Chapter 5

JOHANNA.

I lost hope of seeing him, especially after his aura vanished into thin air. I had thought he wanted to save me, but no…he was actually here to be sure I was being punished.

Not long after, his beta showed up. At that time, my legs were already quivering, and I knew I could pass out soon.

The young man squatted before me and looked me dead in the face. “Can you stand?”

Nicholas had never been cold to me. He even turns down Nina's order just so he wouldn't harm me. That made me believe he didn't believe I committed that crime.

I nodded slowly, although not sure.

“Then come with me,” he said and stood.

I sniffed, “Nich, what is it? Who ordered you?”

“Alpha king!”

My eyes lit up. Alpha king? He truly did, or was he covering him?

“Isn't Nina aware?” I knew more than anyone that she wouldn't let that happen.

He glanced at me and shrugged his shoulders, "I'm not sure, but this is an order from the alpha, so Nina has no right to interfere.” he stretched his hand towards me.

I did not hesitate but accepted his help. My legs trembled and I lost my balance, but he quickly caught me.

“Anna, why not just escape? I'll help you,” he had said that so many times.

At times, I wondered if he wasn't scared of his alpha, or had he developed any feelings for me? Telling me to escape was like digging his grave, because if the truth comes to light, he could pay with his life.

And as usual, I cleared my throat but didn't answer. He wasn't aware of the divorce papers. I also needed to leave, but not in a way to implicate anyone.

“Don't worry. I'll be fine.”

He stared at me for a long time before nodding.

“Is it truly Ramsey who ordered it?” I asked again, still stunned, and he nodded firmly.

But why? Was it his wolf? There was no way that man would rescue me, whereas he had the privilege and power to order the punishment not to take place or be minimised, yet he turned a blind eye.

All I had to believe was that it was his wolf who haunted him until he gave the order.

Still, a part of me didn't want to believe that. Ramsey was so strong that his wolf would barely take over him. So, it was truly he who gave the order.

Was it why he came here and left? He really didn't want to meet with me.

Nich took me back to my hut, healed me and ordered the slave mistress to take care of me. I was freshened up and served a nice meal. And later on, he insisted he would only leave when I slept off.

At first, I felt a bit uncomfortable, but I had no option because I knew he was following orders.

In the next three days, I wasn't ordered out of my hut as a slave. No one came for me, except for the slave mistress who brought my meal.

I felt so bothered there and decided to take a look around the slave quarters. But along the line, I recalled Ramsey would be in his office at that time, so going to meet him and show how grateful I was would be better. That way, he would come to my aid again.

And the fact that Nina hadn't also shown up meant that he did a lot to save me.

I reached his office and rang the doorbell. When I was ordered in, I met Nicholas with him as they were busy.

Upon seeing me, Nich stood, bowed to me, and left. It still stunned me how he wouldn't stop doing all that when he saw me, because I knew that deep down, it hurt Ramsey and Nina.

“Why don't you understand some little commands?” Ramsey blurted without even looking at me.

I clamped my hands at my side, fingers digging into my flesh as I bowed to him. “Alpha King…” It tasted so sour on my lips as I used that title on him.

He then looked up to meet my gaze, and I immediately lowered my head. “What?”

“Thank you for saving me three days ago from the snow. I'm so grateful.”

I pretended not to hear it, but he scoffed as if I were talking garbage. Staring at him, I felt so hollow inside. Who would believe the man I would kiss all over his face when I came to his office was now the one I would stay far away from, scared that he would punish me if I disobeyed.

The fact that sneaking out of the palace to meet a witch doctor who would awaken my lycan would be a hassle…

And if they found out I was a lycan and my family didn't come for me, I would be used by the whole pack until I begged for death. That was how the lycans also treated the werewolves.

Except it has to do with business, and mostly between the rich and high rank, the lycans and werewolves stay away from each other.

He kept tapping his pen on the table, lips pouted, while he looked back at me with an emotionless expression.

I was freaking out because of his silence…and when I couldn't stand it, I said, “I have to leave, Alpha King.” My voice was so shaky that anyone who heard it would know.

But the moment I turned, his commanding voice rang out to my ears, “Stop right there!!”

Bile twisted in my gut. I tangled my dress and casually turned around again.

“Don't you think it would be right to pay for my mercy?” he added, pulling a long face.

My heart rate fastened. I tried to speak, but couldn't.

“In a few days to come, my grandparents will be back, and you must show up to greet them. That doesn't change what you are. Besides, I'll tell them everything." He stood up and slowly walked out of his seat. “Did you hear me well?”

I nodded rapidly, “Yes,”

“Yes, what?”

My eyelashes fluttered, “Yes, Alpha.”

“Good! Now, make sure you destroy those divorce papers.”

Hearing that, my eyes bulged beyond my control. My brows creased as I looked up at him. “Why should I? Isn't it better if we end every bond since we don't deserve each other again?”

“Who said so? It's left for me to decide….”

I stepped back slowly as he came closer. What was he doing? “Fine, stop coming closer…I'll…”

“Stop me if you can, Anna…”

Anna? I can't even recall the last time he called me that.

Someone told me he's possessed by his wolf, because the man I've known for two years now has never been this cool.

Goddess! He kept staring at me like I was his prey.

Just as I reached the door and was about to open it, he dragged me away from the door and pinned my back against the wall.

He sniffed just behind my neck, my loud heartbeat resounding in my ears.

“Alpha, I have to leave.” I couldn't help but mutter amid shaky lips.

He sniffed hard this time before looking at me. “Leave to do what when I ordered you free from work until after my grandparents arrive and leave? You want to look tattered before them?”

So this is it?! It was because of his grandparents that he saved me, not because he felt something for me…

“Anna…”

But why refer to me that way suddenly? Should he change in the blink of an eye when he was going to tell his grandparents everything, and they turn their backs on me like his parents did?

My heart raced as if I were taking a marathon…and when he brushed his thumb against my lips, I almost lost my breath.

He leaned closer, and I was scared he would hear my heartbeat, but he crashed his lips on mine, and I felt my blood freeze.

He kissed me so softly at first…and then so hard I almost pushed him away, but he went gentle again, crushing his tongue in my mouth hungrily, his two palms making their way up to my chest.

It's been two years since I tasted his lips. I didn't know whether to like it or not…how he savored my saliva like in the past.

Suddenly, the door flung open, and he quickly broke it all up. He must have known who it was, because there was no permission.

I was still trying to process what had happened when Nina dragged me out of the wall, and the next was a heavy smack that made my neck turn to the side.