Chapter 4 I Know You

"It's difficult! He's difficult!" Darell complained as he entered Fernando’s office.

Fernando barely spared him a glance, focusing on the pile of papers in front of him, "I thought you loved challenges."

"Not like this one. He's a pain in the ass. Why did you choose him?"

"Are you questioning my choices?" Fernando asked inna deadly low voice.

"No... I'm just curious to know what makes him special,"

"I guess that's for both of us to find out. It is why you are grooming him."

Darell fell silent.

"What's today's report while I was away?" Fernando questioned.

Darell cleared his throat and stood straighter, "The patrol on the northern ridge completed their survey. There were no breaches. Also, the supplies from the southern trade arrived safely. The rogues spotted near Red Hollow retreated before our men engaged,"

Fernando finally took his eyes off the papers and glanced at Darell. "Did you tell the boy what is expected of him?"

Darell shook his head, "Not yet."

"Hmmm..."

"If it's okay Alpha, I have an idea to get the scrawny boy working."

Fernando raised an eyebrow, urging Darell to continue.

"Maybe if you have a conversation with him, he l8fjt finally understand the gravity of his situation and not lag around. You're his master officially, he's bound to listen to you."

"That takes the challenge off for you."

Darell snickered, "Trust me, Alpha, after what I saw today. There's no way the challenge is off."

"Where's he now?" Fernando asked.

"In his room. Do you need me to send him over?" Darell asked.

"There's no need for that." Fernando replied, standing up, "I'm retiring to my room. Find a way to bend the boy's will."

Fernando left his office, passing the longer route through the west wing to his room.

Just as he entered the west wing, his ears picked up on a noise.

A frown made its way to his face as he walked in deeper, naturally looking for the origin of the noise.

"Alpha!" The guards stationed at Alberto’s door bowed.

"Is that the new slave’s room?"

The guards nodded.

The noise came again, more loudly.

It was cry, more like a strangled scream.

"Open the door!" Fernando commanded.

The cry came again.

Fernando froze, his primal instinct taking over.

"The key is with the B-"

Fernando kicked the door open, infusing the kick with his Alpha's powers.

The guards fell to their knees, whimpering.

Their wolf's succumbing under the Alpha's.

The scream came again.

Fernando stared at the sight before him.

Alberto was sprawled out on the sheets, his hair plastered to his face due to his sweats. His clothes were wet with tears.

"Alberto." Fernando whispered, rushing to his side.

Alberto’s face was scrunched up in pain. He was having a nightmare.

"Wake up," Fernando shook him, trying to wake him up from his nightmares.

"You are okay, you are safe. Wake up!" Fernando said with more urgency.

"No— I! I'm sorry,..... please don't,"

Fernando stomach dropped as he watched Alberto battle with his nightmares, and he felt so clueless on how to help.

"Alberto!" Fernando yelled, shaking Alberto's body even more violently, "Wake up. Open your eyes!

“Wake up,” Fernando commanded, shaking him. “Open your eyes!”

But Alberto’s eyes stayed shut, his head tossing, his body trembling like a leaf in a storm.

Seeing neither was working, Fernando did the only thing he could think of.

He pulled Alberto's sleeping form to a sitting position and embraced him, "You're okay, you're safe. No one can hurt you here. Just follow my voice."

"No..." Alberto cried out, tears rolling down his face, "No— No, please, No!"

"It's a dream," Fernando continued, "You're dreaming. None of it is real."

His grip on Alberto tightened, holding him even closer as his body convulsed.

"You're safe," Fernando repeated, "You're safe here. Just focus on my voice and find your way."

Alberto went lump in Fernando’s arms, his breaths regulating back to normal.

Alberto opened his eyes softly, meeting with haunting bright blue ones.

"You...." Alberto whispered, "I know you."

"Of course, you do." Fernando replied, "I'm your master. Are you okay?"

"No," Alberto shook his head weekly, "I know you."

Something flashed in Fernando's eyes before Alberto could place a name on it.

"I'm your master," Fernando said with much more conviction.

Alberto groaned, scooting away from Fernando’s embrace and facepalmimg himself.

"I–" Alberto started but was cut off before he could complete his statement.

Fernando captured Alberto’s wrists easily with one hand, snaked the other hand around his waist, pressed Alberto’s body to his, and captured his lips.

Alberto gasped out in shock, giving way Fernando’s tongue to ravage his mouth.

Alberto felt that warm fuzzy feeling again, a moan escaped his lips before he could stop it.

The vivid image of the nightmare he just had dissolving into nothingness as his brain chose to focus on the unfamiliar sensation coursing through his veins now.

He pressed himself closer, matching Fernando’s hungry kiss.

He's never felt like this before, his body felt like they were on fire, and he'd be damned if he puts an end to this, —Whatever it was