Page 36 of Right Next Door
She was all in black today. This gown wasn’t kreecharma in style, so it must be human. The sleek silk of the skirt was shorter in the front, showing off her legs and the bright red shoes she wore – simple flats that connected to ties that wrapped all the way up her calf to her knee. A tight, black corset showed off the delicious dip of her waist, while black lace covered her low, flat decolletage. She was dripping in silver jewelry, accented with bright, gleaming rubies at her neck, ears, in her hair, over her wrists. The underside of her hair was a bright, gleaming red, like fire, and twisted up into a complex braid at the back of her head.
She was so lovely. She stood proudly at his side, drawing his eye by doing nothing more than looking around.
Although, staring at her, seeing her admire the garden with aloof grace, brought that uncomfortable, unsettled feeling back into his belly. Like something was wrong. Like something bad was happening, and he didn't know what it was, but there was definitely reason to be alarmed. Not panicky, but a low level anxiety that seemed to get worse whenever he looked at her.
But why though?
She was healthy. She was happy.
She hadn’t looked at him.
Not once. This entire night. Not even when he picked her up.
“Misty?” He called to her gently. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she said shortly.
And all those instincts went absolutely haywire.
His human information pamphlet covered this!
Human females only described something as fine if it wasn’t actually fine! It meant that they had seen a problem and either were living with it or giving the person they were talking to a chance to fix it on their own.
Misty said she was fine.
Misty was not fine!
Chapter 15
Misty
Tsok went tense beside her, coming to a full halt in the middle of the walkway. This place was like a small botanical garden. The flowers were all well-tented and lovely. The air smelled divine. Even the fluffy, floating insects didn't really bother her despite being bugs. As far as she could tell, this was just a party to schmooze and promise money to each other, no charity involved. There was a seating area over that way, with tables and food and music. However, Tsok had decided to take her around the wandering garden paths that encircled the main area so she could appreciate the nature.
And it was nice. It would probably be even better if the company was someone else. Almost literally anyone else – save a few old faces from home that she thought would look best buried at the bottom of the planters that held the flowers.
Whatever. She was still living on Tsok’s property, relying on his charity. She had started saving to maybe get out of there, researching how housing worked on this planet, so she could be ready to bail the first chance she got. But until then, she could continue to at least be polite.
So, when he asked her if she was alright, the response came to her automatically.
She was fine.
Mated and yet somehow alone.
But fine. She didn't need him.
However, her answer got an immediate reaction. Tsok pulled up short, prompting her to do the same, turning back to face him with a frown. Thinking maybe he had seen something, she looked around. But no. His gaze was laser focused on her.
“What is it?” She asked, ignoring how good he looked. That shiny black fur was absolutely beautiful when contrasted with the royal purple robe he had chosen. He paired it with a bright, practically white platinum and shining green gemstones.
It was really unfair how attractive he was. The sound of his voice did something to her now. She just kept hearing him repeating ‘breed’ over and over in her ear, and its effect wasn’t dulling with time. If anything, it was getting worse!
It was so annoying! She was going to punch herself in the twat if her stupid lady bits didn't get their focus away from him! He wasnothers! No way!
And after that anaphylaxis thing, he absolutely never would be.
She returned from the healing center to rest and get ready for the next day when she got a message from him. Her stupid ass really thought he had finally decided to check in on her. Maybe he wanted to make sure she was okay. Hell, she would have taken a simple, ‘u gud?’. It would have been annoying, but at least it wasn’t as insulting as what she did receive.
‘We have a party in three days. Davard will help you get ready.’
