Chapter 58

Arthur

Three days. It had been three days since Arthur had last seen Almara. It had been three days since she had been locked away inside Noah Cunningham’s house. It had been three days since Arthur had decided to camp out on the edge of his property, just waiting for her to come outside.

Arthur had calmed down somewhat in those three days. He was no longer angry at Almara’s decision to run into Cunningham’s arms. She must not have thought she had anywhere else to go. Which was certainly true. Arthur would have tracked her down instantly.

He also realized he must have hurt her more than he thought was possible. She had never ignored his calls like this, had never ignored him like this. Arthur was a bit hurt himself at her lack of faith in him, but he could see it from her side as well.

Now that he thought about it, the three days apart had done him some good. He would be able to talk to Almara and be in control of his emotions. He didn’t want to seem like an overbearing alpha. He just wanted to be Arthur. Her Arthur.

Movement at the front door caught his eye. Almara came out and he could instantly tell that she was a wreck. Her eyes were puffy and red from where she had been crying. Her hair was matted and in knots. There was paint all over her. She had not been coping well at all.

A pang of guilt swept through Arthur’s body. He had done this to her. By not telling her how he felt. This was all his fault.

He climbed out of the car and walked slowly toward her. He didn’t want to spook her. If she ran back into the house, he would lose this chance. There was no telling when the next time she would venture out.

“Almara…” Arthur called to her gently and her head whipped toward him so fast that he was afraid she would get whiplash.

She took a step back and Arthur stopped his advance. Tears fell from her eyes as she looked at him. Arthur’s hands fisted at his side. He wanted to go to her, to comfort her, but he knew she would not welcome him. Not right now at least.

“Almara, please. Can we just talk? I’d like for you to hear my side of things. You ran off before I could explain,” Arthur pleaded and he didn’t care how desperate he sounded. He would get down on his knees if he had to.

Almara brought her hand to her mouth, stifling a sob. “You don’t have to explain, Arthur. I know you’ve taken Sofia back. Please. Just leave me alone.”

Arthur grimaced. What would it take for him to convince Almara that she was the one he wanted? Not Sofia. He needed to tell her how he felt, but he still had his pride. He would not confess in some other man’s yard. Especially if that man was Noah Cunningham.

“You’re wrong, little wolf. Please. Come with me and I’ll tell you everything,” Arthur said, holding out his hand to her. His green eyes bored into hers, imploring her to listen. He could practically feel her resolve wavering. Almara was still Almara after all.

She hesitantly reached for his hand and that’s when Noah Cunningham decided to come out of the house, swiftly placing himself in between them.

Arthur’s lips pulled back in a snarl and he had to keep himself from shifting. He wanted to tear out his throat and Caleb was in complete agreement, something that usually never happened.

“I thought I told you she didn’t want to see you,” Noah growled, taking a fighting stance. It seemed he was spoiling for one as well. If he made the first move, Arthur would gladly give it to him.

“Stand down. This is between me and my fiance,” Arthur snapped and he did not miss the look that Almara gave him. She was surprised to hear him call her his fiance.

“Your fiance? It doesn’t seem that way to me,” Noah taunted, a shit-eating grin on his face. It made Arthur’s hackles rise. He knew he was being baited, but by the Moon Goddess, he wanted to wipe that look off his face.

Arthur ignored him, instead turning toward Almara. “If you want me to leave, I’ll leave. But I’m begging you, Almara. Please hear me out. I have so many things I want to say to you.”

Noah scoffed, but Arthur only had eyes for Almara now. He would keep his promise. If she really wanted him to leave, he would. At least for today.

Almara bit her bottom lip. The gesture sent blood straight to his groin. Goddess, it had been too long since they’d been together. If Arthur had his way, they would be in bed again before dinner.

Finally, she reached out and touched Noah’s arm. Arthur growled in warning, but she didn’t even look at him. “It’s okay, Noah. I should at least hear him out. If not for me, then for her.”

She placed her hand over her belly and Noah closed his eyes. He knew there would be no talking to her now. She would do anything for the baby. Arthur’s eyes lit up with victory. He had won.

“As you wish, Sweetness. But if you need me, for anything, just call me and I’ll come get you. No matter where you are,” Noah told her and bent down to kiss her on the cheek. Almara’s cheeks turned red and Arthur’s vision became sharper. His eyes had bled into his wolf’s.

Almara walked past Noah, ignoring Arthur’s outstretched hand and heading straight for his car. She got in without another word.

Before Arthur followed her, he turned toward Noah who was glaring at him, eyes bleeding into crimson. Arthur blinked, convinced he was seeing things. He had not seen a vampire in years. There was no way he was seeing one now.

When he opened his eyes again, Noah’s eyes were their usual violet. Arthur shook his head. He had more important things to deal with. He waggled his fingers at Noah and climbed into the car.

When they started to pull away, Almara turned to him. “So what did you want to tell me?”

Arthur smirked at her. “Patience, little wolf. I’m taking you somewhere private where we can talk uninterrupted. And perhaps, do more than talk.”

He ran a feather-light touch down her arm. Almara shivered and shifted away from him. Arthur smiled. She wasn’t completely unaffected by it. She didn’t completely hate him. Perhaps he still had a chance.

They sat in silence for the rest of the ride, but Arthur didn’t miss the furtive glances she kept giving him. He could smell her sadness, her pain, but underneath all of that was the scent of her arousal. She still wanted him, even if she was upset with him right now. Arthur could work with that.

When they reached their destination, Arthur was surprised to find that they were in an alley. There weren’t any special buildings around. When he’d asked Dana for a private location, she had gladly given him this location. While it was private, it wasn’t exactly what he’d had in mind.

But then he saw it, wedged in between two tall buildings was a small restaurant. An outdated sign hung above the door. Arthur pressed his lips together. He guessed this was better than nothing.

He got out of the car, holding the door open for Almara. He took the chance to take her hand, squeezing it as he helped her out of the car. Her breath hitched. Smiling, Arthur tapped on the trunk on the car, signaling to the driver that he could go.

It was time for Arthur to win back his fiance.