Chapter 28 Am I in love?
TARA:
I blinked about seven times to make sure I was seeing right.
I couldn't believe my eyes. Mason and a girl... Being intimate in front of people.
I pinched myself, just to make sure I wasn't dreaming.
And the kiss wasn't a regular one. Their tongues were rolling. I had to look away because I felt ashamed of their
"I've missed you so much." She kissed his cheek.
My mouth dropped.
Since when did he get a girlfriend?
"How was your trip?" He asked as they disengaged from the hug.
"It was hectic and strange but I'm back now." She shrugged. I couldn't take my eyes off her. She was beautiful and her voice sounded as sweet as honey. Not to mention her body shape. She was a goddess on earth. Mason was so lucky to have found someone like her.
I pretended as though I didn't know who Mason was and casually turned my back to leave them alone. I hated being the third wheel.
"Tara, come here." He called out. I almost melted into a puddle. Why couldn't he act as though I wasn't there and focus on his girlfriend?
I nervously turned back to meet the two of them staring intently at me.
"Hi," I waved awkwardly. She smiled and reciprocated my greeting. That made me feel a bit at ease.
"This is Janet, my girlfriend. She's one of the best female warriors around. You'll love her." He introduced.
She playfully hit his chest, chuckling.
"Don't say that." She tore her gaze toward me.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Tara. I've heard so much about you from Mason."
"Funny. He never mentioned you. How could you not tell me you had a gorgeous girlfriend? I feel betrayed, Gamma Mason." I related my anger to displeasure. "Anyway, it's my pleasure to have met you, Miss Janet. I'll leave now."
"Where are you leaving for? I'm in charge of your training, remember?"
He let go of Janet completely.
"I've got to go, baby."
"Sure. See you later." She kissed him and left, running across the field.
"Couldn't you have left me to stay with her? Now I'm feeling bad." I whined, stomping my feet against the grass.
"She doesn't mind. Now, let's get to work." He put his hands in his pockets and pulled out his phone. I don't know what he was doing but he ended up showing me a timer.
"Every exercise we're doing today will be for three minutes each."
I was already depressed. But I couldn't complain. It was for my betterment.
I followed his instructions all through. It was difficult since I had never done anything like squats before but he was patient with me. He didn't shout at me when I stopped midway nor did he display any feeling of dissatisfaction.
"It's fine. You'll get used to it with time." He was the best person for me. Too bad he was already taken.
But he mentioned that she was his girlfriend, not his mate. Usually introduced the ladies as mates or wives. So, why girlfriend?
"What the hell are you doing to her?" I heard the Alpha's voice which made me stop.
"Training her, of course," Mason replied. He looked as confused as I was.
The Alpha shook his head and ordered Mason to go train others. I was left with Alpha Lucian alone.
"You must know that I'm not as lenient as Mason. Now, run,"
"Run? Run where?" My breathing was already staggering and he was still asking me to run.
"Around the field. Ten times."
"Okay. That should be easy." I told myself. I did as he told me but I hadn't even rounded the field once and I was already breathing like I was about to die.
My heart throbbed like it wanted to burst open and my knees felt weak. I was breaking.
I managed to round it five times but I felt I couldn't, I fell to the ground. At that moment, I began to regret ever agreeing to do this.
"I don't think I want this revenge of a thing. It's too hard and mentally frustrating. Can't I live my life like that?" Many thoughts flew in and out of my mind. Maybe I should just forgive them for what they did to me.
"Get up, Tara. Don't make me repeat myself." The Alpha yelled from where he stood. I glared at him. I wanted to ruin his perfect face till no woman could stand looking at him. Why was he being unnecessarily evil?
I did as he instructed me. I managed to round the field and came to a stop.
He threw a rope at me and said I should skip one hundred times.
"Alpha, please," I tried to beg but he shook his head.
"Great people make the greatest sacrifice. Get to work, ma."
By the time we were done with everything, I was almost fainting. I wished the Alpha hadn't come around. I wished Mason were still my instructor.
"Lift these small weights fifty times by the time I get back." He instructed.
He left me for a while and attended to the others who had rounded up their training. It seemed he was giving them locations for pack patrol. I watched as everybody dispersed while I was busy lifting things that were probably five times heavier than me.
All parts of my body hurt. I was exhausted from the strenuous exercise but I couldn't stop. Not when the Alpha was still there.
Each minute felt like an hour. I wanted to get this over with.
"Go in and change so we can go home. By the way, we're walking. Part of the training."
I hadn't completed the lifting but I obeyed. But as soon as I stepped into the changing room, I broke down in tears. I had been holding them back for too long.
I thought I was finally living a good life. But I realized there were no free lunches anywhere. I had to work for all the privileges I was getting.
I changed into my normal clothes. I was supposed to meet the Alpha but I stood there, sobbing uncontrollably. I felt heavily burdened and there was nowhere to cast my problems.
"No matter how much you cry, you'll still do as I say for the next six months. Your tears won't change anything."
I quickly wiped my tears when I heard the Alpha's cold tone.
"Look at me," He commanded but I couldn't bring myself to do that. I hated being caught crying. It made me feel somewhat weak and inefficient.
"Tara, look at me,"
I thought it was the cold coming from the window that made me feel chills all over my skin. But I was wrong. It was the power and aura in his voice and the way he called my name with so much tenderness.
I wished my name would never leave his tongue.
I turned, slowly, and eventually met his eyes. His eyes didn't speak the same language as his earlier statement.
"I might seem like a devil now to you but trust me, you'll thank me six months from now." He stood a few inches away from me. "Do you need a hug?"
I raised my lashes to look him in the eyes. Was it the same Alpha Lucian speaking to me? Or was it an imposter?
Was it all right to hug him? Wouldn't that raise suspicions?
Before I could reply, he pulled me into a warm embrace. I was too stunned to move.
One moment, he was nice. The next moment, he's like a devil sent from hell to torment me.
But it wasn't so much. Within seconds, I melted in his arms. I didn't know when I raised my arms to hug him back. I felt safe, like nothing could ever harm me.
He stroked my hair gently as I buried my face in his chest. I didn't want to leave him. That night Diana was in his room, many thoughts ran through my mind. I couldn't stand seeing her there. I didn't even want to think about what had happened behind closed doors.
That only meant one thing.
'I think I'm in love with the Alpha.'