Xander
As I watched the so called friends of my mate leave, I regretted not creating a law against cheating. They looked like they regretted it but I know they will do it again. Soon.
Selfishly, I was happy that that coward didn't touch my mate and the mating ceremony was called off but I know that it hurt my mate. I don't like seeing her hurt. It was also insulting, my mate was goddamn perfect and anyone who couldn't see that was a fool.
I've known she was mine the moment she turned eighteen. It was too late then, she was already in love with Damien and her link wasn't good enough to sense me as her mate.
Hala, my wolf started pacing, he has been on an edge since she barged into my office with flashing eyes and red cheeks.
It was hard to keep him from tearing Carlson apart limbs by limbs but I managed…rather, he calmed down a bit after realizing that I also wanted to kill my supposed right hand man.
Leila was outside the door, her scent came in with the breeze. It calmed Hala down. There was no scent of fear just wistfulness.
She must have met her friends at the door.
“Alpha” said Regan as he entered, his head lowered. His mate Marenza was behind him, holding my mate's wrists.
“Marenza, how is her throat?”
“The healing process has begun Alpha, I gave her somethings that will heal and also sooth the throat.”
“Will those marks stay?”
“No, they won't scar Alpha.”
“Thank you Marenza, Regan. I will like to talk to Leila alone.”
“Of course Alpha” Regan said and led his wife out.
I ignored the curious look on Marenza’s face, let her think what she wants to.
Leila played with her fingers, watching the floor with so much interest and her signature flushed cheeks. Cute.
I got up and walked to the front of my desk, leaned on it and crossed my arms.
“Can you talk without your throat hurting?”
“Yes Alpha.” Her voice was still hoarse but it was better than it was this afternoon.
“Are you scared of me Leila?”
“Anyone with survival instincts should be scared of you Alpha.”
I chuckled, “are you going to look at the floor through out our conversation?”
How red can she get? She looked up, her gaze stopping at my chest.
“Eyes are higher than that darling.”
Fuck, does she get red everywhere? I banished the image my sex deprived mind conjured to the depth of my brain. This is not the time for that.
Hala chuckled, enjoying my current situation.
‘Why are you acting like she doesn't affect you?’ I asked Hala.
‘She does but I'm satisfied with her scent.’
‘Lucky…’
Leila's green eyes finally met mine. Her gaze didn't waver. A small smile danced on my lips, she may be shy but when she tapped into that hidden confidence, she held it firmly. It was sexy.
“Good. Come sit, I don't bite.”
Leila laughed, “some people may argue with you.”
“Those people are guilty of something…” I pulled out a chair for her, “...are you guilty of something Leila?”
Sitting, a frown appeared on her face.
“Yes, I think I am. I said things I wasn't supposed to say to my father. If I kept my mouth shut, he won't have done what he did.” Her delicate hand touched her throat.
“That's not an excuse. He is not supposed to treat you like that. Did you lie against him?”
“No…”
“I see, you told him the truth he doesn't want to hear. Leila, I can't make you forgive him with pretty words but I can assure you that the moment he did it, his regret began immediately.”
“Then why didn't he stop?” She whispered.
“Carlson let himself get ruled by his emotions. That's why.”
“And if I don't want to forgive him?” Her voice was still small but she didn't break eye contact with me.
“That's fine. I'm not urging you to, I just don't want you making decisions that you may regret like he did.”
Leila nodded, “thank you. While Marenza was helpful by being supportive and treating the issue casually, you answered the questions in my head…Alpha…” she blushed like she just remembered who I was.
I chuckled.
“You're welcome. Do you want anything? Have you eaten?”
Just then her stomach grumbled. Her constant blush achieved a new level! Her whole ears were red.
Leila shifted her gaze.
“That's my answer” I replied to myself.
“Sorry…”
“Don't bother, it's natural. Come.”
I led her to my kitchen.
My office was the backroom in my large house. The pack wanted to build a separate building for me but I refused. This arrangement was convenient for me.
“Have a seat.”
Leila nodded, her attention on the decor of my house. I looked around, trying to see the house like someone who didn't live here would.
It's okay…large and neat.
“Chicken soup will be okay right?”
“Can you please just bring out the ingredients? I'll cook.”
“Nonsense. You're a first time visitor and you want to cook?”
“But, you're the Alpha of our pack…”
“And as the Alpha, I command you to seat down and let me cook for you…”
“Okay.”
“What do you want to do? You don't have a mate at the moment, do you want to work or start looking immediately?” I asked as I started cooking.
“Work…I'll like to start helping Marenza in her workshop. If possible, I will like to leave my father's house.”
“And a mate?”
“I don't want to think about that right now.”
That's good in a way. There has been talks about a lost temple of the goddess recently found in the east and the relics it contains.
I will have to start asking around, there has to be something I can use to help her link get better. For her safety and for my heart.
“Are you always this kind or do you just feel pity for me?”
I stopped and turned to face her. Her gaze met mine.
“I do not feel pity for you. I am kind but I do not tolerate a lot of things, that's why people see me as harsh. A leader should be kind and considerate, if not they'll just be a tyrant.”
Leila smile
d, “thank you Alpha.”
I nodded, “I've changed my mind, come and help me with this.”
She laughed, her eyes bright with happiness. “Okay Alpha.”
Liam's Pov The lady refused to answer me, but instead poised a question at me. “What are you doing here?”“Ma'am, I'd appreciate it if you answer my questions first. What's the Alpha doing here, did you take him captive or something? You have to explain to me, is that why you refused me entry at first?”“Young lad, please leave this room, he had a hard time falling asleep due to the poison in his blood.”“What poison? He was fit before he left to rescue Leila!” so l heard since I was at Alpha Lucian's pack. I unsheathed my sword and walked towards her pointing it at her. I could see the tears in her eyes but I wasn't bothered, I needed her to talk.“Put down your sword, Liam!” I heard a deep voice turning to face where it came from, I saw the Alpha awake sitting up. His back to the wall, I hurriedly rushed to his side.“Alpha! You're awake, why are you here? Did they kidnap you? You need to say something what happened.” I asked not letting him breathe, I needed him to assure me they
Damien's PovI walked back into the castle after watching Liam leave, directing him out of the castle was the best thing I could do to help him. I couldn't believe that Amelia and Antonio would want to work against me.“Where are you coming from? It's not your duty today, so why are you coming from that way?” Amelia asked stopping me.“I'm not coming from there, I was talking with some of the guards and I decided to follow the shortcut to come back. And why are you questioning me, what are you even doing here?” I asked her my voice harsh.“My father asked to see you, there's a new plan on board and I'm coming from feeding Leila her meal. Let's go?”I nodded and walked besides her to her father's office. If Antonio had another plan, then maybe I was involved in getting the Alpha position. “Amelia, am I still going to get the Alpha position like I was promised before joining you and your father. You owe me, and if this plan backfires. I'll step out.”“Why are you directing your anger t
Liam's Pov My heart skipped as I continued running, I didn't know exactly where I was running to but I was determined to find her Alpha.I had to stop a few times to check if I was being chased, noticing that I wasn't, I stopped and started walking trying to catch my breath. 'It would have been better if I had taken Leila with me.’ I said to myself remembering how pale her face was and on the verge of dying.Where was I going to find the Alpha? I was farther away from the castle that held Leila and it looked like I was lost.Smoke? I saw smoke come out from a chimney, there must be someone inside there. Short of breath but wanting to get there easily, I ran again following the smoke.It was a cottage, a little small cottage. I walked closer to the door but it opened before I even touched the door knob, jolting me out of myself.She was a young petite woman and she smiled at me, “Who are you, dear? And who did you come here to find?”I shook my head, “It's nobody ma'am, I'm just looki
**Antonio Pov**I glared at the two guards, their faces pale and sweaty, as they hung from the chains in the dimly lit dungeon. "You fools," I spat, my anger simmering. "You let him slip right through your fingers, with a hostage nonetheless! I wouldn't have cared if he was the only one that left." I growled trying to keep my anger together.They whimpered, their eyes pleading for mercy. But I had none to give."How could we have suspected him, he was one of your generals." Fair but not enough reason."You were supposed to be watching the perimeter, not sipping wine and telling stories," I sneered, my hand cracking the whip. "Damien and the girl, they could be anywhere by now."The guards cried out as the whip struck their skin, the sound echoing off the stone walls. I didn't care. They had failed me, and failure came at a price."You should have been more vigilant," I growled, my eyes blazing. "Now, you'll pay the price for your carelessness."I raised the whip again, the guards' s
**Antonio Pov**"Release the girl and bring her to me." I ordered. The time was nigh and I had to start putting things in order for the sacrifice. Getting every other thing that was needed for the sacrifice was quite easy but the only thing that wasn't easy was the girl.Her powers were heightening by the day and each day I had to live through it with a shaky heart. I wondered how high and mighty her powers would have grown if I hadn't ordered that wolfsbane be released into her cell to tame her wolf within.I couldn't let anything go below my nose.Few minutes later the guard I had ordered to bring Leila was moving towards me but without the girl and a sullen yet worried expression on his face.I've seen that look so many times to know that it was only on a person's face when they had failed in a task given but this was no task. He was only to bring the girl from her cell.Or had she suddenly grew violent again?"Where is the girl?" I was already questioning before he would get close
**Liam's Pov***Continuation Of Flashback*I approached the ancient oak tree, its gnarled branches like nature's own cathedral. The moon cast eerie shadows, making me feel like I was being watched. I checked my surroundings, hand on the hilt of my sword, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Damien emerged from the darkness, his eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity."Right on time, Liam." He stated, his eyes darting to and fro just like mine checking if anyone was spying on us or within ear shot. I couldn't risk getting caught."So why am I here? Why did you call me here?" I asked, I couldn't shake the nostalgic feeling of him been suspicious though I knew for a fact that I was alone in an unknown pack. I had to trust somebody.Damien handed me a yellowed parchment, creased and worn. I unfolded it, studying the intricate markings and symbols."Okay? So what is this? What exactly am I looking at?" I asked in confusion still holding the hilt of my sword in case things take a tu