Word Count: 1564

~Avia

It's been a whole day, and Kadrick is gone.

Earlier, I woke, walking out my room to see he has been replaced with another man, far older, although looks equally as physically capable. Surprisingly, it didn't unnerve me. This is what we wanted, for Isaiah to get jealous, and with Kadrick out of here, it means one less thing to worry about.

Isaiah wasn't around for most of the day, tending to business elsewhere, and missed dinner. Now that it has fallen dark, my curiosity has lead me outside, after stalking through most of the manor trying to find him. I'm here for a reason, and it isn't to avoid him.

Sure enough, he's outside sparring with Zire. My impression of the Alpha before coming here was not that he enjoyed any physical pursuits as brutal as fighting. They don't exactly beat each other to a pulp, but it's by no means playful

They don't notice as I approach across the formal law toward them, shoes damp from the dewy grass.

The way they fight is mesmerising. They dodge and move around each other, familiar with their movements, each uniquely graceful and fluid. I wince each time they strike each other, knowing both men are well built enough for their hits to hurt.

Hearing my footsteps, Isaiah turns.

"Kenna, everything okay?"

Taking advantage of Isaiah's distraction, Zire lurches forward and strikes him right in his stomach. Isaiah gasps, leaning forward, clutching the abdomen that Zire just knocked all the air out of.

Zire grins, wiping at blood gathering below his nose, a similar colour to his hair. "Distracted, Alpha?"

Isaiah glares at his second in command, straightening. Smothering my smile behind my hand, I admire how beautiful the two of them look under the moonlight, sweat gleaming off their solid chests. If I didn't hate Zire so much, I would consider complimenting him, although Isaiah catches my eye the most.

"Couldn't sleep?" Isaiah asks, adjusting the gloves tightly covering his hands.

"No, not really," I shrug, shoving my hands in my pockets. I don't bother bringing up the fact that I spent the last hour trying to locate him. "You guys fight out here a lot?"

"Had to blow off some steam," Isaiah admits, glancing at Zire, who merely shrugs, his smirk glittering in his eyes.

I narrow my eyes. "My personal guard never showed up."

Zire clears his throat, turning to look out toward the forest that borders the back of the property, like something just caught his attention. Isaiah doesn't look embarrassed, or wary. In fact, a faint hint of anger simmers in his eyes, the same shade as the forest Zire stares at.

"I fired him," Isaiah responds quietly.

"Isaiah doesn't like the idea of you having sex with someone that isn't him," Zire cuts in. Not afraid to taunt his friend. I bite the edge of my lip, trying not to smile in triumphant, glad Kadrick's presence had the desired effect.

"Actually, I figured you have a job to do here, and maybe you should concentrate," Isaiah corrects, glaring at Zire, who only chuckles.

"Interesting excuse."

"We are done here Zire, I will see you in the morning," Isaiah hisses, the demand in his tone leaving no room for argument.

Zire sighs theatrically, running his hands back through his sweat soaked hair. I'm curious as to why Zire hasn't told Isaiah about how I threatened to kill him, in a moment of weakness. Maybe he truly is entertained by me, or perhaps he has told Isaiah, and nothing has come of it. Either way, I don't trust him.

"Goodnight Miss Kenna," Zire farewells, winking at me before he stalks back across the lawn toward the house, the golden glow emanating from the house alighting his bright hair like a ball of fire.

I follow Zire with my gaze, something dark and unpleasant swirling in my stomach. "I don't like him."

"Not many do," Isaiah admits. "But he's a good man. He really is."

I turn to him. His grey shirt is darkened with sweat, plastering the fabric against his toned stomach, making my throat dry. This would be far easier if he were a little less attractive. That way, I wouldn't get so flustered in his presence, so overwhelmed by the advances that are meant to be a result of our meeting.

"Cherry has a bruise," I comment, recalling what I wanted to speak to Isaiah about. I'm not meant to care about any of those girls, but Cherry is irritatingly likeable, and to see anyone abused, regardless of who they are, is not something I can ignore.

"I know," Isaiah sighs , kicking at the grass. "I warned her mother not to lay her hands on her again, but she went against my word."

My heart sinks. "Has she always hurt her?"

He nods grimly. "I'm taking Cherry out of that home and having her move in here."

I nearly collapse with relief. Tonight would be a rough nights sleep knowing Cherry was inside that house without any escape. Even though the rebellion doesn't kill without benefit to our overall cause, I would have to convince someone to deal to her abusive mother.

"That's very generous of you, Isaiah."

"Cherry is a kind girl," he notes. "No one deserves that, but especially not her."

I smile, although my mood immediately sours again as the thought of Elise comes to mind. I haven't seen her all day, mercifully. She hasn't been here more than a day and I already can't stand her. All she is going to do is get in the way of my agenda.

"Does Elise stay in your room?"

"No, she is my friend Kenna, not my lover," Isaiah affirms. I sigh through my nose. At least I have that.

"But you are to be Alpha and Luna together?" I push.

"Merely a formality."

Isiaah motions for me to follow him back to the estate, so I fall into step beside him, silently grateful to get out of this brisk night air.

"You just let your father decide that on your behalf?" I'm not sure if I'm asking too many questions, but Isaiah is an especially patient and thoughtful man, surprisingly, and is never bothered by me. It's an unusual trait for an Alpha, I would have thought, and it's not just for me, but for everyone he speaks to.

"It's tradition," he shrugs, although his eyes shift with another emotion. It's one he reigns in, an adept skill honed over many years, I imagine. Pain? Sorrow? "Who am I to question it?"

"The Alpha, the rule-maker, the last say in everything," I remind it. Don't push it, Avia. Don't let him see how much you care.

He pauses abruptly, only a few feet from the back porch, reaching out to grab my chin, pulling my attention to his eyes. "Kenna darling, it's so much more complicated then that."

I shake my head. "Take off your damn gloves."

A frown deepens between his eyebrows as his gaze roves over my face, absorbing my expression. He's perplexed by me. He often wears gloves - many Alpha's do - as the risk of finding his mate is far too high. It would mean unnecessary rejection, unnecessary pain. Whoever his mate is, she could never really be his.

"What is this about?" he asks softly.

"Are you even allowed a lover?" My voice is raising with every word that comes from my mouth. I'm not sure where my anger and frustration is coming from. Not when I'm not supposed to care.. "Are you even allowed someone real that you can love and be with? Or are you adamant about being with someone you don't love who you are forced to fuck so you can have the world's most perfect babies?"

Isaiah blinks, taken aback before a shadow passes over his face, eyes darkening.

"I don't have to fuck anyone," he breathes, leaning close enough to me that I can feel his breath fan my face. "In fact, I'm very particular about who I take to my bed."

"Then why so quick to offer to bend me over a counter?" I ask, breathless.

The edge of his lip quirks up. "You really want to know?"

"Yes...I want you to be honest with me, about everything."

"Because there is something between us," he murmurs, tilting his head to the side as his eyes trace over me. "And every time I look at you, I want you desperately, to the point it breaks me."

My gasp gets caught in my throat. "Isaiah..."

"But what do you want Kenna?" I'm hardly focused on his words anymore, too consumed with the thought of whether I should fall into the temptation and kiss him. "Since we are being so honest tonight."

I'm barely capable of remembering why I'm here, what I'm meant to be doing. "For you to trust me."

He raises his hand, running the back of his gloved finger over my cheek. "I don't trust anyone. Anyone."

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