5. Seal the Deal

The sound of urgent footsteps caught my attention. Rage also heard it and looked at the door.

"A kid's footsteps," I said matter-of-factly. It is easy to identify a kid's footsteps from adult's. "Who is that? Your child?"

Rage's eyes drifted back to me. "Do I look like a married man?" 

"Why, are married men are only the ones capable of reproduction?"

He grimaced. "Sorry to disappoint you, but your assumption is wrong, woman. I prefer to marry first."

I didn't say anything. Why are we suddenly on that topic, anyway? It's not something relevant. 

"Uncle? Are you there?" It was a cute boyish voice. 

Uncle. So it's his nephew. Rage looked like he was thinking what to do with me. 

I raised a brow at him. "What are you waiting for? Go to the kid. Don't worry, I won't show myself to him. I don't kill children."

"Do you think I don't have any idea what you are thinking? You would escape once I get my eyes off you."

Moron.

"Escaping is not my thing, Alpha. I face my enemies head-on. I would rather die than run."

His eyes darkened. "You should not follow that principle of yours all the time, Elena. Why don't you learn to value your life?"

I looked at him with confusion. Why would he say something like that to his enemy? Does he has brain problem or some sort of psychological problem? His actions and words are very strange and it's confusing the hell out of me.

"Why are you telling me that?" 

He only smirked. "Stay here. I'll get back to you shortly."

The next moment, he was out of the bed, completely setting me free just like that. He then casually turned his back on me and walked towards the door. My jaw dropped. Seriously? Judging how I attacked him earlier, he should have thought that I might attack him once he lowers his guard. But what is he doing? Is he insulting me? Underestimating my capabilities? And what about the "get back to you shortly"? He sounded like he was just talking to a harmless friend rather than an enemy!

I rose to sit and followed him with my eyes. He opened the door a bit, just enough for him to peek outside. The whole chamber was silent so I could hear his conversation with the boy clearly.

"Hey, Keith. Need anything, kiddo?"

"Uh, I actually don't need anything, Uncle. I just saw a shadow following you ealier. I was worried so I came here to check."

What? The kid saw me? How did that happen? I far as I could remember, I was very careful.

"Shadow?" Rage laughed naturally. "Maybe it was from the trees or... from the animals around? You see, I'm completely fine. I'll just take a bath and I'll be back. And if ever anything happens, do you think I can't handle enemies? Your uncle is an Alpha, Keith, you have nothing to worry about.

"Why is it I could smell another scent in your room, then?" the curiosity and innocence was event on the child's voice. But what surprised me was the fact that he did smell me. I already covered my scent with something neutral so that it won't be noticed by the pack. Did the scent I used was wearing off?

"Scent? Ah! Must be the new fragrant oils I bought from North. I sprayed it in my room that's why."

"But—"

"Oh, I badly need a bath now. Could you go back now, Keith? Uncle's going to bath. Don't worry, I'll be there once I'm done."

"All right, Uncle," the boy agreed, but I could still sense the doubt in his voice.

When I heard footsteps slowly fading, Rage closed the door and turned to me at once.

"Can you smell my scent?" I asked. The scent I used was said to be effective for three days.

"No. You used something to cover it up. Why?"

"Then why did that kid was able to smell me? And he even saw my shadow following you."

He stop a yard a way, standing at the same spot where I attacked him earlier. "Keith is a very special kid. He's one of a kind. All wolf shifters have innate sharp senses, but his is way sharper and enhanced. Probably the reason why he's only the one who noticed you. Except from me, of course, since I knew you were coming."

"How did you know that I would come for you tonight, anyway? I was given a month by the mistress to execute the mission. I don't remember telling her that I would do it tonight."

"Simply because if I was the assassin, I would grab this opportunity. With the pack having a huge celebration, everyone are most likely distracted. It's the best chance to sneak in. You have thought about that, haven't you?"

My eyed drifted to my sword on the floor near me. It's closer to me so if I would reach for it, I would get it first for sure—

"I'm serious with my proposal, Elena. It's a deal that would benefit both of us."

Damn. Why can't we just have duel right here and then for this to end?

"Why not kill me instead?"

"I didn't pay for this job just to kill you—"

"Yes, of course. I should have been dead by now if that was your intent. You paid me for what? To be a puppet you could use for your pretense? I would rather be killed than attend on a man's biddings."

"You won't be attending on my biddings. Let's not put it that way. Why don't we say that we would have a deal. You do your part and I will do mine. You pretend to be my Luna for a week. In exchange, I will give you a fair fight. If you defeat me, I would willingly give you my head."

"What if I would say no? Would you kill me?" I challenged. I want to know on what extent he could be patient with this.

"Would you say no?"

Such a jerk.

However, I really can't decide. I don't want to pretend to be something or someone that I'm not. Plus I know that by pretending to be his Luna in front of his relatives means I would exert some effort for proper manners which I don't think I can do. However, on the other hand, I think that would help me achieve my main goal which is to complete the mission assigned to me. Judging how strong he is, I know I could not defeat him in a face to face fight. I could use that pretend thing at my advantage. I would let him believe that I'm going with the flow, but I would secretly find an opportunity for an ambush attack.

Being able to kill him sounds like a good idea but agreeing to him first so I could execute that plan doesn't sound so pleasant.

But I guess a little sacrifice won't hurt? After all, once I'm done with this, I would be able to go back to the guild and give the good news to Mistress Hera. I won't have to deal with this wicked Alpha anymore and I'll be back to my normal, bloody life where everything is under my control.

One more thing, there's another reason that is pushing me to agree to his proposal. I want to know what is his reason for doing all of these. He definitely doesn't look like suicidal, so I don't understand why he had to pay for a big sum of money just to have himself killed by an assassin. What made it more suspicious is that he requested a specific person for the job. It doesn't make sense. He is bored? Not reasonable enough. He doesn't look insane as well. There must be something else behind this and that is what I need to know.

"Elena," Rage called for my attention. He was waiting for an answer.

I blinked twice before I finally settled my thoughts and spoke. "Would you really do what I want after I do yours?"

The corner of his lips rose a little as if he found something interesting.

"You will have my word if you give me yours. It is a give and take relationship. As simple as that."

I still have doubts about my decision but I would not be able to do anything if I let my doubts take over me. A mission is a mission. As long as I am breathing, I will do whatever it takes just to accomplish it.

"Fine," I finally said. "I am accepting your offer. Let's have a deal."

He smiled viciously. "So we now have a deal, Miss Ross."

Yeah. A fucking deal.

"And to make it offlcial, we should do something to seal the deal."

"What—"

Before I could move an inch, he was already right in front of me, crouching, with his lips against mine.

"Now it's official. You're now under a contract with a werewolf," he whispered and showed his hand. 

My mouth fell open when I saw a glowing golden band on his wrist. I looked at mine and saw the same band. What the hell is this?