7. Where Is Pyra?

CHAPTER 7

Maverick’s POV

I reviewed the papers on my desk, endeavoring to focus on what lay in front of me, but my mind wandered back to her again.

I’ve been plagued by the constant reminder of Pyra. No matter what I did, I couldn’t shake off her crimson eyes and her scent off my head.

I sighed as I picked up a file while standing up. The chair scraped loudly against the floor, and I paced around the office.

My heavy footsteps echoed off the walls of my office but I couldn’t care less. I only cared about her. My line of sight directed back to my desk— the same spot where I took Pyra.

I remembered the soft touch of her pale white skin, her bright piercing eyes boring into mine, and the electricity that sparked whenever our bodies touched.

She was too weak to be my mate, yet her fiery spirit lured me into her embrace. Where was she anyway? I haven’t seen her for days now. I walked back to the exact spot and traced my hands where she once lay. I felt hot inside, the memory playing over and over.

What the hell is wrong with me?

The soft sound of knocking came in, but I grunted in response. The door creaked open, and I looked up in shock, hearing her sweet voice I missed so much.

"Alpha!"

Her long red hair was tied up in a rough bun; her crimson eyes were shining with curiosity and nervousness; and her plump lip was damp and kissable.

"Pyra, you're here. I've missed you!" I exclaimed, hugging her tightly as I took in every whiff of her scent. I wanted to tell her how sorry I was. How painful it is to have to reject her.

"Pyra, please forgive me. I accept you, I accept you as my mate." How could I have treated her like that? I felt her struggle against my grip, but I held her tight, refusing to let go.

"Alpha… Alpha Maverick…" A voice called, and I moved Pyra away from me to see her face rippling. Pyra's features dissipated and were replaced by one of the maids.

"Alpha Maverick, are you okay?" She asked, trembling.

I was shocked, my hands still wrapped around her waist as my mind struggled to comprehend the sudden switch. I watched as the maid's eyes widened in dread and trepidation, and she hastily took a step back, trying to free herself from my grasp.

"Alpha… Alpha Maverick, please," she strained, her voice shivering heavily.

I released her immediately, facing backward, and away from her view. I couldn't let an ordinary, weak maid see me losing control. “I... apologize,” I stuttered, trying to gain my composure.

"Alpha Maverick. Are you okay? You've not been answering since I've been calling. Should I call the pack’s doctor?"

"No.” I answered her. "There's no need for that; I'm fine." I couldn't be seen as weak in front of these low-ranking members. I was going crazy, and it was all her fault.

I went back to my chair, resting my back on it comfortably while staring deep into the maid's scared eyes. “Why are you the one to bring my coffee to my office? I mandated Pyra and not you or anyone else.”

The maid shook, her eyes holding fear. "I-I… Alpha, I…"

I interrupted her before she could continue with her stammering. "You better stop stammering and answer my question if you still want your tongue in your mouth." I threatened. "Where is Pyra?"

"Tell her to come to my office right now!" I wanted to see her and finally get over my obsession with her. I searched around in the pretense of analyzing the pack house, but she was nowhere to be found.

Even her scent was lost; it was ubiquitous.

“Well, I said find her, not stand there quivering like a fool,” I urged.

The maid's eyes darted around the room, looking everywhere but my eyes before settling on the floor. "I-I haven't seen her, Alpha," she stammered.

My jaw clenched, and my fist tightened. “What do you mean you haven’t seen her?”

"She-she hasn't been seen for awhile now." The maid folded into herself as she answered. “But I’ll go search for her now..."

“Leave now,” I interrupted. "And make sure to find her instantly."

"Yes, Alpha," she replied hastily, curtsying before rushing to leave.

My head was hammered with numerous possibilities and the thought of Pyra not being in the pack any longer. Is that why I couldn't sense her presence or perceive her scent for a while now? If only I didn’t reject her. I wanted so badly to see her now more than ever.

I always saw her as weak, a flaw in the pack, but if only I had seen her heart, which was stronger compared to everyone in the pack. I had been so caught up in the shock of seeing her as my mate that I didn't think twice about lashing out my frustration at her.

Just when I was beginning to relinquish my thoughts, there was another knock at the door.

"Enter," I called out, hoping it was Pyra after the maid informed her of my call.

The door opened, and my girlfriend, Natalie, walked in. I felt a pang of disappointment and dissatisfaction that it was her and not my gorgeous Pyra.

Natalie was dressed in revealing clothes, a sexy Lacy nightgown that clung to her body tightly, her hair was perfectly roughed, flung to one side, which exposed her long pale neck, and a bottle of wine and two glasses in her hand. She threw a seductive smirk, slowly walking towards me.

"M'Lord, my Alpha," Natalie purred, softly biting the corners of her lips. "Why need coffee when you can get wine and a hot body? Just the two of us, alone."

I raised an eyebrow at her, fully taken aback by her sudden action and appearance. Something seemed to have made her happy.

"I'm busy, Babe," I said, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I have a lot to do," I began, but she shushed my lips with her index finger when she reached me and poured me a glass of wine.

"Oh come on, Maverick. You need a break. Let my brother, Derick, handle the work. He’s your beta for a reason." She pressed her body into mine, her lips inches from mine and I felt her hot breath fan my face. "I need attention from my Alpha."

I opened my mouth to protest, for I wasn’t in the mood, but her lips claimed mine, silencing me.

Momentarily, I forgot about Pyra and about my guilt as Natalie’s soft lips danced with mine in a sensual rhythm.