5

~Brielle 

Not getting caught right now is more imperative then when I snuck onto the boat.

I take a few back hallways to avoid most of the manors formal interior, where I would be more likely to see the Alpha or his officials and company. Usually the corridors are bustling with life, working behind the scenes to ensure everything on the other side of the wall runs smoothly. This hour of the night, though, leaves everything abandoned. 

It means no one to question where I’m going with a basket full of folded male clothes. Luckily, these pieces of clothing aren’t his most extravagant. If it get out here, maybe no one would question it. 

When I came to the end of the last corridor, I slowly pull open the door, and peek out, careful to not get spotted. 

No one is out there, though. It’s a foyer, that expands across a large space, to another set of doors. I ignore them though, eyeing the sweeping staircase framed with oak wood banisters and lined with a navy blue carpet all the way top to the top story. With nobody in sight, I pad quickly across the cream polished stone. 

The cleaning sect has a done a good here.

Everything is so immaculately, from the house plants clipped neatly, to the painted portraits, with wood carved frames that have been dusted to perfection. I don’t spend too long admiring the room, quickly stepping up the stairs, Ren’s quarters in mind. 

It seems as though since the sun has fallen, everyone has abandoned this place, leaving each space empty for me to stroll casually through. 

I’m not complaining. I still peek around corners, as I weave through corridors, ignoring every door, especially the ones that are ajar. The last thing I want is to get caught looking into any private areas. Then I’ll get arrested for conspiracy, and never get out of this Pack. As crazy as it seems, I’m not taking any chances. 

Ren’s quarters were accessible quite close to the stairs. It didn’t take me long to find the framed double glass doors, foggy for privacy. I wait a few moments before I do anything, tucking the basket against my hip. 

I knock rapidly on the door and step back. 

For a few moments, there’s nothing. No response to my knock. I try one more time, louder this time, in case he didn’t hear it. Once again, there is no answer, so I stop to think. He isn’t in there, which I’m admittedly grateful for. 

Nervously, I try the silver door handle. Much to my surprise, and slight dismay, it turns, ticking the door open. I watch it glide away from me, revealing his quarters that he seems to be absence of his presence. I take a few tentative steps in, still holding the laundry under my arm. 

I try not to concentrate too hard on what his private quarters look like, but it’s near impossible. Especially with the view in front of me, showing off the stunning picturesque sight of the Loyalty Pack, lit up brilliantly since night fall. 

Dragging my eyes away from it, I look for somewhere to put his clothes.

I’m not about to walk into his room or anything, so I place the basket on an ottoman, hoping he would see it when he next occupies this room, and that will be that. 

Just before I leave, I take another look around. A white chaise lounge faces the large scale window, for anyone who wants to take a moment to enjoy the view. The dark navy blue flooring is in contrast to the creamy walls, leading to the entrance of Ren’s room, which from where I stand, I can’t see much of. Thankfully. I need to get out of here.

I turn around just as I hear a rushed voice.

“Oh, thanks,” they say, making me freeze in my spot. All the blood runs cold, aside from what rushes to my cheeks, alighting it a bright crimson red. What have I done? I’ve been caught.

Slowly, I look over my shoulder, seeing my Alpha standing by the basket of laundry I just brought in, picking through the folded clothing. I blink a few times, stunned to my spot. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m staring at my Alpha right now, who is only a few feet away from me. Or if it’s because he isn’t wearing anything but a black towel wrapped around his waist. 

“You’re welcome,” I say quickly, word pouring out of my mouth before I can think. 

After all these years Ren has kept to himself, I almost forgot what he looked like. Younger me, when his parents reigned, would never have assumed he would turn out to be like...this. All the moisture in my mouth simply vanishes at the sight of him. 

Shamelessly, I think he noticed how long I was staring at his muscular abdomen, when I finally shifted my gaze to his face. A dark eyebrow is raised curiously, but I’m more intrigued by his eyes, rather than the perfect dimensions of his face. Although that is spectacular. His eyes, though, are entrancing, one a different colour to the other. It’s something I was always aware of, but never knew it would be like this in person.

One eyes is a pale blue, like concentrated ice. Something about it is unnerving. His other eye is like pure emerald. Like the colour of fresh grass growing across rolling meadows. It’s much warmer. Much more inviting. I try my best to concentrate on that side of him. 

Realising I’m just standing there like a deer in headlights, I quickly turn on my heels and move towards the door, desperate to get out of here,  never to think of it again. 

“Wait,” he says. The command, although gentle, is enough to have me complying, pausing my step. I’m not about to run out of here when my Alpha is calling for my attention. That would be foolish, when I’m looking for enough moment to get out of here. “Have I seen you around here before?”

“Ah, I’m new,” I tell him. 

He considers that for a moment, nodding. “Alright. Ambrose give up her job just like that? Seems a bit strange.”

The tone is almost accusatory. So much so I wonder if I should be offended. Is he trying to tell me I stole her job? I never asked for this, that’s for sure. And I’ve seen more of the Alpha then I should have. There is no appropriate reason for me to know what quivering water droplets look like gliding down his skin…

“She had other...things going on,” I tell him. “I apologise about interrupting your night Alpha. I will leave you be now.”

“So you’re not going to tell me your name?” he asks. 

I pause. Never had I intended for our conversation to continue to this point. It’s unsettling, but I have no other choice. Just staring at him staring back at me has my mind wandering. What was it that Della said again? Something about if I do a favour for him, then I will get something great out of it. Is that why he’s keeping me here? Because he expects it?

“It’s Brielle,” I tell him nervously, unsure of what I should do next? How badly do I want to get out of here? How bad do I want a fresh start? Revenge?

With Ren, it wouldn’t be so bad...Would it? I don’t know if Alpha’s work the same when it comes to...special activities in bed. It would be my first time, but maybe if I asked, he would be gentle. He would understand, and then as soon as it was done, would give me the money to get out of here.

“Pretty name,” I says, picking up one of his dark brown tunics, shoving it over his head. It disarrays the hair soaked atop his head. 

I take a deep breath. You can do this.

Turning around, I slowly close the door I had left ajar, ready to make an escape when I needed it. The click as it shuts sends a shiver down my spine. Am I truly about to do this? Yes, I’m brave, and I’m sexy, and I can get what I want however I want to.

When I turn back around, Ren looks a mix between confused and intrigued, curious as to what I’m doing shutting myself in with him. I’m not so sure either, but I'm hoping what I initiate, he will finish and make this easy for me. All I should be worrying about is what is sexier...Just taking my clothes off right here, or asking him first.

“Everything alright, Brielle?” He asks. As the stretch of silence grows, I can see him grow suspicious of my motive. 

“Everything is great,” I tell him, pretending for my own sake my tone is sultry. 

Without thinking anymore, I grab the hem of my working dress, drawing it up my thighs in what I hope is a sexy maneuver. Ren’s eyes widen, but I take that is nothing more than surprise. 

I’m going to get out of this one way or another.