*Danika*
The sunlight streaming into the room from the half-open curtains, with a threat to my vision was what had me shooting up from the bed.
I cringed within, my glossy eyes looking around-as I listened around me, still feeling heady with sleep. Yes, the hotel, my mind recorded. I scratched my tousled hair, wetting my parched lips.
Why isn’t the goddamn alarm blaring? Don’t tell me the piece of work has malfunctioned again. I moved my feet tangled beneath me, my eyes meeting the red dress I had worn to sleep the night before.
With full force I yanked my leg out, wincing in the process from sharp head pain, as knowledge of everything that took place yesterday came flooding in. Everything from the time we lodged at the hotel.
I had been called by the Alpha King and he has said some mean stuff to me-just after gifting me with the most expensive gorgeous items, my dress inclusive. Having regained my full consciousness I looked around the spacious whitewashed room, once more.
It seemed as if it was the first time I was seeing everything. First, is the mantelpiece at the foremost corner of the room, bearing a tall nude vase containing white tulips which could account for why the room smelt so much of tulips florals. I was thankful for the fireplace place though, it kept the room warm.
I slowly slid off the bed, making my way to the bathroom at the farther left corner. My movement was halted by the sudden knock on the door.
I contemplated making the caller wait till I get out, but reconsidered checking the person out since I wasn’t in a hurry to pee.
Turning the knob open, the door made a fine noise, and I looked ahead to see the Beta standing there fully dressed to nine-and very outstanding too. As usual, he had his signature smile. He seems like a nice guy. Not like Mr…
“Morning to you, Danika,” he said, my eyes twitched, recovering at once. How did he know my name? I internally wrinkled my brow at my stupid question. Of course, he would know my name. He is the Beta to my mate. And they are very powerful people. They don’t need to ask me to know.
“Good morning-” I halted, realizing I didn’t know his name.
“Lancelot. You can call me Lance if you want.”
I nodded, growing comfortable around him. My eyes fell to the floor as my fingers nervously found my hair and pushed them behind my ear.
He cleared his throat, earning my attention once more. He looked sober now. “The Alpha said we would be leaving by tomorrow instead. There is an urgent matter that came up.”
“Urgent matter?” The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them. “I’m sorry, please ignore me,” I said instantly, shaking my right hand at him.
To my astonishment, he smiled. A very heart-searing -panties-shifting-electrifying smile. Gad, why are these men looking this sinful?
“Did you hear me, Danika?”
“Mmm?” I swung my head up swiftly, my cheeks staining red as I fathomed that I had drifted off having obscene thoughts, that I didn’t hear what he said.
“Uhm.. sorry I didn’t hear you,” I said as I hid my face from him, my hand going to my hair once more.
“It’s alright. I was just telling you that the new Alpha for the pack just arrived with his family from red moon… The Alpha King would have to perform the initiation.” My heart actually lurched as he said that.
So this is happening for real. Alpha Derrick just lost his position. Liam would no longer be an Alpha. Which position would they now be?
“The old family would have to leave the pack,” he replied as if reading my mind.
“Wh.. what?!” I careened, my eyes widening. “Like banished?”
“The Alpha King is not too forgiving.” He tilts towards me to say in a hushed tone, “You should remember that more often than your name if you wish to be in his good books.”
I was appalled, at the same time, frightened of my so-called mate. I have always heard of how ruthless he can be, but this is my first time encountering it. Liam’s family might have contributed to my misery in my pack, still, I wish he would have mercy and let them remain. Where would they go to now?
“So, Princess, see you around. It appears I’m stuck with you today since the Alpha King thinks you need a chaperone. See you then.” He gave me a mock bow and sauntered off.
I was face-smacked. How can the Alpha King care about my security, after he had not so kindly wrenched my heart out with his words yesterday night?
Strange.
I closed the door behind me, carrying the weight of Liam’s family’s punishment to the bathroom.
The day as it seems, is going to be a hell of sleeping and rising. Totally dreary.
After taking my bath, I had to wear the red dress again-since I didn’t have another piece of clothing. There was a love-shaped antique chair by the window so I went to sit on it. I looked outside at the beautiful sunset that was still rising in the orange horizon.
It mixed with the white and blue cloud to produce a distorted hue. Exactly how I felt.
My stomach grumbled in recalcitrance, and at the same time, the doorbell chimed.
I flew off the lounge, running to the door-praying to the one up there that it should be the waiter coming with my food.
I have never felt more relieved when as the door opened, I first saw the food trolley even before noticing the pusher.
My face expanded in glee, not caring what the person would think about my behavior-I was ravenously famished. I haven’t eaten since yesterday after the Alpha had unceremoniously cast me off without allowing me feed.
I looked up and to my consternation, it wasn’t a hotel attendant but our dear Beta. His signature smile that keeps flipping my stomach was now on top-notch.
My face at that moment could be ascribed to that of a tomato.
“From your facial expression, I deduce you were expectant,” he confirmed cheekily, my humiliation knowing no bound.
I opened and closed my mouth in defense, snapping it close when nothing reasonable could be formed. “I was thinking it’s the duty of the Omega waiters,” I said instead.
“Yea,” he said, motioning to me to move from the door, which I hastily did. He proceeded inside. “As I said earlier, the Alpha had instructed direly that every one of your needs should be personally tended to. Who am I but to adhere?” He bounced his shoulders as we reached the middle of the room.
“Thanks,” was the only thing I could say, still trying to configure the Alpha King’s weird behavior.
“You are very much welcomed. Come. Don’t stand there all day. The food won’t eat itself,” he urged with a warm smile.
I hurried to the trolley to start serving myself, however, he shooed me away to the love-seat and commenced dishing out an aromatic dish for me in a plate.
“Here,” he said, handing me a plate, “the Alpha complained you are way too skinny and needed nourishment. So prepare to have your stomach stuffed.”
“He said that?” I was face-smacked once more.
“Yea, he did. You sound surprised”
“Yea,” I have to say.
He chuckled. A rich mixture of smoke and ice-scintillating. “Between me and you, he is not as tough as he seem,” he told me, handing me another plate. “Go slow on this one, very spicy and enrapturing, until you feel your intestines burning with too much of it,” he added, referring to the plate of food.
I smiled my thanks and accepted the plate. Everything he was saying was sounding like a puzzle to me-not about the food, but the Alpha King. He isn’t as tough as he seems? That man is domineering without saying a word!
He went to sit on my bed, feeling at home. “So, Danika, since we are going to be stuck with each other for the day, we might as well get to know each other, yea?” He cocked his brow.
I nodded, my mouth filled with the curly dish… Now I know why he said what he did about the food-very spicy.
“How old are you?” he suddenly asked, catching me off guard.
“Eighteen,” I bubbled, looking up at him through my thick dark lashes.
“Hmm.” He was bouncing his head contemplatively. “You don’t look 18. More like 20 or above,” he asserted, making me cringe. Do I look that old?
“I mean it’s a good thing, right?” One of his brows was jacked up.
Omg. He looked really-
“Danika?”
“Yea, I think so… if you say so,” I made out groggily since my mouth was filled with food.
We continued talking about little things. He told me some things about their pack. But, I noticed he wasn’t talking about the Alpha King. The few times I tried to ask something about him, he would deviate to something else. I had a lot I wanted to know about my mate, particularly about his so-called chosen mate.
Nevertheless, I decided to just listen to what he had to say-until he said what made me barely miss my plate from crashing to the ground.
“Danika, I’m going to be straight with you on what the Alpha said.” His eyes faltered to his fingers as though he was thinking hard about his next words.
“He said when we get back to the pack, you are to pretend to be… my mate… my fiancee”
…