9.1: It's Complicated!

Dina’s POV

I hauled the laundry out of the alpha’s room and kicked the basket down the hall. Luckily, I’d gotten used to his dirty socks laying all over the floor--- and yes, the man may be an alpha, but he had terrible aim! I smirked, as my wolf quickly pushed inappropriate thoughts into my mind, all about how his aim probably wasn’t off ALL the time.

Horny wolf!

I shook my head and went into the bathroom, picking up and dropping all the used towels into the basket, before collecting my own laundry and throwing it in as well. I’d been living with Alpha Stone for just about 3 weeks now. To absolutely no one’s surprise, my brother was a no-show at the two-week mark, but true to his word, Alpha Stone didn’t kick me out. He wasn’t home much, but I did see him around breakfast and dinner. Something I very quickly found myself getting very attached to. I even found myself missing him when he went over to his Aunt’s house every Sunday. I tried to shake it off, but I couldn’t help feeling that they were taking away MY time with Alpha Stone.

I sighed. What was wrong with me? If the alpha knew, he would huff and puff and laugh so hard, he would blow the roof off the house. I wasn’t his type, I reminded myself and--- and how the hell did my stupid mind go in that direction?! I didn’t want the alpha – not that way anyway! – so I didn’t need to be his type!

Now I was simply frustrated.

Stupid Rita! And stupid Michael! Putting stupid things into my head and filling my imagination with things that didn't belong there---!

In frustration, I kicked the basket down the stairs--- and to my horror, it just barely missed a tall, red-haired figure at the bottom.

“Alpha!”

I gasped in horror as Alpha Stone sidestepped the basket that came tumbling down the stairs. But that didn’t save him from the content dropping all over him. He looked up at me and my heart sank when I met his angry gaze.

For a second, I’m pretty sure I died inside.

Epic fail…!

To save--- something! – I jumped into action, intending to help him. In my stupid/panic mode, I raced down the steps, reaching for the railing for support, in case my legs gave out on me--- because, of course, I'd forgotten all about the little fact that it was missing! My fingers gripped air and the next thing I knew, gravity was about to show me why it was the greatest force on earth. My heart dropped as I went flying off the side of the stairs.

Shit!

I braced myself for pain!

But it didn’t come...

Instead, I felt strong, warm arms wrap around me, as I was pulled into a solid chest. Stunned, I looked up and found myself looking straight into Alpha Stone’s dark and mysterious eyes. So perfectly blue, I couldn't look away...

I gulped and my heart rate picked up when I realized our proximity. I felt my body reacting in weird ways, being held this close to his warm, muscular frame. I could feel every dip and curve and--- oh, boy! This man was hard in all the right places!

“How are you even still alive?” Alpha Stone's baritone voice brought me out of whatever trance I’d landed myself in. My cheeks heated with embarrassment and for once I actually wished that I had crashed to the floor instead.

Less embarrassing...!

“Old habit?” I intended to jokingly reply - hoping it could save my dignity at least - but it barely came out as a weak squeal. And much to my mortification, Alpha Stone simply smirked, transforming his features into a very handsome and appealing sight. And that's when my wolf decided that this was the perfect time to remind me about my conversation with Rita. Her teasing words about me and the Alpha trickled into my head, making my heart shudder in my chest.

No!

Oh, you stupid, stupid wolf!

“You-you can... erm - put me down,” I stuttered, trying to wiggle myself out of his arms. But while I was strong, I was no match for the alpha wolf, meaning I wasn't going anywhere until the alpha himself decided so. His brows dripped down into a frown again, as he gently lowered me to my feet. I tried to remain calm and collected, but my legs suddenly felt like jello and my heart suddenly decided to act like there was a rock festival. My cheeks were flaming hot and when I tried to thank him, it came out as a nervous choked squeal. I quickly tried to cover it up with a small cough and straightened myself out, but his eyes on me didn't let up as they seemed to bore into me. I did my best to ignore it, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I felt cold inside without the alpha’s arms around me...

Mentally shaking my head I forced my brain to start working properly again, and I took a look at the mess around me. Most of it was concentrated at the bottom of the stairs, with only what had been on top being scattered everywhere.

My dirty laundry...

Great, I mentally huffed, feeling my whole body heat up with humiliation. Talk about airing out your dirty laundry. And I practically threw it on Alpha Stone's head!

I took a deep breath and--- and that’s when I noticed that he had something on his head. I forgot how to breathe for a second and had to close my eyes, so as not to pass out.

Or just flat-out DIE right then and there!

“Erm, you-you have---something,” I mumbled, unsure if I should take it, or leave it be since I didn't want to get into his personal space again. He caught on quickly and took the garment off his head--- and I was absolutely mortified when I finally realized what it was. Because, OF COURSE, it couldn’t be a sock or at least a fucking pink bra!

NO!

It HAD to be my black laced thong!

I grabbed it out of his hands faster than the Flash could blink and tucked it behind my back, refusing to meet his gaze. But that didn’t stop me from feeling the smirk that crept across his lips.

"I didn't peg you for a lace-type of girl," he softly chuckled and--- and was it just me, or had his voice gone a little husky?

“Please don’t,” I begged, staring straight down at the floor, shifting uncomfortably on my feet. My lips pouted and I was fighting the urge to run away from there and never return. Why? Who in the universe had it out for me?

Please, I beg your forgiveness now, for whatever I did wrong…!

But instead of a full-blown shaming ritual, Alpha Stone instead leaned down to me and I could feel his hot breath against my skin. Involuntarily, my breath hitched and my heart skipped a beat, as goosebumps rose all over my skin…

“Submission suits you, little maid,” was literally all he said before he left and walked upstairs. Once he was out of sight, I finally felt that I could breathe again.

What the hell was that?!

Oh, goddess, let me die now, please?

As if someone had lit a fire on my ass, I quickly grabbed everything I’d kicked down the stairs and practically fled into the laundry room. I put the basket down and let my head rest against the cold countertop. Damn, how did my body become so hot? And so horny? I groaned.

Stupid Rita! And stupid wolf and stupid Alph---

“Excuse me?”

I let out an indignant screech and spun around. Alpha Stone was standing in the doorway, looking rather smug at my reaction. My heart was beating like a sledgehammer against my chest, and I was suddenly convinced that the man was out to kill me.

“You forgot one,” he simply said, holding up--- I gasped and felt my heart drop to the pit of my stomach. Of course! Again, it couldn’t be some dirty sock, a towel, or something ordinary like my yoga pants. It HAD to be one of my yellow and black polka dot bras!

My face lit up like a dragon’s fire, while I walked the few feet of shame over to him.

“Thanks,” I swallowed and peeled it off his hands as if it was poisonous. Stupid underwear! Couldn’t he at least find his own?!

“I know people expect to find such things lying around my house,” he smirked, looking like he was enjoying this WAY more than I was. Damn him! “But I like to keep my privacy private.”

“Yes, Alpha,” I pouted, not really noticing the smile that appeared on his face.

“I’ll be back later,” he stated and left.

"Have a nice day," I said without thinking--- and realized that I'd just acted like some 50’s housewife.

That’s it! I scolded myself. I need a doctor!

And for some reason, my stupid wolf pushed a picture of Alpha Stone in a lab coat into my head, asking where it hurt.

“OK, enough is enough!” I scolded my wolf out loud. “You spend too much time with Rita and her dirty mind! No more steamy romance for you, missy!” But unfortunately, that was probably just as much a punishment for me as for her….