Moves And Weaknesses
1195 Words
Marco´s POV
She's uncomfortable.
Alina feigns disdain, tries to mask her irritation with cheap sarcasm, but her body language gives her away. The way she slouches in her chair, the way she avoids eye contact for too long... she may think she's playing a game, but I'm an Alpha. I am the game.
- Oh, how romantic,” she says, her voice carrying irony as she realizes where we are.
I ignore her. The silence bothers her, which is why I remain silent. If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that the best way to bend someone is to let them sink into their own restlessness.
The delivery of the menu is mechanical. I know she'll be suspicious of my casual tone, and I want her to be.
- What will you have? You can order whatever you like. You'd better be well fed.
Her eyes narrow.
- What do you mean?
I smile sideways.
- It's nothing. I'm just worried about your health.
She tilts her head, assessing me, as if expecting some hidden revelation in my expression. You won't find anything.
- Then choose for me. Oh, and I don't drink.
- But you'll join me for a glass of wine.
She lets out a low, humorless laugh.
- Are you always like this?
- Like what?
- Giving orders.
I cross my arms, a relaxed but calculated gesture.
- I'm an Alpha. That's what Alphas do.
She rolls her eyes. Childish.
I wait for the waitress to walk away before continuing. There's no room for distractions now.
- Who was in your house before I arrived?
She stiffens, albeit subtly. A good attempt at disguise, but I can tell.
- I really don't know. I'm just as curious as you are.
Liar.
- Look, darling, I wouldn't recommend associating with renegades. Those kind of people are dangerous. They attract all kinds of nightmares.
Her eyes lock on mine, a glimmer of defiance there.
- Renegade? What's that?
- Someone who isn't worth it.
She frowns.
- What do you mean? They're wolves. They're entitled to a home, a family, just like anyone else.
I let out a dry laugh. Does she really believe this nonsense?
- If they had any value, they would have their homes, their families... and their honor.
She remains silent. I know her gears are turning, trying to fit the pieces together.
- And why would they be in my house?
- That's for you to answer. After all, you've been missing, haven't you?
She hesitates, and I **see** when the memory hits her mind. The blond wolf in the forest.
She knows I know.
- I was sorting out personal matters,” she says, in an evasive tone. - Women's issues, if you know what I mean.
I feel like laughing.
- No, I don't understand you. Where and with whom were you?
His temper explodes.
- Look, I've always been alone. I've never had to answer to anyone and I'm not going to start now.
The challenging tone doesn't irritate me. On the contrary, it amuses me.
- You owe me some satisfaction. I think you're forgetting who's in charge here.
She leans forward slightly, chin raised.
- And what exactly is your bargaining chip, Mr. Alpha? What's the blackmail here?
I smile, and the tension around her shoulders increases.
- Your friend never told you who her father is, did she? Who he really is.
Her face tightens.
Ah, so now I've hit the target.
- If I can be clearer...
I cross my fingers on the table, in no hurry.
- Her father wasn't happy to hear that she's friends with a hybrid.
Her gaze hardens.
- And what does that have to do with it?
- “In our food chain, you're the poop on the bandit's horse,” I reply calmly. - Maybe you're worth less than a renegade.
She pulls in a sharp breath, and instinct tells me she's holding her breath.
- So it was you. You did something.
- Just a warning. After all, you've disappeared. I was worried.
She blinks, confused.
- Worried?
- Did you manage to talk to her after she left you at home?
Panic flashes for a second in her eyes.
That's perfect.
She knows something happened. But she won't give me the pleasure of asking.
Dinner passes in silence. I could keep poking at her, but I'd rather let her mull it over. Then I decide to throw another piece on the table.
- You're a hybrid. Half wolf. And the other half?
She hesitates, then replies:
- I don't know.
I smile.
- That's funny. Haven't you ever been curious?
- If it was a question, the answer remains the same.
- It's amazing how uninterested you are in your own origins. You don't even know your mother's real name. Or your father's.
I can see the anger in those eyes.
- If they'd wanted me, I wouldn't have spent half my life in the orphanage - your voice comes out in a whisper.
- And yet here you are. A little seed that has sprouted well.
She stares at me.
- What do you want with this, Marco?
- Who gave it to you and paid for your studies?
She narrows her eyes.
- If you're sitting here, you already know more about my life than I do. So why don't you tell me something?
I give a half-smile.
- I can only tell you about what you want to know. Ask a specific question.
- I don't care about anything. I don't care.
- Does he really live that well? He's been in and out of psychology clinics since he was sixteen. She never gets better.
She freezes.
- I've had enough. That's enough - she gets up, her eyes blazing with anger. - Who do you think you are to say these things to me?!
- Sit down. I didn't tell you to get up.
She hesitates. But she gives in.
- There's no need to be nervous. After all, we all have weaknesses.
She lets out a breath, then looks me straight in the eye.
- What's yours?
I smile, but this time without humor.
- That's beside the point. Forgive me for the misplacement. When I said “we”, I meant “you”. The rejects, the strays... it's you who have weaknesses. I'm an Alpha. I have everything I need and if I want something else, I take it. I have no weaknesses.
She watches me in silence.
Then, without warning, she smiles back.
- If you have no weaknesses... why is that weight on your shoulders?
I freeze for a moment. She notices.
- You're shaking,” she mutters. - Unless you're a drug user, there's something bothering you.
I hold her gaze. Then, calmly, I say:
- Not nervous. But anxious.
I raise my wine glass, watching her.
- Do you play any sport?
She winks.
- I love a good run.
She understands the threat.
And I watch as a shiver runs through her skin.
- Writer
