*Alonso*
Damn it! I cussed internally, standing inside the bathroom the next morning, and letting the early morning freezing water permeate my skin as I fought to stabilize the throb still raging through my body at the thought of the woman laying down inside the room.
I didn’t see any of this coming. It wasn’t supposed to be like this! The plan had been simple… and that is another issue; I never had any plan set apart, in case anything goes wrong. And that is because I never envisioned falling for her! I’ve denied it long enough, thinking I would eventually get used to it, and then hopefully it would go away.
Now, not only have I placed her in a risky position, I’ve hurt her and earned her hatred which I don’t know if she would ever forgive me. She might have been putty in my arms last night, but once she wakes up, I don’t think I can bear watching her look at me with so much hate.
Growling audibly, with my fist bunched by my side, I shook off clinging waters from my hair and climbed out of the shower. Picking the towel, I wiped my body and hair and walked into the room. Just the mere sight of her and my manhood thickened once more.
I went over to her and kissed her temple, lingering a while to sniff at her prominent scent. She had woken in the middle of the night after I had used my Alpha King’s ability to heal her. I shouldn’t have allowed myself to go back on my word and taste her blood. What if I killed her?!
Forcefully, I vaulted up and trudged to the closet to pick up my suit, trouser, and shirt which was dry now to put on and go for my meeting with the Alpha of this pack.
Callus is indeed a fortunate man. From the way I was feeling yesterday after seeing his foolish Beta touch my woman, I would have made sure I obliterated every trace of him and his Beta and installed a new one; one that might possess enough wisdom from the head and not their loins.
“I will see you later, my love,” I whispered as I kissed her silky hair, brushed my hand through it to push it off her face, and with a last glance at her, walked out. The sooner I concluded this meeting the better for us to go home. I have to tell my family everything. For now, I don’t know what I’m going to do afterward, but one thing is certain, I’m no longer capable of hiding my mate.
I can’t lose her.
I was supposed to come back next week from my trip with Lancelot, then Ariel, the spy I had placed discreetly to follow Danika about and report to me wherever she goes to, linked me and told me of her escape. At first, I felt betrayed. I know I messed up and she was mad at me, yet, I didn’t expect she would go that far. I didn’t waste any time leaving Lancelot and made my way home from where I followed her trail to the forest.
I was glad that my spy informed me on time, which was why I was able to still grasp her essence in the forest and I followed it till I got here to see that lecherous nitwit try to-
I shook off the sick recollection and increased my gait, ignoring the men bowing to me along the hallway until I got to the conference room which I was well familiar with, and entered when the guard pushed the translucent doors open.
“Long live, the King,” came the voice of Callus, standing when I entered, that terror still on his face. They all knew me and know I don’t waste time bringing down anyone I deemed my enemy irrespective of how beneficial they are to me.
“I didn’t ask you to assemble your elders, what are they doing here?” I rumbled, skidding my eyes around the table at the high-ranked wolves seated, who quickly stood and began making their way out with their heads bowed in subservience.
“I’m sorry, my king. I thought-”
“Seat down, Callus. What have you been up to around here?”
“W-we have been preparing for the upcoming full moon ceremonies. We were waiting till it’s close, to send you a special invitation.”
I rolled my eyes. Like, he thinks I would come. What a joke. “What else?”
He seem to contemplate then smiled. “Three men came to seek asylum in the pack two weeks ago, and then when I told them we would seek your approval first, the next morning, they vanished.”
My interest was piqued. Three men? “How were they?”
“Two older men and one younger male.”
“Derrick?”
“I think that was one of the older men’s names, plus I kind of thought he looked familiar.”
I huffed out loud indignantly, spreading my legs out in front of me. Those bastards are roaming around my territory and I haven’t been able to lay my clamps on them, which is because I haven’t put my mind to it. What are they looking for? By now, they know they are rogues and no one would dare accept them in any territory without my approval, that would mean plain treason to me. They know better than to test me. However, on second thought, perhaps they are on a mission for the vampires, helping them secure information concerning our Kingdom. Those insensitive louts! What would they gain from it?
“My King…”
“Weldon, Callus. I think you have just won my forgiveness. I will be leaving by noon. In case they drop by next time, make sure to have them thrown into the dungeon after which you let me know. They are fugitives as far as I’m concerned.”
“Thank you, my King. I will endeavor to do that.” He bowed severally, his head almost touching the ground.
I waited to have a glass of scotch with him as custom demands to show I’m at peace with him before I made my way out.
Getting to the room, I heard the shower running, notifying me that Danika was having her bath. I didn’t want to infringe on her privacy and waited outside until the shower stopped two minutes later and she emerged with a white towel around her, her wet red hair about her face, making her more appealing.
I swallowed and looked down, seeing the panic in her eyes. At least they weren’t cold.
“How are you?” I mustered the courage to ask.
“Fine,” she mumbled and strolled to the closet, the sight of her white feet doing unwelcomed things to me.
“Are you strong enough for us to leave?” I took a step toward her, weighing her reaction. I don’t want to catch her off-guard after yesterday. Everything was still fresh and I needed her to know I’m on her side and would do anything to protect her.
Her eyes twitched, her mouth going in a straight line. “Yes.”
“Danika-”
“I’m fine. We can leave if you want.” She teetered fast and dragged out her undies which she quickly wore, giving me a good view of her backside, at the verge of making me go against my zeal to be considerate and dive at her.
When she faced me once more, she was fully clothed in a plain white top and a pair of jean trousers, so simply and yet, captivating. Is there anything that can make her ugly? Not even when she shaved her hair!
“We will stop along the way to have something, okay?” I informed her, boldly making my way to her.
She seemed to pale a little, then loosened up with a stiff nod. “Okay.”
Oh, I missed my smart mouth Danika. Right now it looks like she has been shredded apart to be replaced by this new person.
“Are you going to tell them everything?” she asked unexpectedly when I reached her, her sharp green eyes riding to meet mine with panic etched in them.
“Yeah, I will. Everything. I told you.”
“Okay. That’s-that’s… I don’t know if I want you to anymore. I’m scared. They would hate me! I can’t afford to go back to my old life anymore. It would kill me!”
“Nobody would hate you, Danika. Trust me. They won’t hate you or do anything stupid unless they want to suffer my wrath. I want to make sure everything is sorted out…” I took her hands in mine and looked intensely into her eyes, the fear in her eyes making mine soften. “I might not know how to fix this mess, for now, Danika. But believe me, I’m going to make sure that everything works out fine, okay? All I need is your support.”
Her eyes danced around, swimming in a spark of watery mist.
“I’m just terrified, Alonso. Maybe my leaving would solve everything. You get to marry her, get the alliance with her father, and together you can strengthen your administration and everyone will be fine.
After all, my leaving would make the vampires stop invading, knowing I’m no longer with you, please.”
The more she said those words, the madder I got while trying my very best to stay lucid.
“I can’t, Danika, I’m sorry. If you leave, I will not be the same anymore. Besides, out here is not safe for someone like you. Where did you think to go from here, if you had managed to escape?” With that said and not waiting for her response, I went to pick up my stuff on top of the table and came back to lead her out of the room.
We have to leave now to reach my pack by evening. I linked Luther to meet us here in five minutes from the border, where he was waiting for me.
If only I knew what was waiting back home for us.
…