Chapter 14: Chapter 14

She felt perturbed, alarmed—it felt as though she just walked into a death trap and she wasn’t going to escape. She hugged herself as they walked further into the pack. Looking down at her shoes, Alice felt as if every single being was staring at her. She could hear her heart beating hard against her chest. Maybe he could also hear it—maybe it was why he just looked at her now and smirked, because it seems like he loves seeing her disturbed and anxious.

Looking up for the first time, she noticed how they smile at him and wave hello to him. Some even joked around with him while some just waved from afar. How were they so cool with the wicked man, she thought. It was as though she wasn’t even there, and she liked how invisible she was to them. She wouldn’t want them to notice her, left alone know who she was. She wouldn’t want their hopes to get high because of her appearance in their pack.

Dominic always walks alone, except he wanted his omegas to be around or his beta. He didn’t have any lady in his life, seeing Alice would make them think she’s their new Luna.

They had slightly tall red brick buildings with brown roofing. They had so many things her pack didn’t have. Dominic pack was bigger—if she’d admit, it was maybe better than hers. They had better farms and markets. They even have a bakery ‘Linda’s hot bakery’. She still wasn’t going to trade her home for this miserable looking place. She hated everything about this place.

It wasn’t miserable like she thought it would be. She just didn’t want to admit that the place was actually amazing and she could see herself living here.

They stood in front of a mansion which seemed bigger than any house in the pack. When the door got opened and he entered, she knew it was his house. The moment she stepped foot, she spotted a large portrait of him, shirtless. She grimaced, taking her eyes off the frame. How dumb it was to just do that, she thought. Maybe it was because she despised him but she wouldn’t mind having that kind of portrait of Aaron, shirtless. Stripped naked, if she’d admit. Her stomach churn as her breath hitched. She disregards the thoughts as they approached a tall, fit middle aged man. Opposite his picture was a painting of a woman holding a little girl. The girl might be around three or four and the woman looked slightly older than Alice. She took her eyes off the painting, not wanting to know who they are.

He smiled at her as he took in her appearance. She wasn’t comfortable with the way he looked at her but she brushed it off. Everything about the pack was outrageous after all.

“Zack, this is Alice. Alice, this is my Beta, Zack,” Dominic said as he looked between the two of them. She smiled awkwardly as she took in Zack’s hand when he offered it to her. “Pleased to meet you, Alice of Scuris Pack. We have heard a lot about you and we’ve been expecting you,” he spoke cheerfully. He seemed a little too excited to see her.

It even looked like he was going to jump up in the air and squeal like the girl she saw on the wall. “Thank you,” she mouthed without knowing what to say further. She wanted to know what Dominic feeds them whenever he comes back home. She hopes he doesn’t miss out the parts she insults him and once slapped him.

“Come with me, you need to rest a bit and get ready for dinner. My mother and sister would be joining us for dinner, they want to see you.” She glared at his back as she followed him through the hallway.

“You didn’t tell me I was having dinner with your family,” she said annoyingly. She hates how he claims to love her but never respects her. If she had known she was going to meet his mother, she would’ve found a way to get out of it. She wasn’t even ready—heck, she never bothered to bring a dress for the night.

“My mother insisted and I couldn’t say no to her,” he said, sounding too casual for what he had just told her. She folded her arms and pursed her lips.

“This is your room,” he told her and opened the door to a huge bedroom. She peeped in and looked at him. “I’m not ready to meet your mother,” she affirmed but he shrugged and walked away. She glared at his retreating back—if only she had a knife—she would’ve probably jabbed him in his thin empty head.

She walked in, looking around. She pursed her lips and shook her head, unimpressed by the room interior. Everything was too much, from the colors to the bed. It was a red and golden themed room. It had a king-sized bed with canopy—it made her wonder it having a bed with canopy and curtains was still a thing.

There were two or three frames of the same little girl and woman she saw on each wall of the room but the portrait was different. Below the frames were large vases of lilies to accompany it. A whole living room by the end of the room. She stood on the fur carpet and looked down on it. It was soft and furry—was it made of real animal fur? It looked like a bear fur or a lion… she couldn’t tell. She shrugged it off and dropped her bag on the bed. She had seen Dominic done worse—she wasn’t going to consider this as something horrific in his case.

She laid back down and looked up to the canopy of the bed. How could he possibly have this bed in his house? How could he even decorate a room like this? If this was a guest room, then how does his own room look like?

She heaved a sigh and roll to her side. The silence of the room made her feel the urge to scream out in agony. She was tired of everything that has been happening. Tired of Dominic breathing on her neck and pestering her, tired of her parents trying to change her decision, tired of the fact that she doesn’t know whether Aaron thought of her like she thinks about him every single moment. She wondered if he even wants her anymore. Or he misses her like she missed him so much. Not knowing what he was doing or how he felt about her made her feel as though she was going to lose her mind. It made her feel like the world was against her.

She curled up in a ball and buried her face in her knees. She didn’t want to cry but the tears spilled out anyways. She hated the pain she felt when missing him. She wished she was kissing him instead of missing him.

She spent the next hour laying there and having so many thoughts wandering over her mind. She wasn’t only worried about Aaron; she was worried that she was actually in the house of the man she hated the most. The man she wishes death upon so she’d be at peace if he’s no more.

The edgy feeling, she was going through made her more insecure about the place. What if he tried to do something to her after dinner? What if he had already announced that she was his mate and she wouldn’t get the chance to go back home?

“Why aren’t you dressed?” She heard the booming voice out of nowhere. She briskly sat up, gasping for air as she looked at him. She breathes out of relief—not that she was delighted to see him. She didn’t even know when he came in.

“My mother is already waiting at the dining hall. Why the aren’t you dressed, Alice? Are you crying?” He asked her worriedly. She scoffed, annoyed that he was even worried about her. Maybe he was worried that his mother would find out he brought her here against her will.

She got off the bed, folding her arms over her chest. “I didn’t come here to entertain you or anybody with my appearance. You asked me to join you for dinner, not a ball party.” Her chest was already heaving up and down with anger before she finished talking.

He took in her appearance and breathes out. She was wearing a knee length red dress with sweetheart neck line and long sleeves. He shoulder-shrugged and chuckled. “You look presentable. Just wash up your face in the bathroom and follow me. You don’t want them to see you like this,” he said and made his way to the door. He turned around and saw her still standing at the position with her arms crossed. She furrowed her brows; her face was turning rosy.

“Why are you so stubborn?”

“Why are you so bossy?”

He stared at her for a moment, thinking how did he possibly let this girl to have the room to disrespect him. It made him angrier knowing he couldn’t do anything to her. He loved her too much to even punish her. He knows this wasn’t her real self. She was blindly in love with someone that might be against her kind and has the plan to terminate her and her entire family.

“Fine, I’m sorry. We shouldn’t keep them waiting, its disrespectful,” he said, almost swallowing his tongue when he apologized.

She scoffed, shaking her head. She knew he only said that so she wouldn’t embarrass him in front of his family. She wasn’t going to—she wasn’t that brutal and insane as he was.

She hurriedly entered the bathroom, not wanting to think of how ridiculous the interior was in here. She looked at her face in the mirror and almost screamed, seeing mascara smeared all over her face. He was right, she wouldn’t want to meet them looking like a miserable widow. She washed up her face and cleaned her eyes with wipes before going after him.

She entered the dining hall and met two ladies sitting as they discussed about something Alice couldn’t make up. She stood behind Dominic, his height and massive built body covering her from their view.

“Mom, this is Alice,” he said moving out of the way for them to take a look at her. She smiled and ducked her head. She had no idea she’d be this shy when meeting his mother.

“Alice, this is my mother Katrine and my sister Lily,” he said to her. She finally looked up, still smiling. Katrine got to her feet and approached her, smiling. “I have heard so much lovely things about you, Alice. He told me you had the most beautiful eyes and hair—I knew my son wasn’t lying. It’s finally nice to meet you.” Katrine embraced her in a hug.

“Oh,” Alice mumbled, hugging her back as she took a quick glimpse at Dominic that had his eyes anywhere but her direction. Was there anyone that hasn’t heard about her?

“It’s lovely to meet you too Mrs.…” she paused, gazing at Dominic. She hated him so much that she doesn’t even know his last name.

“Oh, silly, please call me Katrine,” she insists, urging her to seat. Alice settled down beside his sister. She looked at Alice, making her to shift uncomfortably. “Your hair is silver. It’s so soft and silky too,” she stated, touching her hair. “I like it,” she spoke again. Alice didn’t know how to react or what to say. She couldn’t figure out if it was a compliment or she meant something else.

“Lily, knock it off,” Katrine scolded, furrowing her brows. Lily shrugs and sinks in her seat. The door opens interrupting their not-so-conversation.

Zack walks in hurriedly, as if he had something to say. “Apologize for my tardiness, what did I miss?” He said, settling down beside Dominic whom was sitting opposite Alice.

“You missed nothing, we were just getting to know Alice. I know you’ve met her earlier. Isn’t she lovely?” Katrine said, looking at Alice approvingly. If the floor could open and swallow her up, she would’ve been the happiest sad girl tonight. She hated how nice they were, how different they were from Dominic. She wasn’t sure of his sister yet; she was weird and doesn’t say much but they were different from the monster sitting across the table from her.

She could feel his eyes boring into her soul. She wanted to not care but it was impossible to do that by the way he had his eyes on her the whole time. As if he knew she would run out without reluctance if she got the chance to.

Dinner was served and everyone ducked in to their meal. Alice took a glimpse at them. Everyone must be enjoying their meal but her, she barely touched anything and it wasn’t because she wasn’t a fan of mashed potatoes and barbecue. She couldn’t wait for the night to end. She couldn’t wait to be in bed and pounce on everything that has happened. She couldn’t wait to think of him—it was the only thing she has left of him… those memories… oh good memories. She’d do anything to have those memories with Aaron again.

“So, Alice, when are you and my son planning to make things official?” Katrine asked, cutting her of her reverie. Alice was taken aback with the question his mother asked. She saw the panic in his eyes but he masked it with a nonchalant expression.

“Official? He’s not…”

“Okay… mom, now’s really not the time to bring that up. Alice and I are still getting to know each other.” He got to his feet and approached her. “You need to take your drugs now and go to bed, it’s getting late now. You guys should stay here for the night and I’ll take you home in the morning.” He helped her up and led her to her room despite knowing she wasn’t done with her meal.

Lily shrugged and also got off. “Heading out,” she said walking away and leaving Alice with Zack. They sat there in awkward silence, not knowing exactly what to say to each other.

Zack knew about Dominic intentions. He knew how much he loves Alice and why he loves her. If he had the power, he would’ve separated them, knowing Alice didn’t want to be with his boss. He hates seeing Dominic miserable, he hates seeing how upset he gets over Alice. How he has a room filled with her panties.

“I apologize about that,” Dominic said, walking back in. He settled back into his seat. Alice looked at him, irritation surging in her. The urge to stab him in the eye with the fork she was holding was fighting the battle with the little amount of sanity she had left.

“Excuse me,” she said and got to her feet. They watched as she stormed out of the dining area. Dominic scoffed and looked away.

“Do you really think this girl is worth it? It appears that she’s not quite on board.”  Zack said to him hesitantly. He was terrified of how Dominic would react, knowing he had warned him about this before.

Dominic calmly took a bite of his barbecue and chewed on it. He gulped it down with a glass of water. “Have I ever vowed to do something and change my mind?” He finally spoke.

Zack sighed, averting his gaze. That was enough to tell him Dominic has made up his mind and he wasn’t going to change it. There wasn’t anyone that could change his decision.

For the past half an hour, Alice paced back and forth in the room Dominic had taken her to. She wanted to rest but it seems like her mind had chosen otherwise. She didn’t know why but she could sense the menace, the threat of being in Scuris pack right now.

She had thought of running through the window, the front door, the back door… her mind was in muddle state. She collapsed on the bed, having a sigh of frustration. Not knowing what to do at the moment was frustrating. She could the tiredness kicking in and her body was telling her to rest or it will shut down itself any moment. She didn’t fight it, she pulled the heavy duvet over her body and closed her eyes. She was starting to doze off when she heard a creaking sound of the door. Opening her eyes, the door skreiches open and a huge, muscling body came to view. He stood there, looking at her. And without any doubt, she knew it was Dominic.

He flips on the lights, revealing his stupid smile that infuriates her whenever she sees it. She got off the bed as he approached her. “What are you doing in here? How did you unlock the door?” She remembered putting on double locks on the door after she had entered.

“This is my house—you can’t lock me out,” he spoke imperturbably as he coolly walked toward her.

“Don’t you fucking take another step towards me, Dominic. I’m warning you,” she spoke through gritting teeth.

“We seriously need to talk. I have something to tell you. And whatever my mother said back there, she was just excited…” he took cautious step toward her despite warning him not to.

He stood before her and placed both his hands on her shoulders. “Just listen to what I have to say,” he said calmly. His eyes didn’t hold anything but the truth—at least that’s what she saw. She closed her eyes and breathes out the anger that was boiling in her.

“Are you going to rape me? Is this why you brought me?” She spat out, trying to grab her bag that was behind her.

He looks at her—he could hear her heart hammering against her chest. “I am not that cruel, Alice. I am not what you think I am. Sure, I blackmailed you earlier but it was the only way I could get you to come here.”

She opened to can of spray and sprayed it into his eyes, making him to groan in pain and throw her to the bed.

She rapidly got to her feet and bolted out. She made it out of the house and ran toward the gates. The safeguards stared at her in awe as she ran out into the woods. They didn’t care to stop her or ask where she was going after they knew it was late and dangerous outside. Plus, she wasn’t part of their pack.

She kept running as fast as she could into the woods until she was sure of how far she was from Umbris pack. Her knees came in contact with the hard ground as she tried to catch her breath. Her heart was running as though trying to complete a marathon.

Just before she could gather herself together, she hears a creaking sound of the branches on the ground with a tall and muscly figure approaching her.

Terror washed over her, raising the fine hairs on the back of her neck. She got to her feet, trying to run to safety but her feet wouldn’t allow her to do so. Sweat poured down her forehead as she stayed still as possible. It was cold as winter, how was she even sweating?

“Hey, it’s okay… it’s me,” he said just as he came to view.

She breathes out the air she has been holding since she spotted him.

“Aaron?”