Chapter 231: Stay Away
Kaden’s POV
"Are you insane?!" Ruby spat, her voice ringing off the glass walls. Tears of raw fury shimmered in her sea-blue eyes. She rubbed her wrist where I’d held her, her whole body shaking with rage. "What do you take me for? A whore?! I am your brother’s woman! And I am carrying his child! How dare you lay your hands on me?!"
I stood there, frozen. The sharp sting on my cheek burned, but the shame inside my chest felt a thousand times worse. The heavy fog of the drug slowly began to clear from my mind, leaving behind a cold, painful reality.
I felt so embarrassed. So thoroughly disgusted with myself.
"Ruby, I—" I choked out, reaching a hand toward her, but I pulled it back instantly.
"You know what?" she interrupted, her voice tight and laced with anger. "I’m done. I’m going back upstairs to tell Kane that we are leaving today. I cannot stay in this house with you!"
Panic hit me hard. The thought of her leaving—the thought of Kane taking her away forever because of my disgusting lack of self-control—snapped me out of my trance.
"No, please!" I said quickly, my voice raspy and desperate. "Ruby, wait! Please... I am so sorry. God, I am so sorry."
I ran both hands down my face, taking a shaky step backward to give her space.
"I don’t know what came over me," I pleaded, looking into her angry eyes. "I lost control. I swear to you, it will never, ever happen again. Please... don’t tell Kane. Don’t leave."
Ruby stared at me, her chest heaving as she pulled her gown tightly around her shoulders. The fear in her eyes had hardened into cold disgust.
"With all due respect, Alpha Kaden," she said, her tone icy and formal, "please stay away from me."
I swallowed the painful lump in my throat and gave a slow, solemn nod. "From now on... I will. I promise."
Without another word, Ruby turned on her heel and hurried out of the pool room, the heavy glass doors swinging shut behind her.
As soon as she was gone, I let out a low, agonizing groan. I fell backward, letting my heavy body drop straight into the icy water of the pool.
SPLASH.
The freezing water swallowed me whole, shocking my warm skin and finally drowning out the last burning embers of the aphrodisiac in my blood. I stayed under for a long moment, watching the surface ripple above me before pushing up for air.
I wiped the water from my eyes and leaned my arms against the tiled edge, gasping for breath.
What the hell is wrong with me? I thought, staring blankly at the clear blue water. I almost forced myself on my brother’s woman. Goddess... I am completely losing my mind.
I couldn’t risk this happening again. I couldn’t trust myself around her, not while she was living under my roof.
I closed my eyes and pushed my power into the pack mind-link, connecting directly to my beta.
Logan, I called out, my tone stern and tight.
Yes, Alpha? Logan answered instantly.
How much longer until Kane’s packhouse is fully rebuilt?
There was a brief pause on the other end. The contractors said it would take a month and a half, Lord Kaden. The main structure needs heavy repair.
Not good enough, I demanded, my teeth grinding together. Tell the contractor to double his crew. Hire more men, pay them whatever they want, but I want that packhouse finished within a month. Am I clear?
Understood, Alpha. I’ll handle it right away.
I ended the mind-link and hauled myself out of the pool. Water dripped from my dark pants as I walked back up to my private suite, my boots making heavy, wet sounds against the floorboards.
Once inside, I stripped off the wet clothes, dried myself, and changed into a fresh pair of dark trousers and a soft black shirt. My hand trembled slightly as I pulled a thick cigar from the wooden box on my desk. I lit it, took a deep drag, and blew a heavy cloud of gray smoke toward the high ceiling.
I sank into the leather couch, resting my elbows on my knees as I stared down at the floor.
Never again, I told myself, taking another slow puff of the cigar. Never again.
I couldn’t look at her. I couldn’t smell her. And I damn sure couldn’t be in the same room as her ever again.
I stayed in my suite for the rest of the day, not wanting to see anyone, especially her.
The next morning, I didn’t go down for breakfast. I couldn’t risk bumping into Ruby or looking Kane in the eye.
Instead, I had a tray of food brought straight to my study. I sat at my massive oak desk, surrounding myself with stack after stack of pack documents, financial reports, and boundary patrol maps. I buried myself in work, using the endless paperwork as a shield to keep my mind off the scent of honey and nutmeg that still lingered in my thoughts.
Around mid-morning, a heavy knock sounded at the door.
My muscles instantly locked up. My wolf went on high alert in the back of my mind.
"Enter," I called out, my voice tight.
The door swung open, and Kane stepped into the room.
Panic hit my chest. My blood ran cold. Did she tell him? I thought frantically, my heart hammering against my ribs. Is he here to fight me? Are they leaving?
"Kaden," Kane said, his tone neutral as he stepped further into the study.
"Kane," I replied, forcing my expression to stay completely blank. I kept my hands flat on the desk so he wouldn’t see them trembling. "What is it?"
"I have to head back to my pack territory for the day," Kane said, crossing his arms over his chest. "I need to check on the rebuilding progress and meet with a few of my senior elders. I’ll be back late tonight."
Relief washed over me. She hadn’t told him. She kept the secret. Clearly, she didn’t want to cause a rift between two brothers. How thoughtful of her.
"Alright," I nodded, swallowing hard. I cleared my throat, forcing myself to look my twin brother in the eye. "And... Kane? About yesterday morning... when I walked into your room. I’m sorry for barging in like that."
Kane quieted for a second. He gave a slow nod, his dark eyes fixed on mine. "Just knock next time. See you tonight, brother."
"Safe travels," I murmured.
Kane turned and left, shutting the heavy door behind him.
I leaned back in my leather chair and let out a long, ragged breath. Relief settled into my chest, even though I knew our relationship was hanging by a thin, fragile thread. But at least it was something.
I threw myself back into my work for the rest of the day. Hours bled into one another as I signed letters, reviewed budgets, and forced my eyes onto ink and paper. I didn’t leave the study once.
It was late in the evening when another knock rattled the door.
"Come in," I barked without looking up from my ledger.
Martha, the head housekeeper, rushed inside, her cheeks pale and her hands clasped tightly together in front of her apron.
"Alpha Kaden," Martha stammered, her voice filled with worry. "I’m sorry to bother you, but... it’s Lady Ruby. She seems to be in severe pain in her room. Should we call the pack healer?"
Hearing her name sent a sharp bolt of terror straight to my core. I snapped up from my chair so fast it crashed backward onto the floorboards.
"Pain?!" I growled, my wolf roaring to life inside me. My feet moved on pure instinct, taking two broad strides toward the door to rush to her side. She’s hurt. She needs me.
But as I reached the middle of the room, her words from yesterday echoed sharply in my head:
’With all due respect, Alpha Kaden, please stay away from me.’
I froze dead in my tracks.
My chest heaved as I fought against the desperate urge to run to her room, scoop her into my arms, and tear apart whatever was hurting her. But I couldn’t. I gave her my word. I was the last person on this earth she wanted to see right now.
I clenched my fists as I forced my body to stay grounded in place.
"Yes," I rasped out. "Go get the healer right now. Make sure she gets whatever she needs."
"Right away, Alpha," Martha said, bowing her head before quickly rushing out of the study.
Once the door shut, I slowly righted my fallen chair and sank back into it. I pressed my forehead against my trembling hands, completely tormented by the urge to go to her.