C9 Chapter nine

He stared at me for what seemed like a long while.

"I'm sorry."

Then he went back to the position he used to sit before we got close. I turned away from him, refusing to let the grip guilt had on me squeeze tighter than it already was. I had been harsh to him and I knew but I was so frustrated and despaired that he had just felt like the perfect target. We didn't talk anymore after that. I was alone with my depressing thoughts and he... I didn't really know what he was up to as my back was to him. I was tempted to see what he was up to because everywhere was quiet. No sound from him, not even the slightest. I wasn't aware how long we ignored each other for. Suddenly, I heard the jiggling of keys and turned back to see him opening the cell.

"Your lunch."

His tone was impassive as was his action when he slid the plate towards me. It was followed by a cup of water. I noticed he didn't enter the cell.

"Thank you."

He nodded and locked the cell and went back to his position and dug into his own meal.

"I'm sorry."

I uttered in a very low voice. If he heard me, he didn't show it neither did he reply.

"Luthan?"

He raised his head to look at me.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

We elapsed into silence again. He came to take my plate and cup when I was done. He took them with his to keep and came back to sit quietly in his corner. I fixed my gaze on him hoping he would look at me. But he didn't not even once. I felt bad and was already missing how he was to me. I looked away and concentrated on the wall before me. When I turned to look in his direction, I caught him staring at me, he wanted to look away and pretend but it was already too late. I had seen him.

"I'm sorry."

I tried a wan smile. He looked at me for quite awhile, not returning the smile as I'd hoped he would. He just stared with a poker-faced expression.

"Are you still angry with me?"

I tried again, wanting to get him to talk. But he didn't say anything, just kept staring.

"Are you not going to say anything?"

Still nothing. Making a silent decision to let him be, I turned away from him. But I couldn't ignore him. I wasn't sure he was still angry at me, I couldn't tell though. But his eyes didn't hold any anger or malice. They just stared.

"Is there something on my face?"

I asked him. Hoping he'll talk this time, but he still remained as he was. His gaze not leaving my face.

"I know I was harsh to you and talked in an uncouth manner but I am trying to apologize and make things fine between us. The least you can do is reply rather than staring at me."

He didn't say anything but he edged closer to me and sat on the floor close to the cell bars. I was already facing his direction. My face was inches away from his and the bars were the only obstacle between.

"How's your back?"

He finally questioned. I stared at him in perplexity.

"You're a strange man, Luthan."

"How?"

His eyes were still firmly fixed on my face.

"I've been trying to apologize here and you kept me mute. Tried to strike up a conversation between us all to no avail. And now that you finally decide to talk, you ask of my wellbeing?"

"That's what important, isn't it?"

"But you're yet to accept my apology."

"Doesn't matter. What's done is done."

"Meaning? You won't forgive me?"

"Not saying that. It's just I..."

He paused.

"You what?"

I prodded, not understanding why he stopped. Though, the way he was staring at me was quite tender and held a meaning I wasn't sure I was ready to read.

"I forgive you. I have forgiven you even before you asked for it."

I smiled in relief.

"Well, that is a relief. For a moment there, I thought you were going to hold it against me forever."

"I can't hold it against you, Amyra."

"So we're cool?"

"Yes. Yes, we are."

"Thank you and again, thank you for lunch."

"It's nothing."

"It's not nothing. I tell you, you keep risking a lot for my sake."

"And I'll risk more if given the chance."

I frowned.

"I don't think I understand that."

"You have very pretty eyes."

Well, who would have ever thought? Where was all these come from?

"Ah..uhh. Thank you."

He shook his head in disagreement.

"It's not a compliment."

"Then what was it?"

"Just saying things as they are."

"Or maybe, you're saying things as they appear to be."

"Don't downplay your beauty, Amyra."

Did he just say that I was beautiful? Oh Mother of the Moon, Luthan thinks I am beautiful?

"What beauty?"

I cleared my throat. Shyness taking over my whole being. I hope he wasn't seeing my cheeks go red?

"You blush prettily."

And that was all it took for my face to look like it was painted in red.

"Lunch was nice. Did you know the cook?"

Clumsy and stupid, I know. But that was the only thing my brain could think of in the moment. Anything rather than listen to Luthan was who as attractive as his personality compliment me like it was a normal conversation we had every other day.

He laughed.

"Yes. I know the cook."

"Oh. Whoever it is, they cook well."

"You might know her too."

"Maybe. I don't really work in the kitchen. I'm among the servants that cleans and launders. Though, sometimes, we can get called upon to deliver food to the Alpha and his Luna."

"That's nice."

I didn't know what else to say and I didn't want to have to keep looking into his eyes. I focused my gaze somewhere else but I was still very much aware of his closeness. Then I felt his hand touching my hair, I tired to see him removing strands that has clung to my tender back.

"Your back doesn't need to be in any contact with anything right now. It needs to heal."

He explained. That was really sweet of him. I had really long hair which I found a bit strange because it was longer than every other werewolves own, even my parents. Though I just felt the Moon Goddess blessed me with hair to make up for the absence of my werewolf and lack of werewolf abilities.

"I am becoming very attracted to you, Amyra."