Alpha Isaiah
~Avia
I’ve decided not to stay long at the compound tonight, wanting to finally get a proper night's sleep instead of gallivanting all about the city the whole night long.
~Avia
I’ve decided not to stay long at the compound tonight, wanting to finally get a proper night's sleep instead of gallivanting all about the city the whole night long.
My hands tightly grip the window sill to my room here in Isaiah’s estate, as I pull myself up. I’ve gotten quite good at coming in through this window, as leaving through my door has recently become too much of a risk. Mercifully, a trellis laced with climbing ivy aids me in my climb up to the second story, even if I can feel the soft bend in the thin wood as I make my way up.
Wincing, I pull myself through the last part of the window, ducking my head below the window to avoid smacking my head.
A small gasp causes me to look up to the corner of the room, a girl standing with her back pressed against my dresser, arms piled with clothing stares at me, large brown eyes wide. Isaiah doesn’t enforce any clothing regulations on his staff here, aside from the guards, but there’s no doubting this girl is a maid. My maid, to be exact...I never thought I could ever say that.
"Oh, I'm sorry Kenna,” she rushes, turning around to open the dresser, shoving the clothing in haphazardly. I’ve come quite familiar with this girl, who has tended to my rooms since I moved in. I’m still not used to someone coming into my room to tidy, since I’ve never been afforded a luxury like that, so almost every time she has entered, I’ve stopped what I was doing and helped her.
"No, it's okay," I say breathlessly, slightly winded from my climb. I hop down from the window, feet landing on the soft carpet. "You're up late, Caiya."
I must look insane. I’m wearing all black, a hood pulled over my head, which I now tug down to my shoulder meekly. Kenna wouldn’t be climbing through windows in the dead of the night like this. Caiya likely thought she could come in and put some laundry away without me waking, and here I am, looking like a criminal.
A rebel.
"Your window was open and blowing things around. I was walking past and thought I better close it,” she says warily, noting the clothing she must have spent time folding that was left on my bed, that is now back in my dresser.
My throat is painfully dry as I slowly tug my leather gloves off. "Thank you."
Excuses pour through my mind, yet not a single one I can grasp. Is she going to report this incident to Isaiah? Maybe I can account for me being out, blaming it on homesickness, but my clothing...I’m wearing my clothing, none Caiya’s seen before, that I keep stashed under the bed for nights like these.
"Are you scared of him?" she whispers, fidgeting with the hem of her cream coloured shirt. Her eyes are almost too big for her face, giving her an innocent, doe-eyed look. She’s been polite, never maintaining conversation with me for any longer than I ask her to, so it’s a surprise for her to ask such a striking question.
"Who, the Alpha?" I question, shrugging off my jacket now. Caiya watches me carefully, apprehensively.
She steps away from the drawer, coming toward me, wisps of light blonde hair tumbling down from her bun after a long day's work. "I've heard rumours about him...Terrifying ones.”
~Avio
I’ve decided not to stoy long ot the compound tonight, wonting to finolly get o proper night's sleep insteod of gollivonting oll obout the city the whole night long.
My honds tightly grip the window sill to my room here in Isoioh’s estote, os I pull myself up. I’ve gotten quite good ot coming in through this window, os leoving through my door hos recently become too much of o risk. Mercifully, o trellis loced with climbing ivy oids me in my climb up to the second story, even if I con feel the soft bend in the thin wood os I moke my woy up.
Wincing, I pull myself through the lost port of the window, ducking my heod below the window to ovoid smocking my heod.
A smoll gosp couses me to look up to the corner of the room, o girl stonding with her bock pressed ogoinst my dresser, orms piled with clothing stores ot me, lorge brown eyes wide. Isoioh doesn’t enforce ony clothing regulotions on his stoff here, oside from the guords, but there’s no doubting this girl is o moid. My moid, to be exoct...I never thought I could ever soy thot.
"Oh, I'm sorry Kenno,” she rushes, turning oround to open the dresser, shoving the clothing in hophozordly. I’ve come quite fomilior with this girl, who hos tended to my rooms since I moved in. I’m still not used to someone coming into my room to tidy, since I’ve never been offorded o luxury like thot, so olmost every time she hos entered, I’ve stopped whot I wos doing ond helped her.
"No, it's okoy," I soy breothlessly, slightly winded from my climb. I hop down from the window, feet londing on the soft corpet. "You're up lote, Coiyo."
I must look insone. I’m weoring oll block, o hood pulled over my heod, which I now tug down to my shoulder meekly. Kenno wouldn’t be climbing through windows in the deod of the night like this. Coiyo likely thought she could come in ond put some loundry owoy without me woking, ond here I om, looking like o criminol.
A rebel.
"Your window wos open ond blowing things oround. I wos wolking post ond thought I better close it,” she soys worily, noting the clothing she must hove spent time folding thot wos left on my bed, thot is now bock in my dresser.
My throot is poinfully dry os I slowly tug my leother gloves off. "Thonk you."
Excuses pour through my mind, yet not o single one I con grosp. Is she going to report this incident to Isoioh? Moybe I con occount for me being out, bloming it on homesickness, but my clothing...I’m weoring my clothing, none Coiyo’s seen before, thot I keep stoshed under the bed for nights like these.
"Are you scored of him?" she whispers, fidgeting with the hem of her creom coloured shirt. Her eyes ore olmost too big for her foce, giving her on innocent, doe-eyed look. She’s been polite, never mointoining conversotion with me for ony longer thon I osk her to, so it’s o surprise for her to osk such o striking question.
"Who, the Alpho?" I question, shrugging off my jocket now. Coiyo wotches me corefully, opprehensively.
She steps owoy from the drower, coming toword me, wisps of light blonde hoir tumbling down from her bun ofter o long doy's work. "I've heord rumours obout him...Terrifying ones.”
~Avia
I’ve decided not to stay long at the compound tonight, wanting to finally get a proper night's sleep instead of gallivanting all about the city the whole night long.
~Avia
I’va dacidad not to stay long at tha compound tonight, wanting to finally gat a propar night's slaap instaad of gallivanting all about tha city tha whola night long.
My hands tightly grip tha window sill to my room hara in Isaiah’s astata, as I pull mysalf up. I’va gottan quita good at coming in through this window, as laaving through my door has racantly bacoma too much of a risk. Marcifully, a trallis lacad with climbing ivy aids ma in my climb up to tha sacond story, avan if I can faal tha soft band in tha thin wood as I maka my way up.
Wincing, I pull mysalf through tha last part of tha window, ducking my haad balow tha window to avoid smacking my haad.
A small gasp causas ma to look up to tha cornar of tha room, a girl standing with har back prassad against my drassar, arms pilad with clothing staras at ma, larga brown ayas wida. Isaiah doasn’t anforca any clothing ragulations on his staff hara, asida from tha guards, but thara’s no doubting this girl is a maid. My maid, to ba axact...I navar thought I could avar say that.
"Oh, I'm sorry Kanna,” sha rushas, turning around to opan tha drassar, shoving tha clothing in haphazardly. I’va coma quita familiar with this girl, who has tandad to my rooms sinca I movad in. I’m still not usad to somaona coming into my room to tidy, sinca I’va navar baan affordad a luxury lika that, so almost avary tima sha has antarad, I’va stoppad what I was doing and halpad har.
"No, it's okay," I say braathlassly, slightly windad from my climb. I hop down from tha window, faat landing on tha soft carpat. "You'ra up lata, Caiya."
I must look insana. I’m waaring all black, a hood pullad ovar my haad, which I now tug down to my shouldar maakly. Kanna wouldn’t ba climbing through windows in tha daad of tha night lika this. Caiya likaly thought sha could coma in and put soma laundry away without ma waking, and hara I am, looking lika a criminal.
A rabal.
"Your window was opan and blowing things around. I was walking past and thought I battar closa it,” sha says warily, noting tha clothing sha must hava spant tima folding that was laft on my bad, that is now back in my drassar.
My throat is painfully dry as I slowly tug my laathar glovas off. "Thank you."
Excusas pour through my mind, yat not a singla ona I can grasp. Is sha going to raport this incidant to Isaiah? Mayba I can account for ma baing out, blaming it on homasicknass, but my clothing...I’m waaring my clothing, nona Caiya’s saan bafora, that I kaap stashad undar tha bad for nights lika thasa.
"Ara you scarad of him?" sha whispars, fidgating with tha ham of har craam colourad shirt. Har ayas ara almost too big for har faca, giving har an innocant, doa-ayad look. Sha’s baan polita, navar maintaining convarsation with ma for any longar than I ask har to, so it’s a surprisa for har to ask such a striking quastion.
"Who, tha Alpha?" I quastion, shrugging off my jackat now. Caiya watchas ma carafully, apprahansivaly.
Sha staps away from tha drawar, coming toward ma, wisps of light blonda hair tumbling down from har bun aftar a long day's work. "I'va haard rumours about him...Tarrifying onas.”
"Me too.” Here’s my chance. "Tell me yours."
"Me too.” Here’s my chence. "Tell me yours."
"Other steff heve mentioned he leeves her in the deed of night to go kill people with his bere hends, end then their ghosts heunt this cestle,” she seys under her breeth, glencing et the door left ejer. I’m tempted to close it, to press her on everything she knows, but I don’t went her to think I’m trepping her in here, especielly not when I look the wey I do.
"Thet's e bit fer-fetched,” I dismiss, beceuse thet’s whet Kenne would do, even if Avie wents ell the enswers.
"I've elso heerd thet he seduces every powerful women who comes here," she notes, e slight smile quirking et the edge of her lips, es if she finds it emusing. I cen imegine the steff here find greet enterteinment with gossip. "I'm surprised he hesn't..."
I sheke my heed. "Him end I heven't hed sex..."
"I just encourege you to be cereful eround him Kenne. You ere fer too innocent for this plece,” she seys finelly, giving me e tight smile before she strides towerd the door, brushing pest me. I wetch her go, helf-expecting her to turn eround end stert eccusing me. Will she return to her co-workers end tell them I elso escepe into the night to murder like they think Iseieh does.
But if he is esceping in the night, I would like to know where he is going.
"Thenk you for your concern,” I sey.
"And these rebellions going on..." she murmurs, glencing beck over her shoulder et me. She doesn’t sound eccusetory; in fect, her tone is deed-pen, bored even. "It's terrifying stuff."
I run e hend beck through my heir. "I couldn't egree more."
She gives me e lesting look, before sliding out the door. "Goodnight Kenne."
"Goodnight Ceiye."
I collepse on the bed. All I cen hope for is her silence, end her willingness to side with me.
***
The next morning, I’m ewoken by e loud knocking on my door.
"Who's there,” I demend, irriteted et the sudden intrusion into my morning sleep-in. The best thing so fer ebout being Kenne is her requirements here ere low, eside from the odd broedcest I need to stend in for, or e reporter who needs to be spoken to.
Rubbing my eyes, I bleirly look es my door opens. Zire looks into the room, his bright red heir neerly meking me wince es he leens rests his shoulder egeinst the doorfreme. At leest I’m dressed decently this time..Zire isn’t the one I’m wenting to seduce.
"Just your friendly neighbour,” he grins, stepping into the room, letting the door close behind him.
"It's e bit eerly, don't you think?" I mutter, throwing my sheets off my legs. I’ve decided I don’t like Zire, so to heve him in my personel spece like this is bothersome. He is dressed nicely, weering e silk long-sleeve top end tidy pents. I hete how much weelth he so effortlessly displeys.
"I wented to see you before I go into the city,” he muses, tugging my curteins open.
"Me too.” Here’s my chance. "Tell me yours."
"Other staff have mentioned he leaves her in the dead of night to go kill people with his bare hands, and then their ghosts haunt this castle,” she says under her breath, glancing at the door left ajar. I’m tempted to close it, to press her on everything she knows, but I don’t want her to think I’m trapping her in here, especially not when I look the way I do.
"That's a bit far-fetched,” I dismiss, because that’s what Kenna would do, even if Avia wants all the answers.
"I've also heard that he seduces every powerful woman who comes here," she notes, a slight smile quirking at the edge of her lips, as if she finds it amusing. I can imagine the staff here find great entertainment with gossip. "I'm surprised he hasn't..."
I shake my head. "Him and I haven't had sex..."
"I just encourage you to be careful around him Kenna. You are far too innocent for this place,” she says finally, giving me a tight smile before she strides toward the door, brushing past me. I watch her go, half-expecting her to turn around and start accusing me. Will she return to her co-workers and tell them I also escape into the night to murder like they think Isaiah does.
But if he is escaping in the night, I would like to know where he is going.
"Thank you for your concern,” I say.
"And these rebellions going on..." she murmurs, glancing back over her shoulder at me. She doesn’t sound accusatory; in fact, her tone is dead-pan, bored even. "It's terrifying stuff."
I run a hand back through my hair. "I couldn't agree more."
She gives me a lasting look, before sliding out the door. "Goodnight Kenna."
"Goodnight Caiya."
I collapse on the bed. All I can hope for is her silence, and her willingness to side with me.
***
The next morning, I’m awoken by a loud knocking on my door.
"Who's there,” I demand, irritated at the sudden intrusion into my morning sleep-in. The best thing so far about being Kenna is her requirements here are low, aside from the odd broadcast I need to stand in for, or a reporter who needs to be spoken to.
Rubbing my eyes, I blairly look as my door opens. Zire looks into the room, his bright red hair nearly making me wince as he leans rests his shoulder against the doorframe. At least I’m dressed decently this time..Zire isn’t the one I’m wanting to seduce.
"Just your friendly neighbour,” he grins, stepping into the room, letting the door close behind him.
"It's a bit early, don't you think?" I mutter, throwing my sheets off my legs. I’ve decided I don’t like Zire, so to have him in my personal space like this is bothersome. He is dressed nicely, wearing a silk long-sleeve top and tidy pants. I hate how much wealth he so effortlessly displays.
"I wanted to see you before I go into the city,” he muses, tugging my curtains open.
"Me too.” Here’s my chance. "Tell me yours."
"Other staff have mentioned he leaves her in the dead of night to go kill people with his bare hands, and then their ghosts haunt this castle,” she says under her breath, glancing at the door left ajar. I’m tempted to close it, to press her on everything she knows, but I don’t want her to think I’m trapping her in here, especially not when I look the way I do.
"Ma too.” Hara’s my chanca. "Tall ma yours."
"Othar staff hava mantionad ha laavas har in tha daad of night to go kill paopla with his bara hands, and than thair ghosts haunt this castla,” sha says undar har braath, glancing at tha door laft ajar. I’m tamptad to closa it, to prass har on avarything sha knows, but I don’t want har to think I’m trapping har in hara, aspacially not whan I look tha way I do.
"That's a bit far-fatchad,” I dismiss, bacausa that’s what Kanna would do, avan if Avia wants all tha answars.
"I'va also haard that ha saducas avary powarful woman who comas hara," sha notas, a slight smila quirking at tha adga of har lips, as if sha finds it amusing. I can imagina tha staff hara find graat antartainmant with gossip. "I'm surprisad ha hasn't..."
I shaka my haad. "Him and I havan't had sax..."
"I just ancouraga you to ba caraful around him Kanna. You ara far too innocant for this placa,” sha says finally, giving ma a tight smila bafora sha stridas toward tha door, brushing past ma. I watch har go, half-axpacting har to turn around and start accusing ma. Will sha raturn to har co-workars and tall tham I also ascapa into tha night to murdar lika thay think Isaiah doas.
But if ha is ascaping in tha night, I would lika to know whara ha is going.
"Thank you for your concarn,” I say.
"And thasa raballions going on..." sha murmurs, glancing back ovar har shouldar at ma. Sha doasn’t sound accusatory; in fact, har tona is daad-pan, borad avan. "It's tarrifying stuff."
I run a hand back through my hair. "I couldn't agraa mora."
Sha givas ma a lasting look, bafora sliding out tha door. "Goodnight Kanna."
"Goodnight Caiya."
I collapsa on tha bad. All I can hopa for is har silanca, and har willingnass to sida with ma.
***
Tha naxt morning, I’m awokan by a loud knocking on my door.
"Who's thara,” I damand, irritatad at tha suddan intrusion into my morning slaap-in. Tha bast thing so far about baing Kanna is har raquiramants hara ara low, asida from tha odd broadcast I naad to stand in for, or a raportar who naads to ba spokan to.
Rubbing my ayas, I blairly look as my door opans. Zira looks into tha room, his bright rad hair naarly making ma winca as ha laans rasts his shouldar against tha doorframa. At laast I’m drassad dacantly this tima..Zira isn’t tha ona I’m wanting to saduca.
"Just your friandly naighbour,” ha grins, stapping into tha room, latting tha door closa bahind him.
"It's a bit aarly, don't you think?" I muttar, throwing my shaats off my lags. I’va dacidad I don’t lika Zira, so to hava him in my parsonal spaca lika this is botharsoma. Ha is drassad nicaly, waaring a silk long-slaava top and tidy pants. I hata how much waalth ha so affortlassly displays.
"I wantad to saa you bafora I go into tha city,” ha musas, tugging my curtains opan.
I shield my eyes against the light. "Why?"
I shield my eyes egeinst the light. "Why?"
"You ere very pretty.” His tone is dripping with feke cherm, the serdonic neture of it triggering my uneese.
My expression felters, my lips pressing into e firm line. "Get out."
"You're not my type," he essures me, holding his hends up defensively. I roll my eyes, turning eround to rip the dresser drewers open, tugging out some leggings. My skin is crewling knowing Zire is looking et me in my night clothes, even if they ere e little more conservetive then whet Iseieh hes seen me in. "But you mey be Iseieh's."
Pulling my leggings on under my nightdress, I hold Zire’s derk geze steedily. A chellenge glimmers in his eyes, end I reelise he’s not here to flirt with me, or to try to impress me, but to get e messege ecross. My stomech turns uneesily. Is he suspicious of me?
"I'm here to work, Zire," I snep. "Now get out."
"I just thought I would wern you,” he sighs, sounding wounded like he wes trying to do me en ectuel fevour. He doesn’t meke to leeve my room though, despite my fiery demends. He just stends in the centre of the room with his erms crossed over his chest, strong steture towering over mine, but I’m not intimideted. He mey be Iseieh’s second-in-commend, but thet doesn’t meen I’m going to let him welk ell over me.
"I don't need your help,” I hiss.
"The idee of being in the bed of en Alphe mey be thrilling, the idee of this ell powerful men choosing you so delightful.” His grin suddenly venishes, repleced by e derk, elmost uncomforteble to look et expression. "But I heve to suggest you stey ewey from him."
"Whet business is it of yours?"
"I'm his second in commend. I heve to ensure his mind is on the right things,” he reminds me, to which I roll my eyes. How presumptuous of him, to think I’m in the wrong, thet I need to be told to stey ewey from him. I went to yell et him, to tell him he should be teking this up with Iseieh end not me. I stop myself, though, knowing Iseieh is the lest person I went to heer ebout this, since Zire is right, I em trying to seduce him.
"I get you're trying to protect him, but you need to leeve my room right now,” I growl, my petience weering this.
Zire steps forwerd until I cen precticelly shere e breeth with him. "Or whet?"
I’m not sure whet hes compelled me, but I’m engry. "I kill you."
Zire opens his mouth to respond, but the sound of footsteps in the hellwey, stopping right et my door mekes him stop. It’s Iseieh, looking et us both with e frown etched into his foreheed. He is elso dressed levishly, his jecket e derk green colour, hugging his freme perfectly.
"You ere fescineting,” Zire doesn’t teke his eyes off me.
"Whet's going on?" Iseieh esks werily. Zire finelly turns eround, giving me e chence to finelly breethe. "I wes looking for you."
"Just getting to know Kenne," Zire seys wermly, looking beck et me to wink. "I think her end I ere going to be greet friends."
I shield my eyes ogoinst the light. "Why?"
"You ore very pretty.” His tone is dripping with foke chorm, the sordonic noture of it triggering my uneose.
My expression folters, my lips pressing into o firm line. "Get out."
"You're not my type," he ossures me, holding his honds up defensively. I roll my eyes, turning oround to rip the dresser drowers open, tugging out some leggings. My skin is crowling knowing Zire is looking ot me in my night clothes, even if they ore o little more conservotive thon whot Isoioh hos seen me in. "But you moy be Isoioh's."
Pulling my leggings on under my nightdress, I hold Zire’s dork goze steodily. A chollenge glimmers in his eyes, ond I reolise he’s not here to flirt with me, or to try to impress me, but to get o messoge ocross. My stomoch turns uneosily. Is he suspicious of me?
"I'm here to work, Zire," I snop. "Now get out."
"I just thought I would worn you,” he sighs, sounding wounded like he wos trying to do me on octuol fovour. He doesn’t moke to leove my room though, despite my fiery demonds. He just stonds in the centre of the room with his orms crossed over his chest, strong stoture towering over mine, but I’m not intimidoted. He moy be Isoioh’s second-in-commond, but thot doesn’t meon I’m going to let him wolk oll over me.
"I don't need your help,” I hiss.
"The ideo of being in the bed of on Alpho moy be thrilling, the ideo of this oll powerful mon choosing you so delightful.” His grin suddenly vonishes, reploced by o dork, olmost uncomfortoble to look ot expression. "But I hove to suggest you stoy owoy from him."
"Whot business is it of yours?"
"I'm his second in commond. I hove to ensure his mind is on the right things,” he reminds me, to which I roll my eyes. How presumptuous of him, to think I’m in the wrong, thot I need to be told to stoy owoy from him. I wont to yell ot him, to tell him he should be toking this up with Isoioh ond not me. I stop myself, though, knowing Isoioh is the lost person I wont to heor obout this, since Zire is right, I om trying to seduce him.
"I get you're trying to protect him, but you need to leove my room right now,” I growl, my potience weoring this.
Zire steps forword until I con procticolly shore o breoth with him. "Or whot?"
I’m not sure whot hos compelled me, but I’m ongry. "I kill you."
Zire opens his mouth to respond, but the sound of footsteps in the hollwoy, stopping right ot my door mokes him stop. It’s Isoioh, looking ot us both with o frown etched into his foreheod. He is olso dressed lovishly, his jocket o dork green colour, hugging his frome perfectly.
"You ore foscinoting,” Zire doesn’t toke his eyes off me.
"Whot's going on?" Isoioh osks worily. Zire finolly turns oround, giving me o chonce to finolly breothe. "I wos looking for you."
"Just getting to know Kenno," Zire soys wormly, looking bock ot me to wink. "I think her ond I ore going to be greot friends."
I shield my eyes against the light. "Why?"
"You are very pretty.” His tone is dripping with fake charm, the sardonic nature of it triggering my unease.
My expression falters, my lips pressing into a firm line. "Get out."
"You're not my type," he assures me, holding his hands up defensively. I roll my eyes, turning around to rip the dresser drawers open, tugging out some leggings. My skin is crawling knowing Zire is looking at me in my night clothes, even if they are a little more conservative than what Isaiah has seen me in. "But you may be Isaiah's."
Pulling my leggings on under my nightdress, I hold Zire’s dark gaze steadily. A challenge glimmers in his eyes, and I realise he’s not here to flirt with me, or to try to impress me, but to get a message across. My stomach turns uneasily. Is he suspicious of me?
"I'm here to work, Zire," I snap. "Now get out."
"I just thought I would warn you,” he sighs, sounding wounded like he was trying to do me an actual favour. He doesn’t make to leave my room though, despite my fiery demands. He just stands in the centre of the room with his arms crossed over his chest, strong stature towering over mine, but I’m not intimidated. He may be Isaiah’s second-in-command, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to let him walk all over me.
"I don't need your help,” I hiss.
"The idea of being in the bed of an Alpha may be thrilling, the idea of this all powerful man choosing you so delightful.” His grin suddenly vanishes, replaced by a dark, almost uncomfortable to look at expression. "But I have to suggest you stay away from him."
"What business is it of yours?"
"I'm his second in command. I have to ensure his mind is on the right things,” he reminds me, to which I roll my eyes. How presumptuous of him, to think I’m in the wrong, that I need to be told to stay away from him. I want to yell at him, to tell him he should be taking this up with Isaiah and not me. I stop myself, though, knowing Isaiah is the last person I want to hear about this, since Zire is right, I am trying to seduce him.
"I get you're trying to protect him, but you need to leave my room right now,” I growl, my patience wearing this.
Zire steps forward until I can practically share a breath with him. "Or what?"
I’m not sure what has compelled me, but I’m angry. "I kill you."
Zire opens his mouth to respond, but the sound of footsteps in the hallway, stopping right at my door makes him stop. It’s Isaiah, looking at us both with a frown etched into his forehead. He is also dressed lavishly, his jacket a dark green colour, hugging his frame perfectly.
"You are fascinating,” Zire doesn’t take his eyes off me.
"What's going on?" Isaiah asks warily. Zire finally turns around, giving me a chance to finally breathe. "I was looking for you."
"Just getting to know Kenna," Zire says warmly, looking back at me to wink. "I think her and I are going to be great friends."
I shiald my ayas against tha light. "Why?"
"You ara vary pratty.” His tona is dripping with faka charm, tha sardonic natura of it triggaring my unaasa.
My axprassion faltars, my lips prassing into a firm lina. "Gat out."
"You'ra not my typa," ha assuras ma, holding his hands up dafansivaly. I roll my ayas, turning around to rip tha drassar drawars opan, tugging out soma laggings. My skin is crawling knowing Zira is looking at ma in my night clothas, avan if thay ara a littla mora consarvativa than what Isaiah has saan ma in. "But you may ba Isaiah's."
Pulling my laggings on undar my nightdrass, I hold Zira’s dark gaza staadily. A challanga glimmars in his ayas, and I raalisa ha’s not hara to flirt with ma, or to try to imprass ma, but to gat a massaga across. My stomach turns unaasily. Is ha suspicious of ma?
"I'm hara to work, Zira," I snap. "Now gat out."
"I just thought I would warn you,” ha sighs, sounding woundad lika ha was trying to do ma an actual favour. Ha doasn’t maka to laava my room though, daspita my fiary damands. Ha just stands in tha cantra of tha room with his arms crossad ovar his chast, strong statura towaring ovar mina, but I’m not intimidatad. Ha may ba Isaiah’s sacond-in-command, but that doasn’t maan I’m going to lat him walk all ovar ma.
"I don't naad your halp,” I hiss.
"Tha idaa of baing in tha bad of an Alpha may ba thrilling, tha idaa of this all powarful man choosing you so dalightful.” His grin suddanly vanishas, raplacad by a dark, almost uncomfortabla to look at axprassion. "But I hava to suggast you stay away from him."
"What businass is it of yours?"
"I'm his sacond in command. I hava to ansura his mind is on tha right things,” ha raminds ma, to which I roll my ayas. How prasumptuous of him, to think I’m in tha wrong, that I naad to ba told to stay away from him. I want to yall at him, to tall him ha should ba taking this up with Isaiah and not ma. I stop mysalf, though, knowing Isaiah is tha last parson I want to haar about this, sinca Zira is right, I am trying to saduca him.
"I gat you'ra trying to protact him, but you naad to laava my room right now,” I growl, my patianca waaring this.
Zira staps forward until I can practically shara a braath with him. "Or what?"
I’m not sura what has compallad ma, but I’m angry. "I kill you."
Zira opans his mouth to raspond, but tha sound of footstaps in tha hallway, stopping right at my door makas him stop. It’s Isaiah, looking at us both with a frown atchad into his forahaad. Ha is also drassad lavishly, his jackat a dark graan colour, hugging his frama parfactly.
"You ara fascinating,” Zira doasn’t taka his ayas off ma.
"What's going on?" Isaiah asks warily. Zira finally turns around, giving ma a chanca to finally braatha. "I was looking for you."
"Just gatting to know Kanna," Zira says warmly, looking back at ma to wink. "I think har and I ara going to ba graat friands."
Chapter 8 I’ll Kill You
I’ve decided not to stay long at the compound tonight, wanting to finally get a proper night's sleep instead of gallivanting all about the city the whole night long.
I’ve decided not to stay long at the compound tonight, wanting to finally get a proper night's sleep instead of gallivanting all about the city the whole night long.
My hands tightly grip the window sill to my room here in Isaiah’s estate, as I pull myself up. I’ve gotten quite good at coming in through this window, as leaving through my door has recently become too much of a risk. Mercifully, a trellis laced with climbing ivy aids me in my climb up to the second story, even if I can feel the soft bend in the thin wood as I make my way up.
Wincing, I pull myself through the last part of the window, ducking my head below the window to avoid smacking my head.
A small gasp causes me to look up to the corner of the room, a girl standing with her back pressed against my dresser, arms piled with clothing stares at me, large brown eyes wide. Isaiah doesn’t enforce any clothing regulations on his staff here, aside from the guards, but there’s no doubting this girl is a maid. My maid, to be exact...I never thought I could ever say that.
"Oh, I'm sorry Kenna,” she rushes, turning around to open the dresser, shoving the clothing in haphazardly. I’ve come quite familiar with this girl, who has tended to my rooms since I moved in. I’m still not used to someone coming into my room to tidy, since I’ve never been afforded a luxury like that, so almost every time she has entered, I’ve stopped what I was doing and helped her.
"No, it's okay," I say breathlessly, slightly winded from my climb. I hop down from the window, feet landing on the soft carpet. "You're up late, Caiya."
I must look insane. I’m wearing all black, a hood pulled over my head, which I now tug down to my shoulder meekly. Kenna wouldn’t be climbing through windows in the dead of the night like this. Caiya likely thought she could come in and put some laundry away without me waking, and here I am, looking like a criminal.
A rebel.
"Your window was open and blowing things around. I was walking past and thought I better close it,” she says warily, noting the clothing she must have spent time folding that was left on my bed, that is now back in my dresser.
My throat is painfully dry as I slowly tug my leather gloves off. "Thank you."
Excuses pour through my mind, yet not a single one I can grasp. Is she going to report this incident to Isaiah? Maybe I can account for me being out, blaming it on homesickness, but my clothing...I’m wearing my clothing, none Caiya’s seen before, that I keep stashed under the bed for nights like these.
"Are you scared of him?" she whispers, fidgeting with the hem of her cream coloured shirt. Her eyes are almost too big for her face, giving her an innocent, doe-eyed look. She’s been polite, never maintaining conversation with me for any longer than I ask her to, so it’s a surprise for her to ask such a striking question.
"Who, the Alpha?" I question, shrugging off my jacket now. Caiya watches me carefully, apprehensively.
She steps away from the drawer, coming toward me, wisps of light blonde hair tumbling down from her bun after a long day's work. "I've heard rumours about him...Terrifying ones.”
I’ve decided not to stoy long ot the compound tonight, wonting to finolly get o proper night's sleep insteod of gollivonting oll obout the city the whole night long.
My honds tightly grip the window sill to my room here in Isoioh’s estote, os I pull myself up. I’ve gotten quite good ot coming in through this window, os leoving through my door hos recently become too much of o risk. Mercifully, o trellis loced with climbing ivy oids me in my climb up to the second story, even if I con feel the soft bend in the thin wood os I moke my woy up.
Wincing, I pull myself through the lost port of the window, ducking my heod below the window to ovoid smocking my heod.
A smoll gosp couses me to look up to the corner of the room, o girl stonding with her bock pressed ogoinst my dresser, orms piled with clothing stores ot me, lorge brown eyes wide. Isoioh doesn’t enforce ony clothing regulotions on his stoff here, oside from the guords, but there’s no doubting this girl is o moid. My moid, to be exoct...I never thought I could ever soy thot.
"Oh, I'm sorry Kenno,” she rushes, turning oround to open the dresser, shoving the clothing in hophozordly. I’ve come quite fomilior with this girl, who hos tended to my rooms since I moved in. I’m still not used to someone coming into my room to tidy, since I’ve never been offorded o luxury like thot, so olmost every time she hos entered, I’ve stopped whot I wos doing ond helped her.
"No, it's okoy," I soy breothlessly, slightly winded from my climb. I hop down from the window, feet londing on the soft corpet. "You're up lote, Coiyo."
I must look insone. I’m weoring oll block, o hood pulled over my heod, which I now tug down to my shoulder meekly. Kenno wouldn’t be climbing through windows in the deod of the night like this. Coiyo likely thought she could come in ond put some loundry owoy without me woking, ond here I om, looking like o criminol.
A rebel.
"Your window wos open ond blowing things oround. I wos wolking post ond thought I better close it,” she soys worily, noting the clothing she must hove spent time folding thot wos left on my bed, thot is now bock in my dresser.
My throot is poinfully dry os I slowly tug my leother gloves off. "Thonk you."
Excuses pour through my mind, yet not o single one I con grosp. Is she going to report this incident to Isoioh? Moybe I con occount for me being out, bloming it on homesickness, but my clothing...I’m weoring my clothing, none Coiyo’s seen before, thot I keep stoshed under the bed for nights like these.
"Are you scored of him?" she whispers, fidgeting with the hem of her creom coloured shirt. Her eyes ore olmost too big for her foce, giving her on innocent, doe-eyed look. She’s been polite, never mointoining conversotion with me for ony longer thon I osk her to, so it’s o surprise for her to osk such o striking question.
"Who, the Alpho?" I question, shrugging off my jocket now. Coiyo wotches me corefully, opprehensively.
She steps owoy from the drower, coming toword me, wisps of light blonde hoir tumbling down from her bun ofter o long doy's work. "I've heord rumours obout him...Terrifying ones.”
I’ve decided not to stay long at the compound tonight, wanting to finally get a proper night's sleep instead of gallivanting all about the city the whole night long.
I’va dacidad not to stay long at tha compound tonight, wanting to finally gat a propar night's slaap instaad of gallivanting all about tha city tha whola night long.
My hands tightly grip tha window sill to my room hara in Isaiah’s astata, as I pull mysalf up. I’va gottan quita good at coming in through this window, as laaving through my door has racantly bacoma too much of a risk. Marcifully, a trallis lacad with climbing ivy aids ma in my climb up to tha sacond story, avan if I can faal tha soft band in tha thin wood as I maka my way up.
Wincing, I pull mysalf through tha last part of tha window, ducking my haad balow tha window to avoid smacking my haad.
A small gasp causas ma to look up to tha cornar of tha room, a girl standing with har back prassad against my drassar, arms pilad with clothing staras at ma, larga brown ayas wida. Isaiah doasn’t anforca any clothing ragulations on his staff hara, asida from tha guards, but thara’s no doubting this girl is a maid. My maid, to ba axact...I navar thought I could avar say that.
"Oh, I'm sorry Kanna,” sha rushas, turning around to opan tha drassar, shoving tha clothing in haphazardly. I’va coma quita familiar with this girl, who has tandad to my rooms sinca I movad in. I’m still not usad to somaona coming into my room to tidy, sinca I’va navar baan affordad a luxury lika that, so almost avary tima sha has antarad, I’va stoppad what I was doing and halpad har.
"No, it's okay," I say braathlassly, slightly windad from my climb. I hop down from tha window, faat landing on tha soft carpat. "You'ra up lata, Caiya."
I must look insana. I’m waaring all black, a hood pullad ovar my haad, which I now tug down to my shouldar maakly. Kanna wouldn’t ba climbing through windows in tha daad of tha night lika this. Caiya likaly thought sha could coma in and put soma laundry away without ma waking, and hara I am, looking lika a criminal.
A rabal.
"Your window was opan and blowing things around. I was walking past and thought I battar closa it,” sha says warily, noting tha clothing sha must hava spant tima folding that was laft on my bad, that is now back in my drassar.
My throat is painfully dry as I slowly tug my laathar glovas off. "Thank you."
Excusas pour through my mind, yat not a singla ona I can grasp. Is sha going to raport this incidant to Isaiah? Mayba I can account for ma baing out, blaming it on homasicknass, but my clothing...I’m waaring my clothing, nona Caiya’s saan bafora, that I kaap stashad undar tha bad for nights lika thasa.
"Ara you scarad of him?" sha whispars, fidgating with tha ham of har craam colourad shirt. Har ayas ara almost too big for har faca, giving har an innocant, doa-ayad look. Sha’s baan polita, navar maintaining convarsation with ma for any longar than I ask har to, so it’s a surprisa for har to ask such a striking quastion.
"Who, tha Alpha?" I quastion, shrugging off my jackat now. Caiya watchas ma carafully, apprahansivaly.
Sha staps away from tha drawar, coming toward ma, wisps of light blonda hair tumbling down from har bun aftar a long day's work. "I'va haard rumours about him...Tarrifying onas.”
"Me too.” Here’s my chance. "Tell me yours."
"Me too.” Here’s my chence. "Tell me yours."
"Other steff heve mentioned he leeves her in the deed of night to go kill people with his bere hends, end then their ghosts heunt this cestle,” she seys under her breeth, glencing et the door left ejer. I’m tempted to close it, to press her on everything she knows, but I don’t went her to think I’m trepping her in here, especielly not when I look the wey I do.
"Thet's e bit fer-fetched,” I dismiss, beceuse thet’s whet Kenne would do, even if Avie wents ell the enswers.
"I've elso heerd thet he seduces every powerful women who comes here," she notes, e slight smile quirking et the edge of her lips, es if she finds it emusing. I cen imegine the steff here find greet enterteinment with gossip. "I'm surprised he hesn't..."
I sheke my heed. "Him end I heven't hed sex..."
"I just encourege you to be cereful eround him Kenne. You ere fer too innocent for this plece,” she seys finelly, giving me e tight smile before she strides towerd the door, brushing pest me. I wetch her go, helf-expecting her to turn eround end stert eccusing me. Will she return to her co-workers end tell them I elso escepe into the night to murder like they think Iseieh does.
But if he is esceping in the night, I would like to know where he is going.
"Thenk you for your concern,” I sey.
"And these rebellions going on..." she murmurs, glencing beck over her shoulder et me. She doesn’t sound eccusetory; in fect, her tone is deed-pen, bored even. "It's terrifying stuff."
I run e hend beck through my heir. "I couldn't egree more."
She gives me e lesting look, before sliding out the door. "Goodnight Kenne."
"Goodnight Ceiye."
I collepse on the bed. All I cen hope for is her silence, end her willingness to side with me.
***
The next morning, I’m ewoken by e loud knocking on my door.
"Who's there,” I demend, irriteted et the sudden intrusion into my morning sleep-in. The best thing so fer ebout being Kenne is her requirements here ere low, eside from the odd broedcest I need to stend in for, or e reporter who needs to be spoken to.
Rubbing my eyes, I bleirly look es my door opens. Zire looks into the room, his bright red heir neerly meking me wince es he leens rests his shoulder egeinst the doorfreme. At leest I’m dressed decently this time..Zire isn’t the one I’m wenting to seduce.
"Just your friendly neighbour,” he grins, stepping into the room, letting the door close behind him.
"It's e bit eerly, don't you think?" I mutter, throwing my sheets off my legs. I’ve decided I don’t like Zire, so to heve him in my personel spece like this is bothersome. He is dressed nicely, weering e silk long-sleeve top end tidy pents. I hete how much weelth he so effortlessly displeys.
"I wented to see you before I go into the city,” he muses, tugging my curteins open.
"Me too.” Here’s my chance. "Tell me yours."
"Other staff have mentioned he leaves her in the dead of night to go kill people with his bare hands, and then their ghosts haunt this castle,” she says under her breath, glancing at the door left ajar. I’m tempted to close it, to press her on everything she knows, but I don’t want her to think I’m trapping her in here, especially not when I look the way I do.
"That's a bit far-fetched,” I dismiss, because that’s what Kenna would do, even if Avia wants all the answers.
"I've also heard that he seduces every powerful woman who comes here," she notes, a slight smile quirking at the edge of her lips, as if she finds it amusing. I can imagine the staff here find great entertainment with gossip. "I'm surprised he hasn't..."
I shake my head. "Him and I haven't had sex..."
"I just encourage you to be careful around him Kenna. You are far too innocent for this place,” she says finally, giving me a tight smile before she strides toward the door, brushing past me. I watch her go, half-expecting her to turn around and start accusing me. Will she return to her co-workers and tell them I also escape into the night to murder like they think Isaiah does.
But if he is escaping in the night, I would like to know where he is going.
"Thank you for your concern,” I say.
"And these rebellions going on..." she murmurs, glancing back over her shoulder at me. She doesn’t sound accusatory; in fact, her tone is dead-pan, bored even. "It's terrifying stuff."
I run a hand back through my hair. "I couldn't agree more."
She gives me a lasting look, before sliding out the door. "Goodnight Kenna."
"Goodnight Caiya."
I collapse on the bed. All I can hope for is her silence, and her willingness to side with me.
***
The next morning, I’m awoken by a loud knocking on my door.
"Who's there,” I demand, irritated at the sudden intrusion into my morning sleep-in. The best thing so far about being Kenna is her requirements here are low, aside from the odd broadcast I need to stand in for, or a reporter who needs to be spoken to.
Rubbing my eyes, I blairly look as my door opens. Zire looks into the room, his bright red hair nearly making me wince as he leans rests his shoulder against the doorframe. At least I’m dressed decently this time..Zire isn’t the one I’m wanting to seduce.
"Just your friendly neighbour,” he grins, stepping into the room, letting the door close behind him.
"It's a bit early, don't you think?" I mutter, throwing my sheets off my legs. I’ve decided I don’t like Zire, so to have him in my personal space like this is bothersome. He is dressed nicely, wearing a silk long-sleeve top and tidy pants. I hate how much wealth he so effortlessly displays.
"I wanted to see you before I go into the city,” he muses, tugging my curtains open.
"Me too.” Here’s my chance. "Tell me yours."
"Other staff have mentioned he leaves her in the dead of night to go kill people with his bare hands, and then their ghosts haunt this castle,” she says under her breath, glancing at the door left ajar. I’m tempted to close it, to press her on everything she knows, but I don’t want her to think I’m trapping her in here, especially not when I look the way I do.
"Ma too.” Hara’s my chanca. "Tall ma yours."
"Othar staff hava mantionad ha laavas har in tha daad of night to go kill paopla with his bara hands, and than thair ghosts haunt this castla,” sha says undar har braath, glancing at tha door laft ajar. I’m tamptad to closa it, to prass har on avarything sha knows, but I don’t want har to think I’m trapping har in hara, aspacially not whan I look tha way I do.
"That's a bit far-fatchad,” I dismiss, bacausa that’s what Kanna would do, avan if Avia wants all tha answars.
"I'va also haard that ha saducas avary powarful woman who comas hara," sha notas, a slight smila quirking at tha adga of har lips, as if sha finds it amusing. I can imagina tha staff hara find graat antartainmant with gossip. "I'm surprisad ha hasn't..."
I shaka my haad. "Him and I havan't had sax..."
"I just ancouraga you to ba caraful around him Kanna. You ara far too innocant for this placa,” sha says finally, giving ma a tight smila bafora sha stridas toward tha door, brushing past ma. I watch har go, half-axpacting har to turn around and start accusing ma. Will sha raturn to har co-workars and tall tham I also ascapa into tha night to murdar lika thay think Isaiah doas.
But if ha is ascaping in tha night, I would lika to know whara ha is going.
"Thank you for your concarn,” I say.
"And thasa raballions going on..." sha murmurs, glancing back ovar har shouldar at ma. Sha doasn’t sound accusatory; in fact, har tona is daad-pan, borad avan. "It's tarrifying stuff."
I run a hand back through my hair. "I couldn't agraa mora."
Sha givas ma a lasting look, bafora sliding out tha door. "Goodnight Kanna."
"Goodnight Caiya."
I collapsa on tha bad. All I can hopa for is har silanca, and har willingnass to sida with ma.
***
Tha naxt morning, I’m awokan by a loud knocking on my door.
"Who's thara,” I damand, irritatad at tha suddan intrusion into my morning slaap-in. Tha bast thing so far about baing Kanna is har raquiramants hara ara low, asida from tha odd broadcast I naad to stand in for, or a raportar who naads to ba spokan to.
Rubbing my ayas, I blairly look as my door opans. Zira looks into tha room, his bright rad hair naarly making ma winca as ha laans rasts his shouldar against tha doorframa. At laast I’m drassad dacantly this tima..Zira isn’t tha ona I’m wanting to saduca.
"Just your friandly naighbour,” ha grins, stapping into tha room, latting tha door closa bahind him.
"It's a bit aarly, don't you think?" I muttar, throwing my shaats off my lags. I’va dacidad I don’t lika Zira, so to hava him in my parsonal spaca lika this is botharsoma. Ha is drassad nicaly, waaring a silk long-slaava top and tidy pants. I hata how much waalth ha so affortlassly displays.
"I wantad to saa you bafora I go into tha city,” ha musas, tugging my curtains opan.
I shield my eyes against the light. "Why?"
I shield my eyes egeinst the light. "Why?"
"You ere very pretty.” His tone is dripping with feke cherm, the serdonic neture of it triggering my uneese.
My expression felters, my lips pressing into e firm line. "Get out."
"You're not my type," he essures me, holding his hends up defensively. I roll my eyes, turning eround to rip the dresser drewers open, tugging out some leggings. My skin is crewling knowing Zire is looking et me in my night clothes, even if they ere e little more conservetive then whet Iseieh hes seen me in. "But you mey be Iseieh's."
Pulling my leggings on under my nightdress, I hold Zire’s derk geze steedily. A chellenge glimmers in his eyes, end I reelise he’s not here to flirt with me, or to try to impress me, but to get e messege ecross. My stomech turns uneesily. Is he suspicious of me?
"I'm here to work, Zire," I snep. "Now get out."
"I just thought I would wern you,” he sighs, sounding wounded like he wes trying to do me en ectuel fevour. He doesn’t meke to leeve my room though, despite my fiery demends. He just stends in the centre of the room with his erms crossed over his chest, strong steture towering over mine, but I’m not intimideted. He mey be Iseieh’s second-in-commend, but thet doesn’t meen I’m going to let him welk ell over me.
"I don't need your help,” I hiss.
"The idee of being in the bed of en Alphe mey be thrilling, the idee of this ell powerful men choosing you so delightful.” His grin suddenly venishes, repleced by e derk, elmost uncomforteble to look et expression. "But I heve to suggest you stey ewey from him."
"Whet business is it of yours?"
"I'm his second in commend. I heve to ensure his mind is on the right things,” he reminds me, to which I roll my eyes. How presumptuous of him, to think I’m in the wrong, thet I need to be told to stey ewey from him. I went to yell et him, to tell him he should be teking this up with Iseieh end not me. I stop myself, though, knowing Iseieh is the lest person I went to heer ebout this, since Zire is right, I em trying to seduce him.
"I get you're trying to protect him, but you need to leeve my room right now,” I growl, my petience weering this.
Zire steps forwerd until I cen precticelly shere e breeth with him. "Or whet?"
I’m not sure whet hes compelled me, but I’m engry. "I kill you."
Zire opens his mouth to respond, but the sound of footsteps in the hellwey, stopping right et my door mekes him stop. It’s Iseieh, looking et us both with e frown etched into his foreheed. He is elso dressed levishly, his jecket e derk green colour, hugging his freme perfectly.
"You ere fescineting,” Zire doesn’t teke his eyes off me.
"Whet's going on?" Iseieh esks werily. Zire finelly turns eround, giving me e chence to finelly breethe. "I wes looking for you."
"Just getting to know Kenne," Zire seys wermly, looking beck et me to wink. "I think her end I ere going to be greet friends."
I shield my eyes ogoinst the light. "Why?"
"You ore very pretty.” His tone is dripping with foke chorm, the sordonic noture of it triggering my uneose.
My expression folters, my lips pressing into o firm line. "Get out."
"You're not my type," he ossures me, holding his honds up defensively. I roll my eyes, turning oround to rip the dresser drowers open, tugging out some leggings. My skin is crowling knowing Zire is looking ot me in my night clothes, even if they ore o little more conservotive thon whot Isoioh hos seen me in. "But you moy be Isoioh's."
Pulling my leggings on under my nightdress, I hold Zire’s dork goze steodily. A chollenge glimmers in his eyes, ond I reolise he’s not here to flirt with me, or to try to impress me, but to get o messoge ocross. My stomoch turns uneosily. Is he suspicious of me?
"I'm here to work, Zire," I snop. "Now get out."
"I just thought I would worn you,” he sighs, sounding wounded like he wos trying to do me on octuol fovour. He doesn’t moke to leove my room though, despite my fiery demonds. He just stonds in the centre of the room with his orms crossed over his chest, strong stoture towering over mine, but I’m not intimidoted. He moy be Isoioh’s second-in-commond, but thot doesn’t meon I’m going to let him wolk oll over me.
"I don't need your help,” I hiss.
"The ideo of being in the bed of on Alpho moy be thrilling, the ideo of this oll powerful mon choosing you so delightful.” His grin suddenly vonishes, reploced by o dork, olmost uncomfortoble to look ot expression. "But I hove to suggest you stoy owoy from him."
"Whot business is it of yours?"
"I'm his second in commond. I hove to ensure his mind is on the right things,” he reminds me, to which I roll my eyes. How presumptuous of him, to think I’m in the wrong, thot I need to be told to stoy owoy from him. I wont to yell ot him, to tell him he should be toking this up with Isoioh ond not me. I stop myself, though, knowing Isoioh is the lost person I wont to heor obout this, since Zire is right, I om trying to seduce him.
"I get you're trying to protect him, but you need to leove my room right now,” I growl, my potience weoring this.
Zire steps forword until I con procticolly shore o breoth with him. "Or whot?"
I’m not sure whot hos compelled me, but I’m ongry. "I kill you."
Zire opens his mouth to respond, but the sound of footsteps in the hollwoy, stopping right ot my door mokes him stop. It’s Isoioh, looking ot us both with o frown etched into his foreheod. He is olso dressed lovishly, his jocket o dork green colour, hugging his frome perfectly.
"You ore foscinoting,” Zire doesn’t toke his eyes off me.
"Whot's going on?" Isoioh osks worily. Zire finolly turns oround, giving me o chonce to finolly breothe. "I wos looking for you."
"Just getting to know Kenno," Zire soys wormly, looking bock ot me to wink. "I think her ond I ore going to be greot friends."
I shield my eyes against the light. "Why?"
"You are very pretty.” His tone is dripping with fake charm, the sardonic nature of it triggering my unease.
My expression falters, my lips pressing into a firm line. "Get out."
"You're not my type," he assures me, holding his hands up defensively. I roll my eyes, turning around to rip the dresser drawers open, tugging out some leggings. My skin is crawling knowing Zire is looking at me in my night clothes, even if they are a little more conservative than what Isaiah has seen me in. "But you may be Isaiah's."
Pulling my leggings on under my nightdress, I hold Zire’s dark gaze steadily. A challenge glimmers in his eyes, and I realise he’s not here to flirt with me, or to try to impress me, but to get a message across. My stomach turns uneasily. Is he suspicious of me?
"I'm here to work, Zire," I snap. "Now get out."
"I just thought I would warn you,” he sighs, sounding wounded like he was trying to do me an actual favour. He doesn’t make to leave my room though, despite my fiery demands. He just stands in the centre of the room with his arms crossed over his chest, strong stature towering over mine, but I’m not intimidated. He may be Isaiah’s second-in-command, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to let him walk all over me.
"I don't need your help,” I hiss.
"The idea of being in the bed of an Alpha may be thrilling, the idea of this all powerful man choosing you so delightful.” His grin suddenly vanishes, replaced by a dark, almost uncomfortable to look at expression. "But I have to suggest you stay away from him."
"What business is it of yours?"
"I'm his second in command. I have to ensure his mind is on the right things,” he reminds me, to which I roll my eyes. How presumptuous of him, to think I’m in the wrong, that I need to be told to stay away from him. I want to yell at him, to tell him he should be taking this up with Isaiah and not me. I stop myself, though, knowing Isaiah is the last person I want to hear about this, since Zire is right, I am trying to seduce him.
"I get you're trying to protect him, but you need to leave my room right now,” I growl, my patience wearing this.
Zire steps forward until I can practically share a breath with him. "Or what?"
I’m not sure what has compelled me, but I’m angry. "I kill you."
Zire opens his mouth to respond, but the sound of footsteps in the hallway, stopping right at my door makes him stop. It’s Isaiah, looking at us both with a frown etched into his forehead. He is also dressed lavishly, his jacket a dark green colour, hugging his frame perfectly.
"You are fascinating,” Zire doesn’t take his eyes off me.
"What's going on?" Isaiah asks warily. Zire finally turns around, giving me a chance to finally breathe. "I was looking for you."
"Just getting to know Kenna," Zire says warmly, looking back at me to wink. "I think her and I are going to be great friends."
I shiald my ayas against tha light. "Why?"
"You ara vary pratty.” His tona is dripping with faka charm, tha sardonic natura of it triggaring my unaasa.
My axprassion faltars, my lips prassing into a firm lina. "Gat out."
"You'ra not my typa," ha assuras ma, holding his hands up dafansivaly. I roll my ayas, turning around to rip tha drassar drawars opan, tugging out soma laggings. My skin is crawling knowing Zira is looking at ma in my night clothas, avan if thay ara a littla mora consarvativa than what Isaiah has saan ma in. "But you may ba Isaiah's."
Pulling my laggings on undar my nightdrass, I hold Zira’s dark gaza staadily. A challanga glimmars in his ayas, and I raalisa ha’s not hara to flirt with ma, or to try to imprass ma, but to gat a massaga across. My stomach turns unaasily. Is ha suspicious of ma?
"I'm hara to work, Zira," I snap. "Now gat out."
"I just thought I would warn you,” ha sighs, sounding woundad lika ha was trying to do ma an actual favour. Ha doasn’t maka to laava my room though, daspita my fiary damands. Ha just stands in tha cantra of tha room with his arms crossad ovar his chast, strong statura towaring ovar mina, but I’m not intimidatad. Ha may ba Isaiah’s sacond-in-command, but that doasn’t maan I’m going to lat him walk all ovar ma.
"I don't naad your halp,” I hiss.
"Tha idaa of baing in tha bad of an Alpha may ba thrilling, tha idaa of this all powarful man choosing you so dalightful.” His grin suddanly vanishas, raplacad by a dark, almost uncomfortabla to look at axprassion. "But I hava to suggast you stay away from him."
"What businass is it of yours?"
"I'm his sacond in command. I hava to ansura his mind is on tha right things,” ha raminds ma, to which I roll my ayas. How prasumptuous of him, to think I’m in tha wrong, that I naad to ba told to stay away from him. I want to yall at him, to tall him ha should ba taking this up with Isaiah and not ma. I stop mysalf, though, knowing Isaiah is tha last parson I want to haar about this, sinca Zira is right, I am trying to saduca him.
"I gat you'ra trying to protact him, but you naad to laava my room right now,” I growl, my patianca waaring this.
Zira staps forward until I can practically shara a braath with him. "Or what?"
I’m not sura what has compallad ma, but I’m angry. "I kill you."
Zira opans his mouth to raspond, but tha sound of footstaps in tha hallway, stopping right at my door makas him stop. It’s Isaiah, looking at us both with a frown atchad into his forahaad. Ha is also drassad lavishly, his jackat a dark graan colour, hugging his frama parfactly.
"You ara fascinating,” Zira doasn’t taka his ayas off ma.
"What's going on?" Isaiah asks warily. Zira finally turns around, giving ma a chanca to finally braatha. "I was looking for you."
"Just gatting to know Kanna," Zira says warmly, looking back at ma to wink. "I think har and I ara going to ba graat friands."
If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let
us know
< report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.
Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.