Chapter 62

Nan’s POV

I lean into kiss him…

Lionel pulls away. I stop. Embarrassment burns my cheeks.

I take a step back. Let my eyes fully take him in. Wanting to understand this…this…rejection.

‘That word stings,’ I acknowledge. But there is no other word to describe his reluctance.

He looks tense. His hands are clenched at his sides. His gaze is trained on something just beyond my shoulders…avoiding my probing look.

He does not look angry. But he does not look content or flush with his victory either. I am baffled by this sudden change in demeanor.

‘What’s wrong? What could have happened in the span of seconds to so completely ruin our moment?’ I am intensely bothered by this unexpected rejection.

“Lionel, what’s wrong?” I blurt out. Then wince at the rough edge to my tone.

‘I guess his rejection of my kiss hurt my feelings more than I realized. I need to tone it down.’ I think.

He shakes his head. “It’s nothing. It’s just been a long day.”

But I am unconvinced. His words to reminiscent of my own that day when I had been dealt that betrayal. I swore to stand by Lionel’s side, and I would keep my word.

“No. I can see something is up with you.” I argue.

“I told you it’s nothing.” He says with annoyance.

“Just let me help you.” I reply softly.

He throws me an exasperated glare. “Like you let me help you?” He bites out.

That pulls me up short. A flicker of guilt enters me. But only momentarily.

‘That’s different.’ I tell myself. Refusing to pay heed to the hypocrisy of my thoughts.

“Is that what this is about?” I question passively.

“No.” Lionel answers with pursed lips.

I sense no lie in his words. He is being truthful. But I am still not satisfied.

“Then what is the problem?” I ask.

His mocha eyes turn flat and darken into that of freshly tilled earth. Dark and liable to leave marks if one was not careful. His voice is clipped when he responds.

“I’ve had enough conversation for today. That’s all I will say on the matter. Goodnight.”

He walks away in long, brisk strides. Eager to get out of this conversation. From me.

It is two rejections too many. I rush to catch up to him. I do not reach him until he is walking through the door of his bedroom.

I scurry forward so he cannot shut me out. His irritation is visible. But I stand my ground.

“Nan, get out of my room. I need to be alone.” He insists.

“Why? Why are you upset?” I ask demandingly.

“I am not upset.” He claims. But I am not fooled.

I huff. “Lionel, just tell me. I want to help you.”

It is the truth. More than anything, I want to repay Lionel for all the times he has saved me. His refusal to admit anything is wrong drives me insane.

Lionel goes silent. His breathing deepens. I can see the threads of his patience snapping.

So I push further.

“I know what I saw. Your attitude totally changed in just a few moments. What happened?”

Lionel’s jaw clenches. His eyes narrow into slits. But I am undeterred.

“Tell me, Lionel!” I shout.

Lionel lunges. I let gasp as he pins me to his bed. His alpha eyes barrel down into my own.

I am utterly unable to move.

Lionel’s POV

I had been so patient with her.

The receipt for the sold necklace had eaten away at me since the moment I saw it. I did not want to make another assumption about her. But the fact is…Nan sold a very valuable necklace to that pawnshop.

There does not seem to be any other alternatives. What else could she have sold? I know Nan does not come for affluent background.

It was easy to ignore my hurt when I was defending her. In that situation there was a clearly defined enemy. My own emotions on the other hand…I have no way to control that.

But then the wrong doers had been caught. Punishment had been handed out. Then there was only Nan and I left there.

Hearing her laughter and seeing the happy flush of her cheeks was enough to momentarily distract me. But then I glanced down to subtly check for the necklace. I had been met with nothing…I could not even see a hint of the chair or the shape of the diamond under her scarf.

It brought all those ugly feelings back to the surface. I knew I would hurt her feelings if I spoke. I just wanted to get away.

But then she kept pushing me. Challenging me. With my wolf already on edge…I snapped.

This time she will answer me.

Before I knew it, I had her pinned to the bed. A soft, feminine gasp broke out from her. My face is inches above hers.

She is laid out beneath me. Her arms held at either side of her head by my unrelenting hands. I hover above her so as not to cause injury in my anger.

My knee is between her legs. Her chest rises fast in surprise at change. Her brunette tresses are fanned about her head in a crude halo.

I am all too aware of the softness beneath my hands. It shoots pleasurable sparks down my spine. I rumble low in my chest.

“Lionel…” She says breathily. Arousal struggles to dominate my emotions.

But my hurt and anger are still lingering. Thoughts of Nan selling the necklace make my wolf growl. The accusation tumbles out before I can stop it.

“How could you sell the necklace?” The words are bitter. Painful.

Nan’s grey eyes are like silver moonlight in her confusion. Studying me. Dissecting my words.

“You’re upset…because I sold the necklace?” She asks slowly. As though tasting the words.

“Of course!” I growl.

“I don’t understand.” She tells me.

“You did not trust me! If you had told me, you would never have had to sell it.” I say angrily.

Deep down I know that trust is not the only issue. I am an alpha. An alpha’s duty is to protect and provide.

This is an alpha’s greatest pride. Nan’s actions had wounded my pride. Wounded in a way that was too hard to describe.

Nan’s wolf is weak. Her instincts are not as sharp. I know she cannot truly understand an alpha’s pride even if she tries.

But her lack of comprehension still frustrates me. There is still puzzlement in her eyes. Her next words only add fuel to the flame of my growing vexation.

“I’m sorry if I have the impression that I don’t trust you. It was never about that.” She begins.

“Then what was it about?” I glare.

“You always help me. I just did not want to put you into a difficult position again.” She tries to say.

“Instead you went behind my back and sold the necklace to fuel this scheme? When I could have easily put a stop to it if you just told me.” I snark back.

I smell a flash of anger from her skin. It makes her scent turn bitter. I ignore my wolf perking up at that.

“Why are you worried about it?” She says tightly.

I laugh balefully. “Are you seriously asking me that?”

Her nostrils flare. Her hands are no longer relaxed beneath my hands. I have this intuition that she was tempted to hit me at that moment.

Somehow that only eggs me on. The side of me that enjoys playing with my prey thrives on this interaction. My wolf has always favored bold and fiery spirits.

“Lionel, I will only say this once.” She says quietly.

I lean down further. Our lips only a few inches apart. I am close enough to see the way her grey eyes go steely.

“Yes?” I ask huskily.

“That necklace…is none of your business.” She hisses venomously.

I am instantly indignant. “None of my business?” I repeat.

“You sold the necklace I gave you for your birthday. That makes it my business.” I say mockingly.

But she does not respond to my verbal provocation. Her eyebrows furrow into a deep V shape. She looks at me quizzically.

“My birthday necklace?” She asks.

“What else would we be talking about?” I ask impatiently.

“Lionel…lift my scarf. Please.” Nan pleads.

I do not understand her actions. But her plea is earnest. So I do as she requested.

I lift the scarf…and see her birthday necklace.