ZAC
The intensity of the human girl’s gaze pierced through me, a fusion of bewilderment and disbelief etched across her features. It was evident she was grappling with the truth, her eyes betraying her attempt to unravel my intentions.
Despite her shock, she composed herself, erecting a face of coldness with a forced smile.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not sure what you’re referring to. If you’ll excuse me,” she uttered, attempting to withdraw her hand from my grasp. I halted her movement by clasping her hand once more.
“I was ordered to keep an eye on her,” Dahlia interjected, her tone firm. “That means I can’t leave her alone with you.”
“This doesn’t concern you, little girl. I order you both to leave us alone,” I retorted sharply.
“You’re not my alpha to order me,” both Benita and Dahlia shot back defiantly, simultaneously,
their voices blending into a discordant symphony that grated on my nerves.
“Say that one more time and see what I will do to both of you,” I snapped, my patience wearing thin. The human flinched.
“As a matter of fact, I’m the one responsible for the pack in your damn alpha’s absence,” I continued, my voice low and dangerous. “So, don’t make me do something I don’t want to.”
“What happened to you, Zac?” Benita’s voice cut in like a knife. “Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed? What business would you have with this… thing?” She gestured towards the human whose hand I was holding tightly, her tone dripping with contempt. “This thing’s hand you’re holding stabbed my friend knowing she could die.”
“It’s not true, Benita. She didn’t do it,” I interjected, feeling the weight of the human’s shocked gaze on me. “You know damn well it’s not true. You just want a fight with her, which I won’t allow.”
Wow… “I’m shocked,” she muttered, her gaze flickering between me and the human.
Before she could say anything else, I cut in, my patience wearing thin. “It looks like your friend wanted to die to cut herself with a silver knife. But tell her I will make sure she dies for real if she does that stupid thing ever again.”
Benita’s expression turned serious as she focused her gaze on the human. “Who are you?” she demanded. “Are you a witch?” Did you cast a spell on my brother? Because there’s no way he would be grabbing your hand like that so insistently.” She turned to me, her eyes narrowing. “Are you interested in her or… you want to get in her pants?”
“Watch your mouth,” the human retorted, attempting to free her hand from my grasp, but I held firm.
“Benita, you need to stop now and leave,” I warned, my tone laced with threat. “Don’t make me repeat myself.” This is important for me. I’ll talk to you afterwards. I mind linked her.
With a resigned sigh, she complied, storming out and knocking the human’s shoulder hard as she passed.
As Benita disappeared out, the human let out a heavy sigh and turned to face me. “Fine,” she said, her voice tinged with defiance. “Let’s talk it out.”
Dahlia hesitated, but the human assured her that she’d be fine. I almost chuckled at the human’s audacity when she declared that she wasn’t scared of me. Little did she know what I was truly capable of. When Dahlia left, I released her hand, finally allowing her some freedom.
But before I could speak, she cut me off.
“Fine, I heard all your conversation. So what?”
Her defiance both intrigued and frustrated me. “So what?” she challenged, her eyes narrowing as she met my gaze head-on.
I couldn’t help but admire her boldness, even as it irked me. “So what?” I echoed, a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips. “So, you think you can waltz in here, stirring up trouble, and expect no consequences?”
What does hearing your conversation have to do with me causing trouble? I have repeatedly told you guys that I am guilty, but it seems like none of you care about whether it’s true or not.
“Exactly that.” I said, cutting in.
The truth is the pack doesn’t give a damn. Their only goal is to make your life a living hell. They are willing to go to great lengths to make you disappear. And the person who doesn’t give a fuck about how the pack treats you is Ralph. “Do you know why?” “It’s because he is trying to find a way to get rid of you, but he can’t kill you because of certain circumstances that you wouldn’t understand.”
So, if you die in the hands of the pack, trust me, it will not affect him. I explained, drawing her attention fully. She tried to maintain her composure but beneath her soul, she was scared. I could feel it.
She mustered a fake smile and tilted her head, meeting my gaze squarely. “Do you think I care about them? No, I don’t. And as for your offer, no thank you.”
“Do you think I don’t know what you’re trying to do?” “You’re trying to instill fear in me until I have no choice but to accept your offer,” isn’t it?
I couldn’t help but chuckle in amazement at her defiance.
Unfazed, she pressed on. “Let me make one thing clear. I’m no longer afraid of Ralph and his people. Not even you.” That confirms that I am more than ready to face whatever they have in store for me.
I took a step closer, closing the distance between us until I could feel the heat of her breath against my skin. “You should be,” I whispered, my voice low and dangerous. “You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.”
Should I remind you how I threw you in their hands when Ralph denied you. Should I remind you of the agony you were in, in their clutches? How their claws tore into your flesh. How you pleaded for their mercy? Did you forget all of it?
“But they can’t touch you anymore if I intervene,” I can protect you from them. I continued, my voice steady. “But only if you accept my offer.”
“What do you want?” She asked curtly.
With a steely gaze, she awaited my response, her demeanor betraying a hint of boldness mixed with curiosity.
I paused for a moment, assessing her resolve, before answering. “What I want is simple,” I began, my voice measured.
“I want you to work for me. In return, I offer you protection, power, and a place by my side.”
“What exactly do you want me to do?” she asked, her tone cautious.
My lips curved into a calculated smile as I outlined my intentions.
“I want you to get closer to Ralph, earn his trust, and then betray him,” I replied, my words deliberate.
Her brow furrowed as she weighed my proposition.
I anticipated that she would take some time to consider it before responding, perhaps indicating that she would think about it. However, I was taken aback when she replied promptly, “I’ll do it.”