Chapter 11

"So since we have decided to become friends, I suppose I'm allowed to ask a question?" He paused for an answer, and when he saw none was forthcoming he continued.
"The Beta, earlier he mentioned something about how you didn't grow up in the pack, I'm curious." She arranged the few papers that were askew on the table and placed her hands on her legs one placed above the other.
"Have you not heard?"
"The servants hate me because they think me power thirsty and discontent. And even though I have not been out so frequently the few respected people I have met have deemed me worthless and fit to be used as a cleaning rag, that is apart from the Beta of course but a man such as he is not one for gossip. So my last resort is you."
"I wonder why people love talking unnecessarily so much. All you needed to say was no."
"I apologize for being such an explanative and good person, so out with the story."
"There is no story. 
My father got angry my mother gave birth to a female child so he burnt her alive for an alleged crime and was going to kill me too, but the midwife who birthed me took me away and raised me in a town where werewolves and humans co-exist, and when he murdered she died too because as per tradition she was his personal slave and therefore their lives were linked in a way that if she died, he'd be fine but if she died, they die and she'll supposedly keep him company in the afterlife."
She closed her eyes as she narrating remembering the pain of being an outcast neither human nor fully werewolf.  She hoped it was true that Brenda was going to be with him in the afterlife. She hoped she made him feel like he was in hell. Though considering all the things he has done Brenda would have her work done for her for he'd most definitely end up in hell. And then she desperately hoped her mother would pay him a visit.
And she smiled.
"That's sad, what you had to go through. But, it's not an excuse for you to be sad, there must have been good parts so dwell on that instead and be happy."
"It is too late to turn the clock on somethings. But I'll remember what you've said."
"Your father got murdered that's a happy thing, right?"
"No. I wanted to kill him myself, whoever did that deprived me of the pleasure and I will find that person, no matter how long it takes me."
"Knowing you, you mean that." He sighed.
"Why would I say something if I don't mean it." She genuinely asked.
He smiled marvelling at how pure and yet so dark she was and how that contrast seemed to draw him to her.
He cleared his throat. "Now,a letter from General , My dearest frie-"


"You're still doing that? Reading in voices. I thought you were trying to provoke me yesterday."
"I simply enjoy reading that way. Do you want me to stop?"
Yes.
It was what she wished and what nearly came out of her mouth until she looked at him and saw that it was something he actually derives satisfaction from. 
So even though it irritated her to no end she had to say the words.
"Its fine."
And the smile he gave, so genuine, so pure, so worth it, she thought until he continued reading in the voices.
It's been two days since they had the agreement, two days of ceaseless effort to put a smile on her face from his side and two days of ceaseless effort to make sure the smile stays far away, from her side. Well atleast when she was around him, for she found herself remembering him and not feeling murderous about, before the point where she'll realise its feelings which were not a welcome distraction. The ring was doing its job well.
She passed her fingers over the spine of an ancient looking book as she moved around in the library, she looked closer at the book and saw that it was an auto biography of one of the previous Alpha's before her and wondered, if she were to have an auto biography of herself who would read and be interested in her life. There wasn't much to write home about.
She went back to reading her late father's journal which wasn't at all helping with her cause in finding his murderer just black pages and in every few of those blank pages, a note to do something or have someone do it. Alot of people have motives to kill her father of course, people always had reasons to want their rulers head on a golden platter. She paused and imagined how many people would enjoy her head served on a platter, golden or not, They probably would not care as long as the head was severed.
She stood up again and continued going through shelves in search of anything that might help her investigation rueing the fact that she was not a killer for mystery she'd rather pummel the truth out of a suspect, which was a problem because she suspected almost everyone and no one. She pinched the bridge between her forehead and nose and sighed in exasperation.
"I'll keep telling you, one of this days you'll break your nose bridge."
She turned and saw the only trustworthy man she had in her life, and looked questioningly at the parcels in his hand.
"Not from me I'm afraid, I saved one of your footman the trouble since I was headed your way, he was rather relieved and looked like he was going to shed tears of joy, you effectively have everyone frightened of you. Though you seem to have garnered the love of your council members."
"No. They want something."
She climbed down from the stairs the diamond shining as it caught a ray of sunlight seeping in from the ceiling to floor windows.
"From the looks of it you seem to be accepting bribe."
"Your sentence implies I'm giving something in return."
He took a few steps to close the distance between them and took her offered hand, bowed and pressed his lips to the back of her hand.
"Princess Athena, ever practical."
"Its King now."
"True. You do have your kingdom afterall. And as Difficulties come I suppose this kingdom isn't without its headache."
"Yes."
"And that is why I am here."
"Come to my bed chambers with me, Damien. Let's discuss."
He smiled.
"Only you would invite a man to your chambers without having the slightest ulterior motive."
"Its important."
"Of course. Lead the way."