Chapter 4

ALPHA CARAMEL'S POINT OF VIEW.

Sitting atop a tall building holding a binoculars and watching a young girl radiate beauty wasn't something I would call a hobby. But it will soon develop into one. I held the binoculars still and watched as Lavender walked into an apartment.

Goodness, she was beautiful, her red hair was set in waves and they swayed alongside her hips that were curvy enough to garner attention in that dress she wore.

I brought down the gadget to wonder who the apartment belonged to. Over the years, I was aware of how strict Mrs Flint was in her daughter's outings so I willed my mind to believe if she let Lavender out, then her trust must have been gained.

There was no cause to worry, I was here with the sole purpose of seeing her for the first time and I must say I wasn't disappointed. Her eyes were the bright type that drew you in before you could discern. 

I leaned against the railings and watched the horizon briefly, I had seen what I wanted to, though I won't deny I felt the desire to see her again but there are other matters that needed my attention at the moment.

I was tempted to stand there and await her emergence so I deluded myself into believing I was enjoying the view from above.

I couldn't exactly tell how many minutes or hours had passed but just when I decided it was time I left, the door to the apartment swung open and out came three girls of similar age to Lavender. I smiled, raising my binoculars to get another view of Lavender but she wasn't among them. Seconds passed by but she didn't appear to be coming out.

I frowned. Did she decide to stay back, perhaps she did. I forced myself to remain calm, I should know Lavender grew up having her freedom, it would be unwise not to trust her enough to stay over as long as she wanted.

But my sharpened hearing aided me, I could hear one of the girls speaking, there was a bit of worry in her tone and it made me start up.

"I think we should take her along." 

A guy was standing at the door, not fully out, he waved his hand and smiled.

"Don't worry, she will be okay. She can't handle her liquor well, trust me to keep her comfortable until she's sober enough to leave."

Lavender was drunk? And that much she couldn't leave at the moment? Now that was one behavior I don't find appealing.

My face steeled and I proceeded to go get her.

The bastard was lucky, my worries were completely centered on Lavender. I was ready to break his bones into a thousand and one pieces for touching her. 

With her in my arms, I walked out of his apartment without sparing his battered form as much as a glance. 

"Anchor... shining anchor.." Lavender's murmuring eased the anger I was feeling. I looked down at her and frowned, how could she be careless enough and trust that scrawny fellow.

"What are you saying?" I asked softly while walking the steep path that led to her home. 

Lavender's forehead was perspiring, her hair stickers on it and her exposed shoulders glistened under the weather. I didn't want to believe what could have happened if I hadn't arrived.

"You... Shining.. anchor." She tried to say once again and I chuckled involuntarily. Though the state she was in gave me no desire to smile but she looked so cute fumbling with her words and staring into my eyes deeply.

"Sssh, don't say anything. Your knight in shining armor will get you home safely." I said in amusement. She seemed to be pleased at finally hearing the correct sentence as she frowned once before shutting her eyes alongside her mouth obediently.

Another minute of trudging the path with Lavender in my arms, I stood before the house I had only left hours ago. I gave a single knock and awaited my response.

There was shuffling of feet then what appeared to be two voice conversing. Mr Flint must be home then, the masculine voice I could hear couldn't belong to anyone else.

I was impatient and before anyone could think of getting the door, I kicked it open and barged in.

A tall lanky man with pepper hair sat on the settee I had vacated and was gulping down some broth. Mrs Flint who I recognized on the other hand was beside him dishing another meal into his plate.

They both paused at the sound of my entrance and I could see the surprise registering on their faces. Mr Flint as I already concluded was genuinely taken aback and perplexed, he dropped the bowl soundly and rose to his feet. Mrs Flint had both surprise and panic written across her face. She followed suit in hurrying to stand beside her husband.

It took them a while to notice an almost unconscious Lavender in my arms, when they did, Mr Flint was the first to make a move, he rushed over and made to grab her.

"You're unworthy of being a father." I spat, my anger from earlier bubbling up once more. 

"Excuse me." He retorted sharply, his eyes glaring daggers all into me but mine conveyed twice as much.

"You barge into my house in such a manner and proceed to declare my position unworthy?" Mr Flint shot, his fingers were wrapped around Lavender's arm and I moved back a step so it slipped away.

The actions only further infuriated him.

"Let me have my daughter!" He bellowed. "What have you done to her?"

I raised a brow at his sudden accusation but calmness was one principle I valued and I wasn't going to lose it now .

"Do not worry, you're failing at your duties as parents. You sit here at home playing house and slurping some broth while your daughter was about to get molested by some thin lipped scrawny fellow! If I wasn't there, do you have any idea what could have happened to her?" My voice rose an octave as I spoke, transfixing them both to their spots.

"But like I said, it's no cause for worries because it's time I relieve you of both of the duties concerning her welfare." I declared still holding Lavender, I wasn't letting her go until I had my point across.

Mrs Flint rushed over, she hesitated when she tried reaching for Lavender and instead resorted to asking, "who? That Carmen? Oh my.."

Her sobs were interrupted by Mr Flint. He drew her by the shoulder back and glared at me once again.

"Are you some human right activist?” Mr Flint demanded.

“I’m the chosen mate to Lavender" I replied immediately stunning him for a full minute. He remained rigid in his position, unable to respond just yet.

I heard Mrs Flint soft gasp as she grabbed her husband's arms and tried to say "it's not as you think-"

"I raised and was there for Lavender like my own daughter, you didn't take me to her father enough to discuss this with me?" Mr Flint demanded. 

I watched as his wife went mute, she shook her head rigorously before the outburst came. "I never asked questions concerning her father and opted to trust you but this is what I get? A chosen mate that I'm not even aware of?"

Then he turned sharply to me. "If you do not take your mannerless self away from her, I'll have the authority to do it. How dare you?"

Mr Flint was fuming but I cared less, I walked to one of the three settees and dropped Lavender gently.

"I don't care what you say. But my words still stand, I'm having my mate in the next two days." I declared and for the second time that day, sauntered out of their presence leaving them in daze.