Chapter 0003

[Silas’s POV]

I waited as the little runaway kept her wide golden eyes fixed on mine. I had to admit, she had really grown up in the past six years. She was no longer the malnourished thing that I saved that night in the forest. Instead, she was a curvy beauty with hypnotizing eyes, plump lips that could tempt any man, and flowing light brown hair that fell nicely over her large breasts.

Licking my lips, I continued to let my eyes take in each and every curve before she snapped back to her senses. I was sure she would lay into me for ogling her like a piece of meat. Not like I could help it. That tight black corsetted top did nothing to hide her cleavage or the pierced belly button that poked out just above her leather pants, and don’t get me started on that ass.

"My eyes are up here." She snapped, ending my admiration.

"Whoops, busted." I chuckled, pulling my gaze back up to her annoyed face. "Have you made a decision?"

"As a matter of fact," she responded, narrowing her gaze. "I refuse. Do I look like some fucking rent a bride to you?"

My smile widened as I noticed how hot her fierce expression was. If I expected this to be easy, I wouldn’t have bothered with it. Any woman I chose to help me achieve my goal needed to have a backbone and to have self-respect. It seemed I made the right call.

"Now, would you please let me by?"

Pretending to consider, I looked towards where that bastard Alphonze sat with his two goonies. What in the world did the little runaway see in that man? He was an overly cocky fool that was just begging to be put in his place.

Strongest alpha of his time? Ha! That was the biggest fucking joke I ever heard.

A huff of frustration drew my attention back to the little runaway, just in time for me to catch her attempting to make her way towards Alphonze.

Lifting an arm, I quickly grabbed her and pulled her to me once more. Goddess, that body pressed against mine felt amazing. Despite knowing that I shouldn’t let my guard down with this one, I found myself wondering how it would feel without any clothes.

"What the hell are you doing?" She hissed, snapping me out of my daze. "Let me go!"

Before I could react, a clawed hand was rising and connecting with my cheek, the sound of its contact so loud it filled the space around us. Those who were close to us were now watching, their eyes full of amusement and hope for a fight.

"Stop randomly touching me!" She hissed.

Wriggling her way free, the little runaway stormed off, leaving me both dumb-founded and amazed by the power she possessed. Damn, that was a strong hit, but did I really expect any less from the daughter of a powerful beta?

Satisfied that she wouldn’t be achieving her mission to try to seduce Alphonze, I shoved my hands in my pockets and made my way out of the noisy club onto the busy street beyond. Letting my eyes scan the area, I made sure that the little runaway wasn’t anywhere to be seen before hailing a cab and making my way home.

Later that evening, I sat at my desk sipping on a glass of whiskey while looking over the little runaway’s files. Even if I had looked over them dozens of times throughout the years, I still found myself scanning them.

I guess you could say I was a bit obsessed with her story since it was so damn similar to mine. We were both orphaned at a young age, but where I was raised by my pack until I was able to take my place as their leader, she was treated as nothing more than a slave. A fact that pissed me off beyond belief. How could that bitch Melanie actually manage to reduce her to such a state while her illegitimate daughter got to play the prodigal daughter?

Closing the file, I leaned back in my chair and let an amused smirk spread across my face. I could only imagine how much the little runaway would surprise me in the future, and I had to admit, I was really looking forward to it.

"Lennox," I sighed, downing the rest of my drink. "If you think that you’ve managed to escape my grasp, you’re sadly mistaken."

Giving a stretch, I reached out, searching for Clifford, my beta. During the day, he was supposed to gather information for me, and I had yet to hear what he found out.

‘Come to my office.’ I commanded Clifford through mindlink.

‘Yes, sir.’ He immediately responded.

Getting up from my seat, I made my way onto the small balcony that was attached to my office and lit a cigarette while waiting for Clifford to come join me.

When he arrived, he was on alert and seemed slightly uncomfortable.

"What’s wrong with you?" I asked, eyeing him suspiciously. "You look as if you expect me to kill you."

"I…" he began, eyeing the scratches that still marred my cheek. "What can I help you with, alpha?"

Smirking, I lifted my fingers and let them run along the scabs that had already formed. Usually I could heal quickly, but I guess I felt like keeping the present from the little runaway.

"Have you been keeping an eye on Alphonze’s movements?" I asked, deciding to get right to the point.

"I have." Clifford confirmed. "Christian managed to plant a tap on Alphonze's delta, Henry, so that we could listen in on what they were discussing."

"And?"

"It seems that his next target is Rose Haven," Clifford explained. "From what we gathered, their alpha refuses to provide them with their weapons, and because of that, Alphonze has decided they are working against him."

Rose Haven... Weren’t they the pack that recently created titanium bullets that were good for fighting against rogues?

I guess I could understand why Alphonze would want to get his hands on those. Especially with the increase in rogue attacks recently.

"Anything else?" I asked.

"Nothing more of importance. The rest of their conversation revolved around the upcoming competition to help him find a suitable luna."

"Got it." I murmured. "You’re free to go."

"Thank you, sir."

I watched as Clifford bowed and turned on his heel. Only when he was gone did I let out a frustrated grumble.

The competition would be held three days later, and I could only assume that since Lennox couldn’t get close to Alphonze this evening, she would be present.

"Seems we’ll see each other again soon." I smirked, "The game is on little runaway. You can run, but you can't hide."