CHAPTER 16. BE MY SPY
Feeling like a disowned pet, I couldn't take myself back to the palace looking so pathetic. I was sulking and it would get tongues wagging if I showed up in the palace in such a manner.
I stopped by a bar in the area and had some shots of whiskey. Been a while since I had a drink, and right now, I was gulping them down as if my life depended on it.
I was far from being okay, but the sun had set and the cloud was pitch dark. I had to return to the palace.
I paid for my drinks and headed home.
The palace was still busting with activities, as it always does. I avoided the main entrance and got inside through the back instead. I was in no mood for the formalities and meetings. All I wanted was to lock myself in my room and sulk to my heart's content.
I'd barely made it to the elevator when Father halted my steps with his words.
*Ryder, finally you're back,“ His voice echoed in the hallway.
“Yes, Father. I'm back. And if you'd excuse me, I'll like to get some rest. I had a long day,“ I said in a rush, needing to put an end to the conversation before it even begin.
“Not so fast, son. We still have the meeting with the council.“
I spun around in surprise. “It hasn't ended?“ if I was right, it's been over two hours since Jason mentioned the meeting to me. The same one I'd asked him to fill in for me.
“No, son. It hasn't begun. You need to be present. Not your beta.“ Father stated sternly.
Of course. He'd never let Jason attend in my stead.
My eyes glanced at the elevator and back at Father. I couldn't refuse to attend the meeting, but I wasn't in the right frame of mind.
“Father, please. Just for today, let Jason attend in my place. I –“
“Jason is not the Alpha! You are! And if it's a matter that concerns your people, you must be in attendance. That's how a good Alpha behaves!“
Another 'Good-Alpha' lecture from Father. I puffed. Guess I have no choice.
“Yes, Father. Where are the others?“
“In the private hall. They've been waiting, so be sure to offer your apology when we get in,“ Father said, as we resumed walking.
“Of course, Father.“
We arrived at the hall and I quickly rendered my apologies. I sat on my chair, next to Father, and the meeting commenced. It was just Father and me, with the older members of the palace council. There were no guards, no warlords, no Jason.
Father began by stating that the rainfall was considered inappropriate and inauspicious.
The council agreed and went down ancient scrolls about the few times it happened and the mishaps that befell afterward.
I rolled my eyes at the several scrolls laid out. It's not that I didn't believe in the wise words of the councils. I just find their ways a little too old-fashioned. This is the 21st century, for crying out loud. Father and the rest of them should realize that and let go of some of their ancient beliefs!
”Even the humans have no idea why it'd rained. They think it might be a sign of an upcoming weather disaster,“ One of the councils stated.
“You mean an actual storm?“
“Yeah, or a tornado,"
”Or it's nothing but just a sudden change in the weather,“ I quickly chirped in. They were being too negative and it was beginning to get me unnerved.
Whether it's a storm or a tornado, they were equally bad and a catastrophe for the one's in poor areas. Like Hara, for example.
Trust me, I feel like a fool thinking of her safety in issues like these. After showing me just how much she loves that fucked up mate of hers, why should I still give a shit what happens to her?
But I do. I don't know why, but I still do care about her. A lot
”Ryder, haven't you been listening? Humans think it's more than just a change. They fear for what might lie ahead,“
“But Father, we should take things slow. We're getting overly worked up over something as mere as a sudden rain.“
“I'm afraid it's more than mere, Your highness,“ The oldest of the council countered. “It's written in the ancient scrolls…“
I tuned out at his words, bowing my head in exhaustion. First, I get a blunt rejection from Hara, and now, I'm being suffocated by ancient shit.
I'm tired as fuck, and I'd do anything just to have some alone time. Right now, I was back to feeling as terrible as I'd felt after my mate-hunt. I think I might be having another breakdown, and this time, I feared I might not bounce back from it.
“Ryder!!“ Father thundered, startling me back to reality.
“Father…“ I drawled, rubbing my eyes frustratedly. “I'm sorry. I kind of tuned out,“
“We're in the middle of finding solutions for a major crisis, and you think now's the best time to tune out?“
“I'm sorry, Father. But I have to excuse myself. “ I was already on my feet. “I trust you all can find a good solution to whatever crisis you think looms ahead. Have a good night,“ I stormed out of the hall.
Father was coming after me and I was determined not to slow down. But I had. He wouldn't stop calling out my name, and he was too old to keep up with my fast strides. It'll wear his legs out.
“Father, will you please?“ I snapped, turning around. “I need to be alone,“
“What in the world is wrong with you, Ryder? You're being insensitive,“
“Not insensitive, tired. I'm tired as hell, and I can't keep up with that meeting. I just can't,“
“What happened to you?“ His scrutinizing gaze went from my head to my feet. “You look…pathetic,“ He sputtered out in disgust.
“I'm just tired, Father.“ I said, not willing to tell him how right he was by saying that I was pathetic.
“Did something happen?“ He persisted.
I couldn't tell him I saw Hara, or that I'd gone after her like some lovesick bastard. Or that she'd thrown me out like garbage. Or that I was feeling like dying at the moment.
Instead, I just shook my head, “Nothing happened, Father. As I said, I'm just tired.“
Just then, we were approached by some palace guards, and I was elated to see Jason walking behind them.
“The elders request your presence, My Lord,“ Jason informed, bowing at Father.
“Hmmm,“ Father gave him a pointed look like he was a suspect in a crime. Then his gaze was back at me, “This conversation isn't over,“
Then he walked away, heading back to the hall.
“Is it just me or does your father not like me much?“ Jason chuckled as Father left.
“My Father doesn't like anyone much. So you got nothing to worry about,“ I replied and resumed walking.
We took the elevator and headed to my study.
“I want to ask how it went with Hara, but your looks say it all.“ Jason said.
I was going to reply as we came halting at my doorstep. But the oozing chocolate scent silenced me.
Ciara!
How does one deal with a particular plague every day of their life? And why does it always have to be in my study?
“Something wrong?“ Jason asked. “Why aren't we going in?“
“Ciara's inside.“ I grated out and pushed the door open, heading inside. I didn't check for Jason, because I was already sure he wouldn't follow me in. Ciara's a nightmare he tries his hardest to avoid.
My rage vanished, replaced by astonishment when I came fully into the room.
Ciara was sprawled on my table naked, moaning endlessly as she had her fingers inside her hole.
She'd turned on a porn video on my laptop and was masturbating to it.
If that wasn't enough display of guts, she'd scattered my files on the floor. Files that had taken me hours to put together. Why doesn't this skank just drop dead?!
My fist was balled at the files flying in all directions. But she began moaning louder, and I looked at her.
Her two fingers were deep inside her pussy and her hand was on her boobs, rubbing them in a circling motion.
Her moans increased as she put a third finger and she was saying a bunch of gibberish.
“Oh…fuckk…Ryder, yes…fuck me…Ryder…fuck me harder…Oh..yes..yes…Ryder…I like that…yess…fuck me harder…deeper…“
“Get my name out of your lips, you filthy skank!“ I burst out in anger.
She paused and continued like she didn't hear a word I'd said.
I couldn't hold back anymore. she just pushed my patience beyond its limit. I went to where she lay and lowered my head, covering her lips with mine. She grinned, holding down my head, raking her fingers in my hair, and deepening the kiss.
She hadn't realized it yet until I'd tightly held her nose, sealing her nostrils and still kissing her so deeply. It was only a few seconds before she began thrashing around, fighting to get my lips off hers. Her struggle sent my laptop crashing to the floor. But I wasn't letting her go.
Her fist came repeatedly on my back in form of weak blows. I had the kiss in place, determined to suck out the last air in her lungs.
But then, I let go and she sprang to her feet, coughing and gasping for air.
I wiped my lips, trying to get the bitter taste of her lips off my tongue.
”Jerk,“ She spattered, amidst her gasps.
“The next time you pull such a stunt, I'll leave you with no air. You'll be dead.“ I warned.
“Bitter jerk…“ She muttered, sliding down her nightgown. “Just fuck me!! What's so hard it that?“
“What's so hard in understanding that I'd rather jerk off all my life than have my dick inside your stinking pussy?!“
“Someday, you will…"
“Clean up this mess.“ I said, certainly not in the mood to exchange words with her. “I want my study back to normal before morning. “ I brushed past her and left the study.
Jason was slightly pacing when I came out. He looked up at me expectantly, “Can we go in now?“
“No. Let's go to my bedroom instead,“ I walked past him, leading the way.
“Why? What happened between you two again?“ He asked behind me, walking faster to keep up with me.
“Ciara was fingerfucking herself on my table, with my files scattered at every corner of the room,“
We arrived at my bedroom and I slumped on the bed, facepalming myself.
“What are you going to do about Ciara?“ Jason finally asked. “It seems she's hellbent on getting you to fuck her,“
“I almost kissed out the last air in her lungs back there. Maybe she wouldn't be so lucky next time,“
“You really are pissed. What happened?“
“I already told you…“
“Not with Ciara. With Hara,“
Again, I was reminded of my agony. In the brief encounter with Ciara, I'd almost forgotten about Hara.
“You didn't follow any of my advice, did you?“ Jason gave me a pointed look.
“I couldn't,“
“Why not? It was easy. I spelled it all out for you!“
“The hell you did!“ I retorted, standing to my feet and walking to a corner, raking my fingers through my hair.
“You got to tell me what happened,“
“Hara's still in love with him,“ I mumbled in defeat.
“Well, it's understandable…“
“No, you don't get it!“ I turned to look at him. “She walked me out of her house, because of her sick love for him.“
“Wait, what? Why?”
“I'd insinuated that what if he wasn't her real mate and she'd been fooled all her life,“
“Fuck, Ryder! How are you so clueless? Why would you say that and expect her not to react the way she did?!“
“Then what would you have me do? I can't play your games of keeping my feelings under wraps and taking it slowly with her. I'm dying to make her mine. Do you understand that?“
“But you got to take it easy. If you insist too much, you'll end up just pushing her away. Give her time. Space. Let her be, at least, for now,“
“Well, after how my meeting with her ended, I can't bare to show myself around her anytime soon. She didn't hurt just my heart. My ego was crushed too. Never have I been so badly dealt with,“
“It wasn't so bad. She just asked you to leave, and I'm sure she did it politely,“ Jason said.
“You think?“ I was suddenly angry again. “She evaded my kiss. She flinched at my touch. And she was calling out to that fucked-up man when I was just inches from kissing her. She'd rather have thoughts of him than kiss me. Do you understand how disparaging that is?“
“Okay, Man. I get it. So what would you have me do? Should I go get Ciara?“ Jason asked, gesturing at the door. “Maybe a good fuck from her will distract you from your pains,“ he teased.
I gave him a hard glare, “Maybe I should just send you over to her instead. I'm sure your dïck would enjoy fucking her stinking pussy,“
“Not a chance,“ Jason laughed, shaking his head. Then he was serious again, “What happens now?“
“I can't be around Hara but I would be restless if I don't know what she's up to.“ I stopped and was staring at him.
He arched a brow and spread his hands confusedly, “What?“
“You'll have to go to her in my place,“
“What?!“
“Please, man. You have to. She doesn't know you and has no clue that you're my Beta. So you can approach her with a fake identity, and give me feedback on what she's up to.“
“Nah, Ryder. C'mon. She'll get mad at us if she finds out you'd planted me as a spy in her life,“
“Then make sure she never finds out,“ I stated firmly.
He tried to resist again but fell silent instead. But I could see he was torn. And there was that look on his face, the same look he had when he saw her in my office.
What's going on with him? Was I imagining things, or was Jason really acting odd when it has to do with Hara?