Alpha Dustin

Chapter 4 - The Night

MARAH

Two weeks earlier

I stirred in my sleep, the dull ache in my muscles pulling me from the depths of unconsciousness. A soft moan escaped my lips as I tried to move, the soreness in my body making every shift uncomfortable. I shivered slightly, the cold air against my skin unfamiliar. Instinctively, I reached up to touch my bare shoulder, confusion flooding my mind. Why was I so cold?

My hand brushed the edge of a blanket, and as I tugged it closer, I realized with a shock that I was completely naked. Panic bubbled up within me as I scanned the room, quickly realizing that this was not my bedroom. The luxurious furnishings and rich decor were unmistakably Alpha Dustin's.

I felt my heart rate spike, a rush of memories flooding back. But before I could process them, a heavy hand on my stomach drew my attention. My breath caught in my throat as I slowly turned my head, my eyes landing on Alpha Dustin lying beside me. His face was relaxed in sleep, his dark hair tousled, and his expression softened in a way I had never seen before.

Hate it or not, I couldn’t deny what had happened. We had spent the night together. My mind raced, piecing together the fragments of last night. The head maid had asked me to bring tea to Alpha Dustin in his room. I hadn’t thought much about it, just another task in a long list of duties. I knocked on his door, waited for his permission, and then entered with the tea tray in hand.

The next moments were a blur of heat and desire. We had kissed, our initial hesitation melting away. His hands had roamed my body, igniting a fire within me that I hadn’t known existed. Our clothes had been discarded in a frenzy, our bodies coming together in a desperate need for connection.

Thinking about it now, I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment and confusion. How had I let this happen? I glanced at him again, his hand still resting on my stomach.

As I lay there, trying to process everything, Alpha Dustin began to stir. His eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, he simply looked at me. His expression shifted from sleepy confusion to something more guarded.

"You're awake," he said, his voice low and gravelly from sleep.

I nodded, unable to find the words. I felt a lump forming in my throat as I tried to make sense of the situation. Dustin's gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he pushed himself up from the bed and headed to the bathroom. I heard the water running, a soft, almost soothing sound in the quiet room.

Left alone, my thoughts raced. What could I say? What should I do? This was my first time. The thought made my stomach twist with a mix of awe and regret. I hadn’t even been with Trent like this. Trent, who despised me so much he wouldn’t even touch me. But with Alpha Dustin... it had been different. It had been fantastic, beautiful in a way I hadn't known was possible.

The way he had whispered my name, the way our skin had touched, the way our bodies had moved together—it had been unlike anything I had ever experienced. His hands had roamed my body with a possessiveness that made my heart race. The way he kissed me, tender at first, then growing more urgent, had ignited a fire within me. Every touch, every kiss had been electric, a perfect blend of passion and connection.

Lost in these memories, I barely registered the bathroom door opening. Alpha Dustin emerged, a towel wrapped around his waist. Droplets of water clung to his chest, and his hair was still damp. He looked at me, his expression unreadable.

"What’s done is done," he said flatly, breaking the silence. "But we shouldn’t have done it."

I watched as he moved to his closet, disappearing for a moment before reemerging in black pants and an unbuttoned white shirt that revealed his chiseled abs. He paused, turning to me with an inscrutable look.

"So, how much?" he asked abruptly.

I blinked, confused. "How much what?" I stammered.

Without a word, he placed a stack of cash on the bed in front of me. My eyes widened in shock as I stared at the money, realization dawning on me. He thought I was... I couldn’t believe it.

"I'm not some kind of p********e," I whispered, my voice trembling. I pushed the money back towards him, my hands shaking with a mixture of anger and humiliation.

"You can say a number if it's not enough," he replied coolly, not meeting my eyes.

"No," I insisted, shaking my head. "I don't want your money. I’m not here for that."

He sighed, his frustration evident. "Fine. If you don't want any money, that’s your choice." He finished buttoning his shirt, rolling the sleeves up to his elbows. "Now, leave my room. Immediately.

His words cut through me like a knife. I nodded numbly, feeling a rush of tears stinging my eyes. He turned and walked out, leaving me alone. As the door closed behind him, I broke down, my sobs filling the room. I glanced at the stack of money, a painful reminder of the misunderstanding and the stark reality of what had happened.

I buried my face in my hands, my body shaking with the force of my sobs. How had everything gone so wrong?