“Nothing!” Molly whispered, swiftly scanning her surroundings to ensure no one overheard her. “He is not our companion.”
“You cannot deny it indefinitely. Eventually, it will be unbearable to witness him with another. You are aware that he would violently confront anyone who gazed at you improperly.”
Molly asserted, “I am indifferent to his actions,” as she averted her gaze from the attractive woman. If he desired her, he could possess her. She tidied her disarray and proceeded to her cabin in search of warmth and a brief repose.
“Do you believe I would be naive enough to accept that? I understand your heart more profoundly than you do. Acknowledge that he is a good man to you.”
Molly whispered as forcefully as she could, “I would never.” She had not yet acclimated to responding internally, which required her attention.
“Envision him with that girl. Recall his demeanour with Vera and assert that you are indifferent.” The voice mocked. Molly endeavoured to suppress the memories. She did not require Vera’s exaggerated noises disturbing her dreams once more.
“I am uncertain of your intentions, but they are futile. He is a prince, while I am merely his servant. We are not destined to be together.” Molly hissed, clenching her fists at her sides as she hastened towards her cabin, seeking solitude to prevent an outburst directed at her inner wolf. She was on the verge of accomplishing precisely that.
“Envision him positioned above her as he was above you in your dream. How did it feel to have his lips on you? Did you desire it to be authentic? Did you permit yourself-”
Molly exclaimed, “Cease this!” Numerous gazes fixated on her as though she were deranged. She felt somewhat unhinged, to be candid. She shut her eyes firmly, hoping to make them all vanish, but they did not. They remained present, gazing at her as if she had just discarded her intellect before them.
“Apologies,” Molly stated before forcefully closing the door to her cabin. She could not recall how she arrived here; it was merely a vast blur as she hurried across the snow in search of solitude. Owning a wolf proved to be considerably more vexatious than she had anticipated. She had never contemplated the experience of having an internal conflict arise to contest a fundamentally erroneous assertion.
“What should I refer to you as?” Molly enquired while removing her jacket and proceeding to ignite a fire.
Her wolf emitted a laugh. The sound was so exquisite that Molly was certain she would not respond. “Cordelia, I find it somewhat embarrassing that you were unaware of that.”
The name resonated with familiarity, as though it had lingered on the cusp of her consciousness. She had no inkling of how that was feasible. “What reason would I have to know that?”
“You’ve had many dreams of me, I suppose you’ve only forgotten.” Cordelia made a sound of disapproval.
Molly approached the window and peered through the curtains. Fortunately, no one was observing her cabin. “You led them all to believe I am insane.”
“They have already considered that, my dear,” she chuckled. Molly expressed her disdain by rolling her eyes. “They have all experienced your current situation at some point, whether in their youth or more recently. It is natural to feel fear.”
Molly wished to protest and assert that she was not afraid at all. But that wouldn’t have been the truth. She was filled with dread. Could she potentially refrain from transforming into her wolf again?
Her eyes caught on Jayce as he walked across the snow with Beckham. His height and striking features made him difficult to overlook. His face was twisted in a fit of anger, but Molly thought he always looked that way.
The blonde woman previously encountered halted him, and Molly endeavoured to eavesdrop on their conversation, but her distance rendered her unable to hear. She slammed the curtain closed before she turned away and headed straight for the bed.
She was indifferent. She knew she didn’t. At least she was not subjected to their cacophony here. This wasn’t the palace, he couldn’t make her stand out in the snow just to hear his pleasure. It had to be a while since he had last spent the night with someone-romantically. It was inevitable that he would succumb to the proposals and enticements.
Good riddance; at least he was not attempting to engage with her.
Her ire subsided as she allowed it to entice her into slumber. At least her wolf silenced enough to let her escape from it all.
“Molly?” A gentle voice roused her from slumber. A substantial hand grasped her shoulder, and the fragrant aroma of cinnamon caused her eyes to widen. Colton loomed over her, displaying an expression of apprehension. “I understand you experienced an outburst today. I brought cake, should that be of assistance.”
Molly gradually sat upright and rubbed her eyes. Overwhelmed by her anger, she had succumbed to slumber while still clad in her winter attire. He was truthful regarding the cake. It was saturated with icing and cinnamon; she could have consumed the entire item in a single bite.
