(KAELEN'S POV)
The journey back home was way more quiet and it seemed faster. In a short time we were back in River Pack, back to the Blackwood estate.
Amari and Rudina were closely cuddled up throughout. In the car and on the plane. It was almost like they were consoling each other. And I knew it had to do with what was really going on.
Yes, it's been established that there's a big lie somewhere. Two things confirmed that to me: the Daclaw family and the investigation I carried out.
For the Daclaw family, there was nothing needed to show how nervous and uncomfortable they were. It was almost like there was a ticking bomb somewhere and the fact that we didn't get to see the little brother didn't sit well with me.
The car that drove us from the landing ground stopped at the bungalow for Amari and Rudina to stay. They let themselves out of the car, like they couldn't take one more second with me. But I was ready and out of the car too.
"Thanks for everything." Amari said, her arm around her sister.
"You're welcome." Even though I knew there was nothing to thank me for. She just wanted me gone.
"We'll just go in now." She added, angling her head towards the bungalow.
"Actually, I need you to come with me. Briefly." I said, ignoring the ghostly look on her face as I waved the car away. I turned to Rudina whose eyes were widened like her sister's.
"Amari will be back in less than twenty minutes. You can go in, relax, and dinner will be sent to you." I said. She nodded slowly but I could see she was uncertain, so I took a closer step forward, my eyes fixed on hers.
"She'll be back to you in no time. There's a button on the front table of the living room. Press it if you need anything at all." I instructed. "You may not know it, but you're guarded, okay?"
She seemed more relaxed now as she gave me a nod. Then she turned to her sister who in turn nodded back. They seemed to have an exchange that only they understood.
"Goodnight." Rudina said to me softly.
"Goodnight."
Amari watched until she had gone in before she met my eyes again.
"Shall we?" I held out my hand to her. She eyed it suspiciously but slipped her hand into mine. The contact demanded the release of a sigh from me.
"Since the pool house is just around, we can walk." I explained.
She didn't say anything; she simply let me lead the way. We walked in silence for some time.
"We should be living together, by the way." I said. The pool house had come into view by now.
"T-together?" She repeated. I wasn't looking at her but I imagined the crimson on her cheeks.
"Yes. Together." I confirmed. "We are married, aren't we?"
"That's correct." Her shaky voice replied.
"And we need to consummate our marriage."
I felt her hands tremble slightly in mine while her other hand moved to adjust her veil, but I still caught a glimpse of her face, bright pink just as I imagined.
"W-well, w-we agreed to wait longer for that."
I couldn't tell if she was just flustered or if she was lying, but she sounded breathless and was avoiding my gaze.
"Wait longer?" A tough chuckle escaped my lips. "That doesn't sound anything like me."
We were walking to the glass doors of the pool house now, Vlad patiently waiting. I stopped walking so that she stopped too and was forced to look up at me. Those breathtaking large sapphire eyes made me almost lose my words.
"With a beautiful wife, it's unbelievable that I waited until after the wedding in the first place." I said, unable to stop my eyes from tracing her facial features. Those features that looked like they were perfectly carved onto the creamiest skin.
She was blushing and breathing harder now. The small space between us diminished with her warming, floral scent.
Ragnar grunted inwardly, not too weak to acknowledge the fierce pull I felt.
"Well, you agreed." She insisted, her fingers fiddling with her veil.
"Why? Are you a virgin?"
Her lips parted slightly, clearly surprised, but soon the expression cleared out.
"Yes. I am." She didn't sound shy, ashamed, or proud even. She was simply stating a fact.
"This just gets better." I couldn't stop the words from slipping out in a mutter.
"Excuse me?" She leaned forward to hear better, but that took a sharp inhale from me and I had to step back.
"I'm just … surprised." I corrected.
I don't like virgins. Same way Varkaine doesn't like loud she-wolves.
I resumed walking and she followed. I needed urgently to feel some fresh air again. Soon we got to the door and Vlad gave a nod.
"Welcome back, Young Alpha."
"It's good to be back, Vlad." I gave him a soft tap on his shoulder and walked in with Amari. She released my hand and maintained some space between us.
Good. She's feeling the tension too.
"So, I need your help." I announced.
"Oh?"
"I have some scars and bruises that need to be cleaned and oiled." I announced.
"You haven't healed." She looked surprised or worried.
"Not yet." I confirmed. "The person who cleans me is usually Vlad. It's not so terrible seeing as he is the closest person to me, but still, I'd prefer my wife does that."
"Alright, so where are the affected areas?" Her voice sounded confident but I could see the faint blush crawling up her neck.
Her face will burn and her eyes will drop when I answer her question.
"My chest, back, thighs, and my balls."
But there was no change in her expression. Or rather, not the change I was expecting. Her eyes sharpened with intrigue.
"That must be awfully uncomfortable for you." She commented. Then she cleared her throat and adjusted her veil. "Shall we take a look? Where are we doing this?" She sounded businesslike. Even her posture seemed more straightened.
I blinked back, trying to straighten my thoughts.
"Th-there's a table set up in the back."
"Okay. Lead the way, please." She said. I gave her one hard look and then turned around.
Suddenly, my vision blurred slightly.
"Kaelen?" She sounded panicked and I heard her footsteps hurry towards me. "Are you alright? Your legs wobbled a bit."
"No, they didn't." I lied even though I could feel my ears tingling and my vision getting more blurry. I leaned against a wall.
"Kaelen, are you alright?" I realized I loved how she called my name. I shut my eyes.
"I'm alright." I said, and I wanted to add that maybe, just maybe, I needed to sit, but my mouth failed me.
Everything turned black around me.