Chapter 4 I Am Not a Devil
"Alpha Ellis requested your company for a stroll in the garden just five minutes ago. Are you planning to go against his wishes? I overheard someone mentioning that her husband is Alpha's brother, making her a member of this pack. It seems that certain members don't feel the need to abide by Alpha's commands," Damian remarked with a hint of amusement in his voice.
Alicia hesitated, feeling conflicted. "It's only a suggestion from Alpha, Mr. Howard," she muttered, unsure of how to proceed.
"Can I assume that leaving a guest alone on the patio is the Golden Moon Pack member's way of treating guests?" Damian still maintained his friendly grin.
Alicia sighed, sensing that Damian would not let her leave without a chat. "I apologize, Mr. Howard. Please allow me to show you the garden," she relented.
"Thank you, Allie," Damian said with a grin, earning a disapproving look from Alicia.
"Don't call me that, please. These are the Summer Damasks on the left," Alicia pointed out, introducing Damian to the different rose varieties.
"They're stunning. Did you design this garden?" Damian inquired, impressed by the arrangement.
"I had nothing to do with it. It was not my studio's project. And I'm just a junior designer," Alicia replied honestly but secretly wished that in the future she would be responsible for such a large design project on her own.
"By the way, will I have the pleasure of meeting your husband today?" Damian asked, catching Alicia off guard.
Her husband? Alicia raised an eyebrow in confusion. Stop kidding her! She hadn't seen her husband Tobias once, before or after their marriage, and Damian was asking if she could see Tobias Wilton today. Seriously?
"What do you want with him? He's quite busy," she replied cautiously.
"I owe him an apology. That's all," Damian explained, maintaining his composure.
He spoke with a smile on his face, as if he was talking business with her, showing no expression of nervousness or shame.
Did this Alpha even know what morality was? Alicia's anger simmered as she questioned Damian's morality. If she'd had enough courage and strength, she would have pressed Damian's handsome face against the thorns of the rose's rootstock.
She resisted the urge to lash out, her frustration mounting. "I'll call security if you attempt to humiliate me," she threatened, but Damian seemed unfazed.
The scent of lavender wafted toward Alicia as Damian moved closer to her, causing her to hold her breath. She could not ignore the alluring aroma emanating from Damian, even as he whispered unsettling words into her ear.
"Listen, I'm not trying to threaten you. I just want us to have a better relationship. You know it's up to me to make your secret public, not you, dear Allie." Damian said, his tone softening as he looked at Alicia with concern.
Alicia couldn't help but wince and turn pale at the mention of her secret.
Yes, she would never volunteer her secret. But Damian could. None of the members would care if she was framed by Vivian when what had happened last night was revealed.
To the members of the Wilton family who cared most about the reputation of the pack, she, Alicia Scarlett, was the disloyal betrayer of the Golden Moon Pack.
"Well, don't be afraid. I'm not a devil. I don't plan on exposing your secret." Damian smiled and took a step back as he continued, "It would be absolutely no good for me if this became public, after all, I want the Moon Halo Pack and the Golden Moon Pack to get along well. I won't say a single word about last night as long as you keep me happy."
"What exactly do you want, Mr. Howard?" asked Alicia.
"Take it easy. This is your pack's territory. " Damian replied, spreading his hands in a friendly gesture. "I just want to talk and get to know you better. Maybe we can even be friends." Damian said, spreading his hands and giving a friendly smile.
"What do you want to talk about? Courtyard design or something else?" Alicia asked.
"Courtyard design? I never thought about that, but it's not a bad idea. Maybe I should ask you to design the courtyard for my villa in Los Angeles. What do you think?"Damian rubbed his chin as if seriously considering the feasibility of the idea.
"I appreciate the offer, but I'm just a junior designer. I can't be responsible for a project as big as yours on my own. And please, call me Mrs. Wilton," Alicia reminded Damian. She needed to establish boundaries between them, especially since she was married.
There was no chance of them being together anymore, although Damian's offer made her heart beat faster as she would love to be in charge of a landscaping project on her own.
"Of course, Mrs. Wilton," Damian replied with a smirk. "But let me switch to a more interesting topic. I heard some rumors about Tobias Wilton. For instance, he had an accident and is now in a vegetative state. Is that why you remained a virgin after your marriage?" Damian's voice trailed off as he whispered the word "virgin", making Alicia cringe.
"Nonsense!" Alicia snapped back at the damned Alpha, her words coming out unconsciously. "My husband is the picture of health and vigor! He's way better than you!"
"Better than me?" Damian raised an eyebrow, a wicked smile spreading across his face. "Then why did he not touch you after you married him?"
Alicia felt her cheeks flush with anger. "I was on my period at the time!" she retorted, but it was a weak excuse, and Damian knew it. His eyes twinkled with amusement as he fought to hold back a laugh.
"Alpha Ellis said that his brother got married a year ago," Damian said, his voice laced with skepticism. "So your period lasted a whole year? Are you sure you're okay?"
Alicia's cheeks burned even hotter. "Yes! My body is different, not like other she-wolves," she replied, trying to keep her voice low.
"Hahaha! You are indeed special." Damian's laughter echoed through the garden, and Alicia couldn't help but feel like a fool.
"Why didn't your husband show up for the pack meeting today?" Damian continued, undeterred. "Or is he a freak who can't shift, like the rumors say?"
Alicia's voice was defensive. "That's none of your business! My husband is the most handsome and strongest male wolf in the world!"
Even though Alicia had no idea what Tobias looked like, he was her family, and she was determined to defend his reputation in front of the Alpha of the other pack.
Damian's smile faltered for a moment before he regained his composure. "It sounds like you love your husband very much," he mused. "But I'm curious as to why you ended up in my room after taking the erotic drug. And who told you it was my room?"
"I didn't know it was your room!" Alicia protested, her foot stamping with frustration. Her memories of the events leading up to her entering the suite were hazy, possibly a side effect of the drug. "I was just trying to find an empty room to get some rest."
Damian's grin turned wicked. "Rest, huh? Are you sure that's all you were looking for?"
"Mr. Howard!" Alicia protested, feeling her face flush with embarrassment.
"Excuse me, Mr. Howard and Madam Alicia," the butler interrupted, "Alpha Ellis sent me to inform you both that lunch is about to begin."
At the luncheon table, Alicia noticed Vivan strangely ignored her and kept silent, even after Alpha Ellis arranged her to sit next to Vivian. But she quickly realized it could be worse when she noticed that Mr. Howard was sitting directly across from her.
Alicia had hoped that Mr. Howard wouldn't be so brazen as to mention their encounter from the previous night during the lunch, but the mate pull made her heart race as she caught his eye.
On her plate was the chef's delicious braised beef, her favorite dish from the packhouse. But the aroma of the gravy was almost overshadowed by the lavender scent emanating from Mr. Howard's body.
"Oh, Moon God, please let my phone ring soon!" Alicia silently pleaded. "Any call, text, or email will do. You already played a cruel joke on me last night. Please don't let me make any more mistakes." Alicia prayed in her heart.
They say the Moon God is always listening, even during the day.
And it seemed the rumors were true, as Alicia's phone suddenly chirped with an incoming email.
She glanced at the screen and saw it was a promotional message. Jumping at the chance to escape, she quickly excused herself. "Excuse me, Alpha Ellis, I have an urgent matter from the office."
"It was nice to meet you today, Mrs. Wilton, and I sincerely hope to see you again in the future." Mr. Howard gave her a meaningful smile.
"Enjoy your meal, Mr. Howard!" Alicia stiffened and forced a smile. Hopefully, they would never see each other again.