Melody
“He is here for you.”
I stared at Malcolm for a while. I was speechless, as well as confused. I tried to digest the news but I just couldn’t understand at all.
Is he here for me?
I mean why? Why would Derek come all the way leaving Mallory just for me?
“He loves you, Mel.”
My head turned and I looked at the person who just spoke. I just couldn’t accept that it was Malcolm. After everything that Derek has done to me. Malcolm wants me to believe that he loves me. Does anyone do all that to the person they love?
“It's hard to believe. It's hard to accept but it's true, Mel. Derek truly loves you.”
I sighed and tried to digest my brother's words.
Even if I agree that Derek loves me, that doesn’t change anything. He didn’t love me when I loved him. Why should he love me now that I’m in love with someone else?
“But in the end,” Malcolm continued, snapping me out of my thoughts. “The entire decision is yours to make.”
Now that’s deep.
What decision is Malcolm talking about? What is Derek planning? And why am I to make a decision?
Malcolm patted my shoulder as if he could read my thoughts. “I trust you, Mel, You always do what is right.”
Something is up, that’s for sure. Otherwise, Malcolm would never speak to me in parables. I was about to ease my anxiety by asking more about Derek’s reason for coming to see me but the door opened before I could and a maid came in.
“The Alpha has asked for you.”
Oh. I forgot that it's been a while since Dorian left. I was so busy chatting with Malcolm that I forgot how worried Dorian gets if I’m not beside him.
After the Rogue king’s attack, Dorian has been extra careful at keeping us safe. He never let me out of his sight, and he got extra security for the kids.
“Dinner will be brought to your room, Mal,” I announced before moving to leave. “Goodnight Malcolm and welcome to Dark Flame once again.”
“Goodnight Mel,” Malcolm smiled.
I returned to our room to join Dorian in time for dinner. I was surprised to see that we were also having dinner in the room.
I looked around for the kids but they were nowhere around. We always have food together. I wonder why tonight is different.
“Why are we eating here?”
Dorian pulled out a chair for me and I sat.
“And where are the kids?”
I didn’t wait for him to answer the first question before I threw the other one at him.
“Let’s eat.”
He evaded my questions and took his seat right in front of me.
“Is something wrong?”
I had to ask because Dorian was acting entirely differently. He was too quiet to be real and he seemed worried.
“There isn’t.”
His response was short and monotonous. Totally unlike Dorian.
Have I done something wrong? Is he mad at me?
But why?
“Why are you like this?”
I couldn’t stop myself from asking. He wasn’t like this earlier. He was fine before Derek’s arrival.
“It’s nothing. Let's just eat.”
He dished some food on my plate and his, then he started eating. I asked no further questions and chose to eat instead. Since he didn’t want to talk about it then I'll wait till he’s ready. But I know without an iota of doubt that something is bothering him.
Could it be Derek’s presence?
But why is Dorian bothered by Derek’s arrival?
I waited until the meal was over. I took a bath and changed out of my clothes. I watched as Dorian also got into bed without uttering a word.
Is he spending the night here in my room? I wondered as I watched him get into bed. He isn't even looking at me or saying anything to me. This got me worried.
He's never been this way with me before. What is happening?
I was restless. I wanted to talk to Dorian and ask him why he seemed pissed, but I could tell that he didn't want to talk.
I lay down to sleep and curled on one side of the bed, lost in thought of what could be going on in his mind.
Suddenly, I felt something wrap around me.
I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. His minty breath gave him up.
I sighed in relief as his hand touched me. I guess now he is willing to talk to me. His anger must have gone off.
He kissed my shoulder and smelled my hair as he brushed it aside.
"You don't mind me spending the night here, do you?"
His gruff voice assured me that my Dorian was in there somewhere.
"Of course not," I replied swiftly.
Why would I mind?
This was his room before it became mine. Yet he gave it to me without thinking twice. Besides, we've spent so much time together in this room, so why should I have minded him staying here tonight?
"I just want to be close to you," His grip tightened around me. "With Derek here, I don't want to take chances."
He let out a heavy sigh as he said that. Confirming my doubts. He was being all cranky just because of Derek's presence.
"You can be close to me anytime, Dorian." I kissed his hand. "You shouldn't worry about Derek."
"Really?" He turned me around and made me face him.
"Yes," I concurred. "Do not let Derek's presence bother you so much."
"Is that so?" He chuckled and shook his head. "I can't help it, Mel. I just can't help feeling insecure with that jerk around."
Insecurity? And Dorian? Really?
Is he kidding me?
How can stone-cold Dorian feel insecure? That too for what? Me?
No. I don't believe that.
I know that Dorian loves me, but feels insecure. That's a big word and as long as I've known Dorian he rarely gets affected.
"You're kidding, right?"
I let out my thoughts. Because I would never believe that Dorian is feeling insecure because Derek is around. I mean, why on earth is that?
"No, Mel. I'm not kidding," His eyes dimmed with dejection. "Not when I know that you're still in love with him."