439- The Alpha's Possession
POV Thalyndra Moonclaw:
"Your clothes were changed by my mother and sister. And you were placed in one of the guest rooms in the house for better comfort." He narrowed his eyes at me. "Our parents had a long friendship bond, Thalyndra. You will never be mistreated, and you will always have safety while you're here, just as it was your father's last wish to mine."
"I don't want to stay here, Anton."
He shifted, placing his hand on the back of the chair and turning his body sideways, never taking his eyes off mine.
"And where do you want to stay? Is there anywhere you wish to go? Any relatives? Friends?" he asked with sincerity and interest.
I licked my dry lips and lowered my gaze to the untouched plate before me.
No one. I had no one I could count on. All that remained was an uncle I didn't even know and barely heard about. I had no friends or even a place. And that seemed so... sad. I was truly pitiful.
"I have no one," I whispered, my voice barely a breath. If he weren't a lupine with sharp hearing, I doubt he could have understood what I said. "Not anymore."
"So, what do you want?"
I raised my eyes to him, transforming my pain into determination.
"I want the head of every Merchant involved in my parents' death, and I won't stop until I get it."
He nodded.
"As I said, I was assigned to go there to save them, but I didn't arrive in time, failing my task. Therefore, their heads are of interest to me as well." He shifted position in his chair, sitting forward and leaning over the table, approaching me. "My desire is the same as yours, Little Beast. I didn't bring you here to imprison you, but rather to protect you. We still don't know if the bastards have any interest in you now that your father is dead, but we can't take that risk. It was the last promise my father made to William, and he will fulfill it, no matter the cost—just as I will. Eventually, the Eldoria will be my responsibility. I cannot fail them, nor you, because you're part of all of this. It's my mission, my duty, and I won't risk it." He licked his lips. "Just calm down and be patient. You'll get the head of every Merchant, because I'm interested in them too. In the meantime, you'll be safe with us."
In silence, I speared the scrambled eggs with my fork and brought them to my lips, chewing slowly. Yes, I was stalling. I didn't know what to say about what I had heard.
My father trusted Edric and the Eldoria above all else—so much so that he turned to them for help. But I had never placed myself in the situation I now found myself in. It wasn't a future possibility I had ever imagined.
That's why I had no answer.
My parents' death hit me again—the reality of it.
I squeezed my eyes shut and took a deep breath, holding the fork with firm fingers. The eggs seemed to weigh tons in my stomach, even though they were delicious.
I heard Anton's chair scrape. When I reopened my eyes, he was already circling the table. He stopped beside me and crouched down, aligning our faces.
"It's not an option. I'm sorry about that, but I can't give you a choice when you'll certainly choose wrong and put yourself in unnecessary danger."
I let out a scornful laugh.
"So it's a kidnapping, after all."
A smile that didn't reach his eyes curved his lips.
"Think of it as a good captivity. You can walk wherever you want, within certain limits. You have food, baths, and a comfortable bed available. You'll also have friends—my sister, Aurelka, is dying to meet you. We have parties for your entertainment, and soon enough, heads." He winked.
"How wonderful," I sneered. "At least I'll be able to entertain myself with many male lupines to pass the time," I retorted, mocking the situation.
Anton's eyes lit up. One gold and the other emerald green. I gasped, astonished by their beauty. I had never seen anything so splendid.
Sometimes it happened to me, when I lost control and got very angry. I had also seen it happen with my parents. But nothing compared to those eyes, those colors.
He blinked, as if trying to regain control of his own body.
"I suggest you don't talk about other males around me, or you'll get bitten by the big bad wolf," he whispered, tilting his head to the side, his eyes returning to their usual silver-blue.
I blinked slowly, maintaining eye contact.
"Are you, by any chance, insane?" I asked sincerely.
He let out an exhale and pulled away, standing up.
"I'm starting to think I am." He pressed a hand to his chest. "I think it's the fault of the stab wound I took to the heart."
I rolled my eyes.
"It wasn't in the heart; it was to the side."
He frowned.
"Oh wow, thanks for reminding me. I was already forgetting where I got stabbed!"
"You're welcome." I blinked.
He circled the table again, returning to his previous spot. He moved his hand, gesturing as he sat down in the chair.
"Anyway, I think because I need to protect you and all that, my wolf feels somewhat possessive when it comes to you."
I shoved more eggs with a piece of bacon into my mouth. I pulled the cup and took a sip of the bitter coffee afterward.
"That's your problem! Find a way to control yourself, because I have nothing to do with it."
The last thing I needed was to have to deal with his possessiveness on top of everything else. He was already insufferable and arrogant—adding another characteristic to the equation would only make him intolerable.
My father talked about it—how wolves were territorial, especially males with their females. But I wasn't his woman, and I never would be. He could control himself.
"Have you always been like this, or did you acquire it over time?"
I knew I would regret asking, but I did it anyway.
"Like what?"
"Accommodating."
I gave him a closed-lip smile.
"Only with those who deserve it."
"Good to know."