Beyond and Wild

Chapter 12

"What did you just say?" I demanded, my voice edged with disbelief as I stared at Dylan, who was leisurely enjoying his Chicken pasta. The nonchalance in his demeanor was infuriating.

Dylan looked up, an exaggerated innocence in his eyes. "What did I say?" he asked, his tone casual as he twirled his fork through the pasta.

I clenched my teeth, fighting to keep my composure. "I heard you clearly. You said, 'She is a virgin, I can smell it.' How in the world do you know that about me? And what do you mean by 'I can smell it'?"

His words had hit me like a jarring shockwave.

How could he possibly know something so intimate?

The implication of detecting it by scent was beyond me, and it unsettled me deeply.

The thought of spending just three more weeks here before I could escape was both a relief and a torment. I longed for the freedom of my previous life—traveling, exploring, and living unencumbered.

I would miss Bell, Blake, and Cole, who had become unexpectedly dear to me. But Dylan? I was resolute in severing all ties with him and leaving him behind without a second thought.

"Just eat your meal and stop annoying me," Dylan said with irritation, seemingly unfazed by my distress.

The audacity of him was infuriating. Here he was, riling me up, and yet he had the nerve to complain that I was irritating him.

"I'm irritating you?" I shot back, glaring at him. "You're the one causing me annoyance. Can't you just do your job without dragging me into your conversations?"

"I'll do whatever I please," he said, a smirk curling at his lips. "If I want to talk about you, I will."

"Oh really?" I challenged, crossing my arms and offering him a saccharine smile. I flexed my fingers, mimicking the motion of a slap.

"Try me."

Dylan's eyes narrowed, but he chose silence over further confrontation. I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure before gathering my plate and heading out of the room, Bell trailing behind me.

"Bell, I need to talk to you," I said in a subdued tone, eager to share my plans to leave. Yet, a sudden reluctance made me pause.

"Yeah?" she asked, glancing at me with curiosity.

"Never mind," I said with a dismissive wave. "I'll tell you later."

Bell seemed to sense my hesitation and offered me a sympathetic smile. "Why is Dylan like this?" I asked, seeking some understanding.

Bell's expression grew serious, and she hesitated. "Uh, it's because—"

Her response was interrupted by a burst of giggles. I turned to find a little girl peeking out from behind a table, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Hello, little one," I said, bending down to her level with a warm smile.

The girl emerged from her hiding spot and walked towards me. She gestured for me to bend lower, and with curiosity, I complied. In a swift, unexpected gesture, she planted a kiss on my right cheek before scampering away, her laughter echoing in the air.

A smile formed on my lips as I touched the spot where she had kissed me. "What was that for?" I wondered aloud, more to myself than anyone else.

Bell, watching with a dreamy expression, replied, "Kids love their Luna."

"Who?" I asked, confused by the term.

"Uh, I mean guests. Kids love their guests," she corrected with a smile.