Valko-Zeke

Chapter 5

"Be quiet." He breathed the words into my ear so there was no mistaking that only I could hear him. For a brief moment, I could feel him holding me. He was... warm and firm, and he smelled like foresty musk. His arms snaked around my waist and he guided my hands away from the railing. My hands were stuck on like glue, but I released them reluctantly, unsure if I had another choice but to comply.

We took a synchronized step backwards, and slowly, I removed my gaze from Valentino. I spun around to face the stranger, only to see... nobody. I would have thought I was dealing with a ghost, but I could feel the lingering gust of wind he left in his speedy wake.

Frantically searching for the man, I whipped my head back over the railing so that I stared down at the entire prison. I gasped at the sight of how nauseatingly high I had climbed. The wall that separated the two sections of the prison ended on the eighth floor and, if I wanted to, I could see what everyone in the prison was doing. But all I could do was look at his bright blue eyes as he stared at me from the other side of the bar.

"Go all the way up," he said, still speaking quietly.

"To the tenth floor?" I replied in disbelief, stunned by the idea, and by how handsome he was. Muscles rippled across every part of his body. He was obviously a seasoned warrior. I'd never seen a man with those features but I knew, without a doubt, that he was the Alpha. A beast: just like the rumors said.

I looked at where he was pointing, the tenth floor, and considered that it was my only chance. Hopefully, he wasn't just saving me for later or something.

I cautiously peered over the top of the floor, scared of venturing somewhere so forbidden, but also extremely curious, as to what was inside. "Holy s**t," I gasped, my breath was shaky as I looked around. Silver chains were littered across the floor. Blood puddled around some of them, though most were just broken.

My eyes scanned the room, and I found a dark, clean, corner to hide in. I scrambled to hide and pulled my knees into my chest.

Time slowed as I remained hidden within the darkness, I could feel every beat of my heart pounding, and my legs burned on the cold stone I lay upon. The tenth floor was as quiet as it was dark, with only one sound to be heard; the sound of my own pulse throbbing in my ears. Suddenly, the serenity of silence surrendered to the deathly scream of Valentino as the Alpha charged at him in retaliation.

I held my breath, not daring to make a sound. Each second seemed to last an eternity as I lay perfectly still listening to the sound of him climbing up the bars, which had muted the pounding of my pulse.

The Alpha emerged, bloody and angry, and he leaped over the bars and did not hesitate to approach my corner. I stood up to face him, my eyes wide and my mouth agape. He c****d his head at me, and advanced towards me in a quizzical manner.

When I looked in his eyes, I was mesmerized by the deep ocean blue, as flecks of aquatic life performed ballets throughout his irises.

His strong hands, slightly rough from working, grabbed mine as he stared deep into my eyes. I couldn't help but blush and try to step away from his intense energy. Worry etched its way onto his face. His voice was deep, with a serious tone, and his lips brushed my ear as he spoke the word we were both thinking, "Mate."

My gaze uncourageously slid to the side, but he cupped my chin and tugged my head up. He was waiting for me to say it back. To accept him as my mate. I finally summoned enough courage to meet his gaze again, and his ocean eyes twinkled. I took in his foresty scent, then my head bowed and the word spilled out of my mouth before I registered what it would mean, "Mate."

The Alpha expelled a satisfied breath, and suddenly, I was pulled into a heady trance. The force of his love was heavy like lead and bricks. I collapsed to my knees, unable to bear the weight of such an elephantine type of feeling. My sweaty hands gripped onto his waist, searching for his support despite my uncertainty about his intentions. I was enveloped in a feeling I suddenly couldn't live without. It was like I couldn't breathe, but also didn't want to at the same time. His warm hands enclasped my fore arms, and absorbed the weight of my messy emotions. He pulled me out of my chimera and back to reality.

"What's your name?" He said, and I couldn't tell if he was growling or if that was what his voice sounded like all the time.

"Amalia," I said softly, still feeling quite weak in the knees. The Alpha noticed, and escorted me to a bed in the corner of the room.

"Amalia, I need you to do me a favor." He said, sitting beside me, I nodded, feeling as if I could do anything he asked.

"When they open those doors tomorrow you can't tell them I'm your mate." He pleaded.

The pain of rejection stung. I felt hurt: hurt that he might be ashamed of me, until he clarified, "I wish it didn't have to be this way, darling. Every Monday, the guards inject me with silver and chain me to the wall. If they find out that your mine, then they'll kill you."

My jaw dropped. "Silver?" I remarked, in utter disbelief.

He brushed it off, instead looking more concerned about my cooperation than himself. "Amalia, say you won't tell anyone."

"Oh, alright," I said reluctantly, "how are you still alive?"

"Do you know who I am?" He asked curiously.

"I-I think so..."

He nodded, "Come on, It's almost time. I'm going to help you down to the bottom floor, it's almost morning."

"Oh, I don't need help." I said, beginning to make my way over to climb down.

"Get on my back." He demanded, leaving no room for me to decline.

I was about to protest until I saw him turn around. His bare, statuesque back loomed and taunted me. It almost irked me how he dominantly insisted that we do it his way, but a large part of me really wanted to hold him, and this was the perfect excuse.

My eyes hungrily scanned the tattoo-lined blades that followed along with his full back. They called me. I followed along every curve of his body: the way his skin felt, smooth like butter; the way his warmth spread across my entire arm as I placed my hand on his shoulder.

I let my arms wrap themselves around his neck, my feet around his waste. He felt so safe.

"I won't let you go." He assured me, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't just talking about letting me fall to my death. It gave me the chills thinking that

I was so lost in thought that I never noticed we had reached the bottom floor. "You can let go now, though, Amalia." He chuckled.

I let out a nervous laugh and unclenched my locked fists. "When will I see you again, Alpha?"

"I won't ever be far." He promised, "And you can call me Zeke."

I nodded and smiled at nothing in particular. The door separating the division began to jiggle, signaling the end of the fight and my eyes shot up to Zeke in panic, but he had vanished.

I gulped, wondering if I might have just made a mate out of the devil.