Chapter 4: A Dinner With The Alpha

He wasn’t a male model but he should have been. His face looks so innocent. The lush, mother lode-gold hair he groomed so carefully had a rippling quality, a sign of his rude health. 

The aquiline nose he sported complemented his prominent cheekbones. Handsome in an understated way, his basalt jaw and spartan shoulders spoke of strength. 

His best feature was his entrancing, wayfarer-blue eyes. Sloe shaped, they could shine as bright as the evening stars when they were a-light with joy. No wonder why Erica never stops praising him. And there are more about him I just can’t explain, the plain truth is. . . Indeed, he is every girls dream.

But definitely not my dream, at least not yet.

He sat on his chair. “So, if you don’t mind me asking, what is your name, Miss?” He started, picking his fork.

“ D. . . Diana. . . Alessandro.” I stammered.

“Diana Alessandro,” he repeated. “What a nice name.” He drops the first bite of food into his mouth, grinding on it.

“ T. . .Thanks.”

I held my fork but I couldn’t eat. “Why aren’t you eating?” He asked.

“I’m not. . . hungry.” I said, squeezing the fork.

“You don’t like the food?”

“Uhm. . .no, not at all. I just don’t feel like. . . eating, that’s all.”

He stops eating, dropping his fork back on the table. “Maybe we shouldn’t eat at all.” He cleans his mouth with the hand towel beside his plate.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. . . I was just. . .” I stuttered.

“ I don’t feel hungry when my visitor isn’t eating. But don’t worry, we can have the dinner some other time.” He paused, studying me. I indirectly looked at my chest, because that is the first thing that gets a man’s attention.

And if it were to be possible, I would adjust the gown from exposing my breasts.

I don’t know where he was actually staring at but all I know is, he is staring at me. But the question is. . . Where?

“If you don’t mind me asking, why did you brought me here? It’s almost thirteen years since I lived here, I have never had the chance to live my life the way I want. You always have the guards escort me, are you trying to punish me or what? Or, is this how you keep your offenders hostages?”

He smiled. “ I ain’t trying to punish you or otherwise, I felt like you needed some space and time to adjust to your new environment. And, about the guards, no one will have to escort you anymore. The fortress is all yours.”

“ So, I can walk around on my own?” I asked, sounding like a kid 

“ Exactly.” He said with a nod. “ If I’m not mistaken, weren’t you told not to leave your home at such time of the night?” He asked, reflecting to the incident years back.

“ I don’t believe in stories, I always believed they are superstitious.”

“Well, now you’ve learned not all stories are. . . superstitious.” He smiled again.

“ Maybe.” I shrugged. “ So, what do you want to do to me? You planned on killing and eating me up, didn’t you?”

“ Yes. Killing and eating you up was the plan, but marking you was an accident.” He stands up, walking to my direction. “ Don’t worry, you will get used to everything in this castle.”

“I don’t think I can. I ain’t a wolf.” I heaved heavily.

“ You don’t have to be a wolf to get use to everyone and everything, I think I prefer you the way you are. Or, do you wish to become one?” He stands behind me, holding the edges of the chair.

I shook my head. “No. No.”

“Good.” He leans to my ear, “It wasn’t supposed to be like this, you know. I didn’t intend for either of us to end up this way.”

“ But you let me live. Why?” I said, almost like a whisper.

“ Because I had to. That mark means a lot to me. Now you have it, you mean a lot to me.”

“ I. . . I. . . I’m not ready yet.” I forced myself to breathe. 

“ I understand. And, I wasn’t planning on getting married to you now. Always bear in mind, you’ll be safe with me.” He kisses my cheek, “ Get some rest, and try not to think too much. “

I heard the sound of his footsteps exiting the room. I touched my cheek, I can’t remember the last time my parents ever kissed my cheeks. Though, theirs were those goodbye and good night kiss, but his was different.

I felt cold run in my veins like a shiver, causing goosebumps on my skin. Even as he isn’t in the room with me, I can still perceive his scent like he’s still right behind me.

 “ Get some rest, and try not to think too much. “ Why would he think I can get some rest after what he did to me?

I’ve been touching my cheeks for like ten times in every two minutes, and this same spark has been evaporating in my inside. I can’t stop thinking of how soft his lips felt on my skin.

I’m overthinking, aren’t I?

To Be Continued…