Chapter 21: Two Different Storms (I)
Rosalie:
I remained standing in the kitchen long after Zaiden disappeared down the hallway. The glass of water stayed clutched in my hands while my heartbeat spiraled completely out of control inside my chest.
It was absurd, completely absurd.
I had faced pack gatherings, cruel whispers, and years of being judged by wolves stronger than me without ever feeling this nervous before. Yet somehow one quiet interaction with Zaiden Nightfang had left my entire body feeling unstable.
The storm outside raged violently beyond the kitchen windows. Wind slammed against the glass while the trees bent wildly beneath the dark sky, their branches swaying so harshly it almost looked painful. Thunder rolled somewhere in the distance, deep and heavy enough to make the villa itself feel quieter in comparison.
My chest looked exactly like the weather outside - chaotic, restless, and unsteady.
I stared toward the long hallway where Zaiden had vanished moments ago and couldn’t stop wondering why he asked me to join them in the study. And Eiden was there too?
The realization somehow made my nerves settle slightly.
Because as intimidating as Zaiden was, Eiden had become strangely comforting during the short time I had known him. His presence grounded me in ways I didn’t fully understand yet. Maybe it was the mate bond.
My throat suddenly felt dry again. Before I could think too much, I lifted the glass and drank the water far too quickly, nearly choking in the process. Some of it spilled down my chin and onto the collar of my dress, leaving cool droplets against my skin.
After setting the empty glass aside, I inhaled deeply and forced myself to move.
The hallway somehow felt longer today. The closer I got to the study, the louder my heartbeat became. I had never entered that room before in the two weeks I had stayed here. Not even once.
Eiden’s study was the only part of the house Aria never touched casually and the only place I instinctively understood was private. Even during cleaning, the door usually remained shut.
And now I stood outside it. My fingers curled slightly before I finally knocked softly against the wooden door. The response came almost immediately and the door was pulled open.
Familiar deep blue eyes met mine, and just like that, something inside me visibly relaxed.
Eiden stood there dressed in dark gray lounge clothes, softer and far less formal than his usual elegant outfits. His silver hair was loosely tied back today, a few strands falling near his face beneath the dim golden lighting behind him.
Then he smiled softly. It was that exact kind of warm smile that always made my chest loosen without permission.
"Rosalie," he greeted gently before stepping aside. "Come in."
I hesitated only briefly before entering. The study looked exactly like something belonging to Eiden Thorn. It was warm, quiet, and dimly lit. Bookshelves covered almost every wall while soft golden lamps filled the room with muted light instead of brightness. There were papers stacked neatly across a large desk near the far corner, herbs hanging upside down near one shelf, and the faint smell of tea and herbs lingering throughout the room.
It should have looked crowded. Instead, it was well organized and felt peaceful and safe.
My gaze drifted further and immediately found Zaiden.
He stood near the massive glass wall with his back facing the room, one hand resting inside his pocket while the other held a cigarette lazily between his fingers. Beyond him, the storm continued raging across the mountains and forest surrounding the villa.
The image was almost unfairly beautiful. Dangerous too.
Eiden motioned toward the couches near the center of the room.
"Sit."
I obeyed quietly.
The moment I settled onto the couch, my body instinctively folded inward slightly. I tucked my legs beneath myself without thinking, trying to create some sense of comfort against the strange tension wrapping around the room.
And then, I froze slightly. Because Eiden casually picked up the folded duvet resting nearby and draped it gently across my legs like it was the most natural thing in the world. The soft warmth settled over me immediately, and my chest tightened faintly.
It was such a small gesture. Yet somehow no one had ever taken care of me in these tiny ways before. Not really.
Eiden then took the seat beside mine while reaching toward the tea kettle sitting atop the small heating stove on the coffee table. Steam curled softly into the air.
"Would you like tea?" he asked while pouring himself a cup and the scent of lotus flowers filled the room almost instantly.
At first, I nearly declined automatically. But then I realized how unsettled I felt. How shaky my thoughts still were. Tea actually sounded perfect right now. So I nodded quietly. "Yes... thank you."
Eiden poured another cup before placing it carefully in front of me and reminded softly, "Be careful. It’s hot."
My fingers wrapped around the warm ceramic slowly.
Across the room, Zaiden finally turned away from the storm and his eyes landed directly on me immediately. The mate bond stirred so suddenly that I nearly forgot how to breathe again. Then his gaze shifted toward the cigarette still burning between his fingers and something unreadable crossed his face briefly.
Without a word, he extinguished it. The movement was subtle. But somehow I understood instantly. He didn’t want to smoke near me. That realization alone made warmth creep embarrassingly into my chest again.
He then finally walked toward us before taking the couch directly opposite mine. Eiden handed him a cup of tea too, which he accepted silently.
And suddenly, the tension inside the study became unbearable. Not hostile, nor uncomfortable exactly. Just... heavy. Like something invisible existed between the three of us now. Something waiting.
I quickly picked up my tea before my nerves completely consumed me.The steam brushed warmly against my face as I blew lightly across the surface before taking a cautious sip. The herbal taste spread instantly across my tongue, warm and calming, exactly what I needed.
I lowered the cup slowly back onto the table and then looked up, only to freeze because both men were watching me. Not casually either, but intently. Like they were studying every reaction I made. Every breath. Every movement.
My pulse immediately quickened again. I suddenly felt extremely aware of myself. Of my loose hair draped over one shoulder. Of my bare feet hidden beneath the duvet. Of the way my fingers tightened slightly around the tea cup.
The storm outside crashed violently against the villa at that exact moment, thunder rumbling deep enough to shake the glass wall faintly.
Then Zaiden finally spoke. His deep voice filled the quiet study smoothly.
"What do you plan to do next?"
