The Luna’s Second Chance Mate

Chapter 20

Larissa’s POVCòntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

His stare could cut through ice. Jackson, who’d been so well put together, rose to his feet awkwardly, then bowing deep in respect.

I looked away, I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him at the moment. His eyes seemed to be trailing my movement with the same stare, making me the most uncomfortable in the already small cell the size of a less than standard bathroom.

“My apologies, my Lord.” Jackson spoke out with his back facing me. I couldn’t see his expression, but his muscles were tense. The chestnut-haired man shifted his attention to me for a second before returning to Jackson. It was both amazing and irritating how he could weave through expressions; one minute he was staring, the next minute he was glaring and scowling.

“It is in your best interest that you never let this happen again. Wait outside.” He stated, his tone completely devoid of emotion. Jackson nodded immediately and walked quickly out of the room, not even sparing me a glance.

The alpha approached me almost hesitantly, although my eyes were trained on the patterns the concrete had created. He huffed out a breath and crouched to my eye level just as Jackson had done before. When I wouldn’t look at him, he noticed and hissed out in what I knew was irritation.

“You were talking just now, so don’t pretend that you can’t see me.” He snapped and I finally looked at him. I couldn’t help but notice how the chromatic silver created a mesmerizing ring around his emerald irises, even if that was the last thing I wanted to see, let alone take note of.

“Leave me alone.” I let out, looking away again. I could hear him scoff and click his tongue.

“Where’s the bitch who was running her mouth at me a few days ago? Cat’s got your tongue?” He was taunting, and I was having none of it.

“Right here.” I snapped back, although not loud enough for him to pick it up. “Did you come here to finally kill me? I’ll appreciate it deeply.”

His tone resonated in a mocking chuckle, and he folded both arms before breaking into a harsh laugh. “Kid yourself, Larissa. Where’s the fun in that? Killing you would be too damn easy…that’s basically giving you the easy route out.”

“I’ll deeply appreciate it as a great act of kindness.”

There was an uncomfortable silence that followed after. I sat in the same cross-legged position, occasionally shifting and playing with the hem of my dress simply because I didn’t know what else to do. He was staring intently at me before looking away and brushing a finger over his nose tip.

“How are you feeling?”

His question caught me off guard. He was asking me that? Of every wolf and human in existence, he was asking me if I was fine? Was he hit in the head or had Declan smacked his face so hard that it sent his brain flying straight into oblivion?

“What’s it to you? Besides, I don’t believe it’s in your place to ask me that. You gave the orders to lock me up.” I spoke back without the vile in my voice. It was soft, accusing nonetheless. He erupted in a fit of laughter, causing me to flinch at his character shift. I was really beginning to believe that something was wrong with him.

“Answer the damn question and don’t sweat your grace, Larissa.” He continued amidst laughter and I couldn’t help but snort as well. He continued laughing, prompting me to hold my guard up.

He suddenly stopped laughing and took a few crouched steps towards me. Surprised, I leaned backwards so that my back was kissing the walls behind me. He was looking at me dead in the eyes, his eyes sending shivers down my spine. Subconsciously, I’d stopped playing with the hem of my dress, my fingers numbing on their own.

My breath hitched and grew erratic when I felt his breaths hit the skin on my face. Like some compulsion, my wolf jumped around in excitement at the close proximity. I didn’t like the way he was so close to me, at the same time I liked it. His eyes were telling a different story for the first time, it was making me uncomfortable to be so trapped in his presence. However, I could sense hesitation.

“What are you doing?” I whispered, my voice coming out as a wobble. He scoffed albeit softly before brushing the tip of his nose again.

“I need you to do your job, and do it properly this time. Take care of Declan for me, well enough. I want to see how much better you can do it, since you’ve decided to pitch yourself against me.” He spoke breathily, tickling my my skin with every word despite the gravity of what he’d just said. I opened my eyes, only realizing that I’d closed them in the first place to see him still staring at me.

“And if you fail again,” He continued, inching even closer. “I won’t spare your life for the sake of my son. Get on my nerves or mess with Declan again, and I’ll have your head on a stake.”

The feeling of his breaths on my skin grew further until I could no longer feel anything. Dazed, my eyes were trained on him as he slowly rose to his feet. He stood there for a full minute without saying anything, before simply clicking his tongue, turning on his heels and walking out the door.

Jackson still stood by the door, and although I couldn’t hear what they talked about, I saw the alpha whisper something to him and Jackson bowing before they disappeared from my field of view.

What the hell just happened? Why would he come so close to me, was he now toying with me? My heart nearly beat out of my chest, only for him to threaten my life for the umpteenth time? What was I even expecting? It was a warning as always. It was what it would always be.

I shook off the feeling, forcing myself up when the kind faced guard came into the room with a ginger smile plastered on his face.

“The alpha has ordered for your release.” He beamed like a robot, helping me to my feet. I shook it harshly to return circulation in my legs after sitting for so long. He helped me out of the cell and through the back entrance to the main building before returning to his station.

I dragged my feet up the stairs, stopping occasionally out of fatigue till I reached the top of the stairs.

“Issa!”

The unmistakable voice of the toddler caught me by surprise, I looked up to see him in an olive onesie running in my direction. Before I could even catch myself, he was well in my arms snuggling into my dirty dress. He stepped back and scrunched his nose, before reaching out again. His gestures were warming, I didn’t even realize when I held him back and let a small tear slip.

“Miss me?”

He nodded and I lifted him up to meet my eyes. He wasn’t particularly smiling, but the way he held my hand was something I could not forget. He’d never really hugged me on his own before, so I found it sweet.

“He’s been asking for you since you left.” Gwen’s soft voice echoed the hallway. She met my eyes with the most emotional expression I’d seen on her face. She had her hair hanging down and walked to where I stood with Declan in my arms, smiling widely when she was only a few inches away.

“How’re you?” She muttered loud enough for me to hear. Nodding, I ran one hand through Declan’s hair.

“Honestly, it could be better. I’ve been better.” I chuckled back, setting down the toddler when he wouldn’t stay put.

“Great, because your hair looks like a wild bird’s nest and you need a shower immediately.” She snorted, dramatically bringing a hand to her nostrils. It made me laugh, I simply reached out to tap her pants and laughed even harder when she flinched in mock fear.

“How’s Declan faring? Did he have a relapse? Is he okay now?”

“He has an appointment with Annalise later today.” She replied, now throwing me an apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry for what the alpha’s putting you through. Most of the other house keepers didn’t even reach this point before quitting. It’s brave of you to put up with him.”

I laughed at that, simply nodding before making my way to my room to take a shower. All I wanted to do was plop on my bed and take a nap, but I willed myself to the bathroom.

The water was cold but I loved the feel of it cascading through my body. However, there was a steady drumming at the back of my head after the events of the day. It felt like it was going to sent my thoughts into overdrive. There was so much I didn’t understand. What did Jackson mean when he said that he was treating me this way because of how we’d met? Why did the alpha treat his housekeepers the way he did? Why did he treat me worse?

The answer, no matter how much I chose to think about it, wasn’t simply because I was his mate.