Chapter 05 Second Chance

~Anna~

I wanted to scream but my throat felt parched.

What does he want?

What does he plan to do?

Why is he looking at me like that?

Did I offend him somehow?

Questions as such raced through my mind, but I had no answers for any. He took small steps and huffed deep breathes like he was trying to keep himself in control, his gorgeous brown orbs glued on me.

Wait, gorgeous? What are you saying, Anna!

He stopped halfway, closed his eyes and the deadly aura emanating from him disappeared in an instant. I watched his lips part as he breathed out, as his tongue peeked to trace the inside curve of his lower lip. For reasons unknown, it set off butterflies in my stomach.

His breathing calmed and when he spoke, his voice was a rich baritone. “I’m sorry for scaring you. I didn’t mean to. Do you mind if I come closer?”

My mouth fell agape at his words, unable to respond. The mighty Alpha apologized and asked for permission.

My permission?

It was as if the scary Alpha was an illusion and this was the real one – polite with an incredibly sexy voice.

Ah! Stop it, brain! You’re supposed to be the voice of reason here.

He opened his eyes, the intensity in them gone and he smiled a little. He looked like he was carved to perfection by the Moon Goddess herself and She blessed him with that smile – like it was an ultimate weapon to disarm a woman’s defenses.

He must’ve seen through me because he smirked, my reaction seemingly normal for him and I could tell he liked it.

“May I?” he asked again.

I expected him to charge and direct those intense emotions at me, but he didn’t which was suspicious; he wasn’t acting like what the rumors said. He was supposed to be a cold-hearted murderer who took pleasure in the destruction of a pack. Every Alpha steered clear off his way in fear of incurring his wrath. He killed his own parents, his own mate, and here I was getting flustered at the handsome devil in front of me.

He was dangerous. He should be. Yet here he was, smiling at me, and acting all civil.

The little voice in my head told me to let him and I mindlessly obeyed, nodding my head. His shoulders relaxed. Mine didn’t.

He sat at the foot of the bed, keeping his distance, looking away from me. Before I could catch myself, I let out a relieved sigh. My hand immediately shot to cover my mouth and he chuckled in response. It suited him too.

What am I thinking!

“T-Thank you, Alpha,” I whispered.

His head turned to face me and with an eyebrow raised he inquired, “Alpha?”

“Thank you, Alpha Liam, Sir!” I hurriedly replied, realizing my mistake.

He sighed and slowly got up. His eyes settled upon me and he moved closer and closer. My heart raced and the butterflies returned. I directed my gaze on my hands, knuckles white from clutching onto the sheets. Then his hand appeared in my line of sight, molding onto mine.

A strange shock jolted my hand away from his. I instinctively raised my head; he was staring at me. His eyes darkened; he growled, and my breath hitched in my throat.

He’s going to kill me!

I scampered on the bed, attempting to put distance between us. I understood now – he was restraining himself from lashing out because I disrespected him. He probably expected some sort of gesture to show respect the moment he walked in.

He’s the freakin’ Alpha!

And like an idiot, I stayed on the bed and gawked at him.

A huge arm wrapped around my stomach and pulled me back. I stiffened when my back collided with something hard. Cold airbrushed my hair from above as his chest rose and fell and I could feel the hard muscles beneath his shirt contracting. His woodland fragrance filled my lungs, making my head spin as strange sensations erupted within me. My ears picked up on his thumping heart and every beat of mine synced with his own, an endearing calming rhythm. We were creating a song, a piece unique to us, and it was beautiful. I found myself being lulled into it. I could listen to this forever. I leaned into his stony chest, my head turning to the side, lost in the beating sound.

Then another arm slithered its way down my left shoulder and moved to my right, entrapping me to him and my senses jolted back to reality.

He’s going to choke me!

I frantically pulled at his arm to get it away from my neck, but he tightened his hold and pressed me to him. Something hard poked my lower back, but I ignored it. He was too strong! I could only whimper and wait for the suffocation while my body continued to react oddly in his hold.

“P-Please don’t,” I whispered, hoping to receive a sliver of mercy.

He didn’t reply, instead, my right shoulder dipped at the weight of his head. He inhaled sharply like he was taking in my scent and I shuddered at the thought. Warm breaths fanned the side of my neck, giving me goosebumps and tingling on my stomach.

Then something soft and wet came in contact with my skin and slowly traced a path from my clavicle up to my jaw. The tingles intensified and I involuntarily let out a throaty moan. He must’ve liked what he heard, for next, he licked and sucked on the delicate skin, and I moaned louder, for him.

He whispered something; I couldn’t quite catch it except for the last two words. “…found you,” he had said.

Ah… you did, Alpha.

My head was in a daze as my body succumbed to the pleasure and I found myself wanting…to feel more.

“Alpha,” I let out, my voice low and alien to my ears.

His reply was a sensual whisper. “I know, my dear.”

“Ah…,” I breathed when his lips brushed against my marking spot.

My marking spot.

My marking spot.

My marking spot!

My head cleared in an instant, the tingles disappeared, and I pushed on his arms.

“L-Let me go!” I screamed but he didn’t budge so I kicked and twisted in his hold until he complied. I crawled to the other side of the bed, but my hand slipped on the edge. I was supposed to fall – to land on the floor but I fell into his arms instead.

“Careful, my dear,” he said, a worried look on his face. “Are you hurt?”

“N-No, but…hmmph…”

He leaned closer to my face with a playful smile on his face saying, “Now, where were we?”

“N-No! Stay away from me!” I pushed his head away from me as I screamed for help.

The door suddenly swung ajar, somebody heard. A woman barged in; it was Lexy. She looked ready to say something but froze when she saw us.

He was on his knees, holding me like a princess while my hands were still pushing his head. Tears invariably streaked my cheeks and my voice cracked when I spoke.

“Help…”

It was then that she recovered.

“Let go of her, now!” she demanded, her cheeks turning red in anger.

Alpha Liam sighed, stood then put me down on the bed.

She pointed outside and said, “Out!”

“Don’t use that tone on me, Lexy,” he replied in a tone that didn’t hide the fact that he was pissed.

“Now, Liam!” she said, matching his tone.

He growled at her, warning her to back off. I saw his hands ball into fists as his jaw clenched. Lexy did the same.

Oh, no. What was I thinking! Calling for help, no one could stand up to this man.

“This isn’t what you think, Lexy,” he said through gritted teeth, but she scoffed in return.

I didn’t know why she wasn’t afraid of him. If it were anyone else, they would’ve hightailed it out of here. Or maybe she wanted to, but she was trying to protect me. Perhaps she knew he wouldn’t harm her?

Why would she defy him for me when we didn’t even know each other? If I let them go at it, it would create an opening for me to escape. But given his reputation, it would end in blood. I didn’t want her to get killed.

He took a step forward but before he could take another, I pulled on his shirt to stop him. I immediately regretted it.

He directed his attention to me, and I looked down because I didn’t want to look into his eyes again. Not when I could feel the intensity of his gaze on me.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. My voice was shaky as I pleaded, “Please… don’t… don’t kill her.”

He didn’t reply. He stood there watching me, without a saying word. Lexy was silent as well.

“Please.”

“Is that what you think of me?” he asked, a hint of pain in his voice. Apart from I wanted to comfort him and take my words back.

Weird.

He gently removed my hand from his shirt and gave it a light squeeze. His hand was bigger than mine and was so warm, it was oddly comforting.

“Look at me,” he said, and I raised my head.

His gaze met mine and without breaking it, lowered himself to place a soft kiss on the back of my hand.

“See? I’m not scary,” he said, smirking.

I couldn’t respond. The tingles were getting stronger and my fluttering heart wouldn’t calm down. A simple kiss, a sexy smirk. His actions elicited involuntary reactions from my body.

Weird but it seemed right. Like this was all normal, but I didn’t understand why. His fingers tangled into mine, a perfect fit. Then he leaned closer and cupped my cheek. His touch was so warm, soft, and comforting.

He was getting too close for comfort, but I didn’t mind. I didn’t back away nor did I look away from his deep brown eyes, tinged with golden orange.

Then I felt it. His lips on mine. My chest heaved and fireworks exploded in the background. At least, in the image that popped into my mind.

His tongue asked for entrance and my lips parted. I didn’t fight him. I gave him full access and he explored inside, sucking and teasing, gliding the soft muscle over mine.

So sweet, he tasted so… deliciously sweet.

My back hit the mattress as he laid me down, without breaking the kiss. He was getting aggressive, and I liked it. I put a hand on the back of his head to push him into me, deepening the kiss.

We both gasped when we parted. Then he pecked my lips, once, twice, and more until I lost count. He hovered above me and his eyes offered affection.

Then he leaned to my side and whispered, “That was awesome… mate.”

“What?” My voice came out flat. There was no way I was mated to him. This had got to be a prank, or my mind messing with me. But I heard right, so it was definitely the former.

What kind of game is he playing? Calling me his mate. I have no mate! I was rejected!

I slipped my fingers off him and when he came up, the sound of a sharp slap echoed in the room. His head tilted to one side from the force I applied, and the mark of my palm reddened his cheek.

“Get off me,” I commanded coldly, and his jaw clenched. Anger pulsed in my veins. Suddenly, I wasn’t afraid of him.

“Now!” I screamed as I raised my hand to land another, but he caught it by the wrist and wrapped his hand around it until it hurt.

“Liam!” shouted Lexy, and his grip loosened.

I’ve forgotten she was here.

He turned his gaze on me, but I wouldn’t look at him. “Now why would you do that?” he said calmly, and I audibly gulped. His silent anger was scarier than when it was obvious.

I felt his weight leave the bed and I heard Lexy say, “Hey, let me go!” before the door closed.

Within minutes the room fell silent. Tears threatened to fall. I dabbed on my eyes with the sheets and hurried to dress.

What is wrong with me?

How could I let that happen?

Was he going to mark me?

My hand wrapped around a special spot. I remembered the way my body reacted and the ungodly sounds that I let out. It felt… right.

The door opened slowly, breaking my thoughts. A man walked in saying, “Did you really think you can hide from me?” anger evident in his voice.

Alpha Flynn.