I shook my head.
"You're lying."
"I am not-"
"I can hear your pulse racing slightly. You are lying, and therefore Gabriel stays with you," I told her.
She turned to Gabriel who winked at her before she turned back to me. I could see she wanted to say something to me, maybe even curse at me, telling me how unfair this was or that I really was treating her as a prisoner, but I wasn't about to risk anything. I knew she would run, and I knew she would get into trouble. Soon everyone would know she was my mate, and then she wouldn't be safe anywhere without at least one of us near her. This was for her own good. She would see that.
Chapter 26
-Lara-
Ace and the king took off not long after breakfast, which left me with ... Gabriel. I didn't mind getting stuck with Gabriel, at least if my options were between Gabriel or Ace, then I preferred Gabriel, but I hated the fact that a hybrid was watching over me. It meant I couldn't explore this place in peace. No, I had to act like I was just lying around and relaxing, not planning my escape. Easier said than done ...
"Where are you going?" Gabriel asked.
We had been sitting in one of the big living rooms, and I had been reading a book, while Gabriel texted his many conquests, or at least I believed that was whom he was texting. I really didn't want to know because that meant knowing what was in those texts.
"Bathroom," I said as I had just gotten off the couch.
I had taken my time choosing the right moment to see if I couldn't find a way to go explore a little. Gabriel of course, was serious when he promised the king to watch me. I had hoped he didn't care, but then again, he had caught me under his bed not long ago. Maybe it wasn't so weird he didn't trust me.
"If I hear a door slam, I shouldn't expect that to be the front door, should I?" he asked, while only glancing at me before looking at his phone again.
"Why would it be?" I asked and crossed my arms.
A small smile played on his lips.
"Yes, why would it be?" he repeated as if the question itself was funny to him.
"I need to pee."
"Want some company?" he teased me and looked up from his phone.
"No."
He made a sad face, just to annoy me and I rolled my eyes.
"I am good at guarding the door!" he yelled after me as I turned to leave.
"Guarding it against whom?!" I yelled back.
We were the only ones in the house, except for a few servants of course, but I believed a lock was enough to keep them out or it would be if I really had to pee. I went to the bathroom anyway though because I had no doubt Gabriel would come looking for me soon, checking if I was really there. I sighed annoyed, just as I had found it, but then I heard the doorbell. I looked around confused. The king wouldn't ring the doorbell, so whom could it be?
I walked away from the bathroom and into the big entrance hall. Gabriel wasn't here yet, so I walked over to the door and opened it. There right in front of me stood a tall and beautiful woman, with long blond hair that even in a ponytail, almost went down to her ass. She wore a pair of black pants and a white shirt together with some black heels. She looked like she had just come from a photoshoot or something. She inspected me with dark blue eyes, unsure of what to make of me. I could understand. Compared to her, I looked like a homeless person.
"I see the rumors are true," she said.
She pushed passed me and walked inside, her heels clicking against the floor. I closed the door, not sure what to think. Why had I even opened it in the first place? I was already starting to get too comfortable here, I realized. The need to always be on alert was just slowly subsiding, and I had only spent a night and day here, and I had been sleeping for most of it. Was this what finding a mate meant? Just feeling safe, even if they weren't here, or was it just the king who had such an effect on me? It was hard to say.
"I'm sorry, eh, who are you?"
The woman slowly turned around and smiled. A pair of fangs showed themselves, as her red lips spread around them.
"Well, I had thought I was going to be the next queen, but it seems like the position has been occupied."
Fuck ...