Chapter 20 Flirting
TARA:
I checked on the maids and fortunately, they were there. They had already started cleaning the house. I had woken up late. I stayed up all night, reading and...you know what.
It was addictive. I just couldn't stop. I kept yearning for more. Someone, even.
"Oh no, miss. Not today. I am not getting fired because of you." The head maid cornered me when I attempted to pick up a broom.
"I've already gotten permission from the Alpha. He said I could join you." I replied sweetly but she didn't believe me. She probably thought I was lying just to get my way.
"I have to hear it from his mouth before I let you do anything." She insisted.
"Let her." We both looked up at the same time to see the Alpha staring down at us from the landing that oversaw the living room. He was leaning against the wooden rails, his hair slightly tousled and somewhat...inviting. I wonder what it would feel like to run my fingers through it.
It would be a privilege to touch the Alpha. His hair, his face, his neck, his chest—
'Shut up, silly mind. Anybody but the Alpha.'
"It's not like she's going to listen to you anyway." He remarked. "Tara, see me in the living room by ten." He said and walked away before I could reply.
I turned to the head maid with a huge smile plastered on my face.
"Knock yourself out." She rolled her eyes and walked away to supervise the others, her right hand on her hip. As always.
She wasn't as old as the former head maid. She looked like someone in her late twenties. I wondered if she was mated and if she had any kids. I would love to meet them one day.
I happily cleaned every corner of the living room and proceeded to the staircase. Finally, something I knew how to do best. I kept checking the time so I wouldn't be late for the meeting with Alpha Lucian.
Lucian... This name alone dripped with danger. Whoever will be his mate had better be prepared to deal with him. He was a hard man to reckon with, an immovable force.
The way he swung the sword flashes through my mind.
Kill or be killed... That sounded like a motto. His motto.
That was probably how he and the others had lived.
Back at Red Moon, I usually heard rumors about them being the most attacked pack in history. What I didn't know was why.
Soon after we finished, we got our meals and headed our separate ways.
As I entered my room, I beamed with joy and excitement. Rose had sneaked in some decorative items such as faux garlands, a faux carpet, and a music box. I had always wanted to get one of those.
"This is my room," It still came to me like a movie, one I wished would never end. I finally had a wonderful space of my own and I wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world.
I sat down and ate my food in relish.
I didn't even bother to ask if wages were paid because everything I had gotten from the alpha was more than 10 years worth of wages. I would gladly and wholeheartedly work for free for the rest of my life.
I had my bath, changed my dress, and went to meet with the Alpha. As I sat in the living room, I kept wondering why he would send for me. Didn't we have every discussion last night? Was it an update concerning the murder?
Thump...thump...
I heard steady, heavy footsteps. I turned my head to see the alpha descending the stairs.
He had his usual cold look plastered on his face.
Does he ever smile? I heard people who don't smile always end up with wrinkles but Alpha Lucian? Nah... He was prefect, a god in human form.
His hair was styled back, a few strands falling to his face. His nose, straight and pointed, his lips, small and thin. He looked like one of those princes I read about every night. Flawless in every way.
"Don't stare too much, Tara." I didn't even know when he sat down opposite me. How long have I been staring?
"I know I look irresistible."
I cleared my throat and looked away, my fingers playing with my skirt.
"I'd advise you to ditch these gowns and skirts you wear. You know, for easy access."
"Easy access? To what?"
My heart skipped. He wasn't talking about—
"Training. You can't train in them. You need easy access to move about." He interrupted my train of thought.
Shame on me for thinking about something lewd.
"Yes, Alpha." I took in a sharp breath.
He hissed, relaxed back in his seat, and crossed his legs, his arms stretching along the couch.
"Since your hands are itching so badly to touch something, why don't you do something for me?"
"Mmmh?" My mind immediately went somewhere else.
"You heard me. Instead of working with the maids, I want you to do something else. Something beneficial to me, of course. Like attending a cooking school."
Oh Lord, help my dirty mind. It seems I need to stop reading those books.
"Is it the same thing as culinary school?"
He smirked.
"You're not as dumb as I made you to be."
His words stung but I was used to it. I swallowed it as usual.
"Yes, it's a culinary school. They're filled up but I'm sure they can find somewhere to fix you. Do you have any cooking skills?"
I shook my head.
"No, Alpha. I was never allowed close to the kitchen."
"That's fine. There's a beginner's class. I'm sure you're smart enough to learn. Mason will be here in less than ten minutes to take you to the school." He stood up. "And yes, he'll get you a mobile phone too. I can't keep going to your room to pass on little information."
I stood too when I saw that he was about to leave.
"Alpha?"
"What is it?"
"Thank you...for everything. I owe you my life." I impulsively said the last part. Well, he did save me from certain death.
"Of course, you do. And as I said, everything I do is for my personal gain. Whatever you have now, you will definitely pay it back tenfold." He walked out.
"So harsh." I clicked my tongue and fell on the couch. "He could have at least spoken nicely," I muttered. When I felt he had gone far, I wandered into the lobby.
The air in the lobby was so serene and mind-soothing. Maybe it was because of the flowers there.
Back at home, when I felt the world was weighing down on me, I usually found myself in the garden. Sometimes, Ellie joined me. We would play all sorts of games and be at peace.
There were different kinds of flowers except one. Lilies.
I was admiring the flowers and how they bloomed under the daylight when the door opened and I saw Mason stepping in. He looked dashing in his ripped jeans and checked shirt.
This pack was just filled with handsome, dreamy men.
"Ready?"
"Yes." I nodded.
But my body, soul, and mind only ached for one.
The one I wasn't supposed to lust after.
Alpha Lucian.