Shining Through Shadows

The Kitchen

Lydia

Two dark eyes were staring back at me. Small flecks of gold were swirling in his irises, but what caught my eyes the most, was the strange white line going straight through his left one, almost parting his dark iris in two halves.

I couldn’t speak as he held the cold cloth against my face. I could only watch as his focused eyes were narrowed in on my probably blemished nose.

“Feeling better?” He asked as he shifted the cloth around to press the colder side of it against my nose. I nodded my head as I watched him. When he raised his eyes again, I averted mine, not wanting him to find me staring at him like a freak.

His other hand was too close to my thigh on the table and I squirmed in my seat, hoping to create some distance between us before someone caught us in this compromising position.

“Thank you for the help, but I must return to my quarters now.” I muttered out from under the cloth, my hands trying to take it from his tight grasp, but he wouldn’t let go.

“Do you fear me?” He asked with a tilt of his head, making his brown locks shuffle on top of his head from the movement. His question caught me a bit off guard and I frowned at him.

“N—No.” Why my answer came out as a stutter, I didn’t know, but it didn’t help me to convince him that I was telling the truth.

“Why won’t you look at me then, m’sahni?” I wasn’t sure what he was calling me and why he was calling me that, but it made me look at him, my gaze intense as I stared into his strange eyes.

“I don’t want any trouble with the—“ The sound of footsteps made him press a finger against my lips in an attempt to keep me quiet. My eyes flickered to the hallway leading to the dining room, expecting someone to waltz in here any moment now.

Jena walked in with a large pot in her hands, her eyes widening in both surprise and confusion as she stared at me. She stopped moving momentarily but with the heavy weight she was carrying, she hurried towards the open counter, only to empty its contents into the sink.

“What are you thinking, Lydia!? Sitting on top of the counter!” She huffed like a parent scolding a child, but most of all she

looked worried. My cheeks felt warm as I felt embarrassed about getting caught.

“I was just—“ I tried to explain, thrashing my hand to the side to point at the mystery man, but words were stuck in my throat as I realized he was no longer there.

Where did he go?

“Talking to yourself?” She stifled a giggle, but quickly added, "Are you sure you’re feeling all right? What’s with the cloth?” Concern was evident in her voice as she watched me with a raised brow.

“No… I’m seriously fine…” I replied, trying to sound as convincing as possible. “I just hurt my nose accidentally.” I explained, hoping she wouldn’t ask any more questions.

“Get down before Louisa sees you.” Her command was curt and direct. She was rinsing peeled potatoes, one at a time. Her eyes were locked on the potatoes in her hand, as if inspecting each one, before placing them back into the pot again.

I jumped down from the counter, feeling rather embarrassed. Just as I had expected, someone had caught me on top of the counter, not doing my duties, as if I was slacking. Would Jena tell head-maid Louisa?

“I’ll return to my duties now. Please accept my apology, it won’t happen again.” I held my head low, hoping she would let this incident pass.

Who knew what the Rogue Alpha would do if he learned of this?