Chapter 11 Lyra
The letter I found in my room had me on edge. I couldn’t stop thinking about how it ended up there. Was it Julie? Maybe, maybe not. She seemed nice, but who knows? Then, my mind wandered to the creepy guy I bumped into while escaping Kessler.
Who does he want me to meet? I pondered again.
“Maybe our mate misses us more than we can imagine,” Sasha said.
I rolled my eyes at Sasha as I slipped into a flowing red gown, feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation.Owned by NôvelDrama.Org.
As I smoothed down the fabric of my dress, my heart raced with a mix of curiosity and fear. What if I find that man with the evil smirk there? What if there was some kind of danger lurking in the shadows?
But despite the uncertainty, I squared my shoulders and forced myself to push those thoughts aside. I had to be brave, for myself. Whatever awaited me at the meeting, I was ready to face it head-on.
After making sure I looked my best and applying a bit of makeup, I stole a glance at the mirror, satisfied with my appearance.
As I stepped out of my room, I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. The gown flowed gracefully as I walked, and I made sure to wrap a scarf around my neck for added comfort and security.
Servants passed by, giving me polite nods, and I returned the gesture with a brief nod of my own, my mind preoccupied with the looming meeting and the mysterious letter.
As I made my way through the corridors, each step felt heavier with anticipation. I couldn’t shake off the feeling of being watched, my senses on high alert for any sign of danger.
Julie suddenly appeared out of nowhere, her presence offering a small sense of comfort amidst my nerves. “This way, my lady,” she said softly, leading me to a grand conference room. My heart raced as we entered. I wasn’t accustomed to being surrounded by so many unfamiliar faces.
As I cautiously peeked into the room, the chatter faded into silence, all eyes turning to me. With a shaky breath, I stepped forward, ignoring the probing stares directed my way. Despite the discomfort, I forced myself to walk towards the table, determined to maintain composure in the face of the intense scrutiny.
The tension in the room was palpable, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being analyzed for every flaw and weakness. But I refused to let it intimidate me. I straightened my posture, meeting each gaze with as much strength as I could muster.
Suddenly something caught my eye, I narrowed my eyes as I watched Kessler genuinely smiling at a lady. She was telling him something excitedly. I recognized her from the other day. She was beautiful with a jet-black hair.
As I continued to watch them interact, my heart sank further, a pang of jealousy twisting in my chest as they conversed with an intimacy that felt like a stab to my gut. Sasha’s growls echoed in my mind, mirroring my inner turmoil at seeing our mate with someone else.
Drawing in a shaky breath, I tried to compose myself as Zach appeared by my side, guiding me to my seat with gentle reassurance. “Thank you,” I murmured gratefully as he pulled out a chair for me, grateful for his comforting presence amid the tense atmosphere.
Avoiding Kessler’s gaze, I focused on settling into my seat, silently refusing to give him the satisfaction of acknowledging his stare. Zach settled beside me, providing a welcome sense of familiarity in the sea of unfamiliar faces.
“Hi, Annie,” Zach greeted the woman who seemed to have Kessler’s undivided attention, her hand lingering possessively on his arm.
Curiosity bubbled within me, and I couldn’t help but voice my thoughts to myself. “So that’s her name. And who is Kessler?” I asked the question to no one in particular.
Annie shot me a disdainful glance, rolling her eyes and pouting before turning her attention back to Kessler, her hands lingering possessively on him.
Despite my efforts to ignore them, their intimacy gnawed at me, filling me with a mix of frustration and hurt.
When I dared to steal a glance at Kessler, I found his eyes already fixed on me. Time seemed to stand still as our gazes locked, a surge of emotions swirling between us. My heart raced in my chest, every nerve on edge as I held his gaze.
He studied me for a brief moment, taking in my appearance, before casually sipping his wine, this gesture sent a shiver down my spine. The silent exchange spoke volumes, stirring up a whirlwind of longing, “damn it,” I muttered.
Zach leaned into my ear in a deep, low voice and said, “I wonder what you are going to do.”
As Zach’s deep voice filled my ear, a shiver ran down my spine. Startled, I turned to look at him, only to find Kessler shooting a furious glare in his direction. What is wrong with him? he has Annie
“You are too focused on them,” Zach said.
Zach’s words hit home. Feeling a flush creep up my cheeks, I lowered my gaze, avoiding Kessler’s cold stare.
You know, looking at them will not help. You have to be bold when it comes to dealing with Kessler. He doesn’t like weak, pathetic women, and that’s the impression you are giving him right now.
I looked at him with a surprised look. Why was he telling me this? Then I stuttered, “I am not looking at them.”
“Keep lying to yourself,” he said. “He is your mate, and he has already marked you. That should give you leverage over him.”
“What do you mean?” I asked him.
He said nothing and started chatting with men at the table, leaving me to ponder on what he had said.
Kessler continued to avoid me, this made me sick to my gut. It was better if we didn’t see each other, I reasoned than for him to be in the same room and completely disregard my presence.
Thoughts of my uncle’s urgent request weighed heavily on my mind, his plea mingled with the fear for my mother’s safety. I couldn’t just sit idly by, watching from the sidelines. I had to act fast, to do something to make a difference.
Zach’s words somehow managed to boost my confidence, filling me with a newfound determination to be bold and assertive.
I took my time and looked at every one of them. From their playful banter, I could tell they were family and friends.
I was in a room filled with people and wished I wasn’t there. I wished to just curl up in my bed and sleep because it felt like I didn’t exist.
Guests were arriving as they exchanged pleasantries with people they knew and were seated. I silently watched them as they didn’t cast a glance at me.
As the room buzzed with activity, I felt like an outsider. With a heavy heart, I resigned myself to the sidelines, watching as others laughed and engaged in lively conversation.
I felt the urge to stand up and leave, but Zach’s firm grip kept me rooted to my seat, his no-nonsense gaze daring me to defy him. Reluctantly, I gave in and sank back into my chair, feeling trapped and powerless.
Suddenly, a figure entered the room, surrounded by a dark aura that seemed to command attention. I could feel his piercing eyes boring into me, sending a shiver down my spine. As I looked up to identify him, my throat constricted with fear, leaving me speechless and lost for words. This can’t be, is he the one Kessler wants me to meet?