
“Please let me go first p>
I had to go first, and I could only hope that Eric’s advice would not land me in hot shit.
I exhaled deeply, wringing my hands in my lap. “I hate that you killed my parents and I know that as their child I should hate you too but I don’t p>
“That’s the mating bond p>
“It’s not the mating bond,” I cut him off. “My wolf isn’t back yet… not completely at least. I wasn’t feeling the mating bond this morning and I sure as hell wasn’t feeling it last night. I didn’t feel it when you found me or when I was taken and yet I still… I wanted you and I don’t know how to deal with that. This is different for me, Rowan and I p>
I was so focused on my speech that I did not notice him rising from his chair or making his way over to me until he grabbed the back of my head with one hand and kissed me.