Chapter 6

Keira’s POV

My entire body felt hot at that exact moment. I kept my gaze on the plate, and quickly grabbed a napkin to dab at the corners of my lips.

I felt red hot shame, embarrassment, and many other conflicting emotions.

“Sorry,” I spoke, keeping my tone low and calm even though my stomach did flips.

My mind unwittingly replayed the sound of his laughter in my head.

“Don’t apologize, Keira,” he intoned. There was a confidence in his voice, innate, powerful, sexy.

It made my hesitation melt away.

“The food’s delicious,” I stated, half-explaining, half-joking. “I haven't had a meal like this in a while.”

“Hmm,” he hummed. “Then I’ll have to fix that.”

The tone of promise in his words was equal parts assuring and exhilarating.

I grabbed the glass of sparkling juice and took a sip, clearing my throat.

“So, what’s the plan?” I asked him.

Matthias paused, an audible pause that I could sense even if I was more focused on my meal.

“What plan?” he asked.

“You know,” I gestured without meaning to. “With Dominic. You admit you knew he was a disappointment.”

“I did,” He smirked. “That is why I thought to claim you before he realized what he’d lost, Keira. I’m not a man that does things by halves.”

I coughed lightly. My dress suddenly felt a bit too tight, the air in the study a little too thick with heat and tension.

“So you intend to make things serious. You wouldn't do something so irreversible like.. Like claiming me, if you didn't have a plan beyond teaching Dominic a lesson,” I tried to keep my tone placid and nonchalant. Like I didn't care.

What I couldn't fathom was how I suddenly cared so much. I waited, anticipating his response.

“Between us,” Matthias’ hands continued to move while I had paused in my eating. “I intend for you to be the deciding factor. You are no longer Dominic’s but mine. But good things take time. What I need you to do for now is work to fulfil your duties as the pack’s diplomat, and build your strength.”

He raised his gaze, meeting mine with a mix of knowing and amusement.

“I don’t play games, Keira. I’m not a boy like that immature son of mine,” he didn't mince words. “And you will understand my plans in time. Everything will soon become clear to you.”

My brows twitched, and I fought to keep a calm expression on my face.

It was most difficult.

“You’re using me to deal with Dominic, and you still won’t tell me what plans you have,” I worded that carefully, cautiously, because he was still the imperious, authoritative Alpha of the Pack and one of the most powerful men in Dale City.

“You’re using me too,” he pointed out. He raised his fork and pointed it at me. It held some elegantly speared food, creamy and delicious.

He brought the fork to my lips.

My heart trembled.

“Eat.”

It was an order, not a suggestion.

My lips parted on autopilot, and he placed the fork gently on my tongue, letting me take the bite of food right from his hands.

He was feeding me.

The act felt more intimate than any moment I had ever shared with Dominic.

“You tried to seduce me simply to make my son see what he had lost. Simply to reclaim your pride,” Matthias’ voice was rougher, huskier with an edge that sounded almost like he was growling. His hand stayed aloft without so much as a shiver, and he slowly returned to spearing more food on his fork.

I swallowed the bite, and felt even hungrier. For what, i didnt know.

But it had everything to do with him.

“I… overestimated my capabilities,” I admitted with a hint of bashfulness. I felt like I was being scolded.

“No. You underestimated my willingness to go along with it,” he corrected. “I do not intend for Dominic to be Alpha. He is far too impulsive, too foolish, and utterly manipulative. I do not know where he gets that from. But I do not tolerate faithlessness in my ranks. Much less from my own son.”

He pushed his fork again in front of me, and I opened my mouth without much hesitation, taking another bite of his meal.

“You don’t have another heir,” I pointed out after a beat.

“I will,” he assured. This time the certainty in his eyes shook me to the core.

The realization of what he intended made my body go rigid. The feeling that swelled within me was a mixed bag, but it wasn’t unpleasant at all. Instead it made me… thrilled.

He intended to have another son, another heir.

And if he was intent on claiming me publicly, that only meant I was the candidate he had chosen.

“I see,” I stuttered a little, clearing my throat.

Deep down, I had long removed my thoughts from Dominic. I did not intend to deny Matthias’ desire to have another son. Because, deep down, I felt like having him was an upgrade I never expected I would get. Because he was even better than what Dominic could have ever been.

“I intend on resuming my duties tomorrow,” I told him, as the meal wound down. His plate was completely cleared and mine was half-eaten. I privately reminded myself that he had practically fed me half of his plate, so I had actually eaten more than he had.

“That’s good,” Matthias wiped his hand on the napkin, before reaching for the glass of water. His sleeves were rolled up, exposing what looked like the beginnings of a tattoo on his forearm.

My throat felt a little dry at the thought of a tattooed Alpha Matthias and I finished the rest of my water swiftly.

“Any… er, pointers?” I cleared my throat, trying to calm my fast-beating heart.

“It’s nothing that you cannot handle, Keira. Tomorrow the Greyhound Pack will send delegates to us. You may start from there. They're eager to discuss a business proposal.”

I remembered the Greyhound Pack was a smaller pack on the outskirts of Dale city. Though they lacked strength and land, they had a lot of brilliant ideas which could easily be scaled up.

If we acted as sponsors to those ideas, the profits would be unimaginable.

Plus, as the first assignment for me as a diplomat, I had no doubts this was going to prove to everyone that I was capable in my duties.

A lot was riding on this deal.

“I understand,” I said solemnly.

Matthias glanced at me.

“You will be accompanied by two other delegates. But you will, of course, receive protection,” He reached his arm out and I took it without thinking.

Together we walked out of his office and back to the entrance of his mansion.

The day had passed so quickly, and it was already quite late in the day. I thought of any more preparations I had to do for tomorrow’s meeting, filing the tasks away mentally.

“Thanks,” I said to him as we reached the door.

Matthias was more than an Alpha to me now. I was now his, publicly, and his intent on protecting and defending me was enough to make me feel calm that I had chosen the right course of action.

He leaned in and whispered, “There are better ways of showing your gratitude, Keira.”

His hand on my waist tightened, giving it a firm squeeze.

Then he released me, stepping back and instructing the driver to take me back to my home.

I felt dazed, glancing at him as soon as I got in the car. Through the tinted window, his expression was unreadable. I could feel his gaze on me until we had gotten far from the mansion.

Damn it, I thought.

It was obvious. Matthias liked teasing me. He liked toying with me, but not cruelly.

With this man, this Alpha, I had bitten off more than I can chew.

I returned home swiftly, within less than half an hour. The moment I stepped in through the door, I heard a familiar, unwelcome voice.

“You damned wretch!”

The sight of a glass cup flying towards me made my heart skip a bea. I acted on instinct, stepping to the side. It barely missed me, and the glass hit the wall beside my head, shattering into pieces.

…