Chapter 30: Stranger Danger

My breath got caught in my throat as my eyes made out the silhouette of a man lazily sitting behind a sheer curtain.  The scent of roses coming from the incense grew stronger.

Alfonso Vergara.

His robe was half-open, and through the sheer fabric separating us, I could barely make out scars covering his body.  His golden mask, hiding his entire face, seemed to glisten under the dim light.

He was the one who almost killed me in the mountains!

“Your Highness,” I softly greeted, curtsying before him.  “As promised, I'm here for one dinner with you.  In exchange, you promised two months of ceasefire between you Reds and us, Lycans.  I hope you're a man of your word.”

He chuckled.  “You don't waste any time, do you?”

“I came here for that sole purpose, didn't I?” I smiled.  “Besides, I haven't forgotten about how you almost impaled me earlier with your spear.  It would be natural to be cautious, don't you think?”

Alfonso chuckled.  “I first thought that your head decorating my tent would be beautiful, but I decided that it'll be better if you're alive.”

I internally rolled my eyes.  “Wow, thank you for the opportunity to let me live, Your Highness.”

He looked behind me, as if looking for someone.  “You didn't bring that Vassal of yours.  I still can't believe he butchered my little giant just like that.  Did you know that I went to great lengths just to buy him from smugglers?”

“Kieran only did the right thing to save our men,” I hissed.  “And I'm here to do the same thing.  So, why don't we start dining and talking about the ceasefire, Your Highness?  I don't want to take all of your time.”

He hummed.  “You sound as if I forced you to be here.  You had options, my dear.  But you chose this.”  He leaned back against his chair.  “Besides, I have all the time for you tonight, Hestia Locke.”

“I'm not blaming anyone. I simply wish to retire early so I can help treat the wounded back at our camp.”

“How noble.”  A shiver went down my spine, as his eyes burned through me.  I could feel his eyes freely roamed around my body, from my head, down to my feet.

I subconsciously straightened my dress as Alfonso continued to remain silent.

“You wore my gifts,” Alfonso commented.  “Green really suits you, Hestia.”

“Thank you.” I cleared my throat.  “However, I believe these gifts are too expensive to be given so freely, Your Highness.  I'll return some—”

I have no use for them,” he cut through.  “Keep them.  I specifically bought them with you in mind.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

He rested his chin on his knuckle, before leaning.  “A few more will come in a few days. Be sure to receive them.”

Before I could argue, Alfonso clapped his hand.  Two servant Reds came into the tent, carrying a chair and trays of food.  One was placed in front of me, and the other was taken to him.

He… reminds me of a certain someone.

The venison steak steamed as the servant lifted off the tray lid, the aroma filling the air.  One of the servants poured some wine into our glasses before leaving.

“Dig in.  It's painful to see such a beautiful woman like you to look so… frail.  I'm afraid I might hurt you if I even poked you a bit with my fingers.”

A dry laugh escaped my lips.  “I'm not fragile, Your Highness.”

Despite the steak's mouth-watering appearance, I could barely taste it in my mouth as Alfonso continued to smolder at me with his gaze, as if I was his meal.

He stalked me through the thin curtain as if a predator watching its prey, calculating his losses and wins.

And this growing unease…

“As promised, I already signed the agreement for a ceasefire.  Mischa will hand it to Alpha Augustus before you leave,” he broke the silence, as he sliced through the steak in front of him.  “I'm a man of my word, but I do hope that Alpha of yours was one, too.”

I held back my tongue from saying anything against Augustus.  I simply nodded and continued to eat at a controlled speed.

I want to leave immediately.  To get far away from Alfonso.  He exuded that familiar feeling that if I stay even a second longer near him, I might end up thinking of the Stranger over and over and slip up.

I don't want to put him in danger.  It was the least I could do after he saved my life twice.

“Hestia?”

“Pardon?” I swallowed my food.  “I'm sorry, my mind's in a different place.”

“Oh?” His voice was laced with curiosity.  “Mind sharing it with me?”

I shook my head and forced a smile.  “No, I'm just…reminded of someone dear.  It's nothing, Your Highness.”

Despite his face being covered by the intricate gold mask, I could feel him frown over my words.  “Are you always like this, even with your mates?”

I paused. How did he know about… “No, I—”

Alfonso waved his hand.  Loud gasps escaped my lips as I slowly levitated off my seat.  My body felt light as I floated towards him, crossing the sheer curtain separating us.

I shouldn't even feel remotely in heat right now; he was a stranger.  An enemy to my own kin.  He could snap my neck if he wanted to, and bury his fangs on my skin until I bleed to death right in front of his eyes.

But Fluke…

Her howls grew louder and louder as Alfonso Vergara rose from his seat, his half-open robe almost falling off his body.  He slowly walked towards me, his golden eyes melting against me like liquid gold.

I tried to resist his touch, but my arms and legs felt as if there were invisible shackles binding me.  But the mere graze of his fingertips sent my body into feverish hell, as if…

Mother, how could I feel such want for a Red? He's not even my mate!

His fingers stopped at my cheek, as if it was mortal sin.  I swallowed hard as our eyes met, hitting me with familiarity and uncharted waters all at once.

Augustus's and Castiel's words echoed in my mind once again as Alfonso gently played his fingers on the rim of his mask.  They had warned me.

And once again, I dismissed them, thinking that the Crown Prince of an enemy kingdom won't attempt to do me any harm while we're talking about peace.

He is danger. I know I should really be resisting his unholy Red magic…

But underneath that mask, I wondered if his lips played a cruel smile, as he marveled on my body suspended mid-air.  As if I was Goddess incarnate right before his eyes.

My mind screamed of how I hated how he made me feel powerless.  But my heart couldn't stop from deafening me as he stared at me like a devout to his faith.

“One thing you should know, my trouble,” he whispered as his fingers traced the plunging neckline of my dress, “Is that I'm a very jealous man…”