If I am not permitted, neither are you. “Proceed.”
Caelan observed it; it could plausibly be anything he surmised, even an item for herself, although it was quite substantial in size. He approached the door, turned, and observed all her art supplies and the stations she had arranged from the bedroom doorway. Mason was correct; her room was insufficiently spacious for painting, necessitating additional room.
Daisy’s Perspective
She awoke with a severe headache, struggled out of bed, and entered the shower. She felt irritable and dehydrated; even the hot water irritated her. She exited, stood, and consumed two full glasses of water, which provided slight relief but did not alleviate the headache.
Descended to the pack-house dining room for breakfast. It was shortly after sunrise; she likely had little sleep, still feeling somewhat fatigued, yet was hungry. No bodyguard was present outside her room when she exited. This implies that Caelan and Mason occupied overlapping territories.
They must have returned at some point last night. Observed Mason seated at a table with Caelan, Alex, and Cole. They were all consuming breakfast, attired informally, likely having participated in early morning training. Mason gazed directly at her and smirked, evidently entertained by something. She arched an eyebrow, rolled her eyes, and enquired, “What?”“with sarcasm.”
“Your inebriated musings amuse me,” he chuckled now.
Daisy was subjected to Caelan’s intense, furious stare. She was unaware of the reason for his anger towards her, as she had merely spent the night dancing with her friends. She recalled being removed from the club, a frown appearing on her face; only three men were permitted to touch her: Caelan, Mason, and the pack doctor, Maurice.
Mason had previously informed her that Caelan had modified his most recent orders regarding her, but had not revoked them. She rolled her eyes upon his revelation and muttered, “What else is new?”
Daisy possessed a nebulous recollection of her journey home. “Apologies, Mason,” she acknowledged as she passed him to retrieve a plate, also faintly remembering having insulted his Alpha once more, an affront that Mason had not received well during their previous encounter.
I am agreeable to it. “Caelan may not be,” he remarked, sounding thoroughly amused to her ears.
Daisy’s head swiftly turned to face him. He continued to smile. Oh, for the love of the Goddess, he had disclosed to Caelan what she had articulated. Informed the Alpha of her inebriated affront regarding him.
Her gaze shifted to Caelan, who was staring directly at her; she discerned that she was about to receive a severe reprimand, evident from his expression. “Why did you inform him?”She severed the mental connection with Mason.
Mason declared audibly, “I did not escort your inebriated self home, Daisy,” indicating his preference for a public discourse on the matter.
Her gaze darted to his. He was thoroughly entertained now. If it were not him…Daisy’s gaze returned to Caelan, a slight tinge of fear emerging. If it was not Mason, then it must have been Caelan himself; thus, she informed Caelan that he had a stick up his a*s.
“Indeed, Daisy, it was I who escorted you home,” he stated brusquely.
“Well, this is unfortunate,” she contemplated. Daisy believed that remaining in her room and socialising with her friends would prevent her from encountering difficulties; however, she was uncertain about how to proceed or what to articulate. One aspect of her desired to apologise, while another aspect resisted the inclination. He possessed numerous Alpha Orders concerning her. One insult was justified as retribution.
Positioned before her, his gaze fixed intently upon her, she recognised that he anticipated her apology. She inclined her head slightly in deference, “Thank you, Alpha, for escorting me home safely,” she stated. Daisy refused to apologise to him, as he had not apologised to her. There was a singular instance that occurred recently, but that was all. She turned and departed to procure breakfast, feigning ignorance regarding her previous statement.
“Is that the extent of your response?”She heard Caelan snap at Daisy, took a slow breath, and turned to look at him. “I did thank you,” she said. “Although I do not remember being taken home at all,” she informed him; her recollection was somewhat nebulous, yet she likely retained the majority of her memories.
Caelan continued to glare at her. He rose gradually. “I will meet you in my office after you have had breakfast,” he stated tersely before departing the dining hall.
Daisy exhaled inwardly, then directed her gaze towards it.
I.J. waited for Caelan to exit the room, approached Mason, and struck him multiple times. “You could have warned me!” I would have remained in my room.
MASON was not the sole individual laughing; both Alex and Cole joined in as well. Her gaze shifted to them and then returned to Mason; he had evidently conveyed to them what she had communicated to Caelan.
“Be cautious of your inebriated speech, J0-Jo.”
“If I am penalised, the responsibility lies with you.”
Mason erupted in laughter, “You were the one who claimed Caelan had a”
Daisy’s hand covered his mouth to prevent anyone from hearing him. “Be quiet, Mason, or I will confront you myself.”
The amusement among the entire table intensified significantly. The three of them understood that she had not been permitted to train and was no match for Mason, and likely not even for a junior warrior. She fixed a piercing gaze on both Alex and Cole, who were now laughing almost uncontrollably at her remark.
“You are all insufferable,” she retorted, and the ensuing silence in the room became palpable. Her gaze shifted to the dining room, and she then comprehended her actions—she had just insulted the entire Alpha Unit in the presence of numerous pack members. Although Alex and Cole had ceased their laughter, MASON appeared to remain thoroughly entertained.
She removed her hand from Mason’s mouth and distanced herself from the table, biting her lip as Alex rose, his gaze fixed on her, clearly displeased by the insult. She observed his eyes become unfocused as he retreated several paces; he was notifying Caelan about her, and she was aware of it.
She cursed internally, then swiftly exited the dining hall, passed through the door, and made her way towards the woods. There was nothing more she could do; she had passed the treeline when she heard Mason’s voice through the mind-link: ‘I hope you have become faster during your absence, Daisy.’
Daisy disregarded him and sprinted further into the forest behind the pack house.
“I am approaching you, Daisy; Caelan instructed me to bring you in.”
“Please, Mason,” she implored in return.
He merely laughed over the connection before it was terminated.
“Crap.” She was unable to evade Mason; in fact, she was improbable to outpace any member of the Alpha Unit. Upon hearing his genuine laughter, I turned and observed his approach.
“Flee, Daisy,” he shouted. The wretched man was manipulating her as he drew her in. It sped past her and halted in front of her; she gasped, skidded to a stop, and then fled in the opposite direction.
