Chapter 100 Audrey

Edwin's shoulders relaxed the second Claudia announced that this 'Fiona' woman wouldn't be arriving today,

"Oh," Edwin said, visibly relieved. "Well... She'll be missed."

Would she, though? Judging from Edwin's reaction, something told me that he wouldn't be missing her presence very much at all. Claudia, however, seemed oblivious-at least in my eyes. "Yes, well... You know how she is," she said, crossing over to the sliding doors that led to a garden outside. "Always busy with those friends of hers."

I blinked back and forth between Edwin and Claudia, not at all understanding the tension. But before I could ponder it further, Claudia flung the sliding doors open, letting in a burst of cool spring air. "Let's go outside," she said, gesturing for us to follow. "I could use some fresh air. It's too lovely today to stay indoors."

Grateful for some fresh air as well, I quickly got up and followed Claudia outside with Edwin on my heels. We stepped into the sunlight, and I inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of Claudia's well-tended gardens. The air was fresh and the sun was high in the cloudless sky-it really was a perfect day.

"Oh, I know! How about a game of badminton?" Claudia proposed, gesturing to a net set up on the immaculately manicured lawn "I haven't had anyone to play with in a while. What do you say, Audrey? You seem well dressed for it."

She turned to me, eyeing my outfit-which I had, of course, designed specifically for the 'outdoor games' that Claudia had mentioned in her email.

But I hesitated, fidgeting with the hem of my skirt. "I've never played badminton before, actually. I'm not sure if I'd be any good."

Claudia's eyes lit up and she whirled to face Edwin. "Oh, Edwin is excellent at badminton. He's beaten me countless times. Perhaps he could teach you?"

Edwin cleared his throat, looking somewhat uncomfortable, "I suppose I could show you the basics," he said.

It seemed I had no choice but to agree, so I nodded. We moved to one side of the net, and Edwin positioned himself behind me. My heart rate picked up at his close proximity-I could smell his cologne, my knees weakening just upon the briefest inhale of that smoky scent.

"Here, let me show you how to hold the racquet," he said, his breath warm against my ear.

Before I could protest, his hands were wrapping around my wrists and guiding my movements. Despite the warmth of his body against my back, I couldn't help the shiver that went down my spine. "Like... this?" I murmured. A small, untapped part of me couldn't resist the urge to lean against him, if only to momentarily feel the hard planes of his body against me. It had been too long, far too long- That was when I felt something... firm pressing against me. My breath caught in my throat, and I felt heat rush to my cheeks as soon as I put two and two together. Edwin... There was something in his trousers. Something warm and a little hard.

Suddenly, as if sensing what I had just realized, Edwin stepped back and put some much-needed distance between us. "You should be fine to play on your own now," he said, his voice gruff and slightly strained. He turned and strode away without

another word.

Chapter 100

+5

and I managed to retum most of Claudia's serves. The sun was warm on my skin, and the exertion of the game brought a pleasant flush to my cheeks. Soon, I had all but forgotten about that

good for a beginner," Claudia remarked as we stopped to sip some lemonade that the butler brought out for us.

from the game. "I was on the track

To my surprise, Edwin seemed to perk up at my admission. "Were

your werewolf

teammates?"

my werewolf counterparts. I did win a

another idea clearly forming, "You know, we have some excellent hiking trails on the property. They're perfect for running. She turned to Edwin. "Why don't you show Audrey the trails? You know them well from all the time

hesitated, his eyes darting between Claudia and

sank down into one of the garden chairs, wiping some of the condensation off her glass of lemonade. "I'm a bit tired, but it would be nice for Audrey to see them. You two go

insist

me. I remained silent, and finally his

the garden table, an awkward silence fell between us. Usually, conversation flowed so easily between us, but ever

seemed unnaturally loud in the quiet as we walked. Even though the forest was cool as we entered the line of trees, where a wide trail had been well-manicured by Claudia's groundskeepers, my face remained

bear the silence

very familiar with her home." Edwin's jaw tightened, a muscle twitching slightly under his skin "As I said, we're family friends. Nothing more." Something about the way he said that gave me pause. I sensed that there had to be more to the

hesitated, not sure if I should bring it up, but finding my curiosity too strong to ignore. "Is she the same Fiona

snapped over to me, surprise flashing

She tried to throw

his expression darkening as he looked away. "Yes. That was

his earlier tension made sense. If Fiona was as unpleasant as she had been that day at the restaurant, no wonder Edwin had been dreading her

Sep

Chapter 100

wondered how she acted

it was too late. I stumbled,

I could fall. His reflexes were impressively fast, but I was more concerned with

down at me without

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