He Wears A Mask

I didn't get much rest. The silk sheets, the plush bed and the room were all too lovely for someone like me. It even had a swimming-sized bathtub, golden curtains and a balcony overlooking the garden. I was still curled up on the mattress edge though as if I didn't belong there.

Because I might not have. I was at the home of the most powerful Alpha in the country, a man who bought me like real estate slapped the word investment on me and then had the gall to be magnetic, alluring and sexy.

Del Morino. I hated the way his name kept coming back to me like a scent from an expensive perfume.

His one silver eye pierced me like he knew me—really knew me and I hated the way he said

sweetheart or darling. But more than anything I hated the fact that he hadn't disciplined me for shoving him.

All he had done was smile. Through the tall windows came the warm yellow morning sun. With my hands resting on my slightly swollen stomach, I slowly got out of bed.

I shut my eyes as my stomach gave a small rumble.

There was a knock at the door.

“Come in.” I said cautiously.

A young, shy maid who was wearing a black-and-white uniform that looked more expensive than anything I had ever worn stood before me, I wanted to ask her where Luma was.

“Alpha Del Morino asks you to join him in the garden for breakfast.” She said softly avoiding eye contact.

“Requests?” My eyebrows went up. “He doesn't ask, he ‘requests?’”

Without saying another word, the girl nodded and walked away flushed. After getting clean, I put on the long lavender dress that someone had put in my closet and walked through the endless hallways. Everything shone including antique paintings chandeliers and mirrors. This place was just like a royal fortress.

With roses climbing stone arches, a fountain in the middle with carved wolves spitting water and white birds that fluttered as if they belong somewhere prehistoric and not here, the garden looked like something out of a fairy tale. And the king himself was seated at the head of the breakfast table.

Del Morino. He had on a white shirt that clung to his body, tattoos running up his arms and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows

He had his long black hair tied back at his neck. He still had the eye patch over the left side of his face but as I approached the moon-silver eye watched me.

He sipped from a glass and remarked nonchalantly, “ I was beginning to think youd escaped.”

I folded my arms and I muttered.

“ I'm still thinking about it.”

“And?” he laughed.

I looked around in frustration.

“I invited you out of courtesy. At the very least try not to appear as though you're going to hurl the tea at me.”

I sat down. Mostly because I didn't want to but because my knees hurt. Fresh berries, pastries warm bread, eggs, bacon and even spiced tea in a golden teapot were all on the table when I looked around. Del Morino seemed to hear my rumbling stomach and smiled. “You're not being bribed,” he said. It’s just breakfast, stop feeling like a frustrated mother hen.”

“I am not.”

He put his elbows on the table and leaned forward. The mother of the newest baby in the pack is sitting on my table. You should be dancing for joy. I'm so generous.”

“They say you are cruel.”

“Depends on who misbehaves.”

My chest fluttered but I ignored it and took a piece of bread chewing it slowly. We sat in silence for some time. Without my asking, he added two sugar cubes to my cup of tea.

I blinked and looked at him. “How did you find out that I like sugar?”

“I always try to learn as much as I can about the products I purchase.”

I almost choked. Do you ever hear yourself talk?”

“I do.” He stated without a trace of embarrassment. “ And I sound great.”

I rolled my eyes. “You're conceited.”

“ I have a lot of money and soon you will love me. The deal is a package and the package is pretty.”

My lips quirked in spite of me. I detested the fact that he made me feel lighter. I put the bread down and asked after a long pause.

“Why did you really bring me here?. Is it because I'm pregnant or you feel sorry for me. Or to protect me?

Instead of purchasing me like a property you could have paid for protection.”

He didnt respond right away. He grabbed a fruit knife instead and slowly and carefully peeled an apple. “Because I dislike seeing power go to waste.”

I scowled. “What does that mean?”

I looked him in the eyes. Too many questions little wolf. I'm here to eat..But Layla you're not weak. The only reason you think you are is because Drake and others wanted you to think so.”

I swallowed forcefully. He said

“I saw you,” he said in a softer tone. “Saw you begging him. Saw the guards treating you like dirt and you rejected and it reminded me…” His jaw tensed. “Of a person I lost.”

My breath caught. “Who?”

He didn't respond. After slicing the apple in half, he thrust one half in my direction. I caught it before it would roll off.

“ I didn't expect such kindness from you.”

“ I often understand that.”

I leaned in and said, “Then tell me something real. Remove the eye mask.”

There was silence between us. The mention of it caused a slight twitch in his fingers.

“No.” He said firmly.

“Why? I think you didn't give a damn about what people think.”

I looked into his eyes and saw something real for the first time.

Something soft and vulnerable. Something almost painful.

“I don't hide it because I'm ashamed of it, no.” He said slowl. “But since they tried to kill me while I was asleep the last time.” He laughed. “I lost it because of something else.”

I grew softer. A tiny bit.

“ I will not try to murder you.” I said softly.

“Good.” He said in a dry voice. “I don't want to waste this entire breakfast.”

He got up and signaled a servant to come closer. “You’ll be staying here till I say otherwise.” He said.

“I’m not your captor though, Layla. It's okay to hate me. You can argue with me. Don't run away though. Not until you know the true reason I brought you here.”

“And why did you?”

He really did look at me when he said. “Your mouth is very long. Just try to stop talking for a while. Who knows you might be my bride. I like me a quiet Luna.”