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Chapter 9

Jared

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Ihaven't watched asunrise in some time. But I watch this one.

I've been awake for over an hour before the glow of the giant star crested the horizon. I showered and dressed myself in the dark, and now, I've got the best seat to the most reliable show on Earth.

Leaning on the balcony outside my room, I study the massive arrival of the sun as it brushes the rest of the world. That giant curve reminds me instantly of the person I wasted all my sleep trying not to think of.

Veronica.

Her curves are more defined than the sun's. Her energy just as hot. I've only known her for a brief time and she's somehow burrowed into the part of me that rules my desire. I ache for her. I crave her in a way I'm not familiar with.

But she isn't mine.

She belongs to someone else.

Remind yourself of that,I think.Remember it every single minute.I tried to last night, when I stumbled across Shawn and her together. I didn't have time to prepare myself for that scene. I'd thought he'd break her spirit, hammer home what her mannerisms need to be while she's a part of Stone House.

Instead, he'd helped himself to the soft pieces of her I'd resisted.

I took one look at her naked body, and the chains holding my jealousy at bay came apart. One word roared up inside of me.

Mine!

I'd wanted to fuck her before anyone else did. It was a selfish urge, but it's the truth. I'd held back in the bath. That had been a mistake.

Shawn has never held back as long as I've known him.Running a hand over my face, I groan angrily.I should have told him I wanted her first.But I hadn't thought I'd have to. Shawn and I rarely chase the same women. The few times we had I could count on one hand—and those are the times he'll never let me forget.

I make a fist and grit my teeth.Does that mean I should ask him to back off? Or should I be the one who stops pursuing her?Again, Iknowit won't matter soon. Once Oliver has Veronica, she'll be his unless he says otherwise.

Even if he said he'd share, I don't think I could.

Not after what happened with Luna.

I need some air.

Walking through the quiet house, I pass by a few servants who have arrived to do their daily cooking and cleaning. They nod their heads at me; I motion back, hurrying towards the backdoor.

Sliding out into the fresh morning air, I'm halfway across the grass, heading towards the stable, when a voice pipes up behind me. “Sir?”

My heart throbs painfully. Hearing Veronica's voice impacts me more than I'm prepared for, like a cold splash of water from a shower you assume will be hot. Glancing over my shoulder, I see her standing there in a pair of black leggings and a loose, robin's egg blue calf-length dress. One of her white flats is rubbing her opposite ankle uneasily.

“How long have you been awake?” I ask, looking her over again.

She fans out the hem of her dress with a half-smile. “It's hard to sleep in a new bed. I needed something to occupy myself, so I went and explored the wardrobe.”

Unsure how to respond, I glance at the stable.

She follows my eyes. “Are you going somewhere, Sir?”

I hate how I'm thrown off by her presence. I'm used to having solid control. Digging my claws into what stability I can find in my psyche, I nod my chin at Veronica. “I see you've remembered how to address me today.” Her whole face becomes the same shade as an apple; my heart beats faster. “I was going to go for a ride.”

Her eyes widen a hair. “There are horses here?”

The childlike excitement comes off of her in waves. Before I can bite my tongue, I ask, “Would you like to see?”