Chapter 7
I couldn't help but be captivated by his presence. His charm was undeniable, and the bouquet of flowers he held added to the enchantment. A wave of conflicting emotions washed over me as I stood there, unsure of how to react.
"I love you," he said, his eyes closed as if he were lost in the moment.
I couldn't tell if he was fully aware of his words or if he was merely sleepily uttering them. Nevertheless, my grip on the sword loosened, and I slowly lowered it. Nervousness still coursed through my veins, causing my hands to tremble uncontrollably. Tears welled up in my eyes, a silent testament to the overwhelming emotions I couldn't put into words. I knew I had let my anger consume me, and now I regretted it.
Unable to tear my gaze away, I studied his face. It was a face that could easily deceive, for he appeared as an angel in human form. His lips, painted in a seductive shade of red, drew me in. I found myself lost in his features, unable to look away.
But I had to remind myself of the truth. "Don't be fooled, Ana," I whispered to myself, my voice filled with determination. "Behind that angelic facade lies a man who mercilessly took away your family. He will pay for his sins."
As I made my way down the corridor, I crossed paths with Martha. A smile exchanged between us, a silent understanding of the need for rest. I retreated to my room, collapsing onto the small bed. My mind replayed the events of the day, the weight of his words lingering in the air.
"He loves me? What does he know of love?" I exclaimed, my voice filled with disbelief and frustration.
Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes, unaware of the tears that silently streamed down my face as I drifted into sleep.
The following day, a knock on the door jolted me awake. Hastily, I rose from the bed and opened the door, only to be greeted by his handsome face and a bouquet of flowers that seemed to rival his beauty. A sweet smile adorned his lips, and for a moment, I couldn't help but be captivated once again.
With a smile on his face, he expressed his gratitude for escorting him to the room the previous night.
"No need for thanks, Alpha. As a resident of your castle, it's only natural for me to be kind and assist you," I responded, returning the smile.
Despite my words, he insisted on expressing his gratitude.
Returning his smile, I graciously accepted the flower he offered. The delight in his eyes was evident. He invited me to join him for a morning outing, and I excused myself to get dressed. Unexpectedly, I decided to play a little prank and swiftly removed my clothes, causing a look of shock to cross his face. With a sweet smile, I approached him, but he instinctively backed away, causing me to burst into laughter.
"Why do you appear frightened? Didn't you enjoy the sight?" I teased, our eyes locked in a seductive gaze.
"Get dressed, and we'll have breakfast, Ana," Alpha calmly replied.
Smirking, I contemplated my next move. I knew he was merely pretending, that he desired me just as much as I desired him. I couldn't believe he resisted the allure of my body. I yearned for him to lose control, to be consumed by madness when he discovered my betrayal.
"How about indulging in me instead?" I whispered seductively.
Drawing closer, I pressed my lips against his, sensing his resistance. However, he retaliated with a passionate kiss, causing a smile to grace my face as I realized he was slowly succumbing. I understood his nature, his violent and aggressive tendencies. I needed to witness the darkness within his soul, for he was the complete opposite of what I believed. Yet, I couldn't fully trust the facade he presented, as no amount of kindness could erase the fact that he mercilessly took the lives of my parents. The truth would forever haunt him.
To my surprise, his lips parted from mine, and his gaze met mine. I found myself lost in his puffy eyes and mesmerized by his red lips. A sweet smile graced his face as he leaned in to kiss my forehead.
"Before we embark on anything, my dear Ana, choose me as your mate. Let's go out and explore," he suggested, his smile infectious.
His words caught me off guard, leaving me momentarily speechless. I was repulsed by the kindness he displayed towards me. All I wanted was to reveal the truth, to see the darkness within him. Why did he seem to be taming me?
"O-Okay, take care," I managed to stammer in response.
He simply responded with a gentle smile, and I found myself unable to resist walking alongside him towards the dining room table.
As he invited his pack to join us for a meal, I observed how genuinely kind he was to his members. I couldn't quite decipher if his kindness was genuine or not. He handed me an apple, accompanied by a knife. I couldn't help but smile at his gesture, and he returned the smile. We shared a joyful meal, and I couldn't understand why his smiles were slowly melting my defenses. I shouldn't be feeling this way, as it could jeopardize my plans. Weakness was not an option. After our meal, he invited me to witness the wolves training in preparation for potential battles.
"Allow me to show you around the castle. The Wound Woods hold immense beauty, and I want you to experience it," he said, his smile unwavering. I returned his smile, intertwining my arm with his.
As we reached the training yard, I witnessed the wolves engaged in combat. However, there was an undeniable sense of tranquility in the air. This place exuded peace, making it an ideal sanctuary for any wolf.
In the yard, we didn't linger for long before making our way to the library. The moment I stepped inside, I was immediately captivated by the sheer number of books that surrounded me. Determined to explore every nook and cranny, we embarked on a tour of the entire library. As we perused the shelves, one particular book caught my eye - "Love the betrayer". Intrigued, I couldn't resist picking it up.
Curiosity piqued, I turned to my companion and asked about the story within the pages. With a serious expression, he began to recount the tale, which was inspired by the ancient days of wolves. "It's a story of infidelity and love," he explained. "Alpha Elias, the leader of the pack, chose Aryana above all else. However, he soon discovered that Aryana had betrayed him."
His words enveloped me, leaving me utterly absorbed in the narrative. Eager to know more, I inquired about the reason behind Aryana's betrayal. With equal seriousness, he responded, "Aryana's heart belonged to a Beta, and she chose him over Alpha Elias. Yet, it is said that Alpha Elias never ceased to love her, even until his last breath on the battlefield."
I gasped, unable to fathom the depth of emotions entwined within this tale. His gaze locked with mine, he reached out and gently took hold of my hands. In that moment, as our eyes met, it felt as though a silent conversation unfolded between us. And what he did next left me utterly astonished.