9

ELEANOR

After what almost seemed like an eternity-long drive, we finally arrived at a huge modern building

located at the center of a populated city. Elijah, whose name I learnt from their conversation with

Alex while I was watching the passing trees out the window, opened the trunk of the car to pull out

the only baggage the omegas from my pack had arranged for me before I left. I immediately rushed

to him and gracefully reached for my own stuff. I felt bad thinking about Elijah carrying such a huge

luggage for someone like me. Someone who would potentially ruin their pack. That I couldn't take.

My hands accidentally grazed Elijah’s skin when I heard Alex speak from behind me, making me

jump in surprise. I turned around and looked at him, frowning at me like I just committed a terrible

sin. And for some reason, I felt guilty, which is utterly ridiculous to even think if.

“Elijah will take care of those” He glared daggers at his beta with his sharp eyes. Shaking my head, I

refused,

“No, it's mine so it's my responsibility” I said firmly. What can I do? I was stubborn and having had

an Alpha for a dad made me immune to an alpha’s domineering aura around me.

He raises an eyebrow seemingly amused. Then he smiled and swiftly moved forward closer to me as

if in slow motion.

"You're mine, and that makes YOU my responsibility too” His breath tickled my ears but I tried my

hardest not to move. His hand was slowly moving to the thing on my hand and he grabbed it with

one swift move. I gulped after he had retreated back to his spot. Heat rushed to my face but I

pretended not to be swayed by it. As though my hot, red cheeks weren't burning my face at the

moment.

"You're mine’ Those first words played on repeat inside my head as he held my hand, pulling me

towards the door to the large building before us. I was dumbfounded and completely forgot about

my luggage he was dragging behind him effortlessly.

"Alex, you're back?”

A girl about my age popped up out of nowhere bouncing her boobs as she ran towards Alex. When

she saw me, her face darkened as if she had just seen a cockroach flying to her face.

She stopped, looking at me dead in the eye. Her eyes instantly filled with contempt and anger as

she looked me up and down, with a matching furrowed brow.

Her gaze dropped to Alex's hand tangled with mine. I quickly pulled my hand away from his, that

made Alex groan in disappointment. That didn't seem to help with anything as the girl clicked her

tongue and practically eye-murdering me with her death glare.

"Veronyka. Meet Eleanor, my mate.” As soon as Alex finished his sentence her face turned red in

anger and her eyes held a fire in them that seemingly wanted to burn me whole. The small

strawberry cake she was just holding slipped from her hands, falling to the floor.

"No she's not." She says a little too loud as if she was trying hard not to scream.

I cringe at the awkward moment, hoping the floor could just open up and swallow me whole.

The beta named Elijah suddenly stepped forward blocking me from her view. Honestly I was relieved

he did. I couldn't take her scrutinizing glare as well as the murderous aura about her the moment

she looked at me holding hands with the alpha anyway.

"Calm down, Nyka." He says with a gentle voice, reaching out to grip Veronyka's arm when she

suddenly slapped his hand harshly to the side with a look of disgust etching her beautiful face.

"Don't tell me what to do. And who are you to call me by that name? Get out of my way!" She

shoved herself past Elijah who stopped her before she could even get close to where we stood.

"I'm warning you" I heard Elijah let out a low growl as he gripped both her arms and leaned in to

her face. From this angle, they looked like they were going to kiss any moment and I stifle a gasp,

my body feeling the heat of the situation getting to me that painted my cheeks bright red.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Alex rolled his eyes and sigh when he suddenly caught me

staring. His lips forming an arch that melted me in ways I didn't imagine.

"Let's just get the hell out of here” He winked at me before finding my hands again.

"I said get the fuck out of my way or I'll make you wish you're dead" Veronyka pushed Elijah's chest

over and over again yet not once did I see or notice the man budge. How strong could he possibly

be? I wondered.

"Oh yeah? You can't even kill shit." That suddenly made Veronyka purse her lips tightly. After that

there was a moment of awkward silence that circumvallated the entire place.

All I was thinking of at the moment was...

Wow. Isn't that a little harsh?

Alexander nudges my arm gently, bringing my eyes back to the handsome features of his face. His

piercing blue eyes, his tall perfectly sculpted nose, his huge deep dimples, and his sharp jaw

registered themselves in my mind as though forcibly so that I will never forget how he looks.

I gulped and almost stumbled on my feet when he pulled me into motion, rushing to a long flight of

stairs that went all the way to the second floor. I can still hear the other two arguing in a distance.

Veronyka's voice was getting louder and louder each second that passed

Closing the door behind him, I circle my eyes aroung the room. Its style looked modern and

aesthetic with the white painted walls and mahogany brown planks on the floor that certainly

helped improve the ambiance. There was a large king-sized bed at the center, a vanity table at one

corner, a big white fur rug on the floor and also a long, white couch positioned beside a tall

bookshelf. I darted my eyes to the large volume of books filling that shelf which instantly made my

heart flutter at the comfort of reading they were practically screaming to offer in my head. My eyed

flickering in excitement.

I remember how I loved to read my books at home, but then they were stolen when I wasn't looking

so they could burn it just to make me drop on my knees and cry. Barbara and Paula reveled in my

suffering that they always seemed to take interest in my hobbies and everything else I loved to do

so they could figure out how to get to me. And I have to admit, it worked. I had cried multiple times

and suffered a trillion.

Sadness starts to envelope me whole as the smile on my lips instantly became a frown. That made

me realize I was never meant to be happy from the start. Now isn't an exception either.

"You seem troubled" His voice forced me to straighten up and get myself together realizing I must

have spaced out. Again.

I looked at him shyly and pushed away those thoughts inside my head.

"I'm not, really" I lied, wondering why this alpha is acting so nice to me. Or will he turn out to be just

like everyone else? At first he acts all kind and gentle just to get close to me and tear me apart in

the end?

'l think not’ Ares spoke suddenly, almost making me jump where I stood. At that moment I was

reminded yet again for my wolf's ability to hear my thoughts as she does live within me.

'And why is that?" I ask her.

'I don't know, I can feel that his kindness is genuine. There's something about him I couldn't quite

figure out. But it surely pulls me to him like an invisible magnet.’

I furrow my brows pondering over what Ares said. Honestly, I feel the same too. I was just too much

in denial to accept it.

"You're turning 18 next month, right?" Alexander placed the luggage right beside the bed before

glancing back at me, who was unprepared for his sudden question.

I nodded slowly, staring into those piercing blue eyes and biting my lip as my eyes apparently

betrayed me and went all the way down his muscular built body. God, he's hot.

I mentally slap myself at that thought.

"And you're my mate now. Correct?" He says, making my body freeze in spot.

Am I?

Only one answer formulated in my mind, and that is.... no. I don't want to be his mate. Well, even if I

did, I would just bring misfortunes to his pack. He would think I am a total freak and probably kill

me just to cure the misfortunes. Thinking about that possibility made me gulp.

"That would be incorrect. You see, I don't plan to be anyone's mate for now" I said truthfully.

He looks at me in surprise and a bit of...disappointment? The blue in his eyes darkened as he turned

around completely to face me.

"Why?" The one simple question that came out of his mouth was one I extremely dreaded the most.

I'm cursed. The words were already rising to the tip of my tongue but I bit them back. Instead, I

averted my eyes from him to look down at the floor.

'l...I j-just want to enjoy my life without a mate for the time being.” That was the only excuse that

came to my head, and it was pathetic.

"Are you afraid I'll turn into a horrible mate, or do you think I'm not worthy enough?” He asks

directly, making me jolt my head back to look straight at him with my mouth slightly opened.

My reaction sent him laughing softly at me. I found myself staring at his face mesmerized, taking in

his handsome features that looked too good to be true, even for a werewolf. When I realized what I

was doing I forced my eyed off from his face. I shouldn't be staring at him like this. It will just give

me more pain when I leave. Without him knowing, of course.

"The truth is, I had a mate once.” What he said made me whip my head back towards him, shocked.

He already had a mate?

He steps closer to me, a sad expression covering his face and that was already hurting my heart for

some reason I don't really know of.