Capítulo 24: Twenty four
Rhea.
The office is peaceful this morning, a welcome change from the recent chaos. As soon as I step in, I feel the calmness wash over me.
The scent of freshly brewed coffee fills the room, mixing with the soft rustle of paper as Lydia and I go over the latest pack reports.
I sit at my desk, a stack of documents in front of me. The sun streams in through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. It's the kind of morning I've been craving for days—a moment of quiet, away from the tension that's been hanging over the pack like a storm cloud.
Lydia stands beside me, her eyes scanning the notes in her hand. She's always so efficient, always so focused. I envy her ability to keep moving forward no matter what.
"The list of upcoming events," she says, handing me a piece of paper, her voice calm and professional.
I nod, taking the paper from her. For once, my mind isn't racing with thoughts of Elara's schemes or the mystery surrounding Emmie. It's just me, the paperwork, and Lydia's steady presence. And it feels good—better than I've felt in days.
I glance at Lydia and can't help but appreciate how she brings a sense of normalcy to my life. This is what I've needed—a chance to ground myself, to feel productive.
For a brief moment, I almost forget about everything else, letting myself get lost in the routine. I take a sip of my coffee, the warmth spreading through me, and lean back in my chair, listening to Lydia go on about the details of the upcoming pack meetings. It's mundane, sure, but it's exactly what I need.
Just as we settle into the rhythm of our work, there's a knock on the door. I look up, slightly annoyed at the interruption, but I force a polite smile.
The door creaks open, and one of the pack members walks in, carrying a large bouquet of flowers. I blink, my annoyance quickly turning into surprise. Roses, lilies, wildflowers—an explosion of colors and scents that fills the room.
For a moment, I just stare, my heart skipping a beat. The pack member sets the bouquet down on my desk, nodding respectfully before leaving us alone again.
I glance at Lydia, who has the biggest grin on her face. She knows exactly who they're from even before I reach for the small card nestled among the flowers.
My hands tremble slightly as I pick up the note. Remus's handwriting is bold, direct, just like him. "Get ready by 7. Dinner awaits. - R." I can't help the smile that spreads across my face. It's so simple, but the gesture melts away the tension I've been holding on to.
For the first time in days, I feel genuinely happy, like a heavy weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
Lydia watches me, one eyebrow raised and a teasing glint in her eyes. "Looks like someone has a romantic evening planned," she says, her voice light and playful. My cheeks warm, and I look down, pretending to focus on the note in my hand. I can't hide the grin that's spreading across my face.
"Alright, back to work," I say, trying to sound casual, but my voice is too soft, too dreamy to be convincing.
Lydia giggles and shakes her head. I know she's thrilled to see me like this, to see that the dark cloud over me is starting to fade. I try to push the thought of tonight out of my mind, but it keeps creeping back in, making it nearly impossible to concentrate on anything else.
Lydia gives me one last teasing smile before turning back to the list of events, but I can tell she's still watching me out of the corner of her eye, probably trying to gauge how distracted I am. And I am distracted. Completely. How could I not be? Remus has been distant lately, wrapped up in pack business and his own thoughts. And now, out of nowhere, this.
I glance back at the flowers, unable to stop the smile that keeps tugging at my lips. It's a small gesture, but it feels monumental. It's like he's reaching out, trying to pull me back into the world we're building together.
My phone rings just as Lydia packs to leave the my office, her laughter still echoing faintly behind the closed door.
I glance at the screen, and my heart skips a beat when I see Remus's name flashing. I hesitate for a moment, my thumb hovering over the screen. Part of me is eager to hear his voice, while another part is... unsure. Why am I so nervous? I take a deep breath and answer, bringing the phone to my ear.
"Hello?" My voice comes out softer than I intended, almost cautious.
"Did you get my flowers?" Remus's voice flows through the line, soft yet confident. There's a hint of warmth in his tone that instantly makes my heart flutter. I find myself smiling before I can help it.
"Yes," I reply quietly, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. I glance at the bouquet on my desk. It brightens up the entire office, much like his words seem to brighten this very moment.
"I'm glad," he says, his voice becoming more intimate, each word curling around me like a gentle embrace. "I've been thinking about you all day. I know things have been stressful, and I just... wanted to do something to make it a bit easier for you."
His words are smooth, practiced, dripping with affection. They wash over me like a warm breeze on a cold day. He knows just what to say to make everything seem better, like he's offering a lifeline to pull me out of the chaos.
But even as I feel the warmth of his words, confusion stirs within me. Is it him that I'm falling for, or just the way he makes me feel? Am I enamored by the man himself, or the idea of being cherished?
I push the thoughts aside, not wanting to ruin the moment. "You didn't have to do all this," I say lightly, trying to keep my voice steady. My heart is racing, and I can't quite figure out why.
He chuckles softly, a sound that makes my stomach flip. "But I wanted to," he replies, his voice filled with a certainty that makes me want to believe in everything he says. "I can't wait to see you tonight."
There's a pause, a beat of silence where I feel the full weight of his words. I can almost see him in my mind—his eyes dark and intense, the small, knowing smile that always seems to linger on his lips. He has this way of making every word feel like a promise.
"Me too," I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper. It's the truth. Despite the confusion, despite the doubts that linger in the back of my mind, I do want to see him. The thought of tonight sends a thrill coursing through me, but it also brings with it a wave of uncertainty.
We exchange a few more words—small talk, sweet nothings that make my heart race even though they probably shouldn't. He tells me he has a surprise planned, something that he knows I'll love. His voice is full of anticipation, and it's contagious. I can feel myself getting swept up in his excitement, allowing it to drown out the doubts and questions, at least for now.
When we finally hang up, I set my phone down and stare at the flowers again. They're beautiful, vibrant, and full of life—just like the way Remus makes me feel. But as much as I want to lose myself in this feeling, there's a nagging voice in the back of my mind. Is this real? Do I love him, or am I just caught up in the whirlwind of everything he brings into my life?
I sigh, leaning back in my chair, my eyes fixed on the bouquet. I want to believe in this, in us. But love is supposed to be clear, isn't it?
Not a mess of tangled emotions and unspoken questions. And right now, my feelings for Remus are anything but clear. They're a storm, fierce and consuming, and I don't know where they're going to take me.
••
As evening sets in, I return to our room, the warm, golden light of the setting sun pouring through the curtains. It casts a soft glow across the room, turning it into a peaceful sanctuary, a stark contrast to the storm of thoughts swirling in my mind.
Tonight, I'm supposed to have dinner with Remus. I should be excited, but all I feel is a mixture of nerves and something else I can't quite put my finger on.
I stand in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. What do I wear? Why do I care so much about what he thinks? I know I want to look perfect for him, but why? Is this how love feels, or is it just me trying to live up to some expectation? I can't tell anymore.
My eyes drop to the closet, filled with dresses of every kind. I sift through them, my fingers brushing over the different fabrics, each one telling a different story.
After what feels like forever, I settle on a dress that Remus likes. It's soft, elegant, not too flashy, but with a timeless beauty to it. The kind of dress that promises a simple yet perfect evening.
As I slip it on, it feels like the right choice. It flows gently against my skin, neither too tight nor too loose, just comfortable enough to make me feel at ease.
I let my hair down, letting it cascade over my shoulders. Natural. That's how I want to look tonight. I want to feel like myself. I move to the vanity and begin to apply some light makeup, focusing on my eyes.
They're my best feature, or so I've been told. As I finish, I catch a glimpse of my own smile in the mirror. When was the last time I genuinely smiled like this? It feels good. For a moment, the doubt takes a back seat to the spark of anticipation building inside me.
The clock ticks closer to seven, and a gentle knock on the door pulls me out of my thoughts. My heart skips a beat. I take a deep breath and open the door to find Remus standing there.
He's dressed in a sharp suit, his presence commanding and yet...gentle. His eyes soften as he looks at me, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
He holds out his hand. "Shall we?" His voice is warm, inviting.
I slip my hand into his, feeling a rush of warmth at the contact. He leads me outside, guiding me through the winding garden paths until we reach a secluded corner. The sight that greets me takes my breath away.
Twinkling fairy lights are strung between the trees, casting a soft, magical glow over a small table set for two. There's a bottle of wine chilling in an ice bucket, and soft music plays from somewhere in the shadows. It's perfect—like a scene from a dream.
My breath hitches as I take it all in. "Remus, this is... beautiful," I manage to say, my voice barely a whisper.
He pulls out a chair for me, his gaze never leaving mine. "For tonight," he says softly, "it's just us. No pack business, no worries. Just you and me."
He helps me with my chair and I sit down, still stunned by the effort he's put into this evening. The doubts that were clouding my mind earlier begin to fade, replaced by this moment of pure, simple joy. As he takes his seat across from me, I realize how much I needed this. A break. A chance to just breathe.
We settle in, the conversation flowing easily at first. It's nice—more than nice, really. It's like we've stepped into another world, one where the weight of the pack and all the recent chaos doesn't exist.
For the first time in what feels like forever, I allow myself to just be. To laugh, to talk, to enjoy his company without the nagging questions gnawing at the back of my mind.
But then, a rustling sound from the bushes nearby breaks the spell. My heart skips a beat as I glance towards the noise, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. I see nothing, just shadows and the slight movement of leaves swaying in the evening breeze. My stomach tightens. Remus notices my distraction and reaches across the table, his hand finding mine.
He squeezes it gently. "It's probably just the wind," he reassures me, his voice calm and steady.
I nod, trying to let his words soothe the unease creeping into my mind. Maybe he's right. Maybe it's just the wind or some small animal scurrying through the garden. I force a smile, squeezing his hand back. "You're right," I say, trying to convince myself as much as him.
Just as I start to relax again, a soft voice calls out from the darkness. "Rhea..." It's barely a whisper, but it sends a chill down my spine. My heart lurches in my chest, the blood draining from my face.
I glance around, my eyes darting toward the shadows beyond the reach of the fairy lights. The voice was faint, almost like the wind carrying a distant sound, but it was clear enough to make my blood run cold.
"Did you hear that?" I whisper, my voice shaky.
Remus's eyes narrow, his grip on my hand tightening. "Stay here," he says firmly, rising from his seat.
"No," I insist, panic rising in my throat. "Don't go."
But he's already moving toward the edge of the light, his movements confident. He scans the darkened garden, searching for any sign of who—or what—called my name. I stand up, my legs trembling, every muscle in my body tense and on high alert.
The voice echoes in my mind, sending a wave of dread through me. Who was that? And why did it feel like a warning? My heart pounds so hard it feels like it might burst from my chest as I watch Remus, his figure swallowed by the shadows.
The air around us thickens, the once magical garden now feels ominous, like a beautiful trap that's slowly closing in.
I'm left standing there, alone in the flickering light, my breath shallow and quick. Every nerve in my body screams for me to run, but my feet are glued to the ground. This peaceful night has turned into something else entirely. Something terrifying.
And then, just when I think I can't take the tension any longer, the whisper comes again, clearer this time. "Rhea..."
My blood turns to ice. It's coming from behind me this time. I spin around, my heart slamming against my ribs. But all I see is darkness. The chapter ends with me standing there, my breath caught in my throat, staring into the void.
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