Chapter 6: It's the bond, nothing more

Alfred 

I have been staring at this paperwork for the longest time and for some reason, my mind has been wandering to Freda, the slave. Every part of me was fighting what I had left. The moral compass that hadn't stopped turning. All I could think of was how unlucky I was, to be gifted a human. 

Anytime I held her with all of my strength, I thought of how fragile she was. How easily I could break her. I could. Right? I am the Alpha and I could but every time I snapped, something else took over. Like some divine shield protecting me from my actions. Protecting her from me.

The past clouded my thought, I tried to think of the problem. What have I done in the past that might have prompted this hatred from fate? From the moon?  I thought of her skin and her faded smile that seemed to linger no matter how sad she could be. The rush of her blood, each time she bled. All of those little moments filled me as one of the guards walked in with that natural sharpness that he was trained with.

"Leon, if you do not have any important information for me, then I don't get why you are here."

He bent his head lowly, his hands folded at his back. "I'm sorry Alpha, you informed the group that you were going to install the new security protocols today. Especially the curfew."

"Don't you think I know that? I'm just trying to sort out this paperwork, if I leave them here no one would be able to do them. Or you can try if you want."

"I will come back later. Whenever you are ready." He left the room and the silence became even heavier. I sighed.

I needed to get approval from the council to begin the curfew. I wanted to do something right since everyone had the idea that I rule with an iron fist. Not that I cared anyways but it would be nice to get the protocols intact because I hate it when my rules get broken. 

Rogues have been spotted around neighboring packs. These things kept recurring and it was pissing me off. It took a lot to hide that much rage and swallow it up as if nothing happened. I couldn't sit and watch anything happen. 

There was a knock, again. I growled. I didn't have to sniff because I knew who it was. 

"This better be good, Leon." He walked in confidently. I glared at him, I could feel the rage burning its way to the surface. He coughed, getting his stance into the conversation. He was careful. This is interesting. I smirked at him. 

"You requested for Freda. She is in your room now."

Fuck.

I didn't show the disappointment I had in myself. I was here thinking about her seconds ago and I totally forgot that I requested her presence. I couldn't help the need to want to see her every minute. Then, the very thought of her being human disgusted me.

It is the bond, nothing more.

"Have you done what I asked of you?" He nodded. "Fine, I will be there shortly."

I finally completed the paperwork and made some calls to push the details of my decision to the council.  The schedule on my phone notified me that I had a meeting with the board at the company. Just when I thought I had reduced the workload, it piled up even more. 

I went downstairs, leaving the mansion. I ignored the staff that I came across on my way down. They were just as filthy as when they first started to work here. The security guards were scattered on the field and they composed themselves when they noticed me coming with Leon walking behind me.

"I'm not going to allow anything this flimsy to take any more of my time.  I will just go straight to the point, I have dragged the issue of curfew on the pack for too long so there would be a curfew from 7:00 pm. This is mostly because of the rogues that were spotted around our borders. The other packs have also complained, so be watchful and do not miss your patrols. Every guard has to be accountable for themselves, or else you will be thrown in the dungeons." 

I turned my back as soon as I made it clear to them. They knew better not to screw up because if one of the guards made a mistake, he wouldn't live long enough to tell what he saw down there. 

I didn't wait for any questions because they had no right to ask. I have always made the decisions and all they had to do was adhere, without question. 

I sank both hands into the depth of my pockets as I strolled to my room. I already had a picture of how I wanted the setup to be. I want to be able to look into her eyes and see her reaction. Although it may not be much, I could see how she changed but I was still very much conflicted. This…slave was keeping me on my toes, she was feisty and driving me crazy. No one has ever had that effect. 

I was close to my bedroom and Leon was going to guard the door. He was walking with me as I gave him instructions.

"If anyone wants to come in, especially that little bug that follows her around, stop them. I do not want to be disturbed. If I am interrupted, you would pay for it by losing your tongue. "

He nodded. I stood at the door for a while, my hands balling into a fist in my pocket.  I opened the door and saw her standing at the window, enjoying the view. She didn't budge or move an inch.

It was one of her mind games but I was watching her for a while. She stared at the horizons and all I wanted to know was what she was thinking.  I gave Leon permission to send them in at that moment.

A few minutes later, the maids came in with a food cart. When they were done, they arranged everything as they should. "Get out," I said. They scurried away with their tiny feet out of my room. She still did not move, her hands were folded, still staring out the window.  I stared at her from her head, down. She was neatly dressed. I knew Sophia tended to her, after the horror show that happened here. 

"You should stop staring and have a seat,'' I said, taking a seat. I could hear her shallow breath and her body moved and had a nudge. She was hesitant but my patience was wearing thin. "Don't make me repeat myself. I heard you haven't eaten anything and I can't let you starve to death now, you are still my slave. I need to keep you alive, I won't give you the easy choice of death through starvation."

She finally moved and sat down opposite me. She was an empty vessel, a shell. She had nothing but hollow eyes staring at me blankly.

"Why?"