Fragile Ego
1560 Words
Chapter Nine
/-Skylar-/
What the hell are you doing, Sky?!
Why are you letting this man mess with you? He doesn't even have the right to get close to you?!
That was enough to get me back to my senses and I shoved him off.
Adonis wasn't surprised by the sudden movement. If anything he was amused and I hated. I wanted to wipe that stupid smirk off his stupid face.
He rubbed his neck lazily, a bored expression slipping on his face.
“Your little boyfriend can stay. A little audience won't hurt,” he said, then those eyes flickered to my lips then back to my face. There was a hint of satisfaction in them and I couldn't understand why. Does he get off from pissing me off?
“You smell nice, princess.”
I could feel the heat creeping up my cheeks but I forced my expression to remain the same. I couldn't afford to let him think that he had any effect on me.
“That's it? You're not going to apologise?” I demanded.
Adonis’ eyes drilled through me from head to toe. “Why should I say things I don't mean?”
Then he walked away leaving me speechless and red-faced. I smell nice? After threatening to kill my boyfriend, shoving me back against the wall and invading my personal space, all he could say was I smell nice? Not a f*****g apology?
‘You act like the compliment Isn't more effective than any apology he could have offered?’ Aria snorted, and my face grew even hotter.
“I don't need his stupid compliments! Dwayne compliments me enough!” I seethed inwardly. “He can go to hell with his stupid compliments! I just want him to stay the hell away from me!”
‘Good luck with that,’ Aria snorted and I was tempted to block her. How was it possible that my own wolf, who was supposed to support me at all time, chose to actively encourage a man that broke my heart!
‘He didn't exactly say no, if you look at it,’ She snorted and I blocked her out. I've had enough of her.
I returned to the room and Dwayne rushed to me immediately.
“What did he…” The words died in his mouth as he stopped inches away from me. He suddenly stepped back and at first, I assumed it was the scowl on my face but then it wasn't remorse on his face, it was shock. Confusion.
“What's wrong?” I asked him.
“You….your scent…” he stuttered. I frowned.
“What about it?”
“You smell… like him…” he muttered and I froze. That lazy smirk came into mind. The satisfaction in his eyes as they watched me.
'You smell nice, Princess.’ The words echoed in my head and my eyes widened.
No. He. Did. Not.
“I don't understand…” Dwayne mumbled, staring at me with a perplexed face. “Why would he put his scent on you?”
Oh I knew why! The jealous asshole could smell you all over me from all that kissing and he wanted it gone.
Fuck!
How did I not notice? The sudden aggression when he pushed him against the wall. The raw possessiveness in his voice as he spoke. All the touches and teasing.
Fuck!!
“Skylar…” Dwayne called back my attention and I blinked at him. How was I supposed to explain this now without sounding like a crazy person? “He doesn't really like me that much, does he?”
“Huh?” I blurted, batting my lashes repeatedly in disbelief.
“He must have smelled me on you and wanted it off. I should have never lied about being an omega. He was the one who told you, right?”
I nodded because I was too shocked to speak.
“He sniffed my lies out and it must have irritated him. You are an Alpha blood, the last rank they'd want you to mingle with are Omegas and to think I deceived you too. He must think the worst of me…” be lowered his head in shame.
I couldn't utter a word. My lips were not cooperating. I could only watch him blame himself for something that had absolutely nothing to do with him or his rank.
But if I told him otherwise, I would have to offer an explanation and I didn't have one.
He suddenly grabbed my shoulders, his blue eyes shining with determination.
“I will definitely get him to accept me, Skylar! I'm sorry for being such a coward and putting you through all this but I promise, I will fix it. I will win him over no matter what it takes!”
Oh Goddess! He sounded so hopeful!
I wish I could tell him that no amount of effort from him would impress Adonis. The man didn't even care about Dwayne's rank. He just wanted him out of my life.
Same with every other man.
Selfish arrogant jerk!
“Dwayne…” I let out a shaky breath as I took his hand. “You don't need to impress anyone. I have already accepted you, that's all that matters, right?”
He looked into my eyes and, for a moment, I thought he might agree with me and just give it a rest but he suddenly shook his head.
“No!” He yanked his hand away from mine and backed me. “I need to win him and everyone else over if we are going to get married.”
My eyes widened.
“Married?”
His head snapped to me.
“Yes, married,” he confirmed. “I can't see myself with anyone else, Skylar. I have already made my intentions clear to you from the beginning.”
Yeah, Dwayne always said that our relationship would lead to marriage, but I have never really taken him seriously. It wasn't a bad thing, just that I didn't expect him to suddenly bring that up.
“Why do you seem so surprised?” He asked me.
“I… I just think you're thinking a little too ahead. You don't necessarily need his permission to marry me…” I said, a little unsure of my own words.
“Of course I do! He's your stepfather, isn't he? He's Alpha too, so his opinion of me really matters. We can't afford a situation where he refuses to step down for me as Alpha,” Dwayne said, and I was so shocked that I had to unblock Aria to join in the shock.
“I'm sorry, what?” Aria blurted out before I could even realize it. I had unconsciously given her control.
“Are you even listening to me?” He groaned. “You keep making me repeat myself. Adonis was your step-uncle before he married your mother, right? The Alpha seat was originally your father's, which makes you next in line. So when you come of a marriageable age, Adonis would have to step down for your husband, right?”
“Step down for my husband?” Aria raised a brow. “Why would I do that when I am next in line? I am the Alpha blood, it is only right I become Alpha.”
I have never had an interest in being Alpha and the truth was that I did plan to leave the leadership to my husband but I have never had that discussion with Dwayne, and it was a bit unnerving that he assumed I was bound to let my husband be Alpha.
The sound of his mocking laughter filled the room and it made my stomach twist.
I hated this. I hated this very much.
Aria was boiling in anger. She was literally growling inside..
'Aria, let me take over,’ I instructed.
“No! I want to hear what he has to say and react to it,” she said stubbornly. This was going to be a disaster! I could feel it.
“You want to be Alpha?” Dwayne snorted. “A female Alpha? Is that a joke?”
“No, it is not,” Airs said coldly and Dwayne patted my head gently.
“Don't get me wrong, Skylar. You're the smartest person I know, but do you really expect the elders to follow a woman? A council of able-bodied men bow to the fragile female form? You need to wake up from that dream, sweetheart. It is not possible even with ten of you!”
“And you are one to talk?” Aria retorted before I could even fully process his words. “You, who couldn't even stand for what he wants in the face of his fellow man? You look down on me as weak and fragile, but you were quick to hide behind me in the face of your fellow man.”
Dwayne's expression changed. Suddenly, he wasn't finding it funny anymore.
“Take that back, Skylar,” his voice dropped into a deadly tone.
'Aria, let me take over!’ I demanded.
“So that you will apologize to him and patch his fragile ego?” She huffed in response.
“Skylar, I said take that back!” Dwayne growled.
Aria looked him dead in the eye with an emotionless expression.
“Or what?”
- Writer
