Chapter 9

• The man just stood there watching me, while I was losing my marble and trying to steady my breathing, but my heart was pounding so loudly, I was sure he could hear.
• The man moved forward, stopping only a few feet away, his gaze fixed on my with an unreadable expression. He was close enough now that I could see the full details of his face. His strong jawline, high cheekbones and a scar above his left eyebrow.
• His eyes, though fierce, had a depth to them, a hint of something more than just the menace I felt.
• “You’re the one who escaped from the mansion, the new servant girl?” he asked, his voice a deep, and gravelly rumble. To me, he sounded bored as well, as if set to find me and couldn’t be bothered to do so.
• My heart skipped a beat. “I… I’m not going back,” I stammered, even though I wanted to sound assertive. “I won’t be anyone’s slave.”
• A dark, humorless smile curved his lips, causing my pulse to quicken. The smile was not comforting; it was cold, almost predatory. “You think you have a choice?” he asked, his tone dripping with hate. “You’re my property girl.”
• His words were like a cold slap to the face.
• All in my mind now was to run, but I doubted my legs could carry me. And I could feel my determination crumbling, I didn’t know what to do in that moment, not even when I took another step forward to close the distance between us.
• I tightened my grip on the branch, but it was clear to me that I was no match for this man. His very presence was overwhelming, and it felt as if he could move mountains, or even bring down the sky.
• “My name is Alaric,” he suddenly said. “The Alpha of this territory, and who are you?’’
• I didn’t miss on the fact that his tone had shifted to a more clam one but still with authority.
• I was stunned, too much to even speak and all I did at first was stare blankly up at him, as I tried to process the sudden shift in his demeanor.
• The Alpha?
• Those words seemed to echo through my mind, as they sunk in slowly.
• I had thought he would have looked like any other males here that were wolves, but this man. He was… so much more intimidating.
• “Lee-Anna,’’ I managed out, fully aware that my voice was barely over a whisper. “I didn’t mean to –”
• “Run away?” Alaric cut me off, but his tone held no malice, instead it was softer now. “But you did.’’
• I could not answer that, so I just remained silent, while his piercing gaze flickered over me. I suddenly felt self-conscious, thinking of how dirty I must look, with my torn dress, muddy hands and feet, along with the fear written all over my face.
• It was as if he was evaluating me, trying to figure out the extent of my desperation, then with a sigh, he turned away from me and gestured in the direction of the mansion.
• “Come with me.’’
• I stood there, hesitant to go anywhere with this man, the Alpha, who was a potential threat. Yet my mind raced as I thought about whatever danger that might be lurking in the forest and gathered that this man might just be less terrifying.
• I threw the branch down, then took one step towards him and stopped.
• “I don’t have time to waste!’’ he snapped.
• I had to jog to catch up with him, his strides were long, purposeful, and fluid. Giving me a feeling that I was being drawn into a world where I could only get a glimpse of the shadows.
• The path we were on now was a different one from the one I took. Instead of a gate, it led to a clearing… well, more like a garden where the flowers glowed blue under the moonlight. His mansion in the distance would have made the moment perfect, with the backdrop it provided.
• Beauty, elegance, and grace.
• It was like a dream, to see the dark stone walls rising against the night sky, exuding an aura of power and authority.
• The air was cooler, while the scent of the forest changed to the faint smell of leather and polished wood.
• Alaric led my inside, instead of telling me to go to the slave quarters, and I feared he would be punishing me this night.
• “Stay the night,’’ he said after turning to face me. “It won’t be safe for you alone to walk back this hour, it is also a full moon, which means some of my wolves will be losing control.’’
• “Thank you sir,’’ I bowed my head, then looked up at him when I didn’t hear him make a sound.
• His expression was serious, yet curious
• “Do I sleep here, or in the broom closet?’’ I asked, my heart was still racing, and so was my mind as they waited to be hit or punished.
• His intense gaze softened just for a little bit, then he gave me a look of sympathy.
• “You can use the spear bedroom, get cleaned up and rest well.’’ His tone was gentle now.
• “See you in the morning.’’
• I watched him walk away, feeling the night’s event pressing down on me.
• I had no idea which room was considered the spear, so I just choose a random one. Showered and instead of curling up under the soft covers of the comfortable bed, I lay on the floor, waiting for sleep to come.
• My mind once again began to race when Aleric entered the room, he paused at the door and stared down at me before entering.