5. Walk Next To Me

The alpha entered the building and I followed him timidly.

I had no idea where he was going. Again, thanks to his long strides, it was hard to follow him. Admittedly, the fault laid in my own short legs – I was rather small for a werewolf.

Nobody at the building dared to stop him. On the contrary, many greeted him with utmost politeness.

He suddenly stopped in his tracks and I bumped into his back.

His scent was heavenly, and his muscles spoke louder than any words could of the training he must go through every day. I was in a little bit of a daze when he turned around, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Are you okay, Jade?” He patted my head, like one would a child.

“I wasn’t paying attention. I’m sorry,” was my quick response.

“How about you walk by my side instead?” He offered in a soft tone of voice.

I gasped in shock and surprise. “I could never…”

“Why not?” His frown was almost imperceptible but it was there nonetheless.

“For starters, you’re you and I’m me,” I said timidly, wishing he’d drop the subject, feeling the many stares we were attracting.

“Nonsense,” he waved off my objection like it was nothing.

“Besides, I can’t keep up,” I blurted out, a blush creeping under my skin.

“You should have said so from the beginning,” he let out in soft admonishment. “Walk next to me.”

This time around, it wasn’t worded out as a suggestion but as an order – an order which I had no wish to disobey. 

“Yes, al… Alex.”

He grabbed me by the shoulder and ushered me forward, leading me. Once again, I was under the spotlight – for different reasons this time around, mind you – and many women regarded me with something akin to loathing and jealousy.

I could only guess he didn’t allow many to walk by his side. It made me feel special, unique, and maybe a little bit too excited.

“You’re projecting your excitement a little bit too much. What pray tell is the cause for such joy?” He asked, just as we got into the elevator.

I shot him a sullen look. Couldn’t he have spared me? I was but a teenager. A teenager whose hormones were playing a dirty trick on her.

I pouted and looked ahead. My reflection in the mirror of the elevator confirmed my suspicions. I had a shit-eating grin, and the stars in my brown eyes gave me away for sure.

I remained silent, and he thankfully didn’t press the matter further.

A smartly dressed woman came forward the moment we stepped out of the elevator.

She was completely focused on the alpha, and she began to tell him about what needed to be done, what awaited him, the unforeseen changes in his schedule, all while he walked ahead towards an office.

Not only was Alexander Bad a powerful alpha but also a businessman from the looks of it.

And then, once she finished her speech, almost as if noticing me for the first time, she asked in a soft tone that held faint traces of curiosity, “A friend of yours, Mr. Bad?”

“Yes,” was his curt answer.

I would never even dream of calling the alpha my friend, no matter how considerate he was of me. But he couldn’t possibly tell a human I was a pack member.

“Should I bring you something to drink?” She offered in a kind tone.

I was about to decline, refusing to be a nuisance, when my stomach growled loudly. I blushed profusely at that.  

“Do you love Chinese food, Jade?” He asked me suddenly.

“I don’t hate it,” I shrugged. “I am not a picky eater.”

“Well then, get me the usual, Camille,” he deadpanned. “The same for Jade.”

“Yes, sir,” she nodded, and then left just as he settled into the desk of the office he occupied.  

I stood in the center of the office, not knowing what to do, admiring every little detail of my surroundings, from the artistic painting adorning the wall, to a family picture.

Everything screamed luxury, and I reasoned the couch alone cost more than our car did. I was reluctant to sit or touch anything.

“How about you get comfortable?” He suggested, his eyes twinkling with something akin to mischief.

“Alpha,” I began sheepishly as I sat cautiously on the sofa.

“Alexander,” he cut in, correcting me.

“Alex,” I smiled despite my state of unease. “I am no straight-A student but I don’t make a habit of skipping school.”

“It’s okay,” he waved my worries off. “If it’s the school you’re worried about, they saw you leave with me. If it’s your parents’ reaction you’re afraid of, I shall talk to them about it.”

I breathed out an okay at that and got more comfortable on the sofa.

I had no clue as to why he had taken me away from the school. I could handle myself against a dumb bully or two… but then again, that would later make me a target. And I had close to no wish to go through that kind of dull life again.

People might not bully a person openly but they might choose to distance themselves, and that alone was a form of bullying in my book.

I was easy-going by nature, and becoming the outcast had hurt me deeply.

I promised myself that this time around, it would be different. I shall not let my parents’ sacrifice be in vain. I’ll prove my worth to the pack and do my best to be at least respected, if not loved, by my peers.      

Being different didn’t make me any less my parents’ daughter. They were elite warriors, and I had trained under them for years. I knew I could stand my ground against almost any opponent in human form. Nevertheless, this was a new pack, with different traditions, if the alpha’s attitude was anything to go by.

He worked diligently on the stack of papers that needed his attention, and I watched him with a small fond smile.

I just hoped my raging hormones wouldn’t embarrass me, and that my stupid crush on the man would be just that – a crush.

You don’t stand a chance, Jade, I told myself. Do not be foolish enough to fall for your alpha.