Alexa’s Point Of View
“Clear the area. Ace.”
“Yes, alpha,”
“Make sure a proper funeral is made for this man,” Akira ordered and Ace bowed. Looking away from Ace, he turned to little Isabella who was still weeping, clutching tightly to her father’s hand. He bent to her height and took her small hands in his.
“Isabella,” he called softly. “Do you want to go home with me?”
Issa sniffled, “the palace?” She asked, her voice trembling. Akira nodded, reaching to carry her.
“Before your daddy left, he told me to take good care of you while he was away. Allow me to fulfill my promise.”
Isabella turned to me with tear-filled eyes. Her eyes were filled with uncertainty. “Your alpha is a good person, Issa.” I can’t believe I’m saying this. “he’ll take good care of you.” I assured her.
She turned back to Akira and shifted timidly towards him. Akira opened his arms, inviting her to embrace him. Reluctantly, Isabella went into his arms and Akira picked her up. In a second, she melted in his arms and wept silently against his shoulder.
“See to it that his funeral goes well,” he told Ace again. “Xena, come with me.”
“Poor girl, she really loved her father,” a villager said sadly as we watched Akira carry Isabella away.
“Tell me about it. Those vicious beings are so evil. Why take the life of an innocent man? They claim they drink animal blood but more dead bodies with bite marks have been appearing for the past few days.” Another stated, catching my attention.
“This is not the first occurrence?” I asked her.
“No, my lady,” she replied. “This is like the fifth case this week,” she explained.
“Really?”
“Yeah,” Riaz chipped in. “That was what alpha and Ace went to check in the outskirts. There have been reports of similar cases from there,”
“Revealing the pack’s information can get you in trouble, Riaz,” Ace stated and Riaz immediately bowed.
“S… sorry,”
“I was just joking,” Ace said, ruffling Riaz’s hair. Riaz’s cheeks flushed at Ace’s touch. Riaz happened to look my way and caught me staring at him. His smile faded the moment he realized I caught that dreamy expression on his face.
“Moon goddess help us,” the woman prayed. “Hope they won’t reach here?” She panicked.
“They can’t. Whitepeak Pack is hidden away. And besides, we have Alpha Akira to protect us,” Riaz said confidently.
Akira.
Makes me wonder.
If it’s true then vampires can’t survive without human blood. Does it mean he’s also drinking human blood in secret?
Sure, he might be half-vampire but that doesn’t exclude him from the breed.
“Let me go check on Isabella,” I announced before turning in the direction of the palace. I ran into Xena on the way.
“Where’s your alpha?” I asked her but she completely ignored me. She passed by me without saying a word. Arrogant bitch!
I went in the direction of the hallways and tried opening every single door I encountered. All were locked except one. I could hear soft humming coming from inside the room. Quietly, I pressed down the handle and opened the door halfway.
I was met with a very unexpected sight. Akira, humming a lullaby as he patted Isabella to sleep. I leaned by the door as I watched him. He looked so peaceful and innocent. Like he wouldn’t hurt a fly.
The world seemed to stop moving as his lips stretched into a smile. Not the mischievous, flirty, or teasing smile. A genuine bright smile. His smile could make roses bloom in winter.
He tucked Isabella in and carefully got off the bed. He turned and paused when he saw me by the door. I suddenly felt awkward.
“Uh…” I drawled. I couldn’t form a sentence. “I..” I tried saying but he put his finger across his lips.
“Shh, she’s asleep,” he whispered as he took quiet steps toward me. “let’s talk outside,” he said when he got to me. We exited and made our way down the stairs.
“What are you going to do about it?” I asked.
“About what?”
“What happened.”
He sighed deeply. “What else? Find those who did it and make them pay. No one touches a member of my pack,” he said protectively, his expression hardening. He’s back to being alpha.
“I’ve sent Xena to trail back Moribus’s steps.”
“Moribus?”
“Issa’s father. She should be able to get some clues retracing his steps.” We climbed down the last step and turned right.
“Isabella will have to stay here with me. She has no guardian to look after her,”
“You’re really going to keep her with you?”
He turned to me. “why? You hate the idea?”
I shook my head. “I’m just… surprised.”
“Surprised that such a dirty ‘creature’ could be so warm?”
I frowned and he chuckled. “I don’t want her to know how it feels,”
“What?”
“The pain of not having anyone to turn to when in need of comfort.” He said, smiling bitterly. “I hate to see her go through such a horrifying thing,”
I tried to read his expression but his face was blank. Did he ever go through that?
Suddenly, he paused on his steps and held me back. I looked at him questioningly.
“It’s dangerous out there, Alexa.” He said, his voice laced with worry. “Promise me you wouldn’t wander out,”
“I..”
“Promise me, Alexa,” he pressed, squeezing my hand protectively as his silver orbs stared at me with concern. “I don’t know what I’d do if I…” He swallowed. “if I found you in that state,”
“Aki…”
“Promise me,”
I gulped.
I felt bad.
I felt bad for looking into such eyes filled with sincere worry and still lying. Closing my eyes, I took in a sharp breath. I let out a deep breath and nodded.
“I promise,”
He breathed out in relief and a pang of guilt hit my heart. I’m lying to him.
I should be lying to him to get out of here but why do feel like shit?