XXXVIII. You're Beautiful

Raine’s POV:

He shrugs a slight motion. “Because I’m a selfish bastard. I run away from my responsibility.” He chuckles, “I’m an Alpha who spends his days locked in his room. I force my Beta and Gamma to do all the work while I chase this dream that will never happen.”

I didn’t expect him to open up so easily.

Leon removes his face and stands up. “Next time. Pretend you didn’t see anything and don’t even try to confront him. Okay?”

I stared at him.

“Okay?” he asks again.

I nod.

“I’ll send someone to bring food to your room after you remove everything.” He left the bedroom through the secret door in the closet because there’s a pile of furniture at the main door.

My back slump on the mattress and I stared at the ceiling. “Why are you doing this?” I groan and roll the blanket over my body.

Maybe Cory is right.

Leon and Preston are tag-teaming, one good and the other bad, so I will fall for Leon.

I’m not saying I’m falling for him.

But, he’s a nice guy.

***

The girl threw the plate on the table. “Why do I have to do everything around here?” She spat out. “What are those fucking omegas doing?”

“Hey,” I said. I’m still laying in bed, except the blanket didn’t cover me. “What’s your name?”

She arches a brow, “You think you deserve to know my name?”

I exhale and roll off of the bed. I sat in front of the food and exhale sharply. I’m not in the mood for her hatred towards me. She should just leave.

“Natasha Chambers.”

I look up, “What?”

“That’s my name.” Natasha heads towards the door but halts in front of it. She turns around, “Next time. Don’t go against Mr.Tayson.”

“Why is everyone like that?”

“Like what?”

“He was the former Alpha. Leon is your Alpha.” There was a weird instinct inside of me to defend Leon. I thought it was the bond, but there’s a part of me that wants to say it.

Natasha exhales, “The Alpha may be Leon, but it’s just an empty title.” She opens the door. “I’m pretty sure you know that.” The door closed.

I exhale and pick up the fork. Then, I saw it. The lack of green. I groaned and threw the utensil down. “Why do you do this to me, Leon!” Then, the scream came. And then, hunger. The food was insanely good without the drama.

I roll around the carpet after I finish the food. I wonder if I can call someone to take out the plate. Between the drama and cleaning up the room. I got up and went towards the door. There’s no one in the hallway...and it’s dark.

I look back at the plate and smack my lips a few times. Natasha was nice enough not to give me water. I exhaled and grabbed the tray then made my way towards the kitchen. I should consider sleeping in the day and staying awake at night. At least at this time, barely anyone can bother me.

My slippers slap against the hard floor, and I stop walking. I adjust it slightly then resume my pace. I wouldn’t want anyone to wake up.

It’s unusual. How a bit of magical ointment would speed up my wounds. I wish they had these in my world.

The thing that I hate the most about this building would probably be the stairs. There are three floors and no elevator. I know everyone here is in shape, but it doesn’t mean I am.

A shadow from the window caught my attention. Then, a howling sound. Those must be the wolves that have to patrol at night. They wouldn’t need wolves at night if they only purchase forest cameras or something similar to that idea. It’s a world where magic is the norm, but no one thought of night cameras.

I turn towards my back and push the double doors open. My body halts once a wonderful sight makes its appearance. I stared at the man in front of me and the beating erupts. I still can’t adjust my brain to how attractive Leon looks. Then again, the mating bond probably made him ten times yummier. He’s an attractive guy already, so this bond was unnecessary.

He stood there, with his shirt thrown over his shoulder. His very muscular chest increases and decreases in size with every swallow of milk. A droplet of substance rolls down his chin and drips towards his muscles. I lick my dried lips.

Leon is tall. Taller than most guys I had ever met in my life. Then again, all werewolves are giants. He’s an Alpha, so he’s a bit taller than others.

When he noticed my presence he threw the empty container away and wiped his mouth with his forearm. I can imagine his arms holding my waist. He paces across the room in even strides, his feet gently pounding on the wooden floor. It’s dirty. He must have returned from the forest.

“Why are you up so late?” he asks.

I inch the plate upward.

“Ah. You could’ve left in the room. Someone would’ve come and picked it up.” He grabs it from my hands and sets it inside the sink. I watch as he turns on the water until it fills the bowl then he turns it off. His long fingers ran through his short sweaty hair, which shifted back. He leans against the counter. “It’s late. You should go to sleep.”

The dimmed light from the window made his skin shinned and his stubbled chin seemed dark. How fast does the werewolves’ hair grow? I swore there was no hair there earlier.

“How do you see me?” That question slips from my mouth. In all honesty, I’m glad it did. Because if I saw him as the most attractive being ever, I must look good in his eyes right?

Leon lifts a brow, and evaluates my body. “You look like you went to hell and back.”

“What?”

“Your cheeks are too fat.”

It’s genetic.

“Your hair looks like it never met a hairbrush.”

I brush it this morning.

“Your complexion looks terrible.”

I was kidnapped here and had to witness your bloodthirsty father in action at dinner.

“You dressed like a man.”

It’s comfortable.

I scratch my head and pout slightly, “Thanks for going easy on me.”

My confidence level plummeted. I turn around and drag my legs towards the bedroom. I wasn’t planning on him showering me with compliments, but I didn’t expect insults either. Since we’re mates, I assumed that he would say something on the line of - you’re alright for a human.

“Raine.”

“What?” I refused to turn around. I can’t take another look at his majestic face.

“You’re beautiful.”

I turn around, “What?”

He clears his throat. His cheeks painted a shade of pink. “You’re not deaf.” I watched as he got up and headed towards the door.

I smile, “You’re handsome.”

He stopped walking but didn’t look at me. In the midst of silence, where everything and everyone seemingly sleeps or lost in their own thoughts. A new warmth invades our bodies. I know my face is red. And I can see the shade rushing towards his ears. With a deep voice, he said: “I know.”

After Leon left, I didn’t go back into the bedroom. I would sit at the counter and stare outside. I watch as he shifts into a wolf and rushes towards the dark forest. I can still hear it. The steady heartbeat inside my chest. It’s the mating bond. That’s the line I repeat to myself over and over. I can’t do it. I can’t fall for someone here.

Wolfie, it’s easy to step away from him. He’s someone I never met. His voice intrigued me. His personality brought me comfort. But that was merely it. Without a physical appearance, and an acceptance of his existence. I could step back.

But, Leon?

Leon is different.

He’s here.

He’s real.

But, right now, I can’t do it.

I can’t do anything real.

I can’t do emotions.

Not with the thought of leaving him behind.

So, I beg of you.

I can hear the sound of howling outside, the vocals invade every inch of my mentality...shaking my soul. I inhale a shaky breath and place a hand over my aching chest.

Please, stop beating.