Tasting 138

138–His New Crush

Nora:

“Good morning, how are you, Nora?” Lord Atwood smiled oddly as he watched me walk downstairs

to join them for breakfast.

School was another issue I had to deal with at the moment. It wasn’t like I could get past all these

problems and spend one day in peace. My own secrets being exposed was another reason I had

been so worried.

“I am fine,” I gave him a weak smile, walking over to the breakfast table where only Silas was

present.

“Where is everyone else?” I inquired, taking a seat.

“Nash is busy with that prisoner, Ryker hasn’t returned home after last night, and Cain is in his

studio,” Lord Atwood said, after giving me the whereabouts of his sons, and started filling my plate

with omelet and

toast.

“Cain is not going to have breakfast with us?” I was concerned because the last I saw him was

when he got up to call Nash. I wondered what happened afterward.

“He is not in the mood,” Lord Atwood replied slyly

“Dad! Are we not going to address what happened on the trip?” Silas finally had the time to focus on

us after he was done gulping down the juice in front of him.

“I think it is for the best that we don’t,” Lord Atwood eyed him, making me swiftly turn to share a

glance with Silas.

13 New Chuch

“Wait, what happened? I want to be a part of that conversation since it is related to me,” I insisted

and noticed Lord Atwood shaking his head slightly

“You have already dealt with it, and I don’t want you to go through all of that again. Even a little

mention of it yesterday made you lock yourself in your bedroom. Let’s just leave that issue for Cain

and Ryker to handle,” Lord Atwood mumbled, his attention breaking from me when his phone rang.

“Excuse me! You start eating,” he waved his hand at me sweetly before excusing himself. Now it

was just the two of us.

“Did she push you off?” Silas asked out of the blue. My grip on the fork tightened, but I decided to

avoid him. I remembered my own commitment, and I was planning on sticking to it.

“I asked you something.” he cleared his throat, putting down his glass. with a little thud to get my

attention.

However, that didn’t make me respond to him. I continued eating as if he didn’t exist.

“Can you mature up? This is a serious conversation that has us all

worried for you,” the minute he included himself in the list of people who were worried for me, I let

out a scoff, and he went silent before groaning.

“Fine. If you don’t want to talk about it, I will do something about it myself. Don’t cry about the

outcome then,” he said, slamming his fist on the table, and left with much anger and frustration.

His words did bother me. What did he mean by saying he would do something on his own?

136 His New Crush

Is he even on my side, or does he believe that I lied to sabotage Nash’s relationship just like the

way Ford had been insinuating?

After finishing my breakfast and finding out that I was the only one left behind with Cain for the day,

I thought about paying him a visit. I heard from his father that he hadn’t eaten since yesterday.

Making my way to his studio, I expected him to be mad at me. Otherwise, why would he skip his

meals? Maybe he thinks I am in the wrong for ruining Nash’s relationship with Daphne. Could it be

that he has a soft spot for Daphne?

I shook my head as I stood before his door, closing my eyes to clear these thoughts from my mind.

Lately, I have been losing myself. These thoughts were getting increasingly frustrating. I could tell

from the doubts and fears reappearing in my life that if I didn’t let my wolf come out and transition

fully, I might lose my mind. Then the transition will happen out of the blue, and I will be left with

much damage.

“I didn’t know you could sleep while standing.” Cain’s soft murmur broke my attention, and I opened

my eyes to realize he had opened the door and had been watching me stand before his studio like a

fool.

“How are you?” I blurted out to avoid the awkwardness, and he raised his brow at me.

“I am fine, thank you,” he replied a bit mockingly. “Why didn’t t you leave your room yesterday?”

There was a hint of authority in his voice. as he demanded I answer him.

“I was tired from the journey and–the whole Daphne thing really messed up my mind.” I exclaimed,

sighing while he stood casually until he decided to show me how easily he could manhandle me.

“Yeah, let’s talk about it,” he grabbed the collar of my black shirt and

138- Now Crush

dragged me inside with him.

Once we were in his studio, as always, he pulled me up on the stool, making me sit there while he

hunched over me with his hands on the table behind my stool.

“Why didn’t you go to school?” he inquired with a stern look on hist

face.

“I didn’t feel like it. Although I did wake up with a mission to go to school-,” I pouted, recalling how I

thought going to school would be a good idea and then lost interest the very next moment.

“Quit yammering,” he hissed. “Now tell me, did Daphne push you?” he asked.

Wow! He was so stern and stubborn.

“I am not sure. I do remember being pushed, but so much happened in those few minutes that I

could be wrong.” I sighed.

“Hmm! But she instigated you into fetching water from the nonexistent river?” he asked, and before

he could even finish his question, I was nodding my head aggressively.

“That I remember vividly,” I said confidently.

“She is going to get what’s coming to her. And as for you-,” he pointed his finger at my chest,

making me narrow my eyes at him. “Quit getting into trouble and letting others make a fool out of

you,” he frowned. “Peer pressure shouldn’t work on you.”

All I could do was nod my head like an obedient student.

“Why didn’t you eat anything yesterday?” I watched him tilt his head,

138 His New Crush

responding with a little eyebrow raise to my question.

“I was not in the mood. You can go on and do whatever you want to do today,” he stepped away

and waved his hand at me.

That’s when my eyes landed on the canvas behind him. It was a new painting of a gorgeous woman

in a veil.

“Who is she?” I inquired.

I wouldn’t have thought too deeply of it had he not responded the way he did, “She doesn’t concern

you. Go back to your room.”