“What?” He took a menacing step down to the last rung, appraising me murkily. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I-I…” My eyes flicked to the floor, waiting for him to confirm that he saw Roland, “I-nothing.”
“Nothing? By the way, why are you sneaking around the hallway? Huh…? Trouble in the peaceful waters?”
I snapped my eyes to him, for once forgetting he is my enemy. I darted at him hesitantly trying to discern from his eyes whether they held something more accusing, but all I saw was the normal lust as his eyes roved over my body, with his impish smirk on. “Yeah… I mean mates quarrel all the time, it’s not like it’s a new thing.” I shrugged, blowing off air.
He crooked his lips, as he stopped in front of me, whilst I backed away, not looking away from him, even though as I looked at his eyes, all I saw was Alonso.
“Why do I feel like you are acting strange?” he asked, and my stomach knotted in fear.
I pursed my lips. “Me? Strange, I-I am not acting strange,” I hurried out. “If anything you are the one acting strange. We are not friends but here you are- Alfred!” I scooted far to touch against the wall behind me as he cornered me into it, caging me in “What are you doing?” I asked frantically.
“What does it look like I’m doing?” He hovered over my ears. “So because of our little misunderstanding, you are giving me a long face?”
“Little misunderstanding?” I peevishly asked. “You trying to seduce your brother’s mate is a little understanding?”
His lips folded in from a smirk into a grime line as his eyes dug ruthless holes into my body. As we engaged in an eye battle, for the first time I took my time to examine him properly- the only thing in my mind right then, being what Mrs. Dolly told me about them. Nobody would have suspected anything if Mrs. Dolly didn’t expose the Queen back then.
From their eye color to the hair, everything was a replica of the Queen, mostly Alfred. The former King would have thought perhaps her gene was stronger, while she reveled in the victory of her hoax. I wish I can be that bold!
“Danika!” He shook me.
I jerked, swapped his hands off me, and pushed away from him to the other side. “You have to stop talking to me, Alfred. We are no longer friends and I can’t pretend,” I bit out, wrapping my hands around myself.
“Fine, if you want to… you can stop talking to me if you want, but that doesn’t mean I will stop talking to you.”
The prickhead!
“Whatever…” I rolled my eyes and then started making my way back to the stairs then as though recalling something, I flipped around and without looking his way, opened the living room door and went in.
Immediately inside, I looked around for Roland and noticed him standing behind the minibar and placed my finger on my lips, going to the window to look outside to see Alfred leave.
Luckily, he materialized and stood at the portico for some time that I almost thought he was out there for fresh air, then after a beat, he climbed down the remaining steps and walked to the garage. Two minutes later, his jaguar drove out of the palace.
I exhaled choked air and pinched my nose. Alfred brings out the worst in me! I swept my eyes to Roland and yanked him forward, and we made our way upstairs to Paisley’s room. Thankfully, it wasn’t locked so we went in and he placed in the camera at a very discreet spot she would never know.
I was overjoyed. Now the only thing remaining is to hope that the camera captured something by the time we pick it up next week. I severely hope so.
That evening, after Roland left with Luther to the hospital for his car, I linked Alonso that we were done and then decided to visit Mary. We hardly see her these days since Lancelot came back. I understand work would be choked right now with everything going on, which is why I’m thinking of telling Alonso to bring her to the mansion. That way we will be closer.
When I entered Lance’s quarters, I noticed the confused look on the faces of the maids, apparently wondering what was going on.
“Welcome, Ms. Danika,” the first maid I saw greeted. “The Beta is in his study. Should I call h-”
“Oh, don’t bother. I’m here to see Mary. Tell her I’m here.”
“Oh, okay.” She hurried away while I stood there in the hallway, tempted to go to the study and confront Lancelot about his betrayal. On second thought, I decided to give it up. I wouldn’t want his mate to see us together and feel bad. I would if I were in her shoes so I stood there like a stranger raking my eyes through the house.
“Danika?” Lance’s voice rang out and I flipped around towards the hall that leads to his study.
“Lance…”
“You came? They should have told me!” His face stretched in glee.
“No, I’m here to see Mary. I-I didn’t want them to disturb you,” I told him frankly.
“Oh…” He suddenly looked out of place. “Danika, I’m sorry for not telling you about my mate. I didn’t want you to be angry with me.” His countenance fell to guilt as he scratched the nape of his neck.
“Why did you think I will be angry, Lance? We were friends, I thought that meant something to you. None of us had a choice in what happened. We were both placed in that unwanted circumstance and still, you-you hid something that important from me.”
“I’m sorry…”
“Well, it’s easier for you to say you are sorry now. What of when you left? You never for once tried to reach me. I became dead to you. Do you know what I went through? Do you know how worried I was? Do you know how much I missed my friend, wondering how you were wherever it is you were sent?”
“I’m sorry, Danika. I just needed to forget. About you, about everything. It was pure torture for me.”
“And you did forget me indeed. Congratulations.”
“Danika.”
“And for your information, I am not angry with you. I am happy, Lance. Put all your effort into loving your mate. I wouldn’t want my situation on any woman.”
“Dan-”
“Danika?”
We both whirled about at the raspy voice of his mate as she came down the stairs enthusiastically. “Hey…” I mouthed, with a small smile.
“You didn’t tell us you were coming. Lance, did you know?”
His body movement showed how uncomfortable he was and didn’t know what to say so I decided to save him. “He didn’t know. I came to visit my friend, Mary.”
“Oh,” she sounded as she came forth and entwined her arm on Lance as though claiming territory. I comprehend. “Since you are here then, why don’t we have dinner together?”
“Oh, I don’t think-”
“Of course, C’mon, Danika. I will tell Alonso to meet us here,” Lance urged and pulled his mate along. I knew then I was hooked. I didn’t want to differ so that she wouldn’t have odd feelings. Maybe this would be the best, to put her mind at peace.
“I totally agree,” I concurred with a slight smile.
“Great!” She smiled back and we walked into the dining room I was so familiar with. Brings back memories. Memories of the past.
After the Omegas served the scintillating dishes, it wasn’t long before my mate’s dominating aura filled the place. My stomach flipped when he bent and took my lips in a slow kiss. I melted, everyone around us disappearing into oblivion.
“Do you realize that you two are in public?” Lance’s voice broke through the shield of our passionate encounter.
I cupped Alonso’s chin and tore away gradually, pecked his lips, and finished with a smile. I knew him very well and knew he was trying everything possible to diminish whatever he thinks is between me and Lance. He might say that he no longer feels that way, but I know him. So here we are, Lance and I, trying to prove to our mates that we don’t give a shit about each other any longer. At least for me.
“So when is the wedding?” Alonso suddenly asked as I was about to scoop stew into my mouth.
I choked on it and started coughing fervently. He picked up the bottle of water on the table and cocked for me, tapping my back afterward. When the cough receded, I looked up at him. “Thanks…”
“Are you okay?” He whizzed in concern.
“Yeah… I’m only worried about your question. Shouldn’t you allow the couples to decide their fate as we decided ours?”
“Yeah, you are right, Munchkin… after all, we have much on our plate, right?” He looked at Lance. “Do your thing, bro.” The latter smiled.
We are in silence after then, with the two friends later talking about the invasion of the vampire and how to catch my former Alpha and mate’s father.
We ended up leaving without seeing Mary. That night I told Nadia to inform her they were coming to the infirmary the next day.
…