Sold to the Alpha With Silver Eyes - Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Eden’s wild accusation of my desire to beat her once I know her draws a disappointed frown out of me. I admit I have been probably hard to deal with, and not entirely as kind as I should be, but do I really come off as someone who beats servants? I exhale, looking down at her, my lips pressed tight together.
“I do not beat people because of status.” I tell her. “And I do not believe in keeping servants and using them as scapegoats for my own shortcomings. There will never be a day where I beat you.”
She looks sad as she shakes her head and then presses her fingers to her temple.
“Everyone has their limits, even you.” She whispers, turning to unlock to unlock and open the door. I follow her in, removing my muddy shoes, before moving behind her into the kitchen.
“What is so terrible about you that makes you fear me?” I ask her and she tenses her back to me as she removes the kettle from the stove stiffly and fills it with water.
“Not me, but my family.” She says, refusing to meet my eyes when she speaks. It infuriates me that she won’t look at me and I stalk toward her, cornering her against the countertop, stopping when I am a breath away.
“I hate that you do that.” I grind out the words, my voice low and hoarse as I watch her throat bob. “Look at me when you speak to me. Acknowledge me like I am a human being who will treat you like an equal.”
Her eyes snap to mine, and she looks so conflicted. Guilt and fear muddle together, making it impossible to determine which emotion takes precedence.
“I’m sorry.” She whispers and my shoulders drop.
“Stop apologizing, please.” I exhale heavily and pinch the bridge of my nose. “You are safe here. No one will touch you.”
“Except the king or Prince Nate.” She says, her brows tugged together with worry and I shake my head, trying to fight back a laugh. I could tell her who I am, who they are to me, but there is no doubt that will only take us ten steps back and not forward.
“The king trusts me, and Prince Nate and I have an understanding.” I remind her and she places her hand on her hip. A little slip up of that sass she gives when she is finally feeling comfortable and opening up.
“Yet they still want to interrogate me.” She reminds me and I nod, taking a few steps back and leaning on the island behind me.
“Yes, which is why tomorrow you and I will go together and you can answer questions.” I tell her like it’s no big deal. I can see the moment the words register as she shuts down. Her lips grow pale and I reach across the space between us.
“I will defy the king and prince Nate to protect you.” I assure her. “My job is to stand for what is right, even if the right person is standing for what is wrong.”
“The last thing I want is for you or Leoni to die because of me.” She mutters.
“That won’t happen. We are…” I pause, thinking of the best way to phrase this without hinting to her who I truly am. “Too valuable to the king.”
She doesn’t seem to buy my words, but she turns and goes up on her tiptoes, reaching for the tea tin that evades her. I step up behind her, offering help as my chest presses into her back and I grab the tin, waiting for her to turn to face me.
It’s strange how much I crave this closeness, even without needing it to be anything more than just a moment in passing. Being this close, it’s dangerous. I can’t have her, my future is planned out and Eden is not a part of it. But stealing these moments when I can, while I can, it feels right.
“Thank you,” she whispers, turning around to face me.
Her eyes meet mine and for the first time she looks bold, brave as she tilts her chin slightly, watching me, waiting for the next move. It’s stupid, but I can’t help but lean forward, placing both my hands on the edge of the counter behind her, leaning in as she moves further back.
Our bodies press together and I can hear nothing outside of my heart beat singing a song of mischief telling me to just close the gap and kiss her.
“Tell me about your ex mate.” I whisper, my gaze torn between looking her in the eyes and watching the twitch of her lips.
“Not much to say,” she whispers. “He rejected me, and I understand his reasoning, so I was never upset with him for doing it. Just broken. The heavens failed me so much.”
“And any boyfriends before him, or after?” I ask, my voice gravelly as my face inches closer.
“No,” she whispers.
“Ever been kissed?” I ask her, arching a brow and her face drains, her body twisting as she slips out from beneath me and clears her throat.
“Would you like some tea, Dev?” she asks softly, and I frown, cursing myself for both pushing her too far and not just stealing a kiss.
“Would it make you uncomfortable if I stay?” I ask her honestly, realizing I allowed myself to run away with this unusual attraction I have to her.
“No,” she flashes me a genuine smile before chuckling. “You make me uncomfortable at times, but not in a way where I am worried you will cross a line.”
It is clear she is telling me she has a line, and that I came dangerously close to crossing it. Now what exactly that line was, I am not entirely sure. Was it my closeness that confounded her or my line of questions?
“I apologize,” I shrug, giving her a sly grin.
“Oh, what are you apologizing for?” Leoni asks, stepping into the kitchen like a ninja just appearing out of nowhere.
“Want some tea?” Eden chimes in before I can get a word out and Leoni smiles softly.
“That sounds wonderful. Thank you.”
“So what is Dev short for?” Eden asks, spinning with three mugs and placing them on the island counter before she fills them with hot water over the tea bags.
“Devil?” Leoni offers, grabbing her mug first, taking the tea bag string and bobbing it up and down as she shoots me a grin.
“Not quite.” I roll my eyes and Eden hums in thought.
“Devlin?” she asks and I shrug, deciding it might be better if she doesn’t know my full name. It wreaks of royal lineage, and the last thing I need is Eden making the connection to who I am. How will she ever trust me?
“Sure. We can go with that,” I offer and she rolls her eyes.
“Are you hanging out here for a while?” Leoni asks, looking at me.
“Well, I thought I might, but it kind of feels like you might be trying to kick me out.” I say, watching as a smile grows on her face. One that says she wants to discuss something with me while I am here. “Or you have something to say.”
I groan, reaching for my mug as she glances over at Eden before she places her mug down and excitedly takes a seat at the breakfast bar attached to the kitchen island.
“I do, in fact, have something to run by you, and I am so happy you are the one who brought it up.” She pats the seat next to her and I scoff but follow her simple command.
“What is it now?”
“I want to train again.” She says. Her face pleads with me to grant this request, and my shoulders drop.
“You are supposed to take two weeks off.” I remind her and she reaches into her cup and pulls the bag out, tossing it into the open trash can by the sink.
“I don’t want two weeks off. What I want is to train.” She says firmly.
“What you want and need isn’t the same thing.” I remind her and she laughs dryly.
“You want to talk about what I need?” her tone changes, the light-hearted bantering over as she grows angry. “What I need is to distract my mind from the emptiness I feel. If it were Hastings, you wouldn’t hesitate—”
“To make him take two weeks off to mourn his loss. I am not treating you any differently than I would treat him.” I tell her.
“Perhaps you should?” Eden chimes in shyly, her mug up to her lips as she looks between us.
“What?” I ask, confused.
“Each person is different, grief…it is different from person to person. Perhaps you should let Leoni decide what she feels is best for her heart?” She offers. She inches over to Leoni who sits up a little straighter, no doubt proud of her little friend, and I lick my lips, hating that she makes complete sense.
“Fine.” I grunt, pinching the bridge of my nose. “But I want easy training this week. Tire yourself out, but do not go over the top and lose control. Do you understand?”
My finger points at her and she sits up straighter, her eyes wide as she nods in agreement.
“I can train with her.” Eden offers and I laugh, throwing my head back.
“Absolutely not.” I finally say, shaking my head, only to stop when I notice two sets of annoyed eyes glaring at me.
“Why not? It will help me go easier and I can show her how to protect herself. No sparing, only training like runs, and drills.” Leoni shrugs.
“King Cedric won’t like her training at the pitch.” I say, frowning.
“Unless you take me to speak with him. I can answer his questions, and he will know I’m not a threat and let me train, right?.” Eden says, stepping forward.
I can see how much she wants this training with Leoni. It could be because she just wants to protect herself, but I get the feeling it’s more for her to have a sense of normalcy in her life.
I don’t exactly know what all she has been through or what her life was before this. All I know is she has beta blood and has been living as a servant where she was clearly abused.
“It’s worth a shot, I suppose.” I mutter.
It would make my life a hell of a lot easier if I didn’t need to be on guard all the time waiting for Nate to come steal out from under me and question her. Plus, I would be able to stay with her and help keep her calm, all while making sure she doesn’t rat out our little bond.
–Nate,-- I reach out through the mind link.
–Yes, cousin?--
–Eden has come around and is ready to answer any questions you and Uncle Cedric have. When can we find time in his schedule?--
There is a small pause as I look at the girls who watch me, trying to gauge what I am doing.
–We have time now–He responds.
–One more thing, I need the two of you to not let her know we are related. Our trust has been based on knowing me as just a warrior and an alpha in the warrior sect–
–That is very strategic of you, Devereaux.-- My uncle’s voice chimes in.–We will see you shortly–
“Well, I guess you and I have an appointment, Eden.” I sigh, a feeling of unease growing in the pit of my stomach.
“When?” She lights up, looking over at Leoni.
“Right now,” I say, shoving my untouched tea away.
“Which means me and Leoni can start training tomorrow?” She says, her voice giddy.
“Yeah, we will see…” I mutter tracking to the door, looking over my shoulder to see her high five Leoni before she shuffles to follow along behind me.
“Remember, Eden, you can not mention the bond between us. If you do–”
“It will be terrible for both of us.” She nods in understanding. “Got it. My lips are sealed.”