Lilith
My eyes narrowed in determination as the image of Alpha Casper muttering Marina’s name swept past my head.
There was no point forcing words from Anna. It was obvious that she was terrified of the Alpha.
But I made a vow from that moment that no matter how they all try to be secretive about Alpha’s past, I would find out detail by detail.
Starting with the Marina girl.
“Hey, what are you thinking of?” Anna jolted me from my train of thought as I felt her arms on my shoulder.
“I’ve been calling you.”
Her narrowed eyes rested on mine, trying to get the reason I zoned out.
My lips parted to speak but shut it quickly as an idea popped into my head.
I needed to know more about the Alpha. His dark past.
Most importantly, who made him the monster he is?
“I was just thinking, who hurt him?” I tried not to sound desperate.
“It’s in the past now. We’ve moved on, but the most important thing is that we are trying to be careful of who the Alpha lets into his life so that the mistake won’t happen again.”
“That’s very important,” I nodded in agreement.
“Sorry for being too curious, but since there is an Alpha, isn’t there supposed to be a Luna.”
A sharp gasp tore through the air. But I was certain it wasn’t from Anna.
I didn’t let it bother me because we were the only ones in the kitchen, and the Alpha was probably upstairs in his room.
Anna gulped down the bile in her throat as she stared at the space for some seconds.
Her face was enshrouded in pain and sorrow, and judging from her actions, I knew she was aware of the Luna.
But why didn’t I see her with him?
Were they fighting? Was that the reason he acted all grumpy and confused?
One minute, he acted nice. The next, he was aloof, masking himself with his deadly signature aura.
“I can’t answer that, I’m sorry,” she swallowed painfully, sniffing as if she was close to tears.
The Luna must be a sweet person to pull such emotions from Anna.
“Every day, I keep praying to the moon goddess to bring back the old version of him. The lively version where his bad side was only meant for his enemies and not people around him.” She broke the short silence, staring into space.
“Thank God you came. I was sick of being the only one in this big house. It’s scary sometimes, especially at night when the noise suddenly starts and there is nothing you can do than lock the door of your room and remain silent, waiting for the day to break.” She shifted her gaze to me, heaving a long sigh.
“I will miss your presence in my room, I appreciate your company, and I forgot to tell you, I am not pregnant,” she squeaked in excitement. A smile played on her lips.
“That’s so relieving. I told you, but you were unnecessarily worried.” I gave her a friendly jab on her elbow.
“That aside,” her voice shifted into a professional tone. “Try to keep up with the rules, and you won’t have any problem.”
“Okay. I’m sure since he didn’t have a problem with you, he won’t have a problem with me. I will do something lively like rearrange the look of things in this house, starting from the drawing room, it looks too serious,” I muttered, emphasizing the last word.
“And I will give the Alpha interesting magazines to read. There is this funny one I have that you can’t help but laugh.”
A burst of hearty laughter tore off Anna’s lips as she threw her head backward. Her hands fell on her chest, and some droplets of tears clung to her eyelids.
What was so funny?
“You are funny, Lilith. It’s been a long time since I laughed, especially after my breakup. And I also think staying with the Alpha makes you feel grumpy.” She stopped laughing. Her shoulders relaxed as she released a breath.
Her face was slightly cheerful, unlike before.
“But don’t even think of it as an option. Giving the Alpha magazines to make him laugh? You are wasting your time. That man hasn’t smiled in 10 years, let alone, laughing. His emotions are dead.”
“How come you know too much?”
“I told you before. My mother worked here before she died, and I followed her to reduce the chores. We grew up together. But that aside, I know that you are worried about the Alpha, but trust me, he will be fine.” she shrugged, walking away from me to the cabinet to wash her hands before tying an apron around her waist.
“Do you mind helping me make lunch for the Alpha?”
“Of…” Before I could respond, the Alpha’s baritone voice echoed throughout the empty hallway into the kitchen.
“Lilith!” He bellowed, anger dripping in his voice.
“Is that?” I asked, creasing my brows.
“That is the Alpha, and you better hurry. He hates being delayed.” Anna warned, almost pushing me to the door while I rolled my eyes.
“He is just a man. Why are you so terrified of him?” I mouthed, scoffing afterward as I was irritated by Anna’s behavior.
I hated that she behaved like a puppet and treated him like a demigod.
He will be disappointed if he expects the same act from me. I would make sure of it.
*****
Casper.
I took a few steps from the kitchen door, grinding my teeth in anger as I fed my ears with Anna and Lilith’s conversation.
Thankfully, Anna hadn’t spilled any of my secrets, or I would have kept to my promise of cutting her tongue off.
But what was it with Lilith? Why was she eager to know about my past?
Was she a spy sent by Alec to monitor my damaged life?
I would watch her closely, and if I sensed that she was here to deceive me, she would breathe her last that day.
I didn’t care about the fucking feelings I feel whenever we were close.
I had no clue why I had those strange sparks anyway.
Clutching the book in my hand tightly, my hands brushed the part where our fingers entwined.
I felt the warmth of her embrace against my skin.
However, I didn’t hug her back as I was thrown off balance by her behavior.
It was obvious that she wasn’t afraid of me, despite my demeanor. That explained why she slapped me.
She was a happy soul who believed everyone around her had a pure heart like her.
Stupid.
A scoff rolled off my lips as Alec’s face floated in my memory.
Life hasn’t shown her it’s dark side yet.
Anna’s laughter pierced into my ears, sending irritation down my spine.
What funny thing did Lilith say?
I haven’t heard Anna’s laughter in years.
Anger settled in my gut as I fought the urge not to barge into the kitchen to ruin their little gossip.
They were here to work and not laugh.
But then a thought popped into my head.
How did Lilith make friends with Anna in a short time? And why was she so inquisitive?
“Lilith!” I yelled, using my Alpha tone as I was already losing my cool.
I could hear her gasp and the racing of her heart.
Good. Fear me.
A frown crossed my face as she took her time before running out of the kitchen, almost collapsing when she saw my image unexpectedly by the door.
This was the perfect time to begin.
I threw the book at her nonchalantly, ignoring how she tried to catch it.
“Those are the rules that you must keep to while working here. If you break one of them, you will be punished severely!” I declared, using my Alpha tone.
Satisfaction flushed through me as she bowed her head in submission, trembling as my aura blasted her.
Fear me, Lilith.
Rather than giving in to the feelings that made me act soft around her, I would teach her how to respect me even if it meant forcing it into her skull.
It was high time I instilled my fear into her soul.