Chapter Four

{Hailey’s POV}

I automatically took a step back as my eyes slowly widened. I felt something unfamiliar fluttering inside me like a worm or butterfly moving inside my tummy or was it the abnormal beating of my heart as I stare at the most drop-dead-gorgeous man I have ever seen in my life.

He’s tall and lean. His eyes were a shade of pitch-black and the way they gaze at me—serious and deep—was making me feel things I’d never felt before.

Then, his eyes glowed. It turned to gold as though he was communicating with someone through mind-link, and despite being too focused on him, my senses couldn’t help but notice or more like, feel someone behind me. I immediately turn around and to my surprise, I saw the guy earlier. The one with shaggy blonde hair Sapphire was talking to.

His brown eyes were wary and his body language was alert to any possible movements from me. I mentally scoff. As if I would touch you.

“Who are you? Introduce yourself.” The beta or gamma ordered.

Irritation immediately filled my being. I really hate it when someone orders me around. Does he know who am I?

I crossed my arms over my chest and then raised a brow at him. I could feel the other man’s burning stare at me and it’s giving me weird feelings.

“As far as I know, I live in this place. You are the one trespassing so I should be the one asking you both that.” I spoke rudely. “Now, who are you and what are you doing here?”

The blonde guy looked at me in surprise and disbelief. It was obvious that he wasn’t used to being treated or talked to that way. Well, so was I!

He was about to open his mouth, but someone interrupted him.

“Hailey,”

I looked at Sapphire and saw that she was now walking towards us with such urgency. Despite her calm and composed face, I could feel that she was feeling uneasy. Once she was close enough, she grabbed me by my wrist and pulled me behind her before turning to both men.

“What are you still doing here? I already told you that my land is off-limits! Leave now and don’t ever come back!” She hissed.

The shaggy guy growled. “Do not speak to my Alpha—”

“He is not my Alpha, and I will never bow to people like you! Now leave!”

It looked like Sapphire really pissed the second-in-command of this supposed ‘Alpha’ but before he could do anything, the man with pitch-black eyes spoke.

“Neil,” There was a warning in his deep baritone voice. The hair on the back of my neck rose as I shivered just by hearing his voice. This Neil guy instantly stopped and bowed to his Alpha. “I apologize for my gamma’s behavior. I assure you, he’s not usually like that.” He started casually, eyes burning a hole through mine.

I felt Sapphire’s hand tightened around my wrist. She looked so tense.

So, the shaggy blonde guy was the gamma.

The guy with pitch-black eyes spoke again, seeing as neither Sapphire nor I plan to speak anytime soon.

“Sapphire…I thought you only lived by yourself.” He stated, eyes flickering to mine. There was a mysterious glint in his eyes as they stared deeply at me…and I knew that his stare only mirrored mine. “Why don’t you introduce us to your…companion.”

By this time, Sapphire had totally hidden me behind her as though to protect me from the man’s prying eyes. I peeked through her shoulder and blinked curiously at the man who couldn’t seem to remove his from me.

“She is none of your business, Alpha Lennox. Leave my land now before I make you.” She spat and despite having a calm demeanor, Sapphire’s venom-laced voice still manages to send shivers down my spine.

Though, I could not say the same to this pitch-black-eyed Alpha. His facial expression remained calm yet there was something about his presence that didn’t sit well with me.

Lennox

I licked my lower lip, suddenly feeling thirsty as I continue to stare at him. His eyes immediately dropped down to my lips and the way his eyes turned darker didn’t go unnoticed by me.

“Very well.” He then looked at me one last time. The kind of look that would linger even in my dreams because of how intense it was. Then, he looked at his gamma, Neil. “We should go now.”

His gamma bowed and they both started to leave and soon disappeared into the woods.

I turned to Sapphire and saw her looking at the way they walked in with a deep-concerned look on her face. I was about to ask her, but my eyes widened when she pulled my wrist and started dragging me towards her house.

“Hey! Ouch! Let go!” I complained but of course, she didn’t listen.

Finally, after we entered her house, she finally let me go. I carelessly sat on the couch, grumbling while caressing my wrist. Then, I looked up and I couldn’t help but glare at her.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I swear to God, if she was mad and started blaming me for what had just happened, I will really do exactly the opposite of every order and demand she would make.

But to my surprise, she caressed her temples while looking worried, still standing in front of me. Huh?

I frowned.

Then, she looked at me. “He is your mate,” She stated.

My eyes slightly widened before I looked away, gulping. “Y-yeah…”

“He will never leave you alone…fvck!” She looked so stressed while pacing back and forth in front of me.

My frown deepened.

She looked much more problematic than I was. Like, I mean, hello?! I’m the mate here, not you. So, if there’s someone who should be overthinking right now, it should be me, not her. But it seemed like she was already doing those things for me.

She stopped when she saw my reaction. She must’ve seen my confused frown.

Sapphire straightened up. “That man was Alpha Lennox Carter and his gamma Neil. They reside at the pack almost three hundred meters away from here.” She started.

“And they’re here for this land, right?” It sounded more like a statement than a question.

She looked away. “They’d been pinning their eyes on my land for five years now ever since Carter became the Alpha. He wanted to make it his warriors’ training ground.” Her expression suddenly turned sour. “I swear, that young man is the definition of the devil himself. His persistence to own this land makes me believe that there was another reason why he wanted to buy it from me.”

From the look on Sapphire’s face, it was obvious that she had already forgotten that I was even here. She was blabbering and muttering to herself, and I was certain that she would never tell me that much information if she was aware that I was listening.

I cleared my throat, making her eyes snap at mine. Realization seemed to hit her because her expression was quick to change back to its usual impassive look.

Then, in the most serious but sincere tone I have ever heard from her, she spoke. “Stay away from him.” Then, she left.

The day ended just as quickly as it began. I was now in the living room, sitting on the couch, engulfed in torturous silence. I just finished my dinner. I ate alone because Sapphire hadn’t come back yet ever since she warned me about Alpha Lennox and left the house. Thankfully, there was a half-decent food in the fridge because I was still learning how to cook, and I can’t make one for myself.

I sighed.

I can’t sleep. I was all alone at this house. Not that I’m worried about Sapphire. That woman was more than capable of protecting herself. It’s what happened earlier that kept on going back in my mind. And every time I tried to close my eyes, his pitch-black eyes would linger in my mind and thoughts…and I don’t want that.

Before, the thought of having a mate excites me. The thought of having someone to have and to hold for the rest of my life seemed like a dream come true. It reminds me of Mom and Dad and what they have. It was so pure, genuine, and beautiful, and I longed for that kind of love. But when I found out that I was a late shifter, my dream was crushed.

Late shifters have less chance of having a mate. It was either their other half doesn’t exist, already died, or was yet to be born, but whatever the reason was, to find a mate in that case was almost impossible.

Mom consoled me for weeks, and she made me realize that I don’t need a mate in my life. I learned to be independent in that department and as days, weeks, months, and years passed, I loved and enjoyed not having to expect someone to be there for me. And I have accepted the fact that there was no other soul made for me.

So, when I saw his face, his eyes…despite not having a wolf yet, I knew he was the one. But the thing was, I don’t want him to be the one or any man in particular. I have already planned out my life and adding a mate in the picture would ruin everything.

I sighed before standing up.

I need fresh air and since Sapphire wasn’t home yet, I could easily sneak out.

I went out and immediately made my way to the clearing. Cold, fresh wind filled my nostrils and kissed my skin as I walked. I was only wearing a white cotton shorts and a cropped sweatshirt. It’s the type of outfit Dad and Ares hated the most. They say it revealed too much of my skin.

A small smile played on my lips, remembering my family back home.

I wonder how they were right now. It was just my second night here, but I already felt homesick. Well, that wasn’t much of a surprise as I haven’t been away that often at home. I mean, I often slept over at Uncle Miles’s pack and visit Uncle Asher as well, but Ares or Mom would tag along with me, so it wasn’t much of a difference of being at home.

I don’t know how long I would be going to stay here, but I hope it won’t take long. And as much as I’m annoyed at Sapphire, I plan to listen to her this time. I will stay away from that Alpha. Sapphire knew him better than I do, and if she sees him as a threat, then he is a threat to me.

I suddenly tensed up when I felt a familiar presence behind me.

This felt like déjà vu.

“It’s quite late now, isn’t it?”

I heard his baritone voice speak behind me, but I didn’t make a move to face him. I continue to walk slowly but cautiously as I felt him follow me.

“You have a thing for sneaking and surprising people with your presence, don’t you?” I said and I heard his soft chuckle behind me.

“I could say the same thing to you.” He commented.

I stopped and abruptly turned around to face him. I narrowed my eyes at his calm and relaxed demeanor.

“Tell me, what are you doing here? Sapphire has already made it clear that this land is off limits.” I pointed out.

He stopped in front of me and leaned his face closer until our face was only inches away from each other. But I did not step back. I wanted to show him that I was not affected.

“You look smart enough to answer that yourself.” He started, a smirk playing on his lips. “This is called trespassing, sweetheart, and the reason? Why don’t I show you that myself?”