*Danika*
The next morning came faster than I expected. I couldn’t sleep throughout the night. I kept thinking about everything the Alpha King said to me the day before. All the vile names he called me and how he has infiltrated my body to his fill, and thrown my weakness for him straight to my face.
Calling me a slut was the height of it.
As I rose from the bed, calmly making my way to the bathroom, I kept in mind that no matter how much they have broken me, I have been standing strong and would continue standing strong.
Back in my pack, I had suffered more wickedness and still made it. In fact, making it out of that place alive was telling me that the goddess still has good plans for me. All these were temptations that shall surely pass away.
When Lance found me yesterday after knocking for long, I had taken the dress he brought for me with my puffy eyes, and persisted in shaking my head at anything he asked me, that he had gotten tired and left me.
After taking my bath, I went to the mirror to access myself and was met with an image that gave me mixed feelings. First, I was looking chubbier, but my face was gaping with misery. It was patched up and screaming, ‘You are hella miserable, girl’. There was a huge black eye below my eyelid and my forehead was creased considerably.
Is this how I am going to enter a new pack? The pack members would think I am an unhappy mate to Lance. Yes, I am an unhappy mate to someone, but not Lance. He is too good to deserve this. I tried at a smile, but still, it didn’t reach my eyes. I shook my head and wove my fingers through my large mop of hair. That is the only thing that stays alive at every juncture in my life.
My thoughts were interrupted by three raps. I quickly rushed to the wardrobe to pluck out the simple gown Lance brought yesterday. I wore it without undies to check who is at the door. I can’t let the incident of yesterday repeat itself.
Unlocking the barrier, Lance was standing there, his arms folded on his chest, his body half leaning on the wall as his soft grey eyes took me in. He was maintaining his bad-ass pant-shifting smile, almost resulting in me blushing, but I caught myself.
“I deduce you woke up on the bright side, Muncho,” he addressed me in his fond name for me. Whatever the meaning.
“Good morning, Lance,” I breathe out, still hovering by the door.
“I’m sorry about yesterday.” He became somber, nudging apart his tucked legs and standing upright. His hands went into his pocket as he stepped closer. “With time you will get to understand him better. He has been through a lot in his life. He is still recovering.”
“It’s not like I have a choice,” I said and rolled my eyes as I walked back in, allowing him in. I know it’s going to be disastrous if my mate finds him in my room, but I couldn’t tell him to leave. It would be unkind of me. Lance is my friend-my only friend, I can’t lose him.
“I’m not going to ask you what happened between you two yesterday. But he was really riled up, he couldn’t even bear my presence.”
“I’m sorry, it was all my fault,” I quickly took the blame.
“No. It’s not. You are trying to defend him which I get, but I know it wasn’t your fault. In fact, I think it’s fair I take the blame for being childish yesterday.” He gazed at me intently and soon exhaled loudly, his hand scattering his brown locks. “We are leaving very soon. I just wanted to let you know. 15minutes tops,” he informed me and made his way to the entrance.
I watched him leave, my heart sinking within. Why is Lance not my mate? I never asked for Alphas to be my mate, why would the goddess give them to me? I just want a simple life; full of laughter, love, kindness, and warmth. Something I have never felt in my life. Why?
Recovering from my fantasies, I rapidly unclad from the chiffon simple morning gown and wore my undies. I rounded up my preparations and ran out of the room. My hair bounced behind me as I walked down the stairs to the lobby where I would sit and wait until they get down.
I didn’t wait long before I heard pounding footfalls descend on the stairs, and I stood abruptly, my eyes falling to the ground. I can’t bear to look at my mate anytime sooner, after what he saw.
When he passed without any sign of noticing me standing there, I followed after him calmly, my feet on the floor concealed of any sound.
Two cars pulled in front of us, the door to the one at the front falling open, and Lance came out grinning widely. “Whoa! You two finished fast! That’s a good thing though, let’s go,” he forged on, giving me an encouraging smile when the back door swung open and the Alpha stepped in.
Why do I have to ride with him if I am to be Lance’s mate? Isn’t it expected that I should ride with my supposed mate?
“Woman, come in and close the blasted door! I don’t have an entire day to wait on your dawdling,” his snide comment got me at the nerve.
I exchanged a helpless gaze with Lance and fell in beside the Alpha.
“Make certain we get to the pack today. Come what may,” he suddenly stated, but I couldn’t tell if he was referring to the driver, or speaking over the link to Lance.
The car moved from the lot after Lance’s car drove. And like that, we began our trip, which I term to be turbulent.
On our way, there was absolute silence. Pin drop silence. I wished Lance was in the car with us and that way, his random chitchat would make the trip less torturous.
It wasn’t long before the air conditioning in the car began playing with my stability. I worked hard to remain awake and not fall asleep in the same car with a man that looked like he could snap my neck anytime.
Not to mention he already sees me as weak as a vegetable leaf. What would he say if I fall asleep? It would be messed up.
Nonetheless, nature’s demand was too intense, and soon the cold hands of sleep lured me in.
When I woke up, it was to immobility. The car was stable, with no sign of movement. Did we reached that fast? I looked around frantically as I noticed it was almost dark around me. Where are the others? Why would they leave me still sleeping in the car if we have reached the pack?
Then I stretched my sense of hearing and caught a little fracas outside the car. What is going on? Have we been attacked? Oh, Gad.
I gently nudged open the door and looked outside the car, still striving to hear what they were saying.
“I am going to make sure you are punished severely for being this reckless! Do you think I have time for this?! How can you not check the car before embarking on the trip, for moon’s sake?!”
“I… I’m sorry Alpha. I will do my best to get it back to boot,” a squeaky voice returned, sounding terrified.
“Oh, you better try hard. You better try, or I swear I will lose my mind and feed you to the hungry rogues in this devastated place,” the meanness in his voice couldn’t be misplaced. It’s the Alpha King-my mate. Why is he threatening the driver? Is something wrong with the car? Oh, my. Poor creature.
From my mate’s threat, I figured our car might have broken down probably in the middle of nowhere.
I climbed out and unhurriedly made my way to them. Lance was clicking away on his phone at a safe distance, while the Alpha King was posing close to the back of the fretful driver, his face an image of great fury.
It seemed he sensed me because the next thing his face whipped to me, his brows knitting together with venom, “What are you doing outside the car?” he snagged.
“I.. I.. I,” I continued stuttering, thinking of what to say. “I want to pee,” I finished shortly, nodding my head toward the forest, “I will be quick.”
“You can remain in the jungle for all I care. It’s not like anyone would miss you,” he added in a stone voice, facing away from me with indifference.
I nodded and made my way into the forest, with the excuse I made-using that as a form to ease my muddled mind.
I couldn’t help but be ameliorated about the car breaking down. I don’t know how I would have felt if I had woken up to him giving me a murderous glow over my graceless behavior-exhausting.
My feet trampling upon dried fodders standing in my way-sent warmth washing over me over the soothing effect the crunching sound cultivated inside of me. I was busy looking down as I wandered, that I soon made my way straight to a cliff.
I staggered back from the tip of the cliff, my breath coming in pants. I held my chest, my body trembling as I realized how far my clumsiness was taking me.
Instantly, my eyes went down and found a rushing fountain across from where I stood. The evening cast a certain glow on the gushing water giving it a tranquil semblance. Everything was peaceful and calm, as the water streamed down the flowing river that ran down the lane, disappearing to the rising woods at the North.
I was still engrossed with my new discovery that I missed an encroaching vile eye.
However, one great perk about being a powerful Hybrid was your great sensibility. In the speed of light, the odd scent of the newcomer hit me straight on the face and I whirled around.
It looked like I was too late as the snarling creature leaped straight at me, somehow catching me midair and tackling me to the ground without my falling off the cliff.
I whimpered beneath it, my hand shooting out to claw at the face of the animal. I knew it was a rogue. The first I am encountering. I hear how ferocious and brutal they can be-and it was indeed a fact.
“Please, stop,” I cried, slapping my hand about and not wanting to hurt him. From his scent, I could tell he was a wild one. One of those that had lasted long, therefore making their scent very profound.
I was still struggling under him, not willing to use my power and end him. I told myself that he is helpless and is only trying to guide his territory from me. I won’t hurt it. I won’t hurt it… I kept reciting until he began flying in the air.
It happened like a torrent of wind-whipped him out. One time he was all over me clawing, and the next, he was gone.
That was when I smelt him. My mate. He was facing away from me hunched at the rogue, his back rising and falling as he defended me. I could hear his masculine domineering growl at the sprawling rogue. My heart rejoiced from knowing he was protecting me, even as I remained on the ground trying to regain myself.
His aura alone was hypnotizing-my spellbinding mate.
I couldn’t help but revel at the moment, even though the next second I would be meat for his despicable tongue.
…