Chapter 4 The Alpha's Mask
- Dustin’s POV
- Eloisa, huh? What a sweet name.
- Caramel brown hair and hazel eyes, an average beauty I might say, yet something about her felt strange. I could tell she wasn’t one of us at first glance, but what was more interesting was the fact I noticed her in seconds.
- “How old are you, Eloisa?” I asked, keeping my eyes on her helpless expression. She probably regretted coming with me after hearing about Jack. The latter was a pain in the ass, refusing to get a woman to take in his bed.
- The rogues were already causing us four headaches, and losing Jack to his beast cycle would make it harder to deal with them. But I found Eloisa, a human slave who could resolve my worry. If she became Jack’s temporary woman, we wouldn’t have to worry about him losing his mind.
- “You don’t remember?” I mumbled, yanking her to my lap. “Eloisa, I prefer it if you answer when you’re asked. How old are you?”
- Her lips quivered as she looked up, the fire in her eyes burning with hate.
- Honestly, was she trying to seduce me? Not everybody knew about my type, but she could be a perfect fit. Her unyielding gaze and her addicting scent slowly crept into my soul, making me want to know her more and maybe…
- “I-I’m twenty…” she whispered, her small frame trembling as she looked at me.
- Hmm… If I had enough time to find someone else to give to Jack, I’d keep this little thing to myself. But time was of the essence, delaying the gift might endanger that man’s life.
- “Not bad. I was worried you were underage, seems like there will be no problem if you’ve become that man’s woman,” I stated, nodding as I looked at her wry face.
- “Why me? Of all other people… Why does it have to be me?” She lashed out, grabbing onto the hem of my shirt as she cried on my lap. She tried to get up, but I pinned her down harder.
- “Just kill me… Rogues or not, you’re going to make me your plaything, right? I'd rather die than submit to the likes of you!” She yelled, tears trailing down her reddened cheeks.
- Ah… Brave and bold. Eloisa had no idea how she was stirring my reason and emotion right now. It was strange how I got so attached to this human when we just met. And I was crazy for a moment to think she could have something to do with being my mate which was impossible.
- Humans and werewolves were never fated together.
- So, how could the way her voice and every little movement she made awakened my very core…? The wolf within me couldn’t agree more, and as our feelings were synchronized, I could tell we’re both interested in this woman in some way.
- ‘Keep her. She’s ours to play with,’ Keir, my wolf said. ‘This human is interesting. She’s probably the only human who dared talk back to you. Isn't it fun having her around to pass time?.’
- I clenched my jaw. ‘We can’t do that. Jack needs her for his beast cycle. We can’t risk him losing control,’ I explained, trying to calm down my wolf. Keir could be impatient, especially when he found something he was interested in.
- ‘Are you crazy? We found her first!’
- Ah. I knew it, Keir wouldn’t just listen. ‘That’s not even a valid reason to argue. Jack’s stability is more important right now,’ I responded. “We can find other humans to entertain us if you want once we’re back to the territory.”
- I took a deep breath when my wolf finally quieted down. I turned to Eloisa only to be greeted with a fierce glare, making me grin in amusement.
- “Why are you being stubborn? You’re insignificant in this world, but I’m giving you the honor to be with one of the most powerful rulers. So, why complain?” I sneered while caressing her face, tracing the wet trails of her tears with my thumb.
- Eloisa buried her face on my lap, her shoulders shook as she sobbed harder.
- “Look at me,” I urged, grabbing her by the hair to see her face.
- I gasped, looking at her breathtaking beauty as she cried. The way she hesitantly submitted to her fate made my body heat up.
- I tried to fight the urge but ended up subconsciously nibbling on her earlobe. She moaned, and it made me want more. But I shouldn’t be hasty… It was weird how I imagined her underneath me though, crying and begging for mercy, while embracing the pleasure I was giving her.
- ‘See? You want her too. Don’t send her to Jack, then you can tease her all you want! Let’s keep her,’ Keir insisted.
- I thought he was over it. Crap!
- ‘Enough, Keir. We have to think rationally. Jack’s life depends on it,’ I retorted, pushing Eloisa away.
- ‘Isn’t it bizarre though? Humans usually are annoying, but this one seems different. She doesn’t even have a wolf, yet I couldn’t help getting drawn to her,’ Keir continued.
- So, it wasn’t just me. Even Keir noticed the signs, which shouldn’t be related to this human.
- ‘Whatever you’re thinking, it doesn’t make sense,’ I told my wolf and frowned, seeing Eloisa weep.
- “Stop it,” I ordered her. It irked me to see her cry when I wasn’t doing anything yet. “You can keep crying, but it won’t change your fate.”
- ‘I hope so. It’s a shame you don’t want to keep her though. Don’t regret it later when Jack realized how fun it is to play with this human, ’ Keir said, sounding disappointed.
- I ignored my wolf and handed my handkerchief to Eloisa. It was a mistake getting to know this woman. I shouldn’t have treated her casually in the first place, then maybe I wouldn’t have this bizarre attachment to her.
- “It’s a shame. If only that man isn’t picky and annoying, then I could just throw any woman in his bed,” I muttered, tracing Eloisa’s delicate jawline with my fingers. “But I have a feeling that he’d listen to me if it were you. So, Eloisa… Why don’t you just do what I told you then we’ll decide what to do with you after?”
- “Do I have another choice? A better one…” Her voice cracked as she bit her lower lip. She was putting herself in danger showing that face in front of me, and she didn’t even have any idea.
- “Nothing for now, but if you do what I tell you, then maybe I can grant you a wish,” I said, knowing how weak human hearts could be when tempted.
- “And you expect me to believe that when I couldn’t bring myself to trust you? You treated us humans like goods! Slaving us in the name of superiority, as you’re afraid that we’d eventually fight back!” Eloisa screamed, wild burning flames flickered in her eyes. “Now, you’re playing god to decide what fate awaits us humans—Ugh!”
- I grabbed her chin and pushed her against the backseat. “Don’t raise your voice in my presence, human. Just because I allowed you to speak whatever you have in mind doesn’t mean I’ll tolerate your attitude.”
- Her expression softened as she averted her gaze. “Hypocrite,” Eloisa whispered.
- “What?” I frowned.
- Eloisa laughed, her voice shaky and laced with bitterness. “You talked about superiority and strength, but you’re just as trapped as I am. You’re bound by your duty and rules. You’re no different from me, Dustin.” Her gaze softened as she looked at me in the eyes. “If you are, you won’t be looking so sad despite all that you said.”
- I felt a pang in my chest at her words. Nobody ever noticed, not even the other kings… I had long buried my emotions deep within me. She shouldn’t know about it at all.
- ‘She sees your heart. Are you still not going to change your mind?’ my wolf pressed.
- Crap! Why do I have to go through this now?
- I grabbed Eloisa by the nape and pulled her closer. She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could utter a word, I closed the distance between us, our lips meeting in a sudden, intense kiss.
- “Hah!” Eloisa gasped as we pulled away. “What do you think you’re doing—”
- “Shh. Don’t make me shut you up again like that or I’ll start thinking you’re asking for it,” I mumbled, licking my lips. “Sweet.”
- Eloisa’s cheeks flushed a deep red, her eyes wide and filled with shock and confusion.
- ‘So, are we going to keep her now?’ my wolf growled eagerly in my mind.
- I clenched my jaw, trying to hide the growing desire inside me. ‘We can’t. Jack still needs a woman tonight,’ I answered.
- ‘What about the kiss?!’ Keir screamed in my head.
- Before I could reply to my wolf, the car stopped in front of the mansion in the central state where the alpha kings occasionally gathered.
- A knock on the window caught my attention. “Did you bring me a treat, Dustin?”