Mr. Hugh regarded him with incredulity. A trace of betrayal lingered on his countenance. “What do you imply, my lord? How can you place your trust in this individual who has instigated considerable discord among our people?”
“I observe many traits of his mother in him, a resemblance I have not encountered in anyone else since her departure.”
The crowd directed their gaze towards Jayce with a measure of sympathy. Molly sensed that they overlooked the fact that Jayce’s mother had once been a rogue like themselves.
“Although my acquaintance with my mother is limited, I am certain that my determination does not stem from my father. I would never renege on my commitments; I would be prepared to make a blood oath to demonstrate this.”
A multitude of individuals in the crowd gasped, and on this occasion, Molly did as well. A blood promise was a matter of grave significance. If he fractures it, it may result in his demise or the demise of someone he cherishes. To pledge a blood oath on such uncertainty demonstrated his resolve to persevere until completion and his willingness to undertake any measures to realise it.
Sir Antony regarded Jayce with a smile, conveying a sense of pride. “It is thus determined. We shall forge the blood oath at dawn, and I assert that you possess the rogue’s support.”
Molly enquired as soon as they were alone, “Are you certain about this?” It was peculiar to be in the village devoid of the individuals she typically encountered daily. However, it was preferable to keep them distant from this location in the event of complications.
She merely hoped they were not subjected to mistreatment for aligning with Colton, assuming they still were.
Jayce and Molly were permitted to return to their former cabin for cleaning, but Jayce was anticipated to return shortly. She desired to envelop him and prevent him from ever exiting again.
Jayce faced her with a clenched jaw. “I am unequivocally certain about this. I have never been more assured.”
“A blood promise is perilous; what if they deceive you?”
“I am not easily deceived, Molly. They would not presume to attempt it.” Jayce entered the bathroom and closed the door, precluding any further enquiries from her. She scowled at the wood and experienced an impulse to strike something.
Molly anxiously groomed her nails and noted their considerable length since their arrival. She resisted the impulse to gnaw on them as her anxiety threatened to resurface.
She recognised his capability to manage himself better than she could, yet her anxiety manifested as a knot in her stomach upon realising her concern for him. Any unusual phrasing or unexpected additions could result in his demise.
Molly collected her new garments and awaited his exit from the bathroom before proceeding to freshen up. Upon her emergence, he was positioned on the bed, gazing at the crackling fire as though he were absorbed in contemplation. The warm light gently illuminated his attractive face, while a shadow began to form along his chin.
“I prefer your absence during the moment I make the promise,” Jayce stated abruptly. A fragment of her heart was pierced by his words.
“Why not? I shall not attempt to impede it-”
“I would prefer your absence.” He interjected. “I prefer that you remain safely inside and sleep throughout the entire process.”
“I can manage a small amount of blood, Jayce. You need not endure this solitude.”
Jayce stood, his gaze scarcely meeting hers. “I shall not be solitary. Beckham will accompany me.” He strode past her towards the door. Although the blood promise was not scheduled until dawn, Colton and the others necessitated his presence to further discuss the agreement. He did not desire her presence for that purpose, either.
“Jayce—”
He shut the door without replying. She balled her hands into fists and contemplated pursuing him outside to confront him vocally. Despite their shared experiences, he consistently rejected her. She warranted inclusion in the decision-making process, did she not? He was consistently present when she was the focal point of the issue.
Molly furiously donned her coat and gloves before she ventured into the snow. It was gratifying to possess garments that were neither soiled nor torn. She still perceived the cold through her heavy garments, albeit less acutely than the previous night. Her body may have finally begun to acclimatise to the severe cold.
Molly disregarded the gazes from the rogues as she proceeded beyond the cabins and approached the frozen lake. There was nowhere else to turn, no one to converse with-
Cordelia remarked internally, “He certainly enjoys fighting, doesn’t he?” Molly nearly startled at the noise. It was effortless to overlook the wolf within her, having lived her entire life devoid of one.
Molly lamented, “I recognised that approaching him was unwise.” “He frequently drives me to the brink of insanity; I nearly pursued him solely to express my frustration vocally.”
“Isn’t that the essence of love?” Cordelia jested. It merely intensified Molly’s anger. She positioned herself on a decayed log beside the lake and embraced herself.
“That is not what I anticipated love to be. All the literature I have perused was significantly more-”
“Dull?” Cordelia interjected. Molly expressed her disdain towards her wolf by rolling her eyes.
“No, it was typical. The men were kind and treated their partners with respect. They did not seek to annoy them at every opportunity. They… they loved them, and it was evident.”
“Hmm, that seems tedious to me. In case you have forgotten, you are not an ordinary girl; you possess a wolf, and it is natural to be drawn to his challenging aspects,” Cordelia remarked with a hint of tenderness. Molly anticipated ridicule for her emotions. “He is undoubtedly drawn to you. He appreciates it when you engage in arguments with him, as I can discern.”
“Loving someone should not be this difficult, regardless of my inner self,” Molly murmured. “It should be as effortless as respiration or slumber. Recently, it feels as though I am on the verge of asphyxiation.”
“Are you well?” a familiar voice enquired from behind her. Molly turned to find Joseph standing a short distance away, his hands buried deep in his pockets and dark circles beneath his eyes. He was among the last individuals she wished to encounter during such a moment, or at any time.
A portion of her felt relief at his survival, yet another part desired his distance. Molly rose abruptly and removed the snow from her trousers.
