Alpha's Divine Commandments

Chapter 16

The creepy creaking from the old doors as they lightly swayed back and forth. Sometimes they'd stay still, completely motionless. I noticed everything, waiting for the water to stop running in the room beside me. I waited for the taps to create the loudest creak and for those heavy steps to follow.

It continued to hail outside, the pellets of ice fell and gathered outside on the balcony. I finished the oatmeal maybe 30 minutes ago, the bowl on the table beside the bed. I desperately needed to go, my leg jigging to keep my mind off the thought of it.

This is going to be so awkward. I can't believe I'm about to do this. The urge won as I hurried to the closed door. Motioning my hand into a fist, hovering it against the wood.

No, I can't do this I can go back to my room and... I don't know where I am. Swooshing back around; I ponder forwards and gulp.
But since I'm technically his mate, it wouldn't seem as shameful.
I return to face the door, focused on the ground.
Yet he gave me an uncertain look that night, and that might be a red flag that he's uncomfortable with me.
I turn around, letting out an annoyed groan.

"Mate."

I shrieked flinging myself back around for the third time. I scramble to advert my eyes, my cheeks burning a bright auburn.

"Y-You're indecent!"

I shut my eyes, patting around for anything to hand him to cover himself.

I felt a towel warmer to the touch. Smooth yet ridged in many angles. I could glide my hand over it and collect droplets. I stopped, I patted the fabric, and it shivered into my palm.

"Eden..." His mellow tone elongated my name

"Ah! no, put a towel on... or a robe... anything just!" I lead with my hand, pushing him aside and into the bathroom. "Forgive me," I partly yelled. closing the door with a thud, pooling into the tiled floor as my lungs protest the gushes of air.

He makes my name sound so, so gracious on his tongue. Yet I couldn't enjoy the way it made me flourish on the inside.

I hurried and finished my business. Washing my hands with the fig scent soap by the sink, staring at a mess of weary sleep and bloodshot eyes in a mirror. I gazed over the pale grayish scars drawn over my left wrist and elbow. Our kind doesn't get scars, they heal within a few weeks if you're lucky. But I still had the aching sensation around both of them.

A bath would be smart, maybe I just need to soak for 15 and that'll reduce the pain.

My muscles cramped while I bent over to start the hot water. A pressured rattle burst into a steamy waterfall from the back wall of the tub. Stripping the nightgown off my shoulders, it fell to the floor and piled at my feet. More marks and faint half-healed bruises litter my entire body. I've not once gotten battered to where it lingers for longer than a day. A quick lash perhaps while growing up but that healed in a few hours.

My body tingled, hairs pricking up as I submerged my foot into the steaming water. Dunking the rest of me as the last drop fell from the tap. Foaming lathers of soap float around my neck. They gathered into mounds from each splashing movement I made to scrub my legs. The dry skin balling and disappearing with the motion. However long it had been since I last exfoliated was evidently clear.