First Class

Rae’s POV

He cleared his throat before speaking again.

“I’m sorry. I was kind of rough with you. I didn’t mean to yell at you.” He said and I nodded at him, he raised his eyebrow to me and I had to take a deep breath. He wanted me to speak.

“It is okay.” I said and offered him a smile, but not too wide. It would look too fake.

“Thank you. Now, do you know the names of all letters of the alphabet?” His tone was serious, but not unkind.

“Yes. Cassandra taught me.” I answered him. I had to remember to always use my voice to answer, not the nodes, not the head’s shake. Words. Properly pronounced.

“Great! Now, let’s see how your reading is, since you told me you were already learning.” He got up and walked to the book shelf to my left. I didn’t move an inch. It was so hard to be in the same room as him. He was not being menacing or mean, but just the fact that it was him and I knew he had the power to do as he pleased with me, was enough to send shivers down my spine.

He approached me from behind and put the book in front of me, on the table. His scent was even stronger. I looked at his hand that was resting with its palm down, near the book. His other hand did the same, while his torso was close to my back. I could sense his body. His warmth.

“Read to me, Rae.” He asked in a voice that, to me, sounded too sensual.

‘Stop imagining things, silly girl!’, the voice in my head was almost screaming. ‘Do as he said!’.

“Yes.”. I answered and grabbed the book. The cover was green, hard, with golden letters on it. “G-gulliv-ver’s Tr-travels”

“Perfect!” He said and approached his face. I could see from the corner of my eyes his face. His breath was on my ear. “Again. With more confidence.”

Didn’t he know he was making me more nervous? His proximity… I had to inhale and exhale a few times before I could speak again. My mouth was dry. HIs breathing and his rained soil scent…

“Gulliver’s Travels.” I said and he smiled.

“That is how I like it.” He said and, for some reason, it sounded to me as if he was speaking of something else. I just didn’t know what it was.

“Thanks.” I meant it.

“Rae…” He said and I felt the hair on my body stand on end. He swallowed hard, I heard it. He was about to say something, but then, he just pulled away and went to sit behind his desk. My heart was beating like crazy. “You read it very well. Open the book and start to read to me, please.”

“Yes, Alpha.” I said and he frowned. Did I say something wrong?

“When we are just the two of us, call me Erik. It sounds strange when you call me so formally, here.” He said and I think i had a stupid expression on my face. “Only if you are comfortable with it, of course.”

“I… yes.” I said, almost stuttering. “I mean, yes, Erik.”

Erik. His name was very beautiful. It sounded good when I said it out loud. Erik. Erik.

He smiled at me, slightly, but yet, it was a smile.

“My fa-father had a small est-tate in Notth… Nothi…” that was difficult! What was that huge name?

“...Nottinghamshire; I was the third of five sons.” He completed what I had to say. I looked at him, surprised. He knew what was written there. Of course, that was his book, but, by his face, looking at the desk, he was thinking of something else.

“Yes, thank you. This is a big word.” I said, apologizing to him. “Should I continue?”

“Yes, by all means.” he said and smiled again at me, but this time, it was an uncomfortable smile, as if he was not really ok with that.

“I am sorry to ask. I don’t mean to pry. But.. if you prefer another book…” I looked at the shelf and he remained silent. I get my throat a bit tight. Was it a mistake? I turned to look at him and his gaze was fixed on me. Our eyes met and it was as if he could just see through me.

He got up, walked to me, held the book and I understood he wanted it back, so I let it go. He didn’t pull it until I was not holding it anymore. He put the book back on the shelf and got back to me. Now, he was just standing behind me.

‘Oh, no! He will beat me up! I crossed the line. Me and my big mouth!’ I didn’t even realize my hands were on either side of my head, not until he held them and electricity ran through my whole body.

“I won’t hurt you, Rae.” He said in a low, gentle voice. Wait, gentle? I raised my head and looked behind me. His eyes were watching me with some certain curiosity and.. pity? No, not just pity. What was that? “I will never hurt you.”

We kept looking at each other for I don’t know how long. All I could see was his green eyes, so intense, then my eyes traveled to his nose, to his mouth. His lips were so perfect. They seemed soft. Suddenly, I wanted to touch his lips, but I realized what I was doing and snapped out of that weird transe I was in.

“Sorry.” Was all I could say.

He was still holding my hands, but then, he let them go and my skin was cold without his warm hands.

“I… I think we did enough for today. You are not totally bad. I believe you just need training. So, we will train. Do you have books in your room?”

“Yes.” I answered him.

“Ok. Good. Ah, read out loud when you are alone. It will give you confidence to fail without anyone around. Tomorrow, after you finish your chores, you come here. Let’s say… around six in the afternoon.”

“OK.” I answered. “Thank you for your time.” I got up and he was very close.

“Let me escort you to the door.” He offered, in a very polite voice. He seemed stiff. What was going on?

“Thank you. And I’m looking forward to our next class.” I said. I wanted him to know that I was grateful. And I really was.

He smiled at me and nodded.

“Me too. Go rest. Have a good night, Rae.”

“Thank you, Al-... I mean, Erik.” He opened the door to me and I walked away. I heard when the door clicked shut.

Alpha Erik was… no, Erik was someone very interesting. One moment he was all evil, cruel, the other one, he even made me forget he was the one who sent another werewolf to whip me. I had to keep that in mind. He was capable of doing that, so I better behave and not cross the line ever again. He was nice this time, but I could not rely on that.