The sound of urgent footsteps caught my attention. Rage also heard it and looked at the door.
"A kid's footsteps," I said matter-of-factly. It is easy to identify a kid's footsteps from adult's. "Who is that? Your child?"
Rage's eyes drifted back to me. "Do I look like a married man?"
"Why, are married men are only the ones capable of reproduction?"
He grimaced. "Sorry to disappoint you, but your assumption is wrong, woman. I prefer to marry first."
I didn't say anything. Why are we suddenly on that topic, anyway? It's not something relevant.
"Uncle? Are you there?" It was a cute boyish voice.
Uncle. So it's his nephew. Rage looked like he was thinking what to do with me.
I raised a brow at him. "What are you waiting for? Go to the kid. Don't worry, I won't show myself to him. I don't kill children."
"Do you think I don't have any idea what you are thinking? You would escape once I get my eyes off you."
Moron.
"Escaping is not my thing, Alpha. I face my enemies head-on. I would rather die than run."
His eyes darkened. "You should not follow that principle of yours all the time, Elena. Why don't you learn to value your life?"
I looked at him with confusion. Why would he say something like that to his enemy? Does he has brain problem or some sort of psychological problem? His actions and words are very strange and it's confusing the hell out of me.
"Why are you telling me that?"
He only smirked. "Stay here. I'll get back to you shortly."
The next moment, he was out of the bed, completely setting me free just like that. He then casually turned his back on me and walked towards the door. My jaw dropped. Seriously? Judging how I attacked him earlier, he should have thought that I might attack him once he lowers his guard. But what is he doing? Is he insulting me? Underestimating my capabilities? And what about the "get back to you shortly"? He sounded like he was just talking to a harmless friend rather than an enemy!
I rose to sit and followed him with my eyes. He opened the door a bit, just enough for him to peek outside. The whole chamber was silent so I could hear his conversation with the boy clearly.
"Hey, Keith. Need anything, kiddo?"
"Uh, I actually don't need anything, Uncle. I just saw a shadow following you ealier. I was worried so I came here to check."
What? The kid saw me? How did that happen? I far as I could remember, I was very careful.
"Shadow?" Rage laughed naturally. "Maybe it was from the trees or... from the animals around? You see, I'm completely fine. I'll just take a bath and I'll be back. And if ever anything happens, do you think I can't handle enemies? Your uncle is an Alpha, Keith, you have nothing to worry about.
"Why is it I could smell another scent in your room, then?" the curiosity and innocence was event on the child's voice. But what surprised me was the fact that he did smell me. I already covered my scent with something neutral so that it won't be noticed by the pack. Did the scent I used was wearing off?
"Scent? Ah! Must be the new fragrant oils I bought from North. I sprayed it in my room that's why."
"But—"
"Oh, I badly need a bath now. Could you go back now, Keith? Uncle's going to bath. Don't worry, I'll be there once I'm done."
"All right, Uncle," the boy agreed, but I could still sense the doubt in his voice.
When I heard footsteps slowly fading, Rage closed the door and turned to me at once.
"Can you smell my scent?" I asked. The scent I used was said to be effective for three days.
"No. You used something to cover it up. Why?"
"Then why did that kid was able to smell me? And he even saw my shadow following you."
He stop a yard a way, standing at the same spot where I attacked him earlier. "Keith is a very special kid. He's one of a kind. All wolf shifters have innate sharp senses, but his is way sharper and enhanced. Probably the reason why he's only the one who noticed you. Except from me, of course, since I knew you were coming."
"How did you know that I would come for you tonight, anyway? I was given a month by the mistress to execute the mission. I don't remember telling her that I would do it tonight."
"Simply because if I was the assassin, I would grab this opportunity. With the pack having a huge celebration, everyone are most likely distracted. It's the best chance to sneak in. You have thought about that, haven't you?"
My eyed drifted to my sword on the floor near me. It's closer to me so if I would reach for it, I would get it first for sure—
"I'm serious with my proposal, Elena. It's a deal that would benefit both of us."
Damn. Why can't we just have duel right here and then for this to end?
"Why not kill me instead?"
"I didn't pay for this job just to kill you—"
"Yes, of course. I should have been dead by now if that was your intent. You paid me for what? To be a puppet you could use for your pretense? I would rather be killed than attend on a man's biddings."
"You won't be attending on my biddings. Let's not put it that way. Why don't we say that we would have a deal. You do your part and I will do mine. You pretend to be my Luna for a week. In exchange, I will give you a fair fight. If you defeat me, I would willingly give you my head."
"What if I would say no? Would you kill me?" I challenged. I want to know on what extent he could be patient with this.
"Would you say no?"
Such a jerk.
However, I really can't decide. I don't want to pretend to be something or someone that I'm not. Plus I know that by pretending to be his Luna in front of his relatives means I would exert some effort for proper manners which I don't think I can do. However, on the other hand, I think that would help me achieve my main goal which is to complete the mission assigned to me. Judging how strong he is, I know I could not defeat him in a face to face fight. I could use that pretend thing at my advantage. I would let him believe that I'm going with the flow, but I would secretly find an opportunity for an ambush attack.
Being able to kill him sounds like a good idea but agreeing to him first so I could execute that plan doesn't sound so pleasant.
But I guess a little sacrifice won't hurt? After all, once I'm done with this, I would be able to go back to the guild and give the good news to Mistress Hera. I won't have to deal with this wicked Alpha anymore and I'll be back to my normal, bloody life where everything is under my control.
One more thing, there's another reason that is pushing me to agree to his proposal. I want to know what is his reason for doing all of these. He definitely doesn't look like suicidal, so I don't understand why he had to pay for a big sum of money just to have himself killed by an assassin. What made it more suspicious is that he requested a specific person for the job. It doesn't make sense. He is bored? Not reasonable enough. He doesn't look insane as well. There must be something else behind this and that is what I need to know.
"Elena," Rage called for my attention. He was waiting for an answer.
I blinked twice before I finally settled my thoughts and spoke. "Would you really do what I want after I do yours?"
The corner of his lips rose a little as if he found something interesting.
"You will have my word if you give me yours. It is a give and take relationship. As simple as that."
I still have doubts about my decision but I would not be able to do anything if I let my doubts take over me. A mission is a mission. As long as I am breathing, I will do whatever it takes just to accomplish it.
"Fine," I finally said. "I am accepting your offer. Let's have a deal."
He smiled viciously. "So we now have a deal, Miss Ross."
Yeah. A fucking deal.
"And to make it offlcial, we should do something to seal the deal."
"What—"
Before I could move an inch, he was already right in front of me, crouching, with his lips against mine.
"Now it's official. You're now under a contract with a werewolf," he whispered and showed his hand.
My mouth fell open when I saw a glowing golden band on his wrist. I looked at mine and saw the same band. What the hell is this?
"What the heck is this thing?!" I stood and tried to push him to prove a point but it was like pushing a huge granite."A werewolf's band. That is the proof that you are under a contract with me.""You told me nothing about this!" I fired, very ready to attack him."I didn't tell you because I was under the assumption that you already knew since I thought you probably gathered some informations about me and my kind before you went through this mission. Why, did you not?"Yes, I gathered informations about him but I didn't go in details. I never had any idea about this stupid contract thing. I thought our deal is just purely verbal!"Explain to me how this thing works, you mongrel," I said sharply. I was close to reaching for his neck and twisting it. Or maybe I could just make his eyes pop out since I don't have the strength to twist his neck."As what I've said, it is the proof that we both agreed to in a deal, like a contract. However, you
"Thought you changed your mind," Rage said playfully when I arrived at our meeting place on the day of our departure."If only I had thought of another way to kill you, I could have changed my mind."He hissed but still smiling. "Honest as always.""I don't lie to make anyone feel better.""Yeah. Sounds like very you.""Now are we not going yet? I don't like chatting with you for long."He shook his head with a ghost of smile on his lips and mounted his horse. "You really don't care if you hurt someone else's feelings with your words, do you?""Do I have to care?"His lips parted in disbelief. I then reigned my horse towards the right way. Rage followed at once and coped up with my pace."You are so heartless.""I don't need to be kind to live." In fact, my principle is the other way around. To kill is to live. That is the only thing I need to do. Why should feel those unnecessary sentiments when all o
"You should rest for the night now. Elena must be tired," Richard Black finally said. I'm very bored of all the storytelling."Right. Let's now go, love?"I looked at Rage. This mongrel never really listens. It makes me want to punch him straight to his face right there and then."Dang, I'm jealous. I really need to find my mate soon," Tyler teased.As soon as I stood, Rage's hand was at my waist at once. I breathed, trying get a hold of myself. I should get used to this for the time being."Have a good night, Elena, Rage.""We will, Grandpa," Rage answered and he then led me out of there."Do you really need to hold me all the time?" I asked irritatedly once we were already inside the chamber. "And why do we need to sleep in one chamber? You should have said that we will be needing two!""Keep your voice low, Elena. Someone might hear you."I hissed and gritted my teeth."Look, as what I have told you
"Why do I have to come with you? You should have done this by yourself!"Rage's grandfather asked him to buy some stuffs in the town for the preparation, and he dragged me with him. I couldn't say no because Richard Black was in front of us."And your grandfather has a lot of subordinates. Why did he have to make his grandson do the job?""It was just an excuse."My forhead creased. "Excuse? What do you mean exactly?""He is thinking that you might want to take a look of the town. He wants us to give alone time together, if your pretty head still don't get it.""Why do we need to have alone time together? We have been together yesterday and last night. Your face is already giving me an eyesore."He winced as if he was hurting. "Your words stung, love."My expression turned grim."Do you really want to die?""If you would be the one to kill me, then it would be my pleasure." He winked. He is not really
"Want to come with us? I promised Tyler to join them on playing football," Rage said after he had given the stuffs we bought to his grandfather. "Why would I? I'm not interested on watching that kind of sport. I would rather stay on the chamber or walk around the forest." "But Aunt Cordelia is expecting you to come. She told me to ask you to go because she wants to get know you more. But..." he hesitated but still continued. "If you don't really want to go, I can just tell her that you are tired..." I sighed. "Fine. I'll come." His face lightened and the ghost of smile on his lips didn't go unnoticed. Later that noon, we went to the wide clearing beyond the forest for the football. Cordelia went too along with several younger women to watch the game. It looks like doing this is somewhat a hobby to them, something usual. I also noticed that all those younger men are friends of Rage. They all consider themselves as "brothers" which I find ridicu
"What is this?" My forehead creased at the big box beside me when I woke up the following morning. Rage was already up, buttoning his upper clothing."Box?"I glared at him."Good morning by the way. You look pretty with messed hair." He winked. This brute. Every time he is like that, I'm always reminded of those so many ways of how to torture a man."That is yours. It was sent ealier. It was said that it was from Grandpa. He said that is a gift."Gift? Why would I be given a gift?I grabbed the big box with a purple ribbon and opened it. My lips parted when I saw an olive green dress with intricate golden vines and crystal flowers on its bodice."Why did he give me a dress?'"I told you, it is a gift. And it was also said that you should wear that dress on Grandpa's birthday. It's his request."Damn. Why does everyone wants to give me a dress? This thing is obviously luxurious. Sure I can buy myself a dress like this bu
"Ready for tonight?"I don't have to turn to see who spoke behind me. I just bathed and when I went out, I saw the people very busy with all the decorations. It's our sixth day here and the day of celebration."Never been not.""That's my girl." He chuckled and went beside me. He was about to hold my waist like he always did for the past days but I shoved his hand away this time."What?""We don't need to be intimate. No one is watching. They are busy so quit with your damn acts. And may I remind you, I'm not your girl so don't call me that.""Really? But everyone else here knows you as my girl."For all he knows, his dear cousin knows our little secret. We didn't have an agreement to keep each other's secrets, but I guess both of us decided to keep our mouth shut. Why would I tell anyone what I saw, anyway? It's not my story to tell. I'm out of it so why would I concern myself? All I just have to do is to do my mission, and to
I couldn't move. I couldn't say anything."Yes. You heard it right, Elena. I'm doing all of this because I want to be with you."No. How is that possible? He has a fucking mate!But will it matter if it's not the case? If he don't have one, will everything change? Isn't it suppose to not matter to me at all?All of these trivial things shouldn't matter. My feelings shouldn't matter. His words shouldn't matter. He shouldn't matter to me. But why my set plans are suddenly a blur? I can no longer see clearly the path going to that direction. He is leading me to somewhere else that I myself don't know. And that shouldn't be the case."You are insane." Then I turned my back on him and walked away.However, just after a few steps, I froze in my position when the next moment, I saw people in black suddenly went out of the shadows and attacked the dancing crowd who were caught off guard. And it's not just a dozen, there are more, a lot more.