Chapter Five: A Shoulder Ride

Mallory’s POV 

I doubt he is the type to joke around when he shows that expression. 

His eyes, bright shades of green, are fixated on mine with the intensity that holds me captive. He hasn’t moved and long arms lean comfortably on the silver steel of the elevator wall between my head,  trapping me from the chance of escaping. 

My eyes peer through behind his muscular shoulder and catch a reflection of a vicious predator in the form of a human man towering over his prey.

A typical sight that wolves usually do to their victims.

“You swear under your pack that you won’t hurt her?” My voice quivers as my hand slowly clenches into a fist. 

Finding my fear amusing to his ears, the wolf smirks. “Without a doubt.”

Wolves are known for their deceit but intuition of mine tells me I should at least trust him even once. 

What choice do I have left now that I’m under his mercy?

I lower my head, the throbbing of my whole body from this endless chase and this whole ordeal has taken a toll on my thoughts.

So, I trust myself to just nod without saying another word.

And just like that, the hostile air looming in this cramped elevator room diminishes as he pulls himself away.

“There you go, human! Isn’t it easy to trust me?” He grins, reverting his cheerful mood once again. His large hand pats on my head and I glare at him. “Easy, there, human. I’m not messing with ya if that’s what you’re thinking.” He chuckles. 

His hand plays with my hair strands, his fingers stroke down to the tip, playing them like a violin. “Oh, I keep calling you “human”. You have a name?”

“Bishop.” 

He takes some of my hair, placing them near his nose while his intense gaze never leaves mine.

“Did your parents really name you that? Or did you intentionally give me a fake one?”

At this moment, it gives me a sort of an awareness of mine, seeing him this close, my heart flutters after realizing how goddamn handsome he is. 

Wolves are a different level of attractiveness but Russell DeLucci’s appeal is akin to a godly figure I see from old movie posters. 

Even if he is bathed with blood and reeked of rustic steel, he is indeed a beauty beyond my comprehension.

I inwardly gulp my dry throat, putting these foolish thoughts aside.

“No,” I nearly stammered while shaking my head. “It’s Mallory…Mallory Bishop.”

His grin widens. “Mallory, huh? What a fitting name.”

What’s that supposed to mean?

“I’m Russell DeLucci, though you must have heard about me."

No doubt. Not a single human in my area hasn’t heard of that name.

The elevator reaches the destination and we’re back to the ground floor before I can utter a word. 

“Now, I know we had a good chat but we will talk more for later, especially this ain’t my turf,” he says.

As my attention shifts to the hall, I am left frozen stiff at the sight. Not too long ago, this place was all spic and span during the chase.

Piles of bodies lying on the floor as blood splatter everywhere in this once fancy hall. My face turns pale and I glance at the man whose lips curve into a huge grin. 

As if he has read my mind, he begins, “You were chased by these pathetic omegas, there is no way I’ll let them go unscathed after they’re trying to touch my mate.”

“Mate? You mentioned that earlier, what is—ah!” His strong hand latches mine as he pulls me out of the elevator, long legs stride with quicken steps. 

“Hey!” 

“I’ve told you this isn’t the right place to chat. Your human scent spread all over this building.” He glances at me before adding as an afterthought. “You want to protect your child, we have to get outta here.”

“To meet your father…right?” I am still trying to slowly process the things he just said earlier. 

“That’s the plan.” 

When we have left the building, the wolf stops his tracks, turning to me before he places his hands on my shoulders. 

“Have you tried riding a vehicle before?”

I shake my head. In a small district which we were trapped in for decades? It would be a miracle to even have a car there. 

He sighs while ruffling his hair. 

“Well, can’t blame a human who was stuck in that shithole.” He turns his back against me as he crouches down. His fingers curl in a beckoning motion.

“What are you waiting for? Hop on my back.”

“W-What?” I stammer yet seeing the glint of mischief on his eyes, I know he was dead serious. 

“Even without shifting to my original form, I’m still fast. Now, get on here already!”

“Absolutely not!”

“Okay, can you defend yourself if any case a fucking wolf pounce on you in a surprise attack?”

Every second of the moment with him and I’ve grown to regret my decisions today. 

But what else can I do but to rely on the most vicious wolf I’ve ever heard?  

“Fine,” I utter, given in to his demands as I lean down closer to reach his back. After surrendering myself to this whimsical invitation, I am being pulled up in the air as my legs are latched with his arms. 

“Hold on tight,” he says and without another warning, he surges forward with an exhilarating burst of speed. Everything becomes a blur as the view around me transforms into a streak of vibrant hues. 

The wind gushes through my face and the rhythmic thuds of his footing, although light steps, creates an ambience of adrenaline. 

A foreign feeling that I’ve never experienced that is sickening to the pit of my stomach. 

I instinctively wrap my arms around his neck when I feel myself flailing and at the mercy of his hold.

My heart races with each painful throb and I bury my head on his nape. 

While I’m being taken by this wolf, my thoughts wander back to my little sister.

‘I hope that Lilian is safe with that other wolf.’