Word Count: 1613

~Sienna

The grass is damp as we tread around the manor.

"I have wanted to meet you for some time," Kayn tells me, sweeping his hand through his hair.

"Really?" I tuck my hands into my coat pockets, shivering against the cold. "How do you know about me?"

"Everyone does. There have been stories about the Luna's orphan long before Onyx became Alpha," he explains.

I sigh, my breath clouding in front of me. I'm not sure how I feel about being a curiosity. I've always tried to avoid reading the papers for this exact reason.

"I have no idea why," I mutter.

"I do." I can feel him looking at me with those stark, pale eyes. "It's a story unlike any other. Most noble families, especially an Alpha and Luna, wouldn't dream of taking in a commoner to raise like their own."

Despite it being the dream of the average commoner, I would have done anything for a normal childhood.

The only benefit of the arrangement was meeting Onyx and becoming his friend.

"Lucia didn't raise me, exactly. I can tell she loved me, but my mother raised me until I was around fifteen. Then some kind staff here took over most of the hard work," I tell him.

Kayn gives me a long look, his brow raised curiously.

"So you don't see Onyx like a brother?" He tests.

"No! Of course not." My cheeks flush. "Onyx is what I would call a chronic only child."

I've had too many impure thoughts about Onyx to see him as a brother. I know he's my best friend, but I can only do so much when I see him shirtless.

And those new tattoos on his chest, stomach and arms...I shake the thoughts from my head.

"What does that mean?" Kayn pushes.

"He's just...it's hard to explain." I rub the back of my neck. "But we have never really felt like siblings. Best friends, absolutely, but not siblings."

I can feel Kayn's sidelong glance. "That makes sense since you're his mistress."

He's testing the grounds, wondering what the reality is behind the arrangement.

The truth is, I think Kayn is attractive. This process isn't about me, but the chance to draw my attention away from Onyx and his pursuit of love to find my own is awfully tempting.

"I know I shouldn't be telling you this, but I don't exactly have a normal relationship with Onyx. Like we aren't in love, nor do we have sex," I say tentatively.

I'm probably going to regret being so honest, but I don't stand a chance with Kayn if he thinks I'm tied up with Onyx. I know he's not my mate, but there's no harm and looking for fun.

"Oh?" He sounds intrigued.

"Don't tell anyone. This title is just so I can remain here, protected," I explain.

"Why do you want to stay?"

"There's a tutor here I really love. She's teaching me botany, so I can study plants," I admit. I've been slacking on my studies recently, but usually, it's all I think about. "It's my passion."

Kayn smiles, looking down at the dewy grass our feet stride through.

"Interesting," he muses. "What happens once you finish?"

I blow out a long breath, thinking. This is the fastest a conversation with a stranger has led anywhere vaguely interesting. I didn't expect to be bearing my soul to this man so quickly, however.

"Well, I may move eventually. Right now, this is my home, and Lucia and Onyx treat me very well."

Kayn considers that for a long moment.

I quietly note the smattering of freckles on his nose. Dark brown, like his hair.

"I don't live too far from here, you know." He looks out over the hill. "I live in a quiet village that is surrounded by wildlife. You would really love it."

I slide my hands into my pockets, smiling down at my feet. "I could always visit one day."

"Sure. I have plenty of room at my place." There's something sinful laden in that promise. "If you ever decide to brave moving out."

My eyes widen a little, but I don't address it.

I've never had such a brazen offer in my life, and it's a little exciting. This man hardly knows me and he's offering me a room to stay if I would like to visit. It could be innocent, but it doesn't feel like it.

"I'm not going to stay there forever. Especially not when I find my mate," I tell him, wondering if I can cool down his advances slightly.

Kayn stops, drawing my hand from my pocket before brushing his fingers across my bare skin.

Nothing. No sparks.

"Damn."

"Damn?"

"We aren't mates." He keeps walking. I stare at the back of his head, bewildered before I fall back into step with him.

"You were hoping we were?"

He shrugs casually like that wasn't the most direct admission of interest I have ever heard. I feel like I've stepped into a realm where people just admit their feelings openly with no concern for social protocol.

"You're beautiful. It wouldn't be so bad if you were." His brows rise, daring me to argue otherwise.

"Oh...that's sweet." I scuff my feet through the grass, trying not to let my anxious excitement overwhelm me.

"So as the Alpha's mistress, are you ever allowed to do your own thing?" He asks abruptly.

"My own thing?" I query.

"Like be with who you want? Sleep with who you want," he asks. "He does, I'm assuming. Especially since he's considering marriage."

I sigh, a little uncomfortable.

Onyx has told me he hasn't slept with anyone in a while, and I believe him. I'm not sure what or who he is waiting for, but something in him has shifted.

"We haven't really talked about it, but I'm assuming I can," I say uneasily. I don't have interest in sleeping with anyone right now, and even if I did, Onyx wouldn't be controlling that. "He told me the title isn't forever."

"So you'll let me take you out to a restaurant in the nearest town, then?" He gives me a lopsided smile as he looks at me.

I look down at my hands. Honestly, a casual date would be nice, as long as Kayn cools down with the flirtation.

It's flattering, but a little overwhelming.

"Well, it probably isn't a good idea to be out in public with another man," I remind him, scratching the top of my head.

"Right." His mouth tightens, but he quickly brushes off the irritation. "I'll talk to the chefs, find out your favourite food, and I can bring it up to your room one evening."

I laugh under my breath. The chefs are basically my family, and Diane, the head of the kitchen will find great amusement if she hears about Kayn's date idea.

Knowing her sense of humour, she'll make a dinner comprised of every ingredient I can't stand.

"Okay...sure."

"Just make sure the Alpha doesn't rip my head off. I've seen how he acts around people who have gotten too close to you in public," he hastens to add, glancing back at the manor like my friend is about to emerge to kill him off right now.

The difference between Kayn and all the people Onyx has killed, threatened or harmed is that Kayn isn't putting my life in danger.

"Let me deal with Onyx."

"Shall we go back inside then? I'm sure my sister has been talking the poor man's ear off all afternoon." He laughs a little to himself, imagining the scene.

"Good idea." We turn back, walking back to the front of the manor. "Do you think she could ever love him?"

I couldn't bare leaving Onyx without me and someone to love. It would tear him apart.

"Lexa?" Kayn rubs the back of his neck. "No chance. She's far too selfish and arrogant for true love. It's all been reserved for her."

"That's mean, she's your sister," I chastise.

"In my defense, she would say the same thing about herself," he says.

After Lexa's accusations, I get the feeling she is simply sure of herself, confident. Onyx could do well with someone like that, especially when he's so indecisive about his private life.

"I just want Onyx to be happy," I say wistfully. "He says he can't fall in love with his wife, but I don't think that's the case. He's full of love."

He's the most romantic person I know. He wants one person to spend the rest of his life with, he just claims the decision is more complicated than I could ever understand.

Whatever that means...

Kayn looks at me, a misty haze of uncertainty in his eyes. "You speak so fondly of him."

"He's my best friend."

"I get it." He looks down at his feet. "You feel guilty about wanting to leave him here with a loveless marriage, don't you?"

"That's part of it."

"He's a grown man, Sienna. He can look after himself," Kayn insists, the biting edge to his tone settling over me strangely. "I'm going to teach you, as long as I'm here, how to look out for yourself. No one else."

I bite down on my tongue, wondering if he's right.

"Let's just get inside."

❤️••❤️

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~Midika 💜🐼