ALONSO
When Hilda died years ago, I could swear nothing was going to make me look at another woman with longing ever again in my life or think about her when she wasn’t present-not to mention feeling my blood boil every time another man regard her the way I find myself looking at her most of the time.
I had been content with my women. No expectations, no demands. The rule was explicit because I knew nothing was ever going to make me marry again.
But, curse the ways of the goddess who in my prime, the time I was least expecting it, thrust Danika my way. Danika came into my life to bring to a halt all the values I held dire, which five months ago, I would never have believed could have been affected. If I hadn’t gone to that pack, maybe I would have been saved from all the traumas I’m recently going through.
I gulped down another glass of Scotch if only it would tame my raging hormones. All I want is her. All I think about when I’m in my room, in the dining, in my study, during the conferences, It was all about her. I would need to search her room to be sure she isn’t in possession of any dark spell she might be using to control me because this is surely not ordinary. This is the major reason I have not ravished her-I am going to ultimately lose my mind. By then, she would have me wrapped around her fingers and might eventually succeed in making me make her my Luna. Siv would be a slave to her, he is now, not to mention when we fully claim her.
I mindlessly tapped the glass of scotch on the table, my eyes pinned outside the window, waiting for her to come in, just as I had seen her go out. Not a moment passes that I don’t know what she is up to. I know she has been going on those damned morning training with my brother! I see how close they have become and it twists my guts. It’s not supposed to be like this. I am supposed to be delighted that she was becoming better, that she had something to busy herself, but no! I feel uneasy with her company and you can’t blame me for it.
Alfred is not a good company for her. He is just like me, if not more evil. He has been hiding something. Something he has successfully masked from me finding out. And it is because of my mother’s relentless support. He is up to no good. I can feel it and my gut is never wrong!
Ten more minutes, ten more minutes, and if she is not back, I will have to go in search of her. From what she was wearing I know she went for her training session, a training that doesn’t last more than an hour but it was almost three hours and she still wasn’t back!
I shook my head, standing from the chair to move to the window to clearly take a good view if by chance I had missed her coming in. I will have to talk to those blasted drivers, henceforth, to always take her to her destination and bring her back. I can’t risk her being alone with Alfred. What was I thinking allowing it to go on for so long?!
Someone is trying to link me, I can feel it. I took a deep breath and relaxed. The link came through.
“Alonso?” Lance crooned in a dispirited tone.
I rolled my eyes. He is to blame for all these. If he had been rational enough and kept his groin under control, our plans would have been in place, he would still be here and she would be in his house. I wouldn’t have had to send him away or her coming into the house, her scent spreading to every corner I turned to and offsetting my balance.
“Whatsup?” I asked, going back to my desk.
“I’m good and you? You don’t sound elated for someone who has his best man flung out because of a woman he is obviously not enthralled with.” Still the gutsy one.
“You seem to not have learned your lesson, Lancelot. Good thing you still have your humor. I was beginning to worry, but now that I see-”
“I’m coming home, Ally. I already told you countless times I am sorry! It was a mistake. You can’t blame me for what happened,” his voice sounded broken.
“You can’t come back now, Lancelot. You have to make sure the mission is completed. The new pack has to be stable in leadership. I am doing well without you…” I trailed off, my eyes skimming to the window again. I sniffed the air for her scent but caught nothing. My heart somersaulted in pain. I truly miss Lance. If he was present he would give me one or two pieces of advice and right now, I am still mad at him and so can’t share.
He exhaled. “How’s she?”
“She’s doing great. She doesn’t look like someone whose supposed mate is out on a mission! She found a new admirer.” It irked me to say it, but if it would hurt Lancelot then so be it.
He didn’t speak for a while, meaning my words had the right effect. “I’m happy she’s okay. I thought you will torture her to death,” he sighed.
“To be fair, I wanted to. But, I couldn’t. She somehow managed to cast her spell on me.”
He chuckled devilishly. “I’m glad she did. Anyways since you won’t let me come back, I will just have to tell you then… I found my mate!”
“What! No way! That’s not possible. His mate? How could he find his mate? “How?”
“I’m surprised too, Ally. Her father is the newly appointed Alpha of the new pack. She is dying to see my home.”
“I am happy for you, Lancelot,” I said glumly. I wanted to ask him now that he has found his mate what we were going to do. This means he has to stay back a while longer so I can figure things out. “You know this is the more reason why you shouldn’t come back. What are we going to tell them? You know how my mother behaves. She can’t find out.” I sounded selfish, still, I can’t help it.
He made a noncommittal sound before replying, “Why don’t you just tell everyone the truth, Alonso Lockhart? This whole thing is cascading out of hand. Danika is a lovely girl and I know you like her. I miss home, to be frank with you! If not for you-”
“I get it, Lance. I caused all this. You don’t have to rub it on my face. Well, I will figure something out sooner. Any other news?” I asked him, to change the topic.
There was stretched silence insinuating something deep was on the way. And it came out as expected. “Her father broke out of the dungeon. Then Derrick and his son have gone AWOL.”
My fingers balled into a fist by my side, anger snaking up my body at the mention of that failure’s name to me. I always knew that man is no good. I wonder how he became an Alpha in the first place. I am going to find him together with that miserable father of hers and I would make sure my face would be the last they see before making it to hell.
“I will handle it,” I guaranteed Lancelot.
“Are you sure you can? Or should I handle it from here?”
“No! Focus on the mission. I will have my men sniff them out and deliver them to me personally. I will make sure their blood drips down my hands. It would give me great pleasure.”
“Okay! Just be careful. I have to go now.” I hummed my goodbye, my thought already smeared with disgust at those scapegoats. A lot of terrible things are going on at once presently and I have to for once come out of my long comfort zone and act. Perhaps, because I have been inside for too long, my sovereignty is now being underrated. I will have to use someone as an example for others to learn not to cross me.
Mother is right about me acting fast with the border fortification. If that hootsnipe escaped from the dungeon under my watch, that means he was assisted by someone. Someone that is threatening me. Someone who surely had sent the spy that I killed the other day. He was adamant to give away the name of his master. The full moon is here, hoodlums would be lurking around, seeking for every opportunity to strike.
I have to act fast. But for now, I needed to properly claim my mate. I need the strength from our mate bond more than anything. After that, I will need to start preparations for the Luna ceremony with Paisley, it’s going to hurt Danika so badly, but I have to do this also because I would need to have the alliance of Paisley’s father’s territory which happens to be on the West coast. I have familiar enemies and have to prove to them I am not as daft as they think. My mother for instance. Any lapses on my side, she and my brother would have a reason to celebrate. Better to hurt one person for a greater good than to bend to my lust and bond, and ruin many years of efforts put in by my forefathers to bring this pack to what it is.
I stood to leave the study and go in search of Danika, when a certain feeling washed over me- a very familiar feeling. It’s not possible!
Danika! Not again!
I matched out of the study in double strides, my wolf senses taking over. She has done it again! How could she?!
When I entered the car, I was still under my wolf’s influence, driving in the direction it led me. Then, I felt that pull to her like she was hurting. I stopped, starting to have mixed feelings. What if someone is trying to force himself on her?! Alfred!
I turned on the ignition and fired in a direction, praying to reach her on time. Then I saw her. She looked miserable, her head hung down waddling down the road, her red hair cascading over her body, acting as a shield. When she looked up and saw me, I caught her wiping her face frantically, halted, and when I stopped the car, she smiled at me. I knew it was bogus. What does she take me for? But my irate crux melted, wanting so much to protect her.
I am going to kill that bastard for laying his hand on her. I knew he was the one when I asked her who the man was, and witnessed the panic in her eyes. She knows well enough than to lie to me. My heart was devastated, and at the same time wanting to cradle her and kiss away the dread in those captivating green eyes.
I will kill Alfred!
…