Read with BonusRead with Bonus

5. Alpha Reiss

Cindy

Alpha Reiss seemed like he was waiting for me to say more but I was smart enough to know when to keep my mouth shut.

"Honey Bear!"

Emery practically skipped to her Alpha and hugged his arm. The skirt of her sky blue sundress was tossed around by the wind. "The drive was so long and tiring. I missed you honey."

Alpha Reiss stopped staring me down to give her a tender smile. "Did you, princess? I missed you too. What took you so long, hm?"

A light pink blush spread across her cheeks. She looked so tiny compared to him. "Next time, I'll tell Bryant to drive faster," Emery said. He lowered his face, allowing Emery to plant a kiss on the corner of his mouth.

Then he returned his attention to me again. "Good job referring to me as my proper title. Keep it that way. This is my second in command, Cerberus."

"Nice to-" before I could finish, Cerberus walked up to me and shook my hand so hard half of my body shook with it.

"Same here. Well, not really." He let me go and I had to swing my wrist to get my blood flowing again. "Since I'm the one in charge of making sure you don't cause any trouble. I could have been having fun with some women-"

"Cerberus," Alpha Reiss grumbled.

"Or spending my time ensuring our people were safe and comfortable."

I nodded and averted my gaze. "As long as I'm left alone and no one bothers me, then there won't be a problem. If that happens, you don't need to worry."

Cerberus furrowed his brow. "Ah, I never thought of that. Too bad I can't leave you alone. What's stopping you from leaking our information to your friends back home?"

What makes you think you can stop me? Of course, I couldn't say that. If I needed to pass the time with less problems, then I needed to be a bit more passive.

Instead of replying to him, I shrugged.

Someone snickered behind me and I realized it was Bryant and Benjamin, each arriving with one suitcase each.

They strode past me and went inside. Emery tugged on Reiss' arm. "I have to go, or else who'll organize tomorrow's training session?"

Emery and Reiss shared a kiss before she left. "Take care, Cindy."

"You too," I replied.

So far, Emery hasn't done anything to me or expressed any discomfort being around me. Maybe not everyone here is a prude.

"We're burning daylight for no reason." Alpha Reiss rested his hands on his hips. "Come."

Reiss' home had a mix of vintage and modern interior. He led us to a kitchen with cherry walls and golden brown cabinets. Cerberus claimed the stool beside me, arms folded. Alpha Reiss decided to sit on the opposite side of the island.

"There are a few things you should note," Reiss started.

"I'm listening," I said.

Suddenly, he picked up an orange out of the fruit bowl and began to peel it with a nearby knife.

"All that you see here, you can't relay it to your folks back home. That's why Cerberus will be installing a software on your phone that'll monitor your online activity and calls."

Cerberus nodded without looking up from my phone. I frowned and said, "When did you get that?"

He shrugged, a coy smirk made its way along his cheek. "I took it away from your pocket when you weren't looking. Hope you don't mind."

Hold it in, Cindy. My eyes closed for a brief second and opened them as Reiss continued.

"You're free to talk to who you want to and hang out with who you want. After all, you're a guest, not a prisoner."

Could have fooled me. "I understand."

"I'm sure they told you this before, but I'll tell you again." He cut off the last of the orange peel. "Your classes have already been taken care of. And lastly, always obey my orders." Reiss looked directly at my face. "If you have an issue, go to Cerberus…"

Cerberus coughed and cleared his throat.

" …or come to me. Understand?"

I nodded my confirmation. Why did I feel like a child being taught how to behave? The thought only made me feel more uncomfortable. I had to remember that in their minds, I wasn't to be taken as seriously as they took pups.

"Perfect. Now is the time for you to ask questions if you have any."

His second in command was browsing through my photos. I grabbed my phone from him. "Yes, just one for the moment."

"Okay. Speak."

"Will I be receiving food?"

His brow furrowed and his expression softened. He seemed a bit confused, but also offended. I hoped I didn't make the wrong choice by asking. I only wanted to know if I would be given cooked food or if I had to prepare it myself.

"I know we didn't meet on the best of terms, however, did you really think I would have you in my house and not feed you?"

I gulped. "I-I didn't mean it like that…"

"Yes. You will be fed."

A breath of relief escaped my lips and I relaxed a little.

Reiss sliced the orange through the middle. "He will take you to where you'll be residing. I will be on the second floor, down the hall from your room. Someone will call you down for dinner. Do what you want until then."

Cerberus sighed and gestured to a set of stairs in another room. He got up. I swung my bag over my shoulder and began to follow suit.

"Hey."

I paused and faced him. "Yes, Alpha Reiss?"

He had gotten off his chair and stepped forward until he was right in front of me. My first thought was that this man was about to threaten me. Instead, he asked something odd. "May I hold your hand for a minute?"

Weird, but I saw no reason to deny it. I raised my left hand and he took it. His lips twitched as if he was struggling to keep something in.

Reiss held my hand like it was the first time he had touched one. The atmosphere was quiet. I could hear my heart thumping in my ears. One toned thumb slid over my skin ever so gently, I became mesmerized by how it moved.

"Alpha Reiss?"

"Yes, Cindy?"

"I'm uncomfortable."

Thankfully, he let my hand go without complaint and even apologized.

I laid in bed thinking about the scenario over and over. Such a beautiful gaze that took me in without trying. I sighed, sinking my head into the pillow.

Come on, Cindy, it's only your body reacting to someone you find attractive. Remember when he said you were beautiful for a human?

Nevermind, I hated him and everyone else here. Wolves of the same fur howl together.

Such trivial thoughts did distract me from looking at the bigger picture. Here, I am the outsider. My Alpha lied that I carried more responsibility in the pack than I did because he figured they wouldn't be so stupid to harm a human when the laws prevented it. That didn't make me feel as safe as I should have. Why can't these men find a way to resolve their differences without involving me?

As I started to fall asleep I couldn't help but think about him with a smile.

He might just be the most handsome man I had ever met.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter