Chapter 6

Veronica's POV

It became a habit.

The nameless man with red eyes kept visiting me every night from then on.

“The mask is stupid,” I glared at him. “You are not a child playing superheroes.”

He chuckled. God, I hate his chuckle.

“I have to keep the mystery going y’know,” he tilted his head on his hand as he sat on the couch across from me. I don’t need to see past the mask to know the shitty grin he definitely has on.

“Didn't know you were so interested in me. I am flattered.” His red eyes were playful and heavy. The weight of his stares could be felt through my bones, like he was staring at my soul yet I cannot read his mind.

“Not all interest is a compliment,” I told him with a frown.

It has been three days. At first, I tried interrogating him especially when he came back the night after I confronted him with a mask on. He was evasive and he was just dismissing my questions. I had no choice but to let it go.

However, I have never stopped speculating who he is.

Right now, I know three certain things about him.

First is that he is part of the Helios clan. No outsider steps in their territory so I can rule that fact out.

Second, he is strong and has a high position in the pack hierarchy. For one, he manages to sneak in and out of my room every night and as far as I remember, they have my room guarded. Helios is a clan with strong fighters so he would not just risk going here if he is not at least confident of his skills. Another is the reason why he even meets me in the first place. I assume it is something related to monitoring me closely. Why he hides it though, I still can’t figure out.

Third thing, his second gender is most likely an alpha. To clarify, I do not mean the Alpha, as in the actual pack leader, but simply an alpha.

Werewolves have two genders. The first one is the sex you are born with, male or female. The second is our wolf genders. A werewolf can be among the following three: alpha, omega, and beta. It is separate from clan positions. In clan positions, the Luna is second in command and is generally the omega mate of the Alpha. The Alpha, with a capital, is the strongest in a pack and the leader of the clan.

Others whose second gender is also alpha in name would remain as merely a pack member unless they win a duel to prove their strength in challenging the leader or if they get assigned some other position.

Had it not been for being realistic, I would think that this masked man is Alpha Sebastian. But that is just absurd.

Surely an Alpha of his caliber would not be fooling around like this.

I stared at the masked red eyed man lazily lying on the couch across from my bed. He was staring at the ceiling and whistling to himself without a care in the world with his fingers drumming on his stomach. Like he only has one brain cell or something.

So nope! Definitely not. He cannot be the “demon wolf” of the stories.

He is probably amongst their officials though, depending on what kind of hierarchy they are following. The pack structures are identical but it can vary to some extent in different clans.

Maybe he caught me staring at him because in just one blink, he is right in front of me.

The mask is really stupid and he is grinning wide enough for me to notice it even with his face covered. Ugh.

“What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?” He tapped my forehead lightly like we are some very close friends.

I gave him a sarcastic tight smile, “Thinking of ways on how I could stab you.”

He held his chest dramatically with his teasing voice, “Aw, you’re thinking of me?”

“Get a life,” I pushed his face away because he is too comfortable leaning into my space. “You’re making my situation here so much worse,” I complained.

He paused.

“How come?” Under the mask, I suspect that his brows are furrowed in utter confusion. Like he can't comprehend how my place here could be uncomfortable. Although I didn’t actually mean what I just said.

“Are they not giving you proper meals?” He asks way too genuine that I almost thought he really cares.

“Uh, hello?” I gestured with my hands, “Did you forget the part where I am locked up here for days already?”

“Sure I have my room and food and clothes but I am forbidden to go outside! I haven’t stepped out of this room in more than a week!” I continued and then sighed.

“I don’t know why I am being kept alive here after being exiled with no other person to talk to except some guy sneaking around with a mask on!” I combed my hair and stared at the ceiling in frustration. It did help a bit to let it out and dump in on someone than just keep the grudges to myself.

“Yeah I feel really safe and comfortable here,” I mumbled sarcastically.

For a moment, he didn’t say a thing. I thought he just tuned out my rants then he hums in acknowledgement, “Hm, that never occurred to me.”

“Yeah, genius,” I squinted my eyes at him. Of course he will not get it because he was not in my position.

“Hey,” his voice was reprimanding. “Tone down that attitude.”

I sighed. Again. Okay, I am being whiny. But I think it is pretty valid even if I am directing it to the only other person talking to me right now.

“Well, sorry,” I told him before brushing my hand over my face. “I am just going crazy here,” I added in a softer voice, afraid of admitting it out loud.

I can feel his stares and he probably thinks that I am weak or I am being a loser but I couldn't care less. I tried meeting his eyes and pleaded as I swallow my pride,

“Can't you tell me anything?”

There was a long quiet between us. He was staring intently at me again that I realized how crimson red his eyes are, you could mistake it for being black orbs. Until he averted his gaze and stood up straight.

“You should sleep now,” the words he say before he leaves again.

“Wonderful!” I gave him an obvious fake smile. “Keep avoiding me, yeah, sure. That’s what you do,” I grunted.

He pat my head lightly. As if I am a kid. What a mockery.

“Good night Veronica,” he says with a soft tone that sounds unfit for his deep voice. “Stop thinking too much, you’ll hurt your brain.”

“Just leave,” I swatted his hand away and dropped to my bed. I pulled the covers over my head and faced the other side.

“I’ll see you again tomorrow,” he uttered before I felt his presence disappearing.

Deep down, I would never admit how his stupid mask is slowly becoming staple thing to my lonely nights that I look forward to before my sleep.