Chapter Twenty Seven

When someone told me that the security system was beefed up, they hadn't been joking. The palace grounds were littered with black leather that didn't make a single attempt at disguising itself. Just the sight of all the guards here might intimidate someone enough to cause them to rethink their ideas.

Since we left the hospital, Kendall and I hadn't talked to one another. I definitely preferred it that way, at least for the current moment. However, the entire ride back to the palace I could feel his calculating eyes on my figure as if he was waiting for me to say or do something at any moment. Neither was happening if it were up to me, especially since I still wasn't sure what had exactly happened at the hospital.

The only thing I was sure of were the facts. One second I had been angry at Kendall for his stupidity and the next, his mouth was on mine. Then, he was kissing me, and I was kissing him back without regret. It was me who had broken the kiss in an attempt to comprehend what was all happening because when Kendall's lips were on mine, thinking wasn't a process I could do. But it was Kendall who reiterated me, saying we should go, and continued on like nothing had happened.

So I didn't ask him anything or even say anything. I just followed him out of the hospital and avoided making eye contact. If I did, I was afraid he would see the emotions and feelings I didn't want him to go near, thus causing a conversation that could be stalled. I didn't want him to know I had enjoyed kissing him far more than I should have.

I enjoyed how soft and demanding his lips had felt and how gently he had held me in his arms. I had actually enjoyed the taste of his mouth, cool mint that didn't fully hide the touch of vodka like it was supposed to. I enjoyed it so much that I kept yearning his touch and desiring the thought of pulling him back to me during our ride just so I could kiss him again. And again. And again.

But I knew that if I did so, something would happen. Kendall might let me down later, telling me that he'd only kissed me out of pity and guilt. Or, Kendall might say something about us possibly becoming more than friends, if that's what you would call our current relationship. But both would end badly.

If he rejected me, I knew it would hurt. I knew it would hurt like hell because long ago, I used to have someone I cared deeply for. We may have parted ways mutually, but I still wished for him afterwards. I couldn't afford to do the same with Kendall, especially if I still had to see him every day.

However, if Kendall told me he wanted more from me, it would be bad all around. I would be the one letting him down, but it would still cause me pain. I cared for Kendall, but I wouldn't admit to myself just how much I did. The problem was that no matter the scenario, I couldn't imagine a future where Kendall and I were together.

I couldn't imagine Kendall and me in any way other than how we were. Relationships were something that required constant work and care. We bickered too much to withstand one another. I also didn't fit or feel comfortable in Kendall's world of royalty and formality. Kendall would eventually become frustrated with my lack of qualities that were essential in his world and realize his mistake. I would become too attached to a man who couldn't even afford to visit me in the hospital and realize my mistake.

Either way, it would end horribly for both of us. So it was best to leave it alone and ignore it. I hoped that Kendall was in silent agreement with me, but by the way he kept staring at me, he was taking a far different path than me.

"Damn you, Kendall," I muttered as the carriage stopped, and I pushed the door open, storming out.

But not before seeing Kendall's startled eyes and he looked around in confusion. I realized he had no idea why I had cursed his name, but I couldn't, and didn't want to, sit here and explain the jumble of thoughts roaming my mind.

The second I stepped out of the carriage, I heard the low sound of a werewolf growling before it descended and halted. When I looked up at him, I could see his large teeth were glistening and still bared, a silent growl remaining. I froze because I vaguely remembered someone telling me that when a wolf ceases its growls, you either freeze or run like hell.

"Remain where you are," another guard called out, and I could feel a growl rumbling in my throat as they attempted to surround me. I felt my back hitting the carriage.

"Enough, call back your dog," Kendall said as he walked to my side and I tensed.

I watched as they reluctantly yanked the werewolf back, his eyes as hollow as the others, before saying, "He isn't a dog."

A werewolf assigned to a guard was a "dog." It was sickening to me, almost as sickening as their malnourished, broken appearance. But Kendall grew up in a world where the term was appropriate. He couldn't understand, no matter how hard he tried to. He was a human, part of the race that considered themselves superior to the lowly werewolf.

"Let's just go," I sighed, closing my eyes and rubbing my temples. I was disappointed in Kendall's word choice, but I couldn't explain how it was wrong. As he'd pointed out in the hospital, I couldn't change how or what he thought.

"Wait," Kendall said, putting his hand on my forearm. He didn't pull me to him but waited until I turned in his direction.

"Are you still mad at me? I apologized at the hospital," he said, attempting to search my face for the answers he wanted. But he wouldn't find any.

Just like that, everything was back to normal between us. I scoffed, my way of showing him that we were fine. "That wasn't an apology in any sense. I'm not sure what the hell it was, but I know it surely wasn't an apology," I said, watching with amusement as Kendall's eyes gained an impatient look.

"It is the closest to one that you are receiving," he said, his arms crossing and a frown formed on his face. But I could see the light in his eyes.

"And you know what you can do with that pretty apology of yours?" I asked sweetly, taking one step closer so that his chest touched mine, and I could hear the increase in his heart rate. It seemed to double when my lips hovered over his ear.

"You can shove it up your uptight, royal ass."

The look on his face revealed that it was worth it and so much more. I walked past him and into the palace, silently laughing as Kendall attempted to regain his neutrality.

The palace looked the same as before, not an expensive vase or portrait out of place. The servants were scurrying about as usual, but they kept as far from the new guards as possible. They wouldn't even allow their eyes to stray near them.

I had to admit: they did appear a little intimidating. They were each covered in a thick coat of black armor that revealed nothing but a pair of expressionless, alert eyes. They were certainly different than the old guards that had been here.

Even the werewolves assigned to them wore armor, black as the guards' with gray metal that shined under the right lighting. I imagined people thought it made them look like warriors as the Gordon's had originally wanted, magnificent yet terrifying. But I was sure they didn't feel that way. The werewolves probably felt ashamed, angry, or nothing at all. I couldn't even deal with being assigned to a guard as I almost had. I would've fought until they decided I was best dead.

My attention turned to Kendall when I heard a frustrated sigh leaving him. I looked in the general direction that he was and frowned when I saw his mother walking towards us, her husband following behind.

"Kendall, darling, I am glad you are here. I missed you," she said, sounding overly cheerful. When her eyes drifted to me, I could clearly see the look of distaste that rose to her eyes.

"Marlene," I said, offering a less-than-pleasant smile. I'd pretend to play nice until she gave me one of her nasty comments. Then, I would happily choke her.

She smiled suddenly, saying, "A . . . pleasant surprise to see you again. But then, you do live here as my son's lap dog, do you not, Snowflake?"

"Back off," I said, but the words were barely audible because of the growl that warped them. Satisfaction cooled me down slightly as I saw a flash of fear enter her eyes as she backed away.

"You are on my land. Disrespect my Protector once again and I will have the guards kindly escort you out," Kendall warned sharply and without hesitation. His mother seemed shocked, but I could see genuine respect from his father.

"Would you fetch a suit from my personal room?" Kendall asked me, the hidden words in his eyes. He was giving me a chance to leave.

"Fetch them because I'm a wolf, right?" I muttered but took the key from his hand. I felt his hand linger a moment longer than necessary before he pulled it away.

I started towards Kendall's room, hesitating when I noticed the herd of guards that trailed behind me. I knew they were there for protection, but I couldn't help but walk faster and feel paranoia enter me.

When I reached Kendall's room, I quickly unlocked the door and slid in. I turned on the lights, thinking perhaps Kendall's room would be bare with only a little more than the necessities. But Kendall managed to take me by surprise.

His walls were black as fuel, but his furnishings were painted a soft gray color. There were pictures in his room, hanging all over the walls. I found myself drawn to them.

There were none of his family, but I did spot several of him, Lex, and Raelynn. Each time, they were all smiling, but as they grew older, Kendall's smile lessened. He looked more alone with each photo, a third wheel for the happy couple.

Other photos seemed to be of places within or near the palace. For instance, I spotted a photograph of his garden, a stunning Amaryllis bleeding red. But other than those, I didn't see anything. Kendall didn't have much of a life outside his palace and two childhood friends.

I was just about to search for a suit when another photo caught my eye, one that I must've missed in my first glance. It was framed in silver, hovering near his bed and nightstand.

The werewolf in the picture stared directly at the camera as if challenging it. Her hazel eyes held defiance, but most wouldn't notice. Her white fur was what had caught my attention as it was pristine and free of debris. On one ear, there was a clear, blackened, and visible symbol, marking her as the property of a Gordon. I knew it was me, but I was still in awe at the quality the picture held.

I thought about when the picture could have possibly been taken as I made my way over to his wardrobe. It was oak but had been painted to match the rest of his room. I opened the two doors, stifling a laugh. There were nothing but suits. Leave it to Kendall to keep it classy.

I grabbed the first suit I spotted, carelessly throwing it on his bed. I was just about to close the doors, but something in the back shined, begging for me to pick it up. I cursed mentally, thinking it over.

On one hand, I could grab the suit and leave in hopes that I would get this opportunity again. I'd been nosy enough, and as they say, curiosity killed the cat.

On the other hand, I was a werewolf, not a cat. Satisfaction had brought her back after all, hadn't it? It also just so happened I didn't particularly care what Kendall might say. A very small part of me was still angry at him, so this would be some sort of payback.

I grinned to myself, reaching back and grabbing the foreign and forbidden object. When it was in my hands, I felt disappointment. It was just a wooden box. The gold edging was what had caught my eye.

"If I had wanted someone to snoop through my room, I would have no need for locking it regularly."

I jumped slightly but frowned when I turned around only to find Kendall. Some werewolf I was. I had been so busy "snooping" that I hadn't heard him approaching.

"Do I need to invest in a bell for you? I'm sure they have an adorable one that would look stylish on you," I said, and Kendall gave me an unamused look, his eyes flickering when he saw the box in my hands.

I expected him to yell or snap at me, but he didn't. He walked over slowly, stopping when he was by my side. I watched as he took the slender box from me, a faint smile on his face.

"I suppose it is fitting for you to find this," Kendall said, and I couldn't do anything but gasp when he popped the box open.

Inside, there was a necklace. It was pure gold, and it took my breath away. The chain dazzled and danced, but it wasn't the star of the show. No matter how much it swayed and sparkled, it would never out beat the emerald jewel that was encased in a swirl of gold, which formed a heart. I could find myself staring at it for hour upon hours and still be in awe by its presence.

"Who's it for?" I whispered, running my finger along the edge of the box. Jealousy stirred within, but I pushed it down.

Kendall carefully took the necklace out of its box, speaking as he did so. "While you were in the hospital, I spent some time searching for a respected witch. It was much harder than expected, given that there are not but a few respected lesser creatures. However, I found one and insisted that she enchant the necklace."

My breath hitched as he walked behind me, his hand skimming my back as it moved my hair. I heard the chain unclasp before it touched my skin and was clasped back. But it was Kendall's lips pressing against my shoulder that caused me to shiver.

His cool breath fanned my skin, and I had to fight back another shiver as he said, "It should adjust itself when you shift. I hope this is a more sufficient apology."

"Kendall-" I started, but he shushed me.

"Look at the penchant closer," he advised, pride in his voice mixed with a hint of mischief. I did so and found myself frowning.

There were three simple words written on the swirl of the heart, one much too familiar.

"How?" I asked him. Of course, Kendall had found out.

"Did you not think I would do a full background check on my Protector?" Kendall asked, amusement coloring both his face and voice.

I was touched by the gift, enough so that I wrapped my arms around Kendall. His body tensed in surprise but relaxed, and he hugged me back as I buried my face into his neck.

"Thank you," I said quietly, closing my eyes and enjoying the blissful moment.

"Anything for you, love," Kendall replied absentmindedly, stroking my hair.

And just like that, I began falling for him.

*So for those of you who know things like Snowflake's name and OTHER things PLEASE don't ruin it for new readers. They should get to be surprised just like y'all! Thank you thank you and I hope you enjoyed the chapter.