Chapter 43

After my run, I stayed hidden in the bedroom for as long as I could. I never felt hungry either. After months of being fed scraps of bread once a week, it turned into just water I was surviving on. They left me alone for a few days which was much appreciated. If I am being honest, I was just catching up on sleep which is on a soft bed. A knock on the door took me out of my deep sleep. It was night when I looked at the clock near the bed. I opened the door and there was Daniel.

“Sorry to wake you but the Alpha is requesting you to his office.”

I slipped on the sandals and followed him down the packhouse. Is it weird that I enjoyed how tiny this packhouse was? It didn’t take so long to get where you needed. He led me to a door and opened it allowing me to walk in. But then he closed the door behind leaving me alone with him. He looked up from his office and he stood up to stare at me. He pointed towards the seat in front of the desk to which I walked over to sit.

“So, who are you?” He asked.

“Kyla Jackson.” He had his eyebrow raised which made me believe that he didn’t believe me. “How did you end up in that place?”

I guess for this part I didn’t have to lie about it.

“I went there willingly. I was the only thing keeping the people I care about safe, I hope,” I said. “I know you have a lot of questions but for my protection and yours, it’s better that you don’t ask me anything more about where I came from. Because quite frankly I don’t ever want to go back so please tell me when I overstayed my welcome so I can figure out my next move.” The cold look on his face just didn’t leave. I went to stand up to leave but I felt him behind me. His hot breath on the back of my neck. My breathing because hitched.

“You never told me y-your name.” I managed to get out.

“You can call me Anthony,” he whispered. I turned around to finally look at him and there wasn’t much of a distance between us.

The tension that was between us made it hard to breathe. His eyes darted to my neck. I had short hair so with his hand pushing it away his eyes looked at me almost mad.

“You’re marked,” he said.

I pushed the other side of my hair back so he could see the other mark.

“That’s a forced mark from a royal.” I nodded.

“You’re not going to tell me anymore, are you?”

I smiled while shaking my head no.

“The mark wasn’t reciprocated as it was done out of selfishness. I am not tortured or wounded by where I came from. Just as hard to make my own choices.”

I took a step back so now we weren’t so close.

“I know what you’re thinking and Anthony, this isn’t a good idea. You’re happy and you have a life. I don’t know what the Goddess thought by giving me a second mate knowing I already have one. But we should just forget about it.”

He took a step forward and his hand rested in my hair at the back of my head.

“You don’t know what I am thinking. But you smell like what I expected.”

The sound of my heartbeat flooded the room as it ponded at a fast beat. I needed to resist him, but he made things so hard. It was a heavy force with so much craving that when he placed his lips on mine it was better than any kiss I ever had. He had tightened his grip on my hair bringing us closer and I was captivated by it. Like he was holding a rose not caring about the blood pouring out from the spikes of the stems. He moved towards the desk I was leaning on. His hand moved to my hip and on instinct, I flinched. Making this all awkward.

“I apologize, I overstepped.” He said backing up.

My heart rate simmered down when he moved.

“It is not you Anthony. I don’t like what I see in the mirror when I become nude. These baggy clothes are hiding the damage that was left on me. I am not ready to become your side piece and to give myself emotionally to someone else. You have a girlfriend, and you owe her that loyalty. So please just forget about this.”

He looked at me while I headed for the door.

“You’re beautiful regardless. But I respect your choice.”

Didn’t bother to even look at him before I took off again. I regretted it but I can’t get in the middle of someone knowing I have so many unresolved issues. But some things are easier said than done. He never once told me I overstayed my welcome, but he did keep his distance. But it didn’t stop the staring that continued.

“Kyla.”

I snapped out of my thoughts while in a staring match with Anthony. I looked over to his girlfriend standing there.

“Hi Marcy, how are you?” I asked while I put my clothes back on.

“I was hoping that we could talk if you have a minute.” I nodded.

I looked over and he was staring with guilt on his face. She took me back to the kid’s playground so we could sit.

“Anthony and I have known each other all our lives, and up until a few years ago, we never lost hope of finding our mates. We found each other in all this mess. I love him so much, but I can tell with the way he looks at you that you’re his. A part of me hates it, but it isn’t your fault.”