Chapter 79 : Tangled Hearts

Helga

She showered alone, but let Helga help her put on the new clothes, a white spaghetti strap dress with a sky-blue top over it, and a beautiful teal jacket as an outer layer, with images of white flowers flying across the fabric.

"You look beautiful as always, Luna Karenina."

She gave Helga a small smile after the compliment. At first Karen felt uncomfortable around her friend, embarrassed even, because there was no way that Helga didn't know that she had spent the night with Xavier. She didn't even want to guess what was going through her friend's mind.

But she was quickly reassured by Helga's cheerful demeanor. There was no censoring look or tension in her voice as she spoke to her, so she relaxed.

However, Helga's true thoughts went far beyond what she thought. In fact, Helga was very happy that Luna was finally sleeping with her Alpha, believing that the scent of betrothal was finally wafting over her.

In contrast, she was confused when Karen returned, because although she could smell Alpha Xavier's scent all over her, it was clear that they hadn't engaged in any sexual acts. Helga feared that something was wrong, especially when she saw Karen's glum expression.

In an attempt to lighten the girl's mood, she had been overly cheerful and forced herself to remove her curiosity. If Karen wanted to tell her what had happened between her and Alpha Xavier, she would tell her. Hell, Helga refused to pry into something that was none of her business.

******

Karenina

She couldn't take Helga's good mood any longer, not when she was burdened with worry. She couldn't go on pretending that everything was fine, feeling her smile crack at the edges. She needed to be alone and think.

"Helga?"

"Yes, Luna Karenina?"

"I'm going to go outside and wait for Xavier to pick me up before we leave. I just need some time alone to think." She gave her maid a friendly smile to soften the blow if her desire to be alone hurt her friend's feelings. It wasn't Helga's fault for her being irritable.

She'd already told Helga about her plans with Xavier, though she hadn't gone into detail about the purpose or reason for their trip.

"Of course. May I suggest a walk in the garden in front of your room? I'll watch you from the seat by the door."

"Very well," she smiled, and walked across her room to the sliding door she never used to the nearby garden.

She walked aimlessly through the small path surrounded by flowers, not really seeing the beauty around her, her mind focused on the wolf aura inside her, the mark and Xavier. Her thoughts always returned to Alpha Westwood, which confused her.

A few minutes later, she was interrupted from her quiet contemplation by a voice to her left.

"Hello?"

She turned her head to see a beautiful she-wolf with flowing black hair and piercing eyes. There was an expression in her eyes that she couldn't quite catch, for it was gone in seconds, making her doubt that she had ever been there.

"Yes? Can I help you?"

******

Maya

Her heart raced as she caught the scent of the girl she loved, and she was alone. She could not help but move in the direction of her heart's desire, happy to finally be near the little hybrid again. At first, she couldn't hide her longing and excitement to see Karen again, but she forced herself to be calm, not wanting to disappoint the girl she loved by knowing who she was.

But she didn't act haughty either.

"No, I'm sorry if I'm interrupting. You seem to be thinking hard."

There was something... different about the girl she loved. Almost immediately, her eyes widened at the realization. There was a darkness about her, an aura that was unmistakably that of a wild wolf, but how could it be? What had become of the girl she loved? Had Xavier hurt her? Did he do something bad to her?

Anger crept through her body, but she held it back, not wanting to worry her.

"Ah, it's okay. I'm just waiting for Xavier to come get me."

Jealousy flared in Maya. This girl was hers, not the Alpha of Westwood!

Feigning ignorance, she asked, "Oh? Do you know Alpha Xavier well?"

Although she meant no sexual innuendo, the girl she loved blushed and looked away in embarrassment. Maya clenched her hands. No, it couldn't be, could it? There was no scent of betrothal she could smell, let alone the scent of Xavier's possession, his seed. She doubted they were having sex, but there were ways to be intimate without having a cock in a woman's body.

Never mind that!

"He's... a friend who helps me with little problems. We're friends," Karen replied vaguely.

"I see," she said quietly.

An uncomfortable silence fell between them, neither knowing what to say. Maya felt irritated at her inability to speak. Finally, she was near her again, talking to her, but she was numb, and that made her angry.

"So," Karen began, searching for something to say, unsure why this stranger was still there when there was clearly nothing to say. "Have you known Xavier long?"

Karen felt jealous of this woman, wondering if this woman had ever been intimate with Xavier. She shouldn't feel this way, but she did. It could not be ignored or denied.

"Actually, no. My father's here to see him."

She nodded, not knowing what else to say.

"Um, I should..." She started, only to be cut off.

"Karenina."

Both women turned to find Xavier walking toward them.

Golden yellow eyes narrowed on her, and a protective arm was wrapped around Karen, pulling the young woman close to his strong body. The possessiveness annoyed her, but she hid it well. Clearly, Xavier did not trust her to be around Karen.

Maya bowed her head. "Good day, Alpha Xavier."

Xavier bowed his head at her politely. "Yes, Elena."

Then his eyes dropped to Karen, whose eyes widened at the sound of Elena's name. She knew that her "father" or Xavier had told her many things, or at least had told her that she was the Alpha daughter of the Blood Moon Pack. It probably wouldn't help if she saw her reaction.

"Excuse me, Elena. Karenina and I have a prior engagement. You are of course free to enter my house, but don't push your luck."

She was forced to watch as Xavier took away the girl she loved. Her resentment and anger flowed down her fake face as she watched them turn away from her. Soon she was the only one beside Karen, and no one else.

She turned around, intending to find her 'father' as Nathan had instructed.