Chapter 83: Count Raymond
Thorne is gone, off on one of his many errands. He left early this morning, more intense than usual, and now, as I bend down to trim the flowers, I can still feel the lingering ache in my body. A wry smile tugs at my lips. If I were a female omega, I’m sure I’d be pregnant by now. The thought makes me laugh softly to myself, imagining the chaos that would bring.
I pause, wondering when my next heat will hit. Soon, maybe? What about his rut? I know we’ve been circling around that moment, waiting for the right time for our cycles to align. That’s when he’ll mark me. My hand drifts up to touch the collar around my neck, where his mark will eventually be, and I find myself giggling at the thought like some lovesick fool.
Doris, my ever-stoic maid, raises an eyebrow but says nothing. She’s used to my little outbursts by now, though she’d never let it show. Still, her silent presence is oddly comforting as I return to tending to the flowers.
Unfortunately, my good mood is cut short when a servant informs me that I have a visitor. I sigh inwardly. I hate visitors. They always mean trouble, and today, I just wanted to enjoy the peace of the greenhouse.
"Send them here," I say, not bothering to hide the irritation in my voice. Whoever it is, they’ll have to deal with me in my element, pruning shears in hand.
A few moments later, I hear footsteps crunch on the gravel of the greenhouse path. I look up, expecting some minor noble with more complaints or someone seeking Thorne, but instead, I’m met with the sight of an older man. Green eyes, dark brunette hair streaked with silver, and a confident gait that reeks of entitlement. He walks in like he owns the place, his gaze sweeping over the greenhouse as though he’s appraising it. My fingers tighten around the scissors.
Who the fuck is this?
"I like what you’ve done with the place," the man says, his tone casual as if we’ve known each other for years.
I blink at him, narrowing my eyes. "Thank you," I reply cautiously. "And you are...?"