006

“Mom, c'mon it's too little. I can't buy the whole set with these. At least give 500 more” I hear Maria whine as I walk out of the kitchen with a packet of chips. Now what is she begging for? This girl spends like we have some sort of royal fortune.

“A tracksuit isn't that expensive,” Mom says, “Unless that miraculously makes you a marathon champion”

I suppress a laugh at that. Maria groans in disappointment before stomping her feet like a little child. Even Celia doesn't have that many tantrums. Why does she need a tracksuit though? She is not very fond of workouts and stuff.

I hesitate before walking up to Mom. She arches an eyebrow at me.

“Can I… have some money for hair dye?” I ask with hesitation. She stares at me for a brief moment, specifically my hair. I sigh in dejection, definitely not getting any money.

Just when I think she'd pass me a taunt, I am surprised to see her fetch out some money.

“Buy yourself a tracksuit and a pair of shoes as well” She hands me the money. Maria’s eyes went wide as I was given more than her.

“Why a tracksuit and shoes?” I ask, confused.

“You tell her. I am going to pick up Celia from school” Mom stated before leaving the house. I wait for Maria to explain all while she gives me a ‘boring’ look.

“New Alpha..New stupid rules” She huffs, crossing her arms then continues, “Every Pack member must be trained excluding the oldies. Every freaking day. No excuses for girls either. What the hell do they want us to train for? War or battle no longer happens. Most of the conflicts are solved through a simple ‘talk’ or ‘deal’. Then why the fuck!?”

“You want a perfect body. Maybe it will get you to your goal” I point out.

“Pilates works just fine for me and who the fuck wants to get their ass whooped for two hours” She scoffs, fully mad at the new rule.

I laugh at her red face.

“What are you so happy for? You're weaker than all of us. The training will make you cry like a bitch” She snapped before grabbing her handbag to walk out of the living room.

My mood sours as her words repeat in my head, hurting me deeply despite having to hear it almost every day.

Shaking the thoughts off my head, I eat my food then quickly walk out of the house to go to the Mall. It will take a long time if I walk but what other option do I have? I continue my walk, almost halfway to the destination when Luisa calls for me.

I frown, noticing the heavy boxes in her hands that I can hardly see her face.

“I can really use some help” She pants out. I quickly rush to her and take one box from her hands. It is actually heavy.

“Where's your car?” I questioned.

“It stopped working on the other street. I thought Pack House was near so why not carry them instead but it's heavier than I expected” She explained.

Deciding to help her, I walked with her to the Pack House.

“Upstairs, the last room in the corridor. Leave it there but be quick, Carlos is using that room” Luisa instructs, before disappearing into the Hallway. I move upstairs to the last room only for someone to walk out.

“Give this to me” The girl attempts to take the box but struggles to hold it.

“Never mind, such servant work isn't for me” She almost drops the box but I hold it tightly.

Ugh, it's Max.

We go to the same university and she loves to pick on me. Rolling my eyes at her attitude, I walk past her into the room.

Once I spot a table, I place the box there.

There is a notepad and a used pen on it which I grab and write an apology, clearing the misunderstanding from the night of the ceremony.

He can read it or throw it. At least I did my part.

Just as I turn to leave, the door opens, revealing Carlos with a phone against his ear.

Once spotting me, He stops at the door frame.

A frown etches his face, gaze appearing to be darkly menacing as he ends the call before shifting away from the door towards me.

I quickly move my limbs to rush past him only for his fingers to clasp around my forearm, halting my steps. My eyes dart up to his face.

“What were you doing here?” He interrogates, large hands still gripping my arm.

“I delivered ‘that’ box” I look over at the box that's sitting on the table.

He follows my gaze, then nods before finally releasing my arm. I step back, maintaining a good distance between us as the heat of his body is making me anxious.

Glancing back at the note on the table, I decided to just tell him.

“I left that note for you”

He appears to be surprised but doesn't say anything instead walks up to the table and grabs the note. I don't wait for him to read it and drag my feet to the door.

“Wait”

I turn around, noticing how he is leaning against the table and still reading the note. It wasn't even that lengthy or is he in disbelief?

“You wrote this?” He asks, eyes still on the paper.

“Yes”

“I didn't expect that boldness from you.” His choice of words surprised me but maybe he isn't used to receiving apologies.

“Come here” His voice is demanding, leaving me no option but to oblige. I still maintain at least three steps of distance between us.

“I'll consider accepting it if you speak it out loud” Handing me the paper, he loosens a couple of buttons from his shirt.

I try not to stare at his revealed chest and focus on the note.

It's literally just a sorry.

Wait...

Frowning, I stare at the written note which is not mine. I look over to the table, another note is right next to his hand which I believe is the one I left. Who wrote this one then?

‘Dear charming Alpha, ever since I saw you I couldn't stop thinking about you. What happened at the ceremony must be upsetting but allow me to change it. I can give you a good time. Let me satisfy you in ways no one could’

I blink twice before re-reading it to myself.

“What happened? Too Shy to use your voice?” His voice snaps me out.

I look at him, embarrassed.

Oh Goddess he thinks I am here to seduce him.

‘Might as well do it’ Inez comments.

‘Shut up, I'm not crazy like you’

Carlos steps forward, crossing the little distance I maintained. He towers over me easily.

I open my mouth to clear the misunderstanding but his hand on my waist takes away the opportunity.

Pulling me flush against him, his other hand moves up to my jaw, forcing my eyes to his.

“As tempting as it may be, you can't handle me” His voice drops a deep octave, blue eyes turning a shade darker, a hint of how menacing he can get.

“You can be wrong” Like an idiot, underestimating the depth of his words, I blurted out.

How bad can it be?

‘I love you for challenging him’ Inez beams in my head.

His brows narrowed into deep slits,

“The thing is, I am never wrong,” He asserts.

“That— My words get caught in my throat when I am flipped around, his hand slips under my sweatshirt moving up to my breast.

His touch sent a line of fire down my skin. A shaky moan pushes past my lungs when he pinches my nipple. I shudder visibly at the warmth of his body flush against my back.