"All of those we eat together," I told her.
"And how many are those?"
I shrugged a little, as I fed her some more food. She wasn't even glaring at me, only a small defeated sigh left her, as she accepted the food. Yes, she could play tough, but there was no denying that she might actually enjoy this a little or maybe she even wanted it. She just had to learn, there was nothing wrong with wanting it. We were mates, and craving my touch and affection was only a good thing, never a bad one, but it was clear, just from seeing where she lived and with whom, she had learned not to depend on anyone. Depending on someone most likely meant death for her. She needed to be strong, and she thought that it was best just to be on her own. I would change it. I would change all of it.
I almost couldn't believe less than twenty-four hours with her was already changing me so much. I had never felt a need like this towards someone. To protect and care for them, making sure their needs were taken care of. Of course, I was the king, so, I had always been the people's protector, and I always had my brothers' backs, but it was different with Lara. Suddenly she was becoming my number one priority.
"What?" she asked, as she noticed me watching her. "Something on my face?"
I couldn't help but smile, as she was clearly trying to rile me up a little.
"Nothing."
"Well, you have stopped feeding me," she pointed out, before pointing at a small piece of meat I had cut out, but not fed her.
She then pointed at her mouth, which she opened a little, and I chuckled happily. She was clearly not realizing what she was doing because I could see the surprised look on her face, as it was made clear to her, that she could just have taken charge and fed herself. I had been distracted, and I would not have been able to stop her. Now, she was already learning to depend on me, and I bet she was giving herself an earful for it. Since it was clear she was a loner, I bet showing any sort of weakness was just ... unacceptable in her mind. She had to make sure, that no one saw her as weak or thought she was depending on them. She clearly feared it was going to be used against her.
It was like I could see the wheels turning in her head, and the way she was slowly closing off even more, so I quickly distracted her by feeding her the piece of meat. She was hesitant at first, but as I pressed it towards her lips, I bet she could even taste it, just from smelling it. She slowly opened her mouth and took the piece into her mouth.
She chewed slowly, still not very comfortable with how she had clearly acted. I fed her some more food, while also attentively letting my free hand run up and down her back, or squeezing her hip a little, making sure she grew comfortable with my touch. Her body started to relax, and clearly, she did as well.
"That's it," I said, but she wasn't looking at me.
I pushed some of her hair behind her ear and she decided to look at me.
"I am the last person you have to fear."
She didn't say anything. She was still closed off. That was okay, it was a big step for her, and I would slowly break down her walls, whether she wanted me to or not. She would not ever keep anything from me, that I would make sure of. I would own her completely, no matter how long it took.
"I will always take care of you, little wolf," I told her. "You don't ever have to shut me out."
She distracted herself by pointing at another piece she wanted to eat. She wasn't ready to talk about it, but she needed to hear it, and I bet my words would spin around in that little head of hers all night.
Chapter 20
-Lara-
Chapter 20
-Lar
Why did he have to say something like that? While also looking at me with eyes that showed nothing but devotion! It was not something I couldn't let myself fall for. I had to be strong. I had to make sure he wouldn't affect me. I had been let down enough, for a whole lifetime, in fact, there was no way I was letting him get close to me, only so he could hurt me in the end. Because let us not fool ourselves here. He was the king. I was a half-blood. Our worlds were never meant to fit together. At some point, the council would demand him to choose, and I would not be his choice. His crown would be and his people and the people would never accept a half-blood as his queen ... or more like the council wouldn't.
So, I couldn't be weak. I had to keep focusing on my plan, even if I started to relax against him, and just accept he was the one feeding me now.
"Okay, now I really am full," I told him and held up my hand.
At first, I wasn't sure if he was going to accept it or let me burst from all the food that he was feeding me, but then a small smile seemed to spread on his lips, and he continued to eat himself, while still keeping me close. It was strange, I had never tried anything like this, but I couldn't let something this intimate win me over, and when he was done eating, I was going to pretend I was tired and then see if I couldn't have a look around, but before I even got a chance to speak, he took me with him. He brought me back to a big game room where Gabriel and Ace already had a game of pool going. Gabriel was, of course, the one chatting away, while Ace was so damn focused on the game. I was so surprised when I saw Gabriel miss a shot, and then Ace just completely destroyed him.
"Wow, that was brutal," I said.
The two of them then noticed the king and I had arrived. I heard him chuckle beside me, and I even noticed Ace almost smiling just a little bit. Though, I had to say I didn't mean to say it out loud. I was just so impressed at how fast that game was over.
"I am just getting started, sweetheart," Gabriel told me.
The king growled again, as he walked over to a small bar, and I just followed him not sure what else to do.
"What did I just tell you?" the king asked him.