Chapter 21 Innocence
TARA:
"Do you think the Alpha would let me take some of the flowers in the lobby to my room? Also, do you know where I can get fresh lilies?" I asked Mason. We were already on our way to the culinary school.
For some reason, his shoulders stiffened but he released them immediately.
"Those flowers are very personal to him. And no, on no account should you take lilies close to him. They shouldn't even cross the gate. Do you understand?"
"But they're my favourite. And they'll be locked in my room. He won't see it." I argued.
"I didn't know lilies were your favourite." He looked at me briefly before facing the road.
"They're mine too."
"I had no idea we liked the same flowers. They're the best. I love how they smell and I always want to be around them. That's why I want them in my room." I explained, hoping he'd change his mind and buy some for me.
"It's his Alpha's house, Tara. His roof, his rules."
I puckered my lips, a bit annoyed but there was nothing I could do about it.
"Did you tell the Alpha about attending school or..."
"He suggested it. Something to keep me busy during the day. He wants me to learn how to cook for him." I shrugged. The food he usually bought outside was enough. Why would he want someone like me to make his meals?
We stopped in front of the school. It wasn't that big but it was better than I imagined. It was a two storey building with not many doors but had lots of windows.
While I looked around, Mason talked to someone who came out to greet us.
"We're already full, beta Mason. You know how choked up we are. But since the Alpha insisted, I think we can create space for her. Just because of the Alpha."
I wasn't trying to eavesdrop. I just heard. Mason then turned his head and waved at me to join them.
"I just hope you can keep up, dear. The beginner's class is ending in three weeks. We started almost five weeks ago. Are you sure you want to do this?" The middle aged woman asked.
"Yes, I can. I just need to put in more effort than the others."
I think I gave a satisfactory answer because she smiled and slowly.
"You can start tomorrow. Make sure to come with a pen, a jotting note, and a receptive brain. You'll need them all. I'll run a brief introduction for just one week. Be prepared." It sounded like she was threatening me. I just nodded, thanked her, and followed Mason back to the car.
"Are you using any charm on the Alpha? To put it simply, are you a witch?" Mason popped all of a sudden.
I gasped, placing a hand on my chest to add more drama.
"Me???" My voice was unusually pitched as I asked.
"Yes, you. I suspect you," He squinted his eyes. "The amount of money the Alpha is spending on you is very suspicious. He hasn't even spent like this on himself before. Tell me, do you have him tied somewhere?"
"I can't believe you would accuse me of such treachery. I would never."
I almost hit his arm but comported myself. I didn't know if he would find it offensive.
In no time, we arrived at the Alpha's house and he drove in.
"I assume you've never dated before." We hadn't stepped out yet.
"What's that?" I raised a brow. "Is it some kind of job or something?"
The next thing I knew, he was laughing hard, a chuckle rumbling in his chest.
"What's funny?"
Had I said something wrong?
Still laughing, he stepped out and shut the door. I did the same thing. We ended up in the lobby and I sat down because my legs were aching.
"So, you've never kissed anyone or even had sex?" He sat beside me. He looked me in the eyes, as though he was searching for something.
"No, I haven't. Is that a bad thing?" I broke our eye contact.
"Not at all. It's good. It's just...rare."
"Rare? I mean, isn't everyone like that?" I rubbed my knees. The conversation was beginning to lead somewhere I didn't want to go.
Instead of answering, he cupped my chin in his palm, pushing my face forward while he leaned in.
What was he about to do?
I could feel my heart palpitating against my rib cage, my breath becoming staggered. All my emotions flooded in at once, throwing my mind into chaos.
Just when our lips were inches apart, I shifted my head. I couldn't do it. Not with him. He was a kind person, full of love, and always smiling.
But with him, it felt wrong.
He dropped his hand from my face, a low chuckle erupting from his mouth.
"You're so innocent, Tara. I wonder how I'll spoil you."
I didn't look at his face but I could tell the look in his eyes. It screamed, 'I've got my eyes only on you'.
"Did you really think I'll stand up and let you have your way with my property?"
I gasped lowly when I saw the Alpha leaning against the door. How was he always appearing at places without anyone knowing?
"Alpha Lucian, it's not in a bad way." Mason stood." She lacks knowledge in certain areas and I just felt the need to spoil her with my knowledge."
"I wonder what will happen if..."
"It hasn't gotten to that. I'll take my leave now. See you later, Tara." With that, he scurried away. Why did he run away like that?
"That boy..." The Alpha sighed. "Tara, follow me." He commanded. Like a controlled robot, I did as I was told. I followed him to his...room??!!
"Alpha, are you sure it's alright for me to enter here?"
"Why not?" He shrugged. It was as though I was stepping into another world. Everything in his room was black. No colour except for the lights that slipped in through the half-open curtains.
"Shut the door."
I did as he said. He walked over to the desk and sat behind it. He offered me a seat and I took it.
"What we're about to do is very important and I want your full compliance. If you refuse, you can as well kiss this place and everything goodbye."
Why was everybody so good at threatening people? Especially him. One misstep and I'm out of this good life.
"I'm ready, Alpha." I swallowed hard.
"It's an initiation. It makes it known to everyone that you are a member of my pack and anybody who touches you, touches me."
That would have sounded romantic if it had come from somebody else. But this was Alpha Lucian. Every word dripped with venom that etched into your soul.
He stood, grabbing the knife from the table. Did the initiation involve cutting people?
"Don't be scared, it's not for you." He said, as though he had smelt my fear. If it wasn't for me, what was it for?
He walked to where I sat and cut a part of his wrist.
I flinched. Didn't that hurt? Why was he hurting himself? Many questions ran through my mind at the same time.
"Lick the blood off."