Her revengeful Bastard

Overprotected

*Anna*

Basking in the warmth beneath the pile of blankets, I raise my hands over my head and stretch, determined to shake off my anger with Kyle. It isn’t air. Not fifteen minutes after he delivered me home last night, he pressed a kiss to my forehead before making his excuses and heading out … most certainly to indulge in an assortment of immorality. Gambling, drinking, possibly w*****g. While everyone expects us to get married, he hasn’t yet announced his intentions, so I suppose I can’t get distressed about his … adventures.

In return, he can’t really be agitated that Kai Tempest has made a place for himself in the corner of my mind. Never before have I been so curious about a man. How has he earned his fortune ? Is he a man of leisure ? If I was to look closer, would I discover his hands are rough and scarred from years of labor ? I didn’t ask Kyle any questions about the man because I had been taken aback by my interest in him. Kyle would have no doubt found it suspicious.

High ranked she-wolfs don't busy their minds with inappropriate men. Instinctually, I know Kai Tempest is unsuitable, in spite of his obvious kind regard toward his sister. He studied me far too intently and intensely. No man has ever looked at me as though he was contemplating kissing me from my head to my toes.

Flinging back the covers, I scramble out of bed, rush out into the bathroom and splash cold water on my face. What is it about the man that has such wicked thoughts bursting forth as though they are perfectly normal ? Never before I have experienced the sort of musings that caused me to grow so warm. I don’t understand why I can’t chase him from my mind. Nor is there anyone with whom I can discuss these erratic thoughts.

I can’t go and ask my Luna, because then I might have to explain about talking with commoners, strangers at that, and inviting them to watch the fireworks with us. Kyle and I agreed we won’t mention the brother and sister who crossed our paths last night. If the Luna thinks I’m having conversations with people not on the list of ranked wolves, whose lineage cannot be traced back generations, she would no doubt restrict me even more from leaving the mansion, and my trips out are already few and far between as it is, with barely any liberty at all.

I splash more water on my face, then grab the towel to dry it. When the door opens, I give a small jump as though caught doing something I shouldn’t.

“I didn’t realize you were already awake, Miss Anna. You didn’t ring for me”. Nana, my personal maid, tends to slip in and draw back the curtains, allowing the sunlight to gently awaken me.

I smile at her. “I’ve only just arisen”.

Closing the door, the servant looked rather guilty doing it. Then she approaches cautiously. “I have something for you, miss”. She whispers, as though the walls have ears. “A man knocked on the servants’ entrance near the c***k of dawn. He told the boy who answered he needed to speak with Miss Anna’s maid. So I was fetched. He gave me this, said it was for you and I was to tell no one about it”.

In her palm rests a small leather box. I can’t quite bring myself to reach for it. “What did he look like?”

“Like the sort who should come in through the front door. Finely tailored clothing. Boots polished to a shine. Well groomed. Dark hair. A full beard. It was too dark for me to get a good look at his eyes, and his hat shadowed them anyway. He held himself with confidence, but I had the fleeting thought if I were someone up to no good. I would never want to run across him in a darkened alley”. She shudders slightly.

Even though I have already figured out who he was, I ask anyway. “He didn’t give his name ?”

“No, miss. I asked for it, but he merely smiled … and it was a rather wolfish one at that if I’m to be honest, set my heart to fluttering it did … and then he went on his merry way. I don’t think he wanted it known”.

I am surprised to find my fingers trembling slightly when I take the box. Although I keep no secrets from my maid, I still turn away and walk over to the sitting area to give myself a minimum of privacy. When I open the box, I’m greeted with a folded bit of sheer fabric. Lifting it out, I gasp at what lay beneath: the most beautiful cameo I have ever seen. The background is a pale blue that matches the shade of my eyes almost perfectly. I unfold the note and read the words scrawled with a masculine hand: ‘In appreciation for your kindness to my sister’.

No name, no initials, no verification as to the identity of the person who has written it, but then I don’t need verification. The hints are abundant. I wonder how he acquired a gift so quickly. Is it something he had on hand for someone else ? A treasured family heirloom ? Had he located a jeweler who was willing to open his shop in the wee hours of the morning ?

My curiosity regarding Kai Tempest only increases with the arrival of his gift. I have no idea how to locate him, to rebuff the inappropriate gesture … or how to send him an appropriate letter expressing my appreciation should I decide to keep it. He has taken the choice out of my hands. I don’t know whether to be irritated or grateful.

I slip the note back into the box and close it.

Clutching it close to my breast, I stroll over to my vanity. “You’re to say nothing of this, Nana”.

“I never would, miss. Think the gent would find me in my sleep and strangle me”. She looks halfway scared.

Opening a small drawer, I carefully place the gift inside. “I don’t think he would do any such thing, but I don’t want to cause my Luna any distress. She certainly wouldn’t approve of any gifts being delivered to me by a man who hasn’t made his intentions clear”. Not that making his intentions clear would get him anywhere. My guardians would never allow me to be associated with an unranked wolf, much less marry one. Although I absolutely wasn’t considering marrying him.

My life has been planned out, and I have been groomed to one day take on the mantle of Luna from day one. Kyle is my destiny. He has been since I was a young girl. Even my parents agreed he was the one I would marry. They had named the Alpha and Luna as my guardians to ensure their desires for me would come true no matter what.

An hour later, I enter the breakfast dining room to find the Alpha still at the table, enjoying his creamed eggs, ham and other assorted offerings while reading his newspaper. The Luna always takes her first meal of the day in her bed, and she encourages me to do the same, but I find it too quiet and lonely.

The alpha stands. “Ah, what lovely company I have joining me this morning”. He had said the same thing the first time I had sneaked out of the nursery at the age of nine and insisted on having breakfast at the big table. He had indulged me that day, and every one since, creating a little ritual between us that I will miss when I move into my own residence.

Walking over to him, I lift up on my toes and buss a kiss over his freshly shaven cheek. “I wouldn’t miss out on starting my day with my favorite man”.

“Did you enjoy your visit to the pleasure gardens last night ?” He asks curiously.

“I did. The music, the entertainments, the fireworks … They were all amazing. I’m hoping to convince Kyle to take me again in the very near future”. I tell him happily.

Spinning around, I head to the buffet table and prepare my plate, choosing the creamed eggs, but opting for bacon rather than ham, some banana slices and strawberries. As I approach the table, a servant pulls out the chair for me. I settle into place and wait as he settles the napkin over my lap. Wait a moment longer as he pours my tea. I add three lumps of sugar and stir my tea, distantly aware of my Alpha finally retaking his seat.

“What did you enjoy most ?” My Alpha asks.

Meeting Kai Tempest. “The fireworks, I should think”.

“I’ve heard they’re quite the thing”. He says after a bite of ham.

“You should take your wife to see them”. I suggest.

A sadness washes over his features. The Luna seldom left the residence, never attends balls or soirees. I suspect they might have never left the packs country home if it’s not for the fact a she-Wolf of my position should spend time in the city, even if my path to the altar is set. I need to begin establishing my place in society so I can be a proper wife and see to my duties as Lunawhen the time comes.

“I shall speak with her about it”. He says quietly.

Yet I know as well as he does the discussion won’t bear fruit. I wonder if Kyle would be as patient with my quirks and weird habits as the Alpha is with his wife’s. I know the couple love each other deeply. It’s not unusual to find them sitting in the garden in the evenings holding hands. I suspect there is nothing for which the Luna can't ask that the Alpha would not give her.

“What are your plans for the day ?” He asks.

“A few morning calls. I have a fitting at my designer at half two. I’m hoping my gown will be finished in time for the Cottonwoods ball next week”. I say.

“The Luna and I shall pass on that one, I think. Cottonwood has become a bit intolerable since he gained his heir”. Always he makes an excuse for them never going out, as if after all this time justifications are still needed.

“Aren’t all men intolerable once they have their firstborn son ?” I ask teasingly.

He gives a small shrug. “We men do have an odd sense regarding what should count as an accomplishment on our part”.

Sometimes I wonder why my guardians haven't acquired a spare or any other children, but it is the sort of subject about which a woman of quality does not ask questions.

Kyle, who is only twenty-eight, had come relatively early in their marriage, the Luna would have been young enough to bear more children. Perhaps she had suffered some sort of injury during the birth … another subject forbidden to discuss.

When it comes to the body and all its mysteries, it seems I will just have to uncover the truths myself, through personal experiences rather than knowledge shared by someone who possesses all the answers.

“Is Kyle joining us for dinner tonight ?” The Alpha asks.

“Yes, I believe so”. He leases a town house not too far away. Three years ago, at the age of twentyfive, he announced he was old enough to have his own residence, that a young man sowing his oats shouldn’t reside under his parents’ roof.

Another bit of unfairness that sometimes irks. Although I dearly love the Alpha and Luna, I do occasionally find it an inconvenience not to have my own place, but then young she-wolves of my station don’t move out of their parents’ or guardians’ residence until they are married and can move into their husband’s.

I wonder if Miss Tempest lives with her parents or if, as a commoner, she is free to live wherever she wishes. Certainly her brother appears to have the means to give her anything her heart desires.

I consider asking the Alpha if he has ever heard of Kai Tempest, but that might lead to a conversation more awkward than discussing bedding and birthing. Besides, I would be breaking my promise to Kyle to keep last night’s encounter between us.

With a sigh, having eaten very little, I shove aside my plate. “Well, I suppose I should see about getting dressed for the day”.

The Alpha’s brow furrows. “You’ve hardly touched your breakfast”.

Because my stomach knots anytime I think of Kai Tempest.

“Are you unwell ?” He asks, sounding worried.

Offering him a soft smile, I shake my head. “Just not very hungry this morning. I’ll make up for it this evening”.

“See that you do. I don’t want you wasting away”. He say in a loving tone.

I laugh lightly. “If it hasn’t happened by now, it’s not going to happen”. I have always been far too slender to fit the perfect ideal of a she-wolf no matter how much I eat.

The Luna, as well as a few other ladies who had known my mother, have long ago informed me that I have taken after my mother in height and build. While I find comfort and a bit of melancholy joy in knowing I resemble my mother, I sometimes fear I don’t give a man enough to hold on to … That perhaps Kyle’s lack of interest stems from not being physically drawn to me, no matter how much he loves me.

“I’ll see you at dinner”. Shoving back my chair, I stand.

“Two servants and two maids”. He reminds me.

Sighing, I force myself to smile. “As always”.

They are so overprotective. I suppose I can’t blame them. They became responsible for me when my parents died in a railway accident. Frightened, confused and grieving, I had it confirmed that life was precarious, never to be taken for granted. The Luna reinforces that lesson with her constant worries.