hapter 39: Jealousy
**Thelina Zane’s POV**
As we made our way back from the meeting, my mind replayed the conversation I had with my father. His words weighed on me but also filled me with a strange excitement. He explained that, in the future, I would have to govern the langdom alongside the various dukes. It was a daunting task, one that would require strength, wisdom, and patience. Yet, the idea thrilled me because it meant that one day, Aldrich would follow *my* commands as Queen.
A faint smile tugged at my lips as I entertained the thought. Just as I was envisioning this future, I saw him leaning casually against the corridor wall. His gray eyes flitted about as if he were waiting for something–or someone. The moment he spotted me, a fleeting smile graced his lips, though he quickly masked it with his usual nonchalant expression.
He
e stepped toward me and gently took my wrist in his hand. “I just remembered there’s something about training I need to discuss with you.
His tone was neutral, but I knew better. We walked to a more secluded spot where no one could overhear us. I couldn’t resist teasing him. “Aren’t you worried that someone might discover our relationship?”
“When you cruelly declined my call earlier, I stopped worrying about anything else,” he said, his voice laced with mock sorrow.
I burst into laughter, bending over at the absurdity of his words. Aldrich had a way of making it impossible to stay upset with him. His charm was infuriating yet irresistible.
Before I could respond, my mother’s servant approached us with a message. “Miss Thelma, the Queen has requested your presence. There are matters to attend to.”
Her sudden arrival startled me, and she nearly let slip my true identity. I quickly composed myself and sent her away with a polite nod. Turning back to Aldrich, I kissed him lightly ont the cheek, hoping to ease his disappointment.
“Our time together always seems to get interrupted,” he complained softly.
“It’s alright,” I reassured him. “How about we go to the movies later? Just the two of us.
Before he could respond, I noticed my mother approaching from a distance. I gestured toward my phone, signaling that we could continue this conversation later, and hurried off to avoid any awkward encounters.
That evening, we finally managed to sneak away for the movie. Alone time with Aldrich was a rarity, and I cherished every second of it. Yet, as we sat in the dim theater, I found myself completely uninterested in the film. My eyes kept drifting toward him. The soft glow from the screen illuminated his sharp features, and his hand instinctively sought mine.
Though we were discreet, I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of gullt. Our relationship was still a secret a secret even Aldrich didn’t fully understand. One day, when the truth about my identity was revealed, everything would change. I couldn’t afford to bring shame to the Lycans or give anyone a reason to ridicule me as their Queen.
But that night, none of those worries mattered. Being with Aldrich made everything else fade away. We didn’t need grand gestures or elaborate plans to enjoy each other’s company. Simply sitting side by side in the quiet of the theater was enough to make the evening special.
As the credits rolled, Aldrich turned to me with a grin. “Feeling hungry? Let’s grab something to eat.”
I nodded, and he led me to the same cozy restaurant we had visited before. The atmosphere hadn’t changed, and the staff greeted Aldrich warmly as we walked in. Their familiarity with him didn’t go unnoticed. To many of them, our close bond was obvious, though no one openly acknowledged it.
The waitress who came to take our order was the same one from our previous visit. Her appearance was flawless–shimmering eyeshadow, glossy lips, and perfectly styled hair. She flashed Aldrich a playful wink, her gaze lingering on him longer than I cared for.
I suppressed the pang of discomfort that welled up in my chest. “Two chicken sandwiches,” I said quickly, hoping to speed things along.
Her attention remained fixed on Aldrich as she asked sweetly, “And anything to drink, handsome?”
I knew Aldrich was attractive–too attractive, perhaps but watching her flirt so openly made my blood boil. He didn’t even seem to notice.
“Two glasses of orange juice,” he replied casually, flashing her a polite smile.
I clenched my jaw, trying to ignore the bubbling jealousy inside me. It wasn’t her fault, I reasoned. She couldn’t help finding Aldrich charming. But knowing that didn’t make it any easier to swallow. My possessiveness was like a flame, and it was quickly becoming a roaring fire.
Aldrich finally noticed my silence. “Baby, what’s wrong?” he asked, his tone laced with
amusement.
“Nothing,” I replied tersely. “You seemed to be enjoying yourself just fine a moment ago.”
He laughed, clearly amused by my reaction. “Are you jealous? We barely exchanged two words!”
I crossed my arms and turned away, refusing to engage further.
When the waitress returned with our food, I couldn’t help but notice how flawless she looked. Her makeup was impeccable, and her hair was styled to perfection. My frustration mounted. If
Chapter 20, dealing
Aldrich weren’t so ridiculously handsome, I wouldn’t have to deal with this constant stream
of admirers.
Despite the rocky start, we managed to enjoy the meal. By the time we left, my mood had lifted, and Aldrich walked me home. We shared a lingering kiss under the soft glow of the streetlights. His warmth enveloped me, and for a brief moment, the world felt perfect.
“Darling,” he murmured, his voice low and tender, “how about a date after training tomorrow? We could go for a walk or grab dinner together.”
I smiled mischievously, savoring the chance to tease him. “I won’t be at training tomorrow.
His expression shifted to one of surprise. “Why not?”
“I have plans,” I said coyly. “The King and Queen promised to show me their wolves tomorrow. It’s a rare opportunity, and I couldn’t say no.‘
His astonishment was priceless, and I couldn’t hide my smug grin. The jealousy from earlier had evaporated, replaced by a lighthearted satisfaction. Aldrich always managed to keep things interesting, and I found myself looking forward to seeing how he would react next.
