Chapter 3 - Watch them!
1150 Words
Lilly's POV
"Oh, heavens, Beta Zackary!" Angelica's bewildered voice filled the kitchen, sending a chill down my spine. "Get away from that filthy girl before she soils and ruins your clothes. You are superior to her. There is no need to try and help her! She doesn't deserve your help!"
"Yeah," Sade added, crossing her arms around her chest. "Look at her. There is no need to help this piece of trash. She is more than capable of looking after her dirty and clumsy self!"
Zackary suddenly stilled. He placed the towel down on the counter and balled his fists as anger colored his face. He seemed angry.
He slowly stepped away from me—probably afraid he would scare me—and turned around, facing Angelica and Sade.
"That is enough!" he roared, expanding his aura and silencing the two women.
They whimpered and quivered in fear, and they unwillingly dropped their heads, submitting to the higher power.
I knitted my eyebrows together, confused.
Why didn't his powerful aura influence me?
Why didn't I feel afraid of his temper?
I peek from under my eyelashes, watching his eyes turn even colder. He wasn't finished with them yet.
Why was he defending me? He didn't owe me anything! He doesn't know me?
Does he...?
There was a sudden spark of hope going through me.
Did Beta Zackary know me?
Did he know who I was?
Taking advantage of the opportunity, I let my gaze follow this outline, immersing myself in his presence.
Beta Zackary was a tall and handsome wolf. He was easy on the eye and stood around 6'3" and was much taller than my small 5'1" frame. He was huge and masculine, with dark curly hair, golden brown skin, and a straight nose.
I could see his giant muscles flexed under his royal uniform. He looked fit, strong, and powerful—exactly what a Beta should be.
However, I couldn't help noticing that he was much younger than I expected him to be.
"Did we say anything to offend you, Beta Zackary?" Angelica stuttered nervously, unable to meet his gaze.
"I don't know who you are, neither your rank nor your position," Zackary growled, his eyes shifting between black and green. "But that is not how you treat a werewolf! It is against the law!"
"W-we didn't know," Angelic stuttered a quick lie.
"W-we wouldn't do it again," Sade added, looking at her mom.
Zackary closed his eyes for just a moment. I guess he had to get his wolf under control before things escalated any further.
"Leave us!" He coldly ordered the warriors to escort the two she-wolves out.
Zackary took a deep breath before he slowly turned around.
"Sorry about that," he said, smiling. "I hope I didn't scare you."
I shook my head, and he quickly came closer, grabbed the towel, and gently started to clean the wound on my face.
I couldn't believe that a stranger of such a high rank actually wanted to help me.
Zackary's hands were skillful and careful. He tried his best not to make me hiss out of pain as he gently cleaned the wounds on my face and hand.
I struggled under his clear green eyes—it felt like he was looking right through me and into my soul.
However, his touch was gentle and warm. His concern towards me felt real. For a moment, I felt like a real person, and I loved it!
"Lilly, pull your head out of the clouds and return to reality!" I internally scolded myself. "This is too good to be real! This must be some kind of trick. He must want something from me. Remember how well Angelica treated you in the beginning?"
How could I have forgotten?
"Penny for your thoughts?" Zackary inquired as he closed the final wound. My gaze met his. "I am all done patching you up. Your wolf should quickly heal the wounds."
"I don't have a wolf," I whispered, embarrassed. "But I am truly grateful for your help, Beta Zackary."
"Call me Zack," he said.
I nodded and smiled.
"Thank you, Beta Zack, for helping me," I whispered.
Zack scrunched his eyebrows together as confusion crossed his eyes. He wanted to say something more, but I quickly jumped off the barstool, grabbed a towel, wet it, and headed toward the bloody mess.
I needed to clean the blood off the floor before it stained the white Italian tiles—Angelica would just love that!
I cried out in pain as I lost my balance, fell to my knees, and steadied myself with my injured hand on the floor.
Zack quickly joined me. His green eyes were full of concern as he helped me off the floor.
"Let me," he said, taking the wet towel from me and starting to clean the blood off the floor.
I froze. I would never hear the end of it! I was going to face severe punishment!
"That's better," Zack said when he was done. He got up and helped me back on my feet.
"Thank you," I said, offering him a small smile. "But I think I got it from here."
Zack nodded, yet I could feel his intense gaze like a hawk on me.
I slowly bent down, ensuring I didn't lose my balance, and picked up the dustpan from the floor.
I made my way to the dustbin, emptied the contents in the bin, and went to pack the dustpan away.
Zack's gaze followed me, and it suddenly hardened—a low growl escaped his lips, startling me. Before I could turn around and ask what was wrong, he grabbed my wrist and lifted it.
"What is this!" He hissed, his eyes shifting between black and green. His wolf seemed displeased by something.
I looked back at him confused; however, I didn't feel a bit scared or afraid of him.
I shifted my attention to where Zack was pointing—my only treasure—a too-small bangle on my left wrist.
It was the only real thing Angelica ever gave me. She said it was something my parents left me before they died. I never took it off after that.
"It was a gift," I replied.
Zack didn't look convinced. He adjusted my arm to examine the bangle from every angle.
"From whom?" he asked, letting go of my arm. His eyes shifted to black.
"From the madam of the house," I whispered, knitting my eyebrows together in confusion.
Zack roared, and I stepped back. Was he about to lose control and shift here? Did I do something wrong?
The two warriors rushed in, their gazes shifting between the two of us.
"Watch them!" Zack growled before he rushed past them, down the hallway and out the front door.
I stood there frozen, unsure what had just happened.
Was it something I did or said?
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- Writer
