~8 A JEALOUS ALPHA

Dorian Grimaldi

      My typical routine of going out late at night, which could be considered a form of stalking, was in full swing. Gustav, who was in the back seat of the car, was exhausted by my behavior and irritated by something he didn't want to share with me, "Don't you ever get tired of waiting here, Dorian?" he asked.

I glanced back at him briefly, then shifted my gaze back to the house. Despite the fact that I rarely actually saw her when I came here, just observing her window brought a sense of peace to my thoughts and emotions.

As soon as I noticed the window to her door opening, I sat up on the cushion of the car seat in anticipation. I caught a glimpse of her angelic figure standing by the window, appearing ready to leap out, but hesitating for a moment before taking the plunge. She landed gracefully on the grass below, and I felt a sense of satisfaction at her not being injured and wonderness as I watched her hurry off into the obscurity of the night.

I started the engine of my vehicle and Gustav sat up in his seat, asking if we were finished for the day and heading back home. "No, not yet," I replied. "I just spotted Eden leaving her house." I began driving after her as she ran, her sexy ample frame heaving. To avoid arousing her suspicion, I kept my headlights off.

I observed as she climbed into the vehicle and it took off, speeding away into the busy streets. I trailed them closely, curious about where she was headed at this late hour. Finally, they arrived at a remote location, where my adversaries—my second worst enemies, after the dreaded hunters—were known to congregate. I followed their car stealthily and saw the driver park in front of a club. Gustav let out an audible gasp, "What could she possibly be doing here?" he wondered aloud.

As I watched her alight from the car with another woman by her side, I couldn't help but groan softly to myself as I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. Her alluring appearance was almost too much to bear, with her ample bosom threatening to spill out of her top. I felt a surge of anger and jealousy as I observed a male figure exit the door, wondering if he was her significant other. However, my thoughts were interrupted by Gustav muttering something under his breath. 

He fixed his gaze directly on the young man accompanying my beloved, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Do you recognize him from somewhere?" I inquired of Gustav, but he shook his head in the negative.

I averted my gaze from Gustav and directed it towards the two women, observing as one of them rested her head on Eden's ample breast. Anger coursed through me, as I believed that it should be me in that position with her instead of the other woman.

"Do you think we should intervene?" Gustav questioned, his eyes fixed on the group.

The location where they were congregating was not meant for mortals; it was the dwelling place of vampires. Although humans were known to enter the club, they were typically used for sustenance before being discarded.

"Let's disembark from the car and tail them," I instructed, turning off the ignition. Gustav and I alighted from the vehicle and followed the group from a discreet distance. As we trailed them, I observed the security personnel stationed at the entrance eyeing the women with a lascivious expression, and my anger began to boil. 

Once the three of them had entered the club, Gustav and I trailed after them in haste, with the guards refraining from obstructing us, as they were aware of my status and reputation. Prior to entering, I confronted a security guard who had been leering at my beloved, issuing a stern warning,

"If I catch you ogling my woman again, I'll gouge out your eyes and let my hounds have a feast." I said to him, and then went into the club.

I proceeded to approach the VIP section, where there was greater privacy, yet still offered me a view of the scene. My eyes transfixed on the sight of the male holding onto Eden, and my fingers clenched with annoyance. They took their seats, but something seemed amiss with my darling.

"Dorian, that your girl shouldn't be here. Look at the way people are looking at her like they want to eat her up." Gustav expressed concern about Eden's safety at the club, noting how people were eyeing her hungrily.

I looked away from her briefly and saw the lecherous looks on the faces of the club-goers. But I quickly turned my attention back to Eden, keeping a watchful eye on her.

Her friend brought a tray of drinks, Eden appeared disgusted by them and shot her friend an angry look before being handed another glass. Eden seemed to enjoy the new drink as she kept sipping it while her eyes wandered around the club. Eventually, her friends left her alone to go dance, and I stood up from my seat.

"Where do you think you're going? Thought we were being discreet?" Gustav tried to ask where I was going, but I ignored him.

I continued to watch Eden as she looked around until our eyes locked, though she couldn't see me since I was hidden in the shadows. She shook her head before downing the rest of her drink and picked up another one. I returned to my seat, my gaze fixated on her as she continued to drink, one after the other until my beloved Eden became drunk.

"Uhh, are you sure we shouldn't go to her? She's drunk." Gustav said as he watched her. 

"It's not safe for us to approach her here," I replied in a low voice. "We don't want to draw any unwanted attention to ourselves or her. Let's wait for her to leave and then we'll follow her."

Gustav nodded in agreement, his eyes still fixed on Eden. "I just hope she's okay," he said with concern.

I understood his worry, but I also knew that Eden was a strong and capable woman. I trusted that she would be able to handle herself, even in her drunken state. All we could do now was wait and keep a watchful eye on her from a distance, hopefully those blood sucking animals do not go near her. 

"It's unclear whether or not the vampires will go near her, but it's possible given that she is vulnerable in her drunken state." I said to him,

I observed her toss the beverage onto the seat, causing it to spill onto a female vampire. I stood up defensively, prepared to intervene if necessary. Using my heightened wolf hearing, I honed in on the conversation between Eden and the female vampire, whose eyes glowed brighter in the darkness, but Eden seemed unfazed. Her words made me chuckle aloud, drawing the attention of Gustav.

"I don't get it. She should be afraid for herself. Either she's naive or foolishly courageous," Gustav had said.

I shot Gustav a glare for calling Eden gullible. "You fool! She's not aware of the supernatural world, so how would she know about vampires and our kind?"

Gustav rolled his eyes and took a sip of his drink. I turned my attention back to Eden, who was making her way to the dance floor. Her friends had spotted her and joined her in dancing together.

Eventually, her female friend left, leaving Eden alone with the man who I suspected was her partner. I couldn't help but gawk as they danced together, feeling a pang of jealousy as I watched her grind against his jeans and he whispered something in her ear. I was on the verge of losing my cool, but Gustav held me back.

"It's none of your concern," he reassured me, keeping his gaze fixed on them.

"How can you say that? That could be her boyfriend," I retorted, feeling frustrated.

I cringed as I watched him keep his hands on her waist, feeling a strong urge to cut them off and replace them with my own. I longed for the opportunity to have my hands on her waist again. 

Feeling increasingly frustrated by the scene before me, I stood up to take a brief break. If I continued to watch them any longer, I knew I would lose my composure, and that guy would be in trouble.

I walked towards the rear entrance of the nightclub, Gustav following closely behind me. As I paced around the dark, empty street, I tried to rid myself of the memory of how she had danced provocatively with another man, when I should have been the one holding her.

"Are you jealous?" Gustav asked.

I turned to face him as he lit up a cigarette with his lighter. "That's ridiculous. I'm not jealous," I replied.

"Don't be in denial. You're clearly jealous," he said, exhaling his smoke into the cold night air.

He added, "It's your fault. You practically left her alone, all worked up."

I remembered what had happened earlier that night at my house, and I let out a loud sigh, leaning my back against the wall of the club. It was my fault - I had given her the wrong impression by leaving her alone, and now she probably thought I hated her, which was not true.

Suddenly, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. My heart was racing and my wolf was restless. I turned to Gustav, who had just discarded his cigar and was looking at me with concern. "What's going on?" he asked.

Before I could answer, I rushed back into the club and was met with a horrifying sight - my Eden was being assaulted by a male vampire, her face sweaty and bloodied. I was filled with fury.

I grabbed the man and pulled him away from Eden, causing her to fall to the ground. The scene in front of me only fueled my rage. I lifted him up and tore off his first arm, throwing it into the darkness. With the same ferocity, I ripped off his second arm and then swiftly decapitated him, separating his head from his neck till I felt satisfied seeing his dead body on the floor. 

I rushed over to Eden and immediately lifted her up from the ground. Her eyes were filled with tears and her face was covered in bloody cuts. It was painful to see her in such a state. I felt her body go limp in my arms and I was scared that something had happened to her, but I could still hear her faint heartbeats. 

As I looked up, I noticed the vampires in the club staring at me, and I let out a growl. I was certain that they were confused to see me there with Eden in my arms, especially since I had a betrothed who was also a vampire.

Before I could even signal for help, Gustav appeared and took Eden from my arms. I watched as they walked away, feeling a pang of sadness that I couldn't be the one to hold her close due to the foolish arrangement my mother and the vampire king had made.

I glanced at the people in the club, but I refrained from speaking to avoid any rumors. I simply left the club without saying a word.

Once I was outside, I quickly made my way to the car. Gustav was already in the driver's seat, and when I looked in the rearview mirror, I saw Eden lying asleep in the backseat.

As it was late at night, I drove through the dark streets of North Creekville, heading straight for my home.

After parking the car, I turned off the engine and went to retrieve Eden from the back seat. Holding her in my arms brought a sense of contentment and joy.

To avoid being seen and risking gossip, I discreetly led us through a secret passage that led straight to my room. This was a hidden spot that only Gustav, my most trusted confidant, knew about

When we arrived in my room, I gently laid her on my bed and gazed at her. Inhaling her exquisite fragrance, which could make a man go crazy, I moved closer to her. 

Suddenly, there was a knock on my door, and I beckoned Gustav in along with a doctor, who I had summoned earlier and instructed to keep things confidential.

I stood up from the bed as the man had told me to do and watched as he checked her injuries. I looked away as the man cleaned her bloody face and I heard him gasp. 

Quickly, I turned back to face him… "what's happening?" I asked as I moved closer to them. 

"My king, the woman's face is healed." He said he was shocked and amazed at the same time. 

Gustav and I were astonished, "How's that possible?" I asked. 

"The only way is if her family was from a line of wolves or a descendant of her's but I am still confused since she is still human." He said to me, 

I warned the doctor to keep her abilities a secret until he found a solid reason why, threatening him with consequences if he failed to comply. The doctor proceeded to mend her bones and then left with Gustav, leaving me alone with her.

I was shocked.  

I stared at her beautiful face as she slept, I contemplated her incredible healing powers and wondered what kind of being she was. How could she heal without assistance when she was just human?