The sky had darkened by the time Keira made her way back inside. She had walked about three miles after dinner.
Her walk had been peaceful, and she didn't run into anyone else. Not even Wade. Keira didn't see any reason why she needed extra protection; she knew how to take care of herself. Keira took a quick shower before heading to bed.
The next morning, Keira's routine was the same. It didn't deviate from breakfast to lunch or dinner. Keira sat by herself, ate, and threw her plate away. This time, however, she headed toward the General's office. She had a few questions she needed answered as soon as possible.
Keira knocked and waited for an answer. She recognized Marcus's scent as he approached the door.
"Luna," he greeted, opening the door. "What can I do for you?"
"I need to speak to General Donovan," Keira replied.
"When he has a moment," she added after a few seconds.
"I will let him know," Marcus replied.
Keira excused herself and headed toward her room. She hoped she could speak with him tonight, but Keira had a feeling that it wouldn't happen. He looked like someone who would be really busy. She needed to speak to him before they left the palace.
She quickly put on her workout clothes and went back to the training grounds. This time, no one approached her, which was fine by her. After her workout, Keira went on her walk. Lunch and dinner came and went.
Instead of going on another walk, Keira showered and waited up for Donovan, but she eventually dozed off.
**
The following morning, Keira's internal clock went off at 5 once more. She got up and decided to go lift some weights instead of heading to the training grounds. She had done plenty of walking yesterday, and she wanted to do something different today.
Finding the gym was easy enough; there were plenty of wolves heading in that direction. With the gym big enough to accommodate several people, Keira grabbed a machine and began. She planned to work her whole body. Keira may not be the Captain of the Task Force anymore, but she wasn't about to let her physique suffer. It had taken her a long time and hard work to get her body the way she wanted it.
An hour later, Keira completed her last set before wiping off the machine and heading back to her room to shower. Much to her surprise, Keira saw the General walking away from her door.
"General," Keira greeted. "Are you looking for me?"
"You wanted to speak to me," he said stiffly.
'What's wrong with him?" Sabelina wondered.
"Yes," Keira said. "Would you like to speak in my room or your office?"
When he didn't reply, Keira flexed her jaw slightly. She was growing tired of his behavior toward her. If he didn't change his attitude toward her, she was going to change it for him.
Keira opened her door and waited patiently for the General to walk through. He sure was taking his sweet time about it. Once the door closed, Keira felt the room temperature change. The hair on her arms stood up, and she could feel her skin erupt in bumps.
'What in the world?' she wondered. 'Sabelina? Do you know what's happening?'
It was as if there was a surge of power surrounding her, one she wasn't sure what it was about. But every time she looked at the General, it was as if she was being drawn to him. The urge to touch him was overwhelming.
Keira cleared her throat. "I wanted to know when we will be leaving."
"In a day or two," the General said breathless, like he wasn't breathing. "Mr. Drew is close to resolving all the unfinished business regarding the Task Force. It's taking a bit longer than we anticipated."
"We'll be leaving afterwards," Keira said to confirm. That gave her a time frame to pack and start hoarding food from the kitchen.
"Someone will stop by to escort you to the vans," he said. "Have you changed your mind?"
The longer the General stayed in her room, the more she began to smell his scent. It was different than before…more enticing.
'This is nice,' Sabelina commented, really dreamy.
"No," Keira said, slowly folding her arms around herself. The feeling was beginning to grow stronger. "I'll stay for a month to help stabilize the pack and then leave."
'We should keep him here,' Sabelina suggested.
'Stop it,' Keira told her.
"At least five days," General replied, a bit strained. "Our route is straightforward."
"The contract?" Keira asked, putting some distance between them.
Her body screamed at her when she did. She just wanted to be close to him.
"It's ready," the General said hesitantly. "It's in my room. You can stop by."
"After dinner," he added.
"After dinner?" Keira asked, confused. Then it hit her, the mating ritual. They had to find a way to lie to the King and Queen. Or compromise and actually do the mating ritual, marking included.
"Right," she continued when she found her voice. "I'll be there."
By this point, Keira was ready for him to leave; any longer and she didn't think she would be able to control herself. She could feel her heart quickening, and her body was becoming alive.
'What is going on?!'
Keira looked around her room, trying to find the source of the amplification. She waited for the General to take his leave, but he didn't. Instead, an awkward silence filled the room. Keira backed away a bit more before looking at him. He was staring at her.
'He has nice eyes,' Sabelina said.
"If there isn't anything else," Keira said in a low voice. "I'm going to shower. I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm sure I need one."
When he still didn't move, Keira debated whether she wanted to risk getting close to him. He was standing in front of the dresser where her clothes were stored.
'We don't have to shower,' Sabelina said.
'I'm sweaty,' Keira said.
'It won't matter to him,' was her reply.
'I'll chance it,' Keira said.
Her hands still close to herself, she walked past him and leaned over him a bit to grab something to wear. He visibly froze. Keira quickly grabbed what she needed, including her shower bag, and leaned away. She didn't get far since the General's arm shot out and grabbed her arm.
Keira stared at his hand before meeting his gaze. He looked as confused as she. She didn't yank her arm away since his touch did feel really nice. A full minute went by before the General slowly released her arm.
'He's conflicted,' Sabelina stated, smiling. 'This must be soooo hard for him.'
Keira wanted to roll her eyes at her sarcastic tone of voice. With her arms full, Keira leaned forward a bit.
"Would you like to join me?" she asked softly, not meeting his gaze.
The General didn't reply, but neither did he make a move to leave.
"I'll leave the door open," she continued in the same tone of voice. "I'm sure we can get someone to bring you some clothes."
Keira waited a few more seconds before heading to the bathroom. This time, she wasn't stopped. True to her word, Keira left the door unlocked and a bit unhinged before starting the shower. She quickly set her things aside and went in. The water felt great on her skin. The surge of power from earlier had left her a bit weird.
A few minutes went by with no signs of the General; she heard the door close.
'I guess he left,' Sabelina said, clearly disappointed.
'Too bad for him,' was Keira's reply.
She closed her eyes and stretched her muscles under the water. When she opened her eyes again, she saw a shadow outside the curtain. Her mouth went dry.
'Is that-'
'He didn't leave!' Sabelina celebrated.
Keira averted her eyes as the shadow undressed itself.
'No need to be shy,' Sabelina whispered.
'Shut it,' Keira said as a blush crept into her cheeks.
What was wrong with her? Shy around a guy? Her? No way!
It wasn't long before the curtain was slowly opened a bit, and a well-muscled leg appeared. Keira pretended to be busy studying the shower head.
Once again, the surge of power slowly began to build. She shivered, despite the water being warm. Keira could only imagine how the General was feeling. If she felt this way with only a foot or so away from him, he was sure to be feeling the effects of the power surge as well. The General walked closer and stopped a few centimeters away. Any closer and their chests would be touching.
At this point, her body was humming with power. Her heart was beating a mile a minute. Keira was sure he could hear it. She swallowed hard and cleared her throat before speaking.
"This must be hard for you," she began softly. "We agreed we wouldn't do this, and I haven't changed my mind. By the looks of it, neither have you."
"I haven't changed my mind either," was the General's reply.
"Then why are you here?" Keira questioned. "You can leave at any moment."
"I can't," he said.
Keira wasn't sure how she felt about that statement, but she didn't comment further. She moved further under the water. The General stepped closer and got under the water as well.
Without any further words, the General reached out and tilted her chip upwards. This allowed her to see how tall the General actually was. The top of her head barely came close to his chin. At her tallest, Keira stood at 5'7, a bit taller than some women. She felt a bit small compared to his well-built form.
Her eyes closed on instinct as the water splashed on her face. In that moment, she felt a pair of soft, firm, hot lips touch hers. The kiss was hesitant, and then it was gone. Seconds later, it came back; if there were any reservations before, they were now gone. Keira's arms wrapped themselves around the General's neck, bringing them closer.
'He feels nice,' Keira thought as the General's arms found themselves around her.
Soon their kiss turned into something more. The General deepened their kiss and tighten his arms around her. Keira couldn't think straight or put a coherent thought together. His scent and taste had infiltrated her scenes and nothing else mattered. The General took control and led her toward the back of the shower. When her back touched the cold wall, she gasped slightly.
He pressed himself against her as the water turned a bit too hot.
'I must have moved the knob,' Keira thought as he kissed her neck.
She couldn't help but gasp when he found the sensitive spot between her shoulder and neck.
The General kept going as if the water temperature didn't bother him. It wasn't long before the water steamed up the room. She wasn't sure if the steam was making it hard to breathe or if she was just breathless from their kiss. The General moved back to her lips as his hands grabbed her waist and hoisted her up slightly. It was clear to Keira what he wanted to do. In response, Keira tightened her arms around him.