*Danika*
The door flung open, tearing me instantly out of my daze and I scooted away from Lance, my heartbeat, thundering to my ears.
What just happened? My heart raced further. Did Lance just make a move at me, or was I the one that-
“I deduce from your stance that you two are ready for us to leave?” a very familiar arrogant voice assailed my thought.
Why is he acting calm, as if he hadn’t just seen me almost kissing Lance? I slowly raised my frightful eyes to meet his. He looked back at me with a bland expression. So at that moment, I couldn’t fathom the depth of his thoughts or his reaction.
Lance stood, his hand finding his locks. I could tell he was also nervous. “Of course… we were almost coming out.” His eyes flickered to me and I reckoned he wanted me standing, so I quickly did.
“I am ready,” I whispered and walked towards my mate on jittery feet.
His eyes never left mine as I left the room, with him following behind me. He soon bypassed me with his rapid strides and oozing aura.
When we were nearly by the exit door of the hotel, my reflection went instantly to my clothing and the little bag I have come to acquire that I use in fitting in my slight undies.
I stopped almost jamming Lance who was now behind me. His brow lifted in askance. The King was still walking ahead not paying us any mind.
“I forgot my brief purse and my gowns in the wardrobe. Is there any way I can get them?” I didn’t meet his eyes while talking because I fear what I would see there. Perhaps judgment.
“Tsk tsk tsk, woman, you worry yourself too much. Don’t concern yourself ’bout that. They would be replaced with more enchanting ones. Let’s go.” He nudged me forward, strolling adjacent to me.
I should have felt better that my wardrobe would be replaced, thereby leading to my forgetting about those wears. But I still kept thinking about them, long time after we left the hotel. I don’t get gifts often so anything given to me, I cherish heartedly.
It happens that the car was in proper shape by the time we got out, and we had all hopped in and left momentously. That is after the Alpha King had vehemently warned the chauffeur to make sure the car doesn’t break down until we got home, if he still wished to retain his life.
I prayed for the sake of the poor man, that the car maintains propriety. I wouldn’t want to have to behold the bloodshed of someone while still working to get ahold of myself from all that is transpiring.
*
The evening dusk blew raucously along the coal-tarred road and trees danced to the melodious swirling of the wind. Normally, this period of the year is usually cold and the weather somewhat causes everything to feel very frigid.
During the car ride, I couldn’t help but allow myself the pleasure of a slumber. I reclined on the corner of the car-far from my mate who had given me the glare of my life when I had made to enter the same car with Lance initially.
According to the driver, we were close home. And somehow I couldn’t wait for us to arrive, so I can get a proper bath and hopefully, a good meal to stuff myself with. I miss home-cooked meals. It reminds me of back home when I did the cooking and how much I invest into making sure it turns out how I wanted it.
“Can you increase the acceleration, Luther?” I heard my mate ask and jolted up from the little slumber the weather had granted me.
I yawned, and in the process twisted around. The ugly look plastered on the face of the Alpha King made me nearly die in my spot.
“Do you always sleep while traveling? You slept throughout the last time and now you lay sleeping yet again. What if something that concerns your safety occurs and you are required to act? But because of your lousy behavior, you will end up dead!” he emphasized solidly on the dead.
I flinched in fear, pushing deeper into the leather brown couch, and wishing I could just disappear. Curse the frigid atmosphere for luring me to sleep in a moment like this.
“I’m sorry,” I muttered.
“I told you to fucken stop saying that.”
“I’m so-”
“Fucken stop saying that!”
My heartbeat thudded louder. What does he want from me? He should have just let me stay with Lance. Lance might have never minded. He would have even gone to the long extent of-
I shook the idea away. Lance isn’t my mate. He is my friend and nothing more. Besides, it’s not healthy thinking ’bout him in the presence of my mate or trying to compare them. It would make me no better than my mate for cheating.
“I will try not to again,” I blurted out when he won’t stop darting at me.
“Better! Try to at least maintain a decent behavior that to an extent would showcase normalcy.”
I am normal. When does sleeping become abnormal? Gad! This man’s hatred for me is beyond me. It looks like I am reliving the life I led with my family.
Silence reigned for a beat that you could easily hear the sound of a pin falling on the car rugs. I was almost grateful, until…
“Once we get home, you are required to pretend to be the mate of Lancelot. I know by now he must have acquainted you with it.”
I nodded, accompanied by, “Yes, Alpha.”
“Good.” His eyes twitched as he opened his mouth. “Under no circumstances are you ever going to tell anyone that we are mates. Am I clear?”
“Ye… yes, Alpha,” my voice broke, as I struggled to keep my head high from breaking down.
“It is very important for your safety that you abide by this rule,” he went on. “I would have brought you in as a slave, but, that is going to be very daunting on your part. This is the best I can do for you, to keep you above the ranks. So be a good girl, and we are good,” he sneered, his visage bearing a mocking smile.
“Yes, Alpha.” A tear slid down my face. “Am I also required to… t… to do what mates do with La-”
“Don’t test me, Danika.” His mocking eyes turned cold, promptly informing me of my one victory. “Just because you managed to escape death from me yesterday, doesn’t mean you will the next time you cross me.”
“You are so shameless,” I pushed, my heart becoming more devastated that he couldn’t even man up to apologize for what he did to me yesterday. He nearly killed me, his mate, and this is what he has to say to me? No apology? No remorse? No shame!
“Danika,” he warned.
I flung my face outside the moving car, returning it with a dark smirk. “I will obey all you say, Alpha. Believe me when I say I have known worst suffering. You can’t break me.”
I saw something pass over his face, but it was gone before I could pinpoint it. “I will, Danika. You are yet to see the horrible part of me. By the time I am through with you, the goddess would have mercy on you and take you away for your own sanity.”
Danika’s heart wrenched more from the words gliding smoothly from his mouth. Yet, I smiled and shrugged, turning my attention outside as it looked like the car had slowed down.
“We are here, Alpha,” the chauffeur notified us, as the car doors slid open.
He rushed out rapidly as if the car seat was coal to his butt all the while. I waited to calm my nerves and regain my poise.
“Hey, you made it alive, so come out.” Lance was by the door, and helped me out. I smiled ruefully and stood by his side, my eyes taking in the most beautiful mansion I’m yet to see in my life.
I used to think I have seen them all, but this edifice here is everything beauty personified, and more.
“Let’s go, you will have time to admire the house.” Lance’s arm linked to my waist, intensifying my breath. I recall it was required since from now on we are to be pretending mates.
“You just have to play along and smile often. It would get better with time, trust me,” Lance whispered in my ear as we strolled to a door that I saw my mate disappear to.
“Lance!” a cheery voice hollered the minute we crossed the door that was held open by a man I presume to be the Omega butler.
“Hy, Theresa. It’s nice seeing you too.” Lance removed his arm from around my waist to hug her. I exhaled in relief from the freedom but retained my charming smile.
The woman who was apparently below Lance in height, and a great beauty with similar green eyes to my mate rapped Lance on the shoulder and ripped away, her eyes finding me. “Alonso said you found your mate. Is that so?” Her accent was polished and highly refined.
“Ye.. yes!” Lance grated, chuckled afore meeting my eyes, and held them. “Theresa, meet the most beautiful woman I have set my eyes on, Danika. Danika meet our dearest Pacific enchantress and ex Luna, Theresa.” He waved me forth.
I waddled closer to them and extended my hand for a handshake. She looked at me as though I have gone nuts and then before I could relate, she grabbed me and crushed me in a warm motherly hug.
“You are welcome, my dear. I knew it won’t be long before my boy would find a mate. And just as I had envisaged, he made me proud.”
When she finally pulled away to allow me a breath. Lance came to stand by my side. “Danika, Theresa is Alonso’s mother,”
I wasn’t surprised one bit, the resemblance was hard to miss.
What becomes of my life now? Was all that was ringing in my head throughout the aftermath chatter?
…