Capítulo 7: Cactus

Sienna's POV

Alec wasn't here. His absence had filled the breakfast table with tension, disguised in fine floral arrangements.

Despite her obvious frustration, Bellina was so sweet to me. "More tea, darling?" she asked, her voice a touch too gentle, a false smile stretching her lips.

I nodded, trying to match her energy with a forced smile, but my wolf, Salony, wasn't having it.

"I swear she wants to pour that tea over Alec's head." Salony snickered in my mind, and I almost choked on my sip.

I kept my face straight. "Thank you, mom." I said softly but my hands trembled as I placed the cup back on the saucer.

Bellina's eyes darted to Alec's empty seat. I could tell anger was boiling within her but she said, "It's such a shame Alec couldn't join us this morning."

She had a way of keeping herself calm, even when she was angry, which somehow made it worse.

"Of course," I replied, forcing more fake smiles. "He must be busy."

Busy avoiding me, more like. He offered me that ridiculous contract, bit me without consent, ignored me. And now, I was stuck at breakfast, playing the role of the dutiful bride. No, I won't let this slide so easily.

I cut the omelet on my plate, and as I swallowed it, it felt a stone stuck in my throat.

"But you know, I could set his tail on fire." Salony offered helpfully. "That might bring him to breakfast."

I pressed my lips, trying not to laugh at the thought of Alec running around with his pants ablaze.

Bellina sighed. But when she looked at me again, her expression softened. "I know this adjustment isn't easy for you, Skylar. But we are all family now. You can always come to me if you need anything."

Her words were warm. It was as if she was trying to make up for Alec's absence, to bridge the gap he had left behind.

"Thank you." I said, meaning it more than I expected. It was clear she had to run the household with an iron fist, but the maternal side she showed me was so foreign to me.

After breakfast, Alec's sister, Aveline appeared at my side. "Come with me. I want to take you somewhere." she insisted, looping her arm through mine before I could protest.

I turned to Bellina, sending her a grateful look, but she was too busy rearranging the silverware. I followed Aveline out into the sunlit corridor, her grip firm on my hand.

Once we were in the garden, Aveline released my hand with a sigh of dramatic exasperation. "My brother is an ass. You don't have to pretend he is not. I have had a lifetime to get used to it." she said, pushing a strand of brown hair behind her ear.

I couldn't help the small laugh that escaped my lips. "I will keep that in my mind." I replied, glancing around at the vibrant blooms surrounding us. The garden was a burst of color, the roses, lilies, and wildflowers mingling in a fragrant symphony.

"But—" Aveline looked at me, her expression softening. "He is not all bad." She added, almost reluctantly. "He is just… complicated." She paused, turning her focus on the cactus in a corner. "Like a cactus. Sharp on the outside, but there is life somewhere beneath all those spikes."

Salony snorted. "Great. We are married to a cactus."

I bit my lip to hide my smile. "Well, thank you for the warning."

Aveline grinned. "The pleasure is all mine." She leaned down, plucking a small white flower from a nearby bush and handing it to me. "Do you know what this is?"

I took the delicate bloom in my hand, its petals soft between my fingers. "Jasmine."

"Yes, white jasmine." She explained. "It represents purity and deep affection. It's great for calming nerves, which you might need if you are going to survive being married to Alec." She joked.

I laughed, more freely this time. "You are probably right about that."

Salony's voice piped up again in my mind, "Ask her if there is a flower that represents dealing with impossible men. You might need a whole garden of those."

Aveline's eyes sparkled as her eyes fell on a red bloom. "And this one," she continued, picking one of them. "This is a red camellia. It means you are a flame in my heart. You should give one to Alec and watch him squirm."

I snorted. "I think he would rather burn it than accept it."

"That's the spirit!" Aveline clapped her hands. "You are catching on fast. Just remember, with Alec, you need to keep him on his toes. Don't let him think for a second he is in control."

"I won't, teacher." I replied matching her playfulness, feeling a lot lighter.

She walked ahead, pointing out different flowers. "These are my favorite," She said, stopping by a patch of violets. "They are small, but resilient. Kind of like you, I think."

I managed a small smile. "Thanks, I think?"

She laughed. "It was a compliment, I promise," she added with a wink. "I figured you might need a bit of a break from…well, all that." She gestured vaguely in the direction of the house.

"Smart girl. I like her," Salony whispered, approving.

I nodded, trying to relax. "Yeah, thank you. I mean it."

"Again, pleasure is all mine." She brushed off the dust from the rose petals. "But I will say, give it some time. It will get better…or at least, less awkward."

Time. That was limited in this case. They were definitely not aware of the stupid contract.

Aveline led me deeper into the garden, talking about the different plants and flowers, throwing in jokes to keep me laughing. I was beginning to enjoy the morning until a familiar face caught my attention.

Zade Cladwell, my ex-boyfriend. He stood near a cluster of lavender bushes. I hadn't seen him since the wedding, and now, here he was, his gaze focused on me.

I stopped in my tracks, my breath catching in my throat. The sadness in his eyes struck me.

Salony wasted no time, unfairly unfazed, "Oh, great. Baby carrot again, the one who never knew how to say goodbye properly."

I had expected to face Zade. He was the warrior of Bloodmoon pack. But, now… I felt a wave of discomfort wash over me. I didn't know why he was looking at me like that. Did he think I wanted to hear some apology? Or did he think I still cared?

He greeted me with a stiff, formal bow, "Good morning, Luna."

There was a beat of silence, a staring contest between us before I felt the urgency to break it. "Zade." I acknowledged, trying to keep my tone neutral.

He hesitated for a moment longer before saying. "I should be going."

I forced a smile and nodded. And he walked away.

"Wow, who was it, now?" Aveline who witnessed the entire scene spoke finally.

"We… were acquainted." Muttering, I shifted uncomfortably, and not daring to meet her curious gaze, I let my eyes wander over to the training ground next to the garden.

Fuck. Alec was there, staring directly at me. After three days. His eyes were dark, burning with a strange intensity that made my skin prickle. Had he been watching the whole time?

Before I could decide how to react, Aveline followed my line of sight and sighed. "And speaking of trouble…"

Beside him was his best friend Dmitri. He seemed to be discussing something with Alec who didn't care. Then finally, he said something without tearing his gaze apart and began making his way toward us. Dmitri trailed behind him.

Ignoring Aveline entirely, he stood in front of me. "I need to speak with you." He said. He sounded irritated, maybe?

I glanced at Aveline, not sure what to do. Alec looked like he wouldn't take no for an answer, but Aveline…

"Come on, Alec." Aveline snorted with a dismissive wave of her hand, clearly trying to give him hard time. "Can't you see we are having a bonding moment here? Besides, you are not invited here. You don't care about flowers. You have always been more of a cactus guy."

Alec shot her a glare. "Aveline." he warned, his tone colder now.

"Oh, ignore him." She teased, turning back to me.

Translation: Ignore him, don't let him get whatever he wants.

Alec took a step closer, impatient. "Skylar, a word. Now," he said through clenched teeth, his eyes never leaving mine.

I opened my mouth to respond but Aveline's grip tightened on my arm, muttering. "He always acts all tough, but he is really just grumpy because he can't find his favorite black shirt." She leaned closer to me, whispering loud enough for everyone to hear, "He thinks it makes him look more intimidating."

"I wouldn't rather that." Dmitri chuckled softly behind Alec, clearly amused by Aveline's banter.

"I would make sure your garden is on fire but before that—" He paused and held my hand. "You come with me. This is important."

Aveline jerked his hand away from mine. "Oh? Important, like how? Maybe you should say please?"

Alec's nostrils flared. "Seriously?"

I cleared my throat, stepping in before this became an all-out sibling war. "It's fine, Aveline." I said, slipping out of their grips. "I am sure it won't take long."

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