Chapter 18

Namaste,

Here is chapter 18 and it is dedicated to @HotnessNCoolness for the banner on the side>>> Thanks a lot for that :D

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“There is something about words. In expert hands, manipulated deftly, they take you prisoner. Wind themselves around your limbs like spider silk, and when you are so enthralled you cannot move, they pierce your skin, enter your blood, numb your thoughts. Inside you they work their magic.”

― Diane Setterfield, The Thirteenth Tale

QUILLON P.O.V

I took deep breaths to calm myself. But it wasn’t happening. I was so much into the kiss that I didn’t even sense my dad coming.

See… this is why I always try to stay away from Darya! She entices me, without even doing anything, and I find it difficult to restrain myself. To add to all this is my wolf, who, when looks at her is not capable of thinking anything else except making her his.

Dad had already left the room, but I was still glaring at the door. I was furious that we were interrupted. I had just gotten a taste of her and before I could taste more and more of her luscious lips, I was interrupted.

I turned to look at Darya, who was staring at her own two feet and biting her lip. I want to bite that lip and do a lot more too!

“Um…” she began and nervously licked her lower lip. I groaned because crazy things happen to me when she does that. I want to be the one to do that!

Oh! Fuck my life!

When she looked at me, I glared at her even though I knew she wasn’t the one to be blamed for anything. I just wanted her to be mad at me. That way, I find it easier to control my temptations but nowadays even that isn’t working.

“You should… you should go talk to your dad” she muttered striding towards the door.

“Yeah, I should” I mumbled to myself. That will distract me.

My dad was already in the living room. He was sitting there calmly and when he saw me, he immediately stood up.

“I suppose we can talk in your office now” he said and I nodded. He followed after me and closed the door behind him.

“What happened?”

“I must be asking you the same thing. How did a prisoner escape from the pack prison?” Dad demanded.

“He was no ordinary prisoner dad. His special skill is that he can escape from any prison” I muttered.

“What’s his name?”

“Rick Carlson”

“And where is he now?”

“Dead”

“Good. Glad you killed him. Now what-”

“I was not the one who killed him” I incised.

“Who else?” Dad queried.

“Darya” I replied looking him in the eye.

“Darya?” he repeated unsurely.

“Darya” I confirmed.

“Darya… your mate Darya?” he asked in disbelief, pointing his finger towards the door.

“I don’t know any other Darya” I replied leaning back in my seat.

“She… killed him?” I realized that my dad was in a state of shock!

“Decapitated and burnt his body” I decided to be precise.

“Oh” was all he said and I looked away to hide my smirk. “Where were you when this happened?” he asked with a frown.

“She reached before me. Apparently, he was her target…” and then I told my father exactly what had happened.

There was a silence for a long, long time from his side. I watched my dad curiously, wondering what was going on in his head. He was staring at space and frowning, but then all of a sudden, his frown turned into a smirk. “Now, I know why Duncan kept her identity a secret. He didn’t want anyone else knowing the truth about her” Dad said and I rolled my eyes. Of all the things I said, he understood only that? “I knew something was fishy the moment I saw her eyes. If she is chosen as your mate, then it obviously means she too must be gifted like you” Dad said happily.

“She has to be the only one in our kind who cannot be electrocuted. How powerful is it? The current?” he queried.

“Enough to make my wolf jump” I replied and my dad tensed.

“Your wolf felt the effect?” he asked surprised and I nodded. “Then our wolf might collapse” he said and I shrugged.

“Did you ask her anything else? How she received these gifts and all?” Dad questioned.

“I was asking her that before you interrupted us” I frowned.

“Oh! So you were asking her questions when I interrupted?” Dad asked cocking an eyebrow and I growled at the sardonic tone in his voice.

“Wait… if your mate is gifted like you, then even Quinn’s mate is going to be gifted too” he forecasted and I shrugged. There was a possibility of that happening. Dad beamed in delight. He was all about making Serene a strong pack! “Did you tell your mom about Darya?” Dad questioned and I shook my head. “Alright, I will tell her” he said standing up. “She is quite busy today. Preparing cake for Quinn’s birthday” he muttered and I smiled.

“He asked her to prepare an ice-cream cake and she doesn’t know how to make one” Dad said shaking his head.

“Tell her I have already ordered one for him.”

“Of course you will” he murmured with a smile.

Just then Quinn came barging into the room and stopped in his tracks when he saw us. “What is going on?” he queried entering the room.

“How come you were not able to figure Darya’s gift before?” Dad asked him confused.

“She is gifted?” Quinn asked and I nodded. “See… I told you! I felt vibrations that day” he said and I rolled my eyes. “What’s her gift?”

“Manipulates electricity” I said and Quinn frowned. “What?” I demanded.

“I got a different vibe” he said and I stiffened. “Actually, it was like a blur. There were many things happening at once and I couldn’t catch on to anything particular” he pointed out.

“Nothing?” Dad asked and Quinn shook his head.  “Is she hard to read?” he queried and Quinn nodded.

“Harder than me?” I demanded.

“If she was harder than you, then her wolf would never have cowered while you threatened” he pointed out. “She isn’t as challenging as you, but not easy as others either” he mused.

There was silence for few seconds before Quinn said, “Maybe that is it and the blur was because of her gift.” I cocked an eyebrow, “Maybe my wolf was getting electrocuted and hence it became a blur for him” Quinn continued with a shrug.

“Hmm… that’s possible. But if you sense anything amiss tell us” dad told Quinn. “And here take this” Dad said pulling out his wallet and handing Quinn his credit card. “I couldn’t find your gift, if you get it then pay for it from my card” he told him.

“What gift did you ask from dad?” I asked Quinn after dad left.

“An adapter-less phone” he said in a mock serious tone.

“What the fuck is that?” I said with a smirk, fully aware that there is no such thing.

“Exactly. I just wanted his credit card” Quinn replied with a grin, flashing the gold card triumphantly while I laughed and shook my head. “I do hope you have a gift for me tomorrow” he pointed his index to me.

“I didn’t get anything yet” I lied.

“Then give me your card, I will purchase something for myself” he beamed. Smirking, I gave him one of my credit cards.

“I feel like my birthday is today instead of tomorrow” he said fanning himself with the cards.

“Take how much ever you want from my card” I told him and he just shrugged.

“Q, do you know where the pen drive which contains Darya’s videos are kept?” he queried, while I was opening a file.

“Movie room” I replied. “Why?”

“I want to see” he answered before going out, totally unaware of my frowning face.

Through the link, I contacted Nevin and asked him to bring Quinn’s gift here after an hour.

Not a minute later, Quinn came rushing to the room and then pulled one of the pen drives attached to my laptop. “It is in this” he said hastily. Shaking my head, I got back to my work.

While I was done reading the general meeting report, I stood up to stretch my hands. It was then I noticed Darya’s cell phone on my table. I picked it up to give it to her. We were not done talking and I wanted to continue the rest of our conversation now.

I could hear Quinn and Darya’s laughing sound while I walked towards her room. I narrowed my eyes wondering what Quinn was doing in my mate’s room.

However, when I looked, I couldn’t stop the growl that escaped from my chest. There, Quinn was sprawled on my mate’s bed, while she was in it too.  My wolf was furious to see the sight in front of me and immediately he wanted to take Darya away and keep her to himself.

I already didn’t like her friendship with my brother and today afternoon, she had even kissed him, but this was too much for me to bear. He was lying in my mate’s bed. My mate!

I clenched my fists, while my body started trembling in rage as my blood ran cold. She is mine! I had made it clear to him yesterday.

My growl even earned their attention because they looked up startled to see me. Quinn frowned at me, while Darya stared at me with wide eyes. However, my glare was directed towards Quinn.

“What the fuck are you doing in my mate’s bed?” I demanded through gritted teeth.

“What?” they chorused.

“I was just watching the video” Quinn replied while Darya frowned at me. Agreed they weren’t doing anything, but he shouldn’t be in my mate’s room, let alone her bed. She is my mate. Let him go and find one for himself!

“Go to your room. I need to talk to my mate” I told Quinn, emphasizing on the last two words.

“Chill, Q-” Quinn stopped when I took a step towards him and growled in warning. “Okay” he said rising his hands in surrender.

“You are such a bully” Darya snapped shooting me an aghast look of reproach. “He is your brother” she reminded the moment Quinn was out of earshot.

“And also polite enough to stay away from my personal life” I said evenly, entering her room. “What the hell were you doing with him?” I all but shouted.

“We were watching the video” she answered curtly.

“You could have watched it in the movie room” I pointed out with a growl.

“Look, what’s your problem?” she countered crossing her arms. “This is my room and I will call anyone here” she declared belligerently.

“No. This place is mine, so this room is also mine. Hence, I am going to be the one who decides who can and cannot come to this room” I retorted with a smirk. “Quinn isn’t allowed to this room and you aren’t allowed to go to his room” I decreed.

“I am not going to follow any such stupid rules” she growled.

“Then you cannot stay here” I growled louder than her.

“Fine. I am leaving” she hissed through gritted teeth and the blondie actually went and picked her case from the closet, unzipped and started stuffing her clothes into it.

I leaned against the closet door and watched her stuff her items into the case. She was fuming and I was surprised smoke wasn’t emitting from nose. Darya looked up, glared at me and turned, but accidently hit her head against a closet door.

“Oww” she groaned rubbing her nose. I compressed my lips, to make sure no sound escapes, but still my whole body shook with silent laughter. When she saw me, trying not to laugh, she growled and continued with her packing.

After she was done with one bag, she picked her second one and my wolf growled. I tensed wondering if she was actually serious about this whole stuff and judging by her furious stance, I knew she indeed was. My heart pounded wildly and frowning, I lowered my head to stare at my chest.

What was happening to me? Why was I getting this hollow feeling? My wolf whined and I knew the answer.

I didn’t want Darya leaving!

“Move” she hissed and I looked up. Ramming her taut shoulders against mine, she walked past me to collect her books.

“Just where do you think you are going?” I snapped following after her.

“Why do you care? You were the one who asked me to leave” she retorted sharply.

“I didn’t ask you to leave the house” I growled. Honestly, I didn’t actually ask her to leave when I said she couldn’t stay here. I said that just out of anger.

Darya stopped and looked at me as if I have lost my head; “You just said that I cannot stay here” she reminded, seething.

“I said you cannot stay here… in this room” I corrected glaring at her. However, I was secretly relieved that I didn’t say anything harsher than that in anger.

“That’s what. If I cannot stay here then I am going back home” she spat with a scowl and continued stuffing her items in her case. I can’t believe she is this dense sometimes. Did she even hear anything I said? My wolf was furious to see that she was leaving. He wanted to tear that bag of hers first and then cage her somewhere, where she doesn’t have any chance of escape.

“Stop that” I commanded while I saw her packing. My wolf was already tense and now he would do just about anything to stop her, from leaving.

As a reply, Darya flipped me a bird, without even looking up.

My wolf snapped his jaws and snarling; I held her wrist and forced her to face me. “Let me go” she screamed.

“Do that again?” I dared her, in a malevolent voice while my whole body was shaking in anger.

“Fine. Sorry” she said through gritted teeth. “But I am still leaving. Now Let. Me. Go” she spelled out furiously.

As a reply, I just held Darya’s wrist and dragged her with me.

“Quillon” she spat while I continued dragging her out of her room to the hallway and from there, still holding Darya’s wrist, I took her towards my room. She stopped fighting, the moment she realized where I was taking her.

Pushing open my bedroom door, I took Darya in and then loosening the hold on her hand, I turned to face her only to find her staring at my room with dropped jaw.

Yeah, yeah! I knew my room was fabulous! I wouldn’t settle for anything less.

Taking a deep breath, I looked at her only to find her staring at the lights. I swore I wouldn’t do this, but the thought of Darya leaving wasn’t appreciable and so, I looked her in the eye and said, “When I said, you cannot stay there, I wasn’t asking you to leave the house. Instead, I was telling that you are going to stay here, in this room, for the next fifty-one days.” I remember her saying earlier, that we still have fifty-one days to live together.

“In this room?” she questioned staring at me with wide eyes, while I clenched my fists and nodded grudgingly. “Cool” she said with a shrug taking a step ahead and looking around the room. I frowned.

Really? That easy? It is never easy with Darya.

“Wait” she said and I smirked. I knew it! I suppose she was so entranced by my room that she forgot the most basic thing. “Are you also going to stay in this room?” she asked.

“Where else?” I tried to be casual about it and did my best to ignore her stunned look.

“B-but… that wasn’t part of the deal” she reminded stuttering.

“Our deal was that you live with me” I pointed out.

“Yes, but in different room” she specified. Yes, she was accurate on that, but she didn’t know I too wanted it.

“No. It was never specified” I murmured silkily and looked at Darya, only to see her staring at me like I have lost my head.

“No” she said and I cocked an eyebrow. “No. No. No.” I am pretty sure I heard ‘no’ the first time, but even then I will pretend I didn’t hear it. “This is not happening” she stated already making her way towards the door.

My wolf was furious that she wasn’t agreeing to be with him. I enclosed my hand around her slender arms before she could move past me.

“Why no?” I demanded. “Are you scared?” I asked with a smirk, well aware that if I bait her, she will give in. The only way you can make Darya agree is either by challenging her or negotiating with her.

“Scared of what?” she glared at me. Yeah! She is taking the bait without even being aware of it.

“Scared of being in the same room as me. Are you scared that you will be unable to keep your hands to yourself because I know you want me badly.”

“Shut up” she bristled and my smirk grew wider.

“That’s alright. I can understand” I taunted.

“Oh Please” she scoffed and I tried to hide a victorious grin. “I can stay here. If anything it is you who is going to have a problem.”

She growled while I turned my head and leaned closer to her, “Just add this to my list of conditions” I said with a smirk and released her. This is another condition I am placing, in the whole ‘trying-to-be-mates’ for the next six… fifty-one days.

It was impulse for me. I know Darya is stubborn and she would never agree to stay, after I told her she cannot stay. True, I could have given her other room, but then not only would she be away from me, but Quinn or anybody else would come and slump on her bed. All I wanted is that she should be in the house, with me and Quinn should be away from her. If Quinn comes to know she is living in my room, he will not come to this room, out of respect to both of us.

Darya gritted her teeth, clenched her fists and pursed her lips while I watched her with narrowed eyes.

After some time, she took a step back, closed her eyes and lowered her head. There was a flash of light and I frowned. It couldn’t be, I thought. But then all of a sudden, there was a loud rumbling sound of thunder, and subsequently there was another flash of light.

What the…? It’s supposed to be winter season!

Sighing, I turned to face Darya, who was now taking deep breaths, “That felt good” she murmured exhaling and I frowned.

What felt good?

Raising her lashes, she looked at me, “I had already warned you, if you put one more condition, then I am going to put two more” she reminded.

“This doesn’t work like that doll face” I told her shaking my head. “It’s one for one” I observed the obvious. “Kind of like give and take. If you take anything extra then you will also have to give something extra.”

“Fine” she hissed. “I want an honest answer, which includes complete explanation, from you for the same question that you did not reply properly the previous time I asked” she said and I tensed.

Shit!

“Fine” I told her even though I didn’t want her asking that question.

“Five years ago, when Luke and Fox crossed the territory, they were kept as prisoners in Serene for a month. They were tortured and they were unfed. I thought you did it, but then on the first day you told me you didn’t and I believe you. So…. who did it?” Darya demanded folding her arms in front of herself.

Turning my head backwards, I let out a breath of relief. Thank-God! She didn’t ask the question I thought she would. Running a hand through my hair, I turned to face her and found her frowning at me.

“Well?” Darya demanded.

“It was dad and someone else”

“You agreed to a complete explanation” Darya imparted.

Sighing, I answered her, “Back then, I wasn’t just a new Alpha, but I also had my final exams going on. My dad used to handle most of the things. It was only during the vacation that I came to know of these two prisoners and I immediately ordered their release. But it wasn’t my dad who tortured or left them in hunger. Dad imprisoned and forgot about those wolves. It was… It was Maxwell who ordered the rest” I growled as I said his name.

“Maxwell… as in the former beta? Leah’s father?” she questioned and I nodded as a reply.

I had not just ripped him off his title and, his position in the pack, but also made sure that his orders were not to be valued after that.

“Thank-you for telling me” she said with a small smile, but her eyes… they betrayed ire. It didn’t take a genius to figure that the ire was aimed at Maxwell.

“The deal is done from my side. You do your part” I said striding out. “I will call Mrs. Owen” I added and smiled while I heard a low growl coming from her.

Once I was out of the house, I watched the sky and frowned when I saw that there were no dark clouds. It was six-thirty in the evening and the stars were already appearing one by one in the sky.

I was still confused as to how there was a thunder earlier?

“I think it was a one-off” Nevin said and I lowered my head, to see that he was walking towards me, holding Quinn’s gift, which I had kept in his place.

“It was loud and I thought it would rain” I commented taking the bag from him.

“I am pretty sure the lightning struck somewhere” he mused staring at the sky, while I took Quinn’s gift to the garage and kept it in the back seat of my car. I am going to set it later.

“Let’s go” Nevin said and I nodded. It’s time for a run!

It’s Quinn’s turn to cook dinner anyway!

DARYA P.O.V

“Is that all, sweetie?” Mrs. Owen asked.

“Yes, Thanks a lot” I said with a smile and she nodded once before leaving.

After Mrs. Owen left, I smoothly shut the door and then squealing I ran and took an animated leap on the bed and giggled when I bounced on it. I wanted to do this ever since I came to Quillon’s room.

Oh My God!

Quillon’s room is spectacular. It’s a well-appointed room with modern monochrome theme. The walls, ceilings, curtains are white and so is the floor, with white marble. A massive coffee-brown king-size bed with French Lamb’s woolen mattress over it lay on one end of the room, right beneath the wall.

Facing the door are floor-to-ceiling windows. The curtains could be opened by the remote and the lights in the ceiling could also be dimmed by the remote. There was minimum furniture in the room, but whatever were there, they gave an elegant look to the room.

It was also a split-level room. There were glass sliding doors separating a bi-level that had an en suite and walk-in-closet. I just loved his room, which was twice as big as my former one. The room had his and only his scent all around and that made me feel giddy in delight.

I flipped over and lying on my back, stared at the ceiling. I had no problem sharing a bedroom with Quillon or bed, because I can sleep on my side and he can sleep on his side. That’s why I agreed to this condition and he was right, if we live in separate rooms and barely see each other, this is never going to work.

Pressing few buttons on the remote, I repeatedly switched on-off and also dimmed the lights. There was also a television, hidden from view but could be seen only after pressing a certain button on the remote.

When I was done fooling around, I got up and decided to go downstairs for dinner.

Quinn was cooking dinner when I went downstairs. I guess he was already aware of the new change in living condition that happened earlier. I sat on the counter and asked if he needed help. He said no, because he knew, I was no match to his or even Quillon’s culinary skills for that matter.

“There has to be something I can do” I defended.

“You can sit there and keep talking to me” he murmured while he waited for something to bake in the oven. “So, you manipulate electricity?” he began and I stiffened. How did he…? Quillon told him?

“Yes” I replied with a small smile.

“It just generates from your body?” Quinn queried and I nodded scratching my temples. “You don’t get hurt?”

“Sometimes” I shrugged.

“Since when?” he queried taking the pan out.

“A year after I shifted” I told him the same thing I told to Quillon.

“Hmm” Quinn murmured while sprinkling salt and pepper on the nice golden-brown potatoes. I watched him and heaved a sigh, when I noticed that he was back to his cooking.

“Roasted potatoes?” I asked after sometime because the silence was killing me.

“Over-Roasted potatoes” Quinn corrected with a smirk and I nodded.

“Darya, can you keep this there?” he queried handing me the salt shaker. Smiling, I took it from him and placed it on the cruet-stand.

When I looked at Quinn, I found him staring at his fingers, which had accidentally brushed against mine while he passed the shaker. Quinn looked up and I blinked when I saw that his eyes were black in color.

“What’s wrong?” I demanded in confusion, while also wondering why he was staring at those fingers.

“No… the food is too hot to eat” he said and I exhaled in relief.

Quinn had already served for everyone by the time Quillon joined for dinner.

“There’s going to be a party tomorrow night and you guys are invited” Quinn announced and I looked up surprised.

“Here?” I questioned.

“No… It’s in Q’s nightclub” he replied with a grin.

Stunned to hear that piece of information, I turned to look at Quillon, who was calmly eating his ‘Over-roasted’ potatoes. “You own a nightclub?” I asked and he merely lifted and dropped his shoulder. “Huh” I mused and then came to a decision. “I am going to start investing in stock and shares” I declared with a grin and Quillon smirked.

Quinn dropped his fork and raised his hand for a high-five and I reciprocated it with a slap towards his palm. I then looked at Quillon, who was watching Quinn with a serious expression. When I turned my head to see Quinn, I found him staring at Quillon too and I knew they were talking through the link.

I clicked my tongue and that earned both the brother’s attention. Quillon cocked an eyebrow questioningly, while I just shook my head and continued eating.

After dinner, I went upstairs with Quillon following me. “What else do you own?” I demanded looking at him through my shoulders.

“Just the club, this house, an apartment in the city and a portion of holdings in the family company” he answered proudly.

“But aside from that too you are loaded right?” I asked walking towards my room.

Quillon stopped at the top of the stairs, narrowed his eyes before smirking and answering, “Yes, loaded.”

“No wonder you are so full of yourself” I commented pushing open the door of my room. For a split second, I was muddled, but then everything clicked. I feel so stupid sometimes!

Shaking my head, I closed the room door and spun, only to stare at Quillon, who was still standing at the top of the stairs, with a teasing smirk on his face. I knew he too was thinking that I am stupid.

There was only one way to save my face. “I just came to check if I left anything here” I said raising my chin, haughtily.

“Sure you were doll face” he crooned silkily and I bristled even though my cheeks were coloring.

As a comeback, I stuck my tongue out and made my way to his… no… my new room.

All of a sudden my heart beat increased and a rivulet of shiver ran down my spine. My brain began to shut down as I felt the air leave my lungs. Oh God! Why am I so nervous? I can sleep on my own side of the bed and he can sleep on his side of the massive bed… right?

With shaky hands, I pushed open Quillon’s room door and entered, all the while aware that Quillon was right behind me. My wolf started wagging her tail in curious anticipation and I gritted my teeth, because that wicked female’s, wicked thoughts were damn frustrating.

My eyes dropped on the really fluffy bed and I gulped. I was still wearing the skirt and blouse, I wore earlier and I wanted to change. I used that as an excuse to escape. Quickly rushing to the closet, I picked up my peach shortie-pyjama set and took my own sweet time to change into it in the bathroom.

Quillon was sitting on the couch in the room, with his tab and working at something with a serious frown in his face. Slowly, I made my way towards the bed and as I passed him, I felt Goosebumps appearing all over my skin because I could feel his gaze on me.

Snatching up the pillow, I kept it beside me, so that it would act as a barrier between us and then lying on the bed, I wrapped the sheet around me and closed my eyes.

I couldn’t sleep. Yes, it had everything to do with Quillon and no, not for the same reason you think. I couldn’t sleep because from the last hour he was watching… business news and occasionally calling someone and talking in length about… work!

And from the past one hour, I am trying to make him realize that he wasn’t alone in the room. I tossed and turned repeatedly, I covered my face with a pillow, I even faked groaning noises but nothing worked. The light and noise were constant in the room.

Having had enough, I growled loudly and got up. Quillon’s eyes flickered to where I was at and I glared at him. “People are trying to sleep” I hissed and he rolled his eyes.

“It’s only ten thirty, I thought you sleep at two in the morning” he said with a smirk and I knew he was referring to the time, when I had called him at two in the morning.

Since I didn’t have any comeback, I huffed and fell back on the bed.

After another forty-five minutes of the same torture, I was done. Growling louder than the last time, I got up from the bed. “I am going to other room” I muttered striding towards the door.

I had just opened the door, when it was wrenched from my grasp and slammed shut in my face. Huffing, I turned to face Quillon. “What?” I snapped. He was close… so close that I had to look up to meet his dark eyes.

“Do you want me to remind you what the deal was?” he growled in anger.

“Then switch off the lights as well as the T.V” I imparted furiously. “Or else, I am leaving” I added.

“No” he spat and I blinked, while my wolf jumped. God! Calm down!

What was his problem if I sleep in other room? “The light goes, not the T.V” he bargained and I contemplated through it. Yeah, I could sleep like that.

“Alright” I huffed and hesitantly, Quillon stepped back to let me go back to bed. “Do you always sleep this late?” I demanded curiously.

“No. Not always” he mumbled pushing open the door.

“Where are you going?” I asked curiously.

“Down” he said and he was gone.

At first I thought he was going to kitchen to eat something, but then I heard the main door opening and I frowned. I waited for Quillon to come upstairs but when there was no sign of him for a long time, I sighed and went downstairs.

I traced his scent all the way to the garage. When I pushed open the door, I was surprised to see Quillon trying to inflate a paddle board.

“You are going surfing at this time of the night?” I queried entering the garage.

“It’s for Quinn” Quillon said.

“Birthday gift?” I asked staring at the deflated paddle board.  Quillon nodded as a reply while I picked up the paddle. “Need some help?” I asked while he started pumping it.

“No thanks, doll face” Quillon replied with a grin and I shrugged. I could have done it faster than him, because I manipulate air. Leaning against the car, I watched him.

I sucked in a breath as I watched his muscles flexing when he pulled and pushed full stroke holding the handle. My wolf purred and I looked away. Not good… Quillon quickly senses any change in my emotion and hence I shouldn’t desire him when he is in front of me. However, the temptation was too hard to resist and that’s why running a hand through my hair, I looked at him through the corner of my eye.

Uff!

He was hot. There is no doubt in that. He was well-built too. The grey t-shirt clung to his muscular body and slight sweat was coated on his arms and neck.

“Hundred” Quillon said bringing me out of my stupor.

“What?” I asked confused and he turned to look at me with a grin, which had my heart skip a beat.

“While you were drooling over me, I was counting the number of strokes doll face” he said and I flushed.

“I was not drooling over you” I grumbled embarrassed. I knew it! That bloody idiot can sense my emotions very easily.

“Your nose will grow longer if you lie doll face and I like it the way it is” he said silkily, which added more color to my cheeks.

“I was not” I scoffed. Time to save face….“I was just thinking how slow you were in pumping. I could do it a lot faster than you” I challenged.

Quillon narrowed his eyes and shook his head, “Nice try, but I am not going to fall for such a silly bait” he grinned and I scoffed.

“It was a challenge not a bait, mate” I said cheekily and then, “Hey, that just rhymed” I giggled as the realization hit me. Quillon just stared at me, but his lips were slightly tilted upwards. I sighed dramatically and added, “Anyway, if you are too sca-”

“I will give you two minutes to complete hundred strokes” he said and I grinned.

Woohoo!

The tiger did get caught in the trap.

“Accepted” I said, striding towards him. He stepped back once I took his place. And then, I began inflating air into the paddle board. Quillon, like me was leaning against the car and watching me with unhidden amusement.

He thinks I am going to fail…

All I need to do is distract him a little. How?

After about thirty pumps, I got a plan and then I stared at the bushes in his garden, which was visible through the open door. I concentrated on it and mentally enforced the leaves to rustle against each other.

“There’s something out there” I mumbled to Quillon, in a serious tone staring at the bushes.

“There’s nothing there”

“What if there is a snake?”

“I said there is nothing”

“If there is a snake, then it will go inside the house, because I left the front door open” I said in a guilty voice. God! Why can’t you go and check it? Gritting my teeth, I not just forced the leaves to rustle louder than they did the last time.

“See… there is something” I complained and Quillon frowned. He made his way towards the door and I took that opportunity. Crouching, I removed the hose and manipulated air to inflate inside the board. When I was sure the board was hard as rock, I attached the hose.

“There’s nothing” Quillon grumbled entering the garage, just while I was attaching the hose. “What are you doing?” he asked incredulously.

“I am removing the hose because I think the board is hard enough” I said casually, while he crouched next to me.

“No, it’s not” he frowned and then tapped the board, which was indeed hard-rock.

“Well?” I queried cocking an eyebrow and Quillon turned to look at me and then back at the board, hitching his brows together to form a cute confused expression. I just wanted to pinch his cheeks while I watched his confused look.

“Yes, it is now” he admitted grudgingly attaching the cap.

“Is the two minutes up?” I demanded. He glanced at his watch and nodded looking at me. “Yay” I cheered for myself, smiling brightly and while Quillon watched me, the crinkles in his forehead vanished, until he chuckled and shook his head.

“So, where are we going to keep it?” I asked standing up.

Ten minutes later, after all the arrangement was done, we were going to our room, when Quillon’s cellphone rang.

“Alarm” he said and I grinned.

The clock struck twelve. It was Quinn’s birthday today.

****

Yay! I am so excited to write about Quinn’s birthday. Hope you liked this one :)

Next will be out on March 10th.

Please vote and comment until then.

I LOVE YOU ALL!