Chapter 2. under the protection of Alpha

I looked into his eyes once more and found the same gaze I have been looking at for five years.

My heart raced as I realized that this man in front of me was the only man I'd ever loved. Or at least I hope. It took me so much courage to open my mouth to speak that it was painful. The sound caused him to smile softly. His fingers brushed through my hair gently, brushing away the tears.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll protect you from all the evils that may threaten you...even from myself." He whispered.

Then, I remembered the reason I needed to talk to him. I sat up and looked into his eyes.

"I need your help...please..." I whispered, barely audible.

His expression changed. From gentle loving husband to fierce alpha. The difference between the two was subtle at first, but they both radiated strength, dominance, and protectiveness toward me.

"Anything for you."

I smiled at him but it soon fell when I remembered what I needed his help with. My hand quickly went to the necklace that hung around my neck. Slowly it unraveled until it revealed the pendant underneath.

"Do you know the meaning behind it?"

He reached forward and held my hand that was holding the pendant. In the middle of his palm, there was a large black stone embedded in a golden ring. It had a picture of a wolf. On either side of the wolf stood a human.

They weren't wearing masks or revealing clothes. They were completely naked. It was a strange sight to behold. They looked like gods...or devils.

"Yes...but who?" He replied staring at the stone.

"Me..."

I couldn't believe I said it out loud. But somehow it wasn't so surprising. I was a witch...the daughter of Aphrodite. The goddess of beauty. How could I not be a witch?

"No."

"Yes! But it's true!"

"Not possible." He whispered.

"But-"

"If the Moon Goddess gave you a sign, she must have been doing a favor to you. Otherwise, she wouldn't have given you a gift."

"I don't know about that, but I did receive a message from her telling me to bring a man who could help me find my mate."

He frowned at that.

"Why would you do that?"

I bit my lip nervously as I thought about how to answer his question. But it wasn't as if I could lie to him anyway because I was asking him for the impossible.

"Because my mother wanted me to meet a Werewolf...and you're my Alpha."

There was silence. I didn't dare to look at him as my throat began to tighten. What if he rejected me? But then his lips suddenly pressed against my forehead, his scent enveloping me. It was the most wonderful thing ever.

My skin tingled as his touch caressed me gently. Then he removed his lips from mine and gazed into my eyes. There was sadness in his stare. I hated the way he looked at me. It made me feel horrible.

"How do you know this was sent by a Moon Goddess?"

"A letter."

"Who sent it?"

"I...I don't know."

He studied me intently as if trying to read my thoughts. I knew he was thinking that I was lying, that I was hiding something from him. I hated to feel that way. When his gaze wandered downward, my skin began to burn.

Then he grabbed my arm and pulled me onto my feet. He led me to the sofa and sat me down. I watched in silence as he walked to the table and picked up the bottle of whiskey that was sitting there. Without saying anything, he poured himself a glass. I wondered if he'd ever drunk alcohol before because that didn't look like something a good Alpha would ever do. Or maybe it was just him drinking to forget something.

After taking a big gulp of the drink, he turned toward me and sat down in an armchair across from me. He placed the glass on the coffee table and leaned forward slightly. I couldn't quite decipher his features because they were too dark. His expression was blank yet stern at the same time.

"I don't want you to get drunk," he finally said.

"But you drink," I argued.

"Not for fun," he answered. "Not for pleasure. It just feels good to let loose sometimes. Besides, I can't afford to lose any control tonight."

"So...you're mad at me?"

"Of course I am."

That surprised me. After what had happened, I expected him to be angry at me. For being stupid enough to let someone hurt me. But it seems like he doesn't care about that. Maybe it was because of my condition that didn't give him the right to get mad. Maybe he cares for me but he can't act on his feelings because of my condition. And maybe that's why he hasn't shown any anger yet. So I won't let him win. No matter what. I will fight for him. I will prove to him that I can protect myself better than anyone else. That he can trust me more than anyone else.

"Then why are you giving me alcohol? You know that I'm not supposed to touch alcohol."

"That doesn't matter now, I want to make you feel better."

I was still hesitant to take a sip, afraid I would end up hurting myself even worse. This is the first time I've drank since all of this started. And every time it brings back painful memories. Every sip makes me sadder and more confused. Why am I feeling like this? This isn't like me.

When I don't say anything for about ten minutes, he grabs the bottle out of my hands and places it next to him before grabbing one of my hands and placing it inside his own. I don't think I'll ever get used to how warm his hands are. Or the way his fingers curl tightly around mine.

"Come on, sweetheart. Just one small taste. Let it go. It can't hurt you, I promise. I won't let anything happen to you."

His tone sounded serious and sincere. His eyes never left my face as if I could break at any moment. All I could do is comply with what he said. I let him take the first sip. It tastes awful like I swallowed acid or something. But after a while, I began to enjoy it as if I if I'd never tasted anything so good before.

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