Chapter Eight
Luke
“Why does my father think he can do this to me now when everything that happened is still a fresh memory in people’s minds, and the press is still hounding me?”
I look up from my pants that I’m currently slipping my legs into and stare at an angry and pacing Leila.
“Or does he think passing me off to his friend is the way to put an end to the talk?”
I remain silent, letting her rant.
“Why am I being punished with someone like that?”
I press my lips together. Ryan Wills. I’d seen him when he showed up at Mr. Kaye’s office three days ago, walking in like he owned the place.
He was a significantly older man. She’d also mentioned that he was a widower when she’d dragged me to her room after their altercation and ranted while riding out her frustrations on my dick.
Great… now that memory is in my head, and I’m horny again.
She continues pacing in just her underwear, her long, beautiful legs covering the short space over and over again. I tear my eyes away from her legs and focus on looking presentable.
We have only just finished having sex minutes ago. I had thought we would have some time together, and she could relax in my arms for a few minutes, exhausted and nimble, but that was not the case this time.
She’d stayed in bed, basking in the after-effects of her orgasm, for less than a minute before throwing on her underwear. I’m happy to listen to her talk about her problems. I want to know everything about her, both the things that excite her and those that annoy her.
She feeds off her anger at her father trying to marry her off.
Watching her angrily pace the room fills me with relief, although I try to keep it off my expression. When her father let it slip that he planned to arrange her marriage, a part of me had been broken by the thought and remained so until now.
I turn away for a moment to get my emotions under control. I don’t think she will be quite pleased to know how happy I am that she doesn’t like him. Although on the inside, I am ecstatic.
I frown as she sits down with a sigh, her face falling into the palms of her hands. It pains me to see her like this, uncertain of everything and angry because of that uncertainty.
The world has not been fair to her in the past months. Everything seems to be going wrong for her, and now, even this can be added to the list.
My relief gives way to guilt. I shouldn’t be happy because of this. My disappointment at my reaction eats at me, and as I watch her, wishing there’s something that I can do to make her feel better, that disappointment quickly morphs into disgust.
Mr. Kaye has been there for me for the vast majority of my life, and this a terrible way to pay him back. I have no right to sleep with his daughter, nor do I have a right to be happy that she clearly rejects the plan he has for her. Most importantly, I have no right to wish that she will be mine.
I have been selfish, thinking only about myself when I should be thinking about her, what she truly wants, and what could make her truly happy. My happiness is inconsequential. Seeing her happy, no matter what that would mean for me, should be enough to make me happy.
But why isn’t it?
I shake away the gloominess that descends on me, and I try to muster a smile for her sake, even as she continues to stare at me. My lips wobble. I hope it doesn’t give away the sadness that overwhelms me on the inside.
She smiles back, and relief floods me. It’s not a happy smile, but it’s better than nothing.
My happiness is inconsequential in this matter.
I repeat the words over and over again in my head until it becomes a mantra. I’m just an employee, and I should be doing my job, which is to make sure that she is safe, not to be worried about her happiness or my own happiness in regards to her.
Her face morphs, and the sorrow and anger in her expression disappear quickly, transforming into one of concentration.
“So, what do I do? Do I marry the man that my father wants for me or find a way out of this situation myself?”
How do I respond to that?
The sound of a knock distracts us from the question. Who could that be?
I look myself over in the mirror, ensuring that I’m properly dressed, before walking over to the door. I pull it open and look down at the maid standing there.
“I’m here for Miss. Kaye,” she says, looking down.
Leila walks up to the door and pulls it open wider, now dressed in a light blue dress that matches her eyes.
“Yes?”
“Miss. Kaye, there is a visitor here to see you.”
Darkness clouds her face as she responds. “Is it Mr. Wills?”
“No, Miss Kaye. It’s a Mr. Ferguson,” the maid replies, looking up for a short moment before looking back down.
“Oh, what is he doing here?” her voice registers her surprise as she speaks. “You say he’s here to see me?”
The maid nods.
“Alright, let him into the living room downstairs, and I will be there with him shortly.”
She stares after the maid before turning to me. “Well, I suppose there’s another thing for me to take care of.”
She walks off with those words, and I follow behind her as her bodyguard, although I’m curious to hear what Mr. Ferguson has to say.
“Mr. Ferguson, I didn’t realize you would be coming,” she says politely, taking a seat close to him.
I stand a little way off, far enough that it is a respectable distance but close enough that I can hear what is said.
“Yes, I apologize for showing up unannounced, but I did need to talk to you,” he says and offers her a smile. “Also, it’s Henry. I see no reason for you to call me Mr. Ferguson.”
A muscle in my face spasms at the familiarity in his tone. Please, no.
“Alright, Henry,” she acquiesces. “What do I owe the honor of your visit?”
Henry clears his throat. “Well, I had the... pleasure of meeting Mr. Wills only yesterday, and I was quite surprised to hear that he wants you to be his mate. Mr. Wills is quite a powerful Alpha, and I can imagine that is what your father would want for you.”
She makes a sound at the back of her throat, making a face. “Ah, I see.”
Henry smiles wryly. “I certainly hope I do not put you off with my forwardness, Leila, and judging from your expression, I feel like I know the answer to my question already, but I do have to ask. Have you chosen him as your mate?”
Leila stares at him for a moment, her face blank. I wish I could read her mind to know what she’s thinking, but sadly, that’s impossible.
“No, I have not chosen him as my mate,” she responds finally. “My father seems to think that he is best for me; however, the decision is mine, and I am yet to decide.”
Henry grins in response and claps. “That’s wonderful. Now, to the reason I’m here.”
“Oh? Wasn’t your reason to find out if I have decided to tie myself to Alpha Wills?” she quips, and I hold back my smile.
Henry, on the other hand, lets out a short bark of laughter, staring at her fondly. He grips the corner armrest and pulls himself forward, leaning towards her. I fight back the urge to rush over and put some distance between them as he smiles softly at her.
“I suppose that is part of it; however, it is not entirely so. I hope you remember the conversation we had the last time we spoke. I do hope you took me seriously because I was, indeed, serious about what I said, and I wish to court you, Leila.”
As he stands up, she sits there and looks up at him, seemingly stunned into silence.
“That was all I wished to say. I hope you will consider it when you decide to choose who you think is the best mate for you.”
My face is stoic, devoid of every expression that will give away how I feel on the inside. No one can know how watching him say those words to her makes my insides twist into knots, and my heart thump painfully in my chest.
If only I could declare my feelings for her as easily as he just did.
But I cannot avoid the reality of things.
I am her bodyguard and a Beta as well, unfit to be the mate of the second most powerful Omega.
She needs a strong Alpha that can match her power, and I am, unfortunately, not that for her.
“If you would consider giving my proposal a thought, then I would like to speak with your father and make my intentions known,” Henry continues.
Leila blinks away her surprise, and then, she smiles. “Of course.”
She turns to me. “Luke, take Mr. Ferguson to my father, please.”
I nod and step out of my waiting position as Henry heads in my direction. I turn and walk off, with him following after me. I’m cautious not to look back at her, although every part of me aches to take in one more glance.
“Your relationship with Leila isn’t just that of bodyguard and mistress, is it?” Henry asks suddenly. “I’m sure there’s more to it.”
His words are neither accusatory nor angry.
In fact, there is slight humor and calmness in his tone.
Yet, a shiver courses through me, one I struggle to conceal.
My mind races through the potential consequences: the disappointment, the ire of Mr. Kaye should he discover I have been entangled with his daughter after all he has done for me.
And what of Leila? The thought of her suffering further scrutiny from the relentless media is unbearable.
They would devour her with ravenous glee if news of this broke.
But worst of all, it would surely mean I would have to be permanently separated from her.
The very idea is torment I cannot endure.
I force myself to remain composed, inhaling deeply as I continue to walk, choosing not to respond.
Henry chuckles softly. “You don’t need to hide it from me,” he says, his tone even. “Not that you could anyway. Her pheromones are all over you.”
Oh no!
With everything that has happened, I had neglected a crucial ritual, one I strictly observe after every encounter with Leila.
Usually, I change clothes and shower, washing away her scent to avoid arousing suspicion.
But my mind has been clouded, unfocused, and preoccupied with too many thoughts.
The maid who entered earlier, a Beta like me, hadn’t noticed, and her lack of awareness lulled me into a false sense of security.
If she had picked up on it, I might have at least had the presence of mind to change quickly and concoct some excuse for her.
She would have been easier to lie to than Henry.
But now, Henry knows.
We are almost at the door, and before I can reach out to push it open for him to walk through and put an end to his questions, he stops me with yet another question.
“How do you feel knowing that she will be getting a mate soon and will leave you? Are you okay with that?”
Once again, there’s only silence from my end as he blinks at me. Is he prodding to know what I think because he wishes to know if I’m a competition or just a distraction until she gets a mate? Or is there more to this?
I do not realize that my hands are clenched at my side. I hurry to relax them before he sees them, but I’m too late. His eyes are focused on my half-relaxed fists.
He chuckles. “Well, there’s my answer. Sometimes, the answer can be found in the silence.”
He puts his hand on the door before I can and pauses without turning to look at me. “Perhaps you should let Leila know how you feel… so maybe you won’t lose everything. It could end up working in your favor, after all. I am not opposed to a family unit.”
I look up at him with wide eyes, unable to keep my blank expression at those words.
“You’re finally being honest,” he mutters with a smile. Before I can respond, he knocks on the door. “I think you should announce me now.”
Everything I do after that is on autopilot. Once Henry is in the office, I turn around to walk away, my mind filled with so many thoughts.
What if I tell her how I feel and cling to her? If I beg to be allowed to stay with her, will she let me, knowing how I feel about her?
I cannot stand the idea of losing her, but at the same time, I must know my place.
Would it be a good idea to let things play out the way they are and count my losses, knowing that there was never a chance of us ever becoming mates, or would it be better for me to tell her how I feel so I can have a go at being part of her life for real?