A Dangerous Obsession
Chapter 26 - 25

Chapter 26: Chapter 25

LAYLA

"Hey, bring that back!" I yelled, watching in exasperation as Xylara darted off, something shiny clutched in her mouth. I had been reading under one of the large trees in the garden, enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun when my mischievous cat decided to steal whatever she could get her paws on.

I sighed, setting my book aside. "Of course," I muttered to myself, rising to chase after her. Xylara always had a knack for causing trouble just when I’d managed to settle into some peace.

Before I could take more than a few steps, I saw someone ahead of me crouch down, blocking Xylara’s escape route. He reached out calmly, coaxing her to drop the trinket she had stolen. She hesitated for a moment, eyeing him warily, before finally relenting and letting the object fall from her mouth.

The man straightened up and turned toward me, holding the item in his hand. "My lady, is this what you are looking for?" His voice was warm, and there was an easy smile on his face.

I blinked, surprised by the sudden appearance of Elara’s mate. They had been together for years, long before they ever came to this place. I’d seen them together, how they moved as if they were extensions of one another. She told me once that they had felt an instant connection when they first met, as though the universe had aligned just for them. There was no hesitation, no doubt. They were chosen mates, not even fated mates, and yet their bond was stronger than anything I’d ever seen.

"Dorian?" I called out, returning his smile. I wasn’t expected to see him here. He was rarely in the garden, usually occupied with his duties.

He approached, extending his hand to return what Xylara had swiped. It was my small bookmark, the one I was using for my current read. "She’s a little thief, that one," he said, glancing down at the cat with amusement.

"Thanks," I said, taking the bookmark from him. "Xylara always seems to know exactly how to cause trouble when I’m not paying attention."

I playfully glared at her and he chuckled softly. "Cats have a way of keeping us on our toes, don’t they?"

I nodded, watching as Xylara pranced away, clearly satisfied with herself despite being caught. I tucked the bookmark back into my book, feeling oddly flustered by his presence. I hadn’t really interacted much with Dorian before, only hearing about him through Elara. And yet, here he was, casually talking to me like we have known each other for decades, as though it were the most normal thing in the world.

"You seem to spend a lot of your time out here, my lady?" Dorian asked, his tone friendly as he glanced around the garden.

"Sometimes," I replied, sitting back down beneath the tree. "It’s one of the few places where I can actually feel... peaceful."

He nodded, as though he understood completely. "I understand, my lady. Sometimes it’s nice to escape, even if it’s only for a little while."

I looked up at him, wondering if his life with Elara was as perfect as it seemed, especially considering how much of her time was spent with me. A sudden pang of guilt settled in my chest.

"How’s Elara?" I asked, changing the subject.

Dorian’s face softened instantly at the mention of her name, his smile deepening. "She’s doing well. She’ll be back shortly after she finishes what she’s doing at home. I hope you don’t mind, my lady?" There was a tenderness in his voice when he spoke of her, the kind of affection that came naturally between mates. It was impossible not to notice.

"I don’t mind. I’ve already taken up so much of her time," I said quietly, that familiar ache returning. The kind of love they had—it wasn’t something I would ever know. Not for me.

Dorian didn’t seem to notice the shift in my mood. He was still smiling, his thoughts clearly on Elara. "My lady, I should get back. Elara’s probably wondering where I’ve wandered off to. She’ll never let me hear the end of it if I’m late."

I smiled despite myself. "Then you better go. Thanks for the save with Xylara."

"It was no trouble." He gave me a quick nod before heading off in the direction of the estate, leaving me alone under the tree once again.

I glanced down at Xylara, who had returned and was now curled up beside me. Letting out a soft chuckle I stroke her soft fur and she purred.

It didn’t take long before the sun dipped below the horizon. Or maybe it did, but I was too preoccupied with the book I was reading to notice. The golden light of the garden gave way to the deep hues of dawn and my book laid softly on my lap. The evening air grew cooler, and Xylara, sensing the change, moved closer to me, her soft purring the only sound breaking the stillness.

Exhaling deeply, I stood up. I had expected Elara to return before now, but it seemed she had chosen to stay back. And for me, it was about time I retire for the night. The weight of the day pressed down on me as I made my way to my chambers.

As I moved through the halls, an odd sense of unease crept in, though I brushed it off. Elara was probably caught up in something, nothing more. She would probably returned tomorrow wearing her signature smile, one that I’m already starting to get used too.

After preparing for bed, I slipped under the covers, pulling them up to my chin. As the quiet of the night closed in, I tried to shake the nagging feeling that something wasn’t quite right. But I pushed the thought aside. She’s fine, I told myself. She has Dorian.

Just as I was about to drift off, hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor, growing louder by the second. My pulse quickened, and I sat up, listening closely. Then, the knock came—sharp and frantic, the kind that grips you with fear before you even know why.

I jumped up, heart racing, as I hurried to the door. When I opened it, Dorian stood there, out of breath, panic etched on his face.

"My lady... it’s Elara," he gasped, his voice shaky. "Please, you have to come. Now."