Her Ruthless Alpha

Chapter 5 Conflicting Views

While approaching the dining area of the palace, her stomach grumbled due to the smell of the delicious foods. Then, she remembered that she hadn’t eaten last night. She automatically lowered her head as she reached the dining spot. She could feel some pairs of eyes staring at her but she’s too afraid to look up.

“Zerra, right?” a strong baritone voice suddenly spoke that made her raise her head a bit. It was the king. She composed herself and cleared her throat before speaking.

“Yes, dear king, my name is Zerra Holloway, Beta Jared’s daughter,” she introduced herself shyly. All eyes are still on her so she can’t help but to continue quivering as anxiousness keeps on attacking her system.

“Only Jared, he is no longer the beta of this pack,” Erdy hissed coldly. Zerra gulped in fear because of the sudden remark. She tried to look at him, but his focus was on his food. His face is obviously showing how upset he is right now.

“Take your seat, Zerra. I heard they didn’t feed you last night. I am sorry if you felt mistreated in my own home,” the king said, and Erdy looked at him confused. Zerra was surprised at the invitation, too. She’s now about to sit down when the alpha spoke angrily.

“I won’t have a traitor’s daughter dining with us!” Erdy warned, but the king cleared his throat as a warning, too. And because of that, tension is beginning to fill the air. This only made Zerra more nervous and wanted to just run away from them. But she’s certain that she can’t do it even if she wanted to.

“It’s okay your highness, I can eat in the kitchen,” Zerra said almost breathless. She’s so worried right now and very sad at the same time. Besides, she doesn’t want to create trouble between the two most important people in the kingdom.

“No! I want you to have breakfast with us and that’s final!” the king commanded with his most authoritative and formal tone. Erdy did not speak anymore but he clenched his jaw. Zerra was still afraid to move but when the king motioned her to sit, she did it instantly. One maid started to serve her foods when Alpha Erdy spoke angrily again.

“She is not paralyzed nor invalid. Just let her get her own food!” he hissed, and the servant fearfully stepped back. Zerra gave her an apologetic smile and whispered sorry. The maid politely nodded at her and went to her original spot. There was a long silence after that. Only their breathing and the sound of the spoon and fork were being heard. It’s like everyone is trying to make breakfast as normal as possible.

“How old are you, Zerra?” the king suddenly asked, breaking the silence.

“Twenty-one, Your Grace,” she answered politely. Now, she’s contemplating if she’s going to eat or not. She was hungry earlier, but she is too nervous to eat. For Zerra, this is the most intimidating breakfast she had in her whole life. She’s so careful and thought that even breathing normally was a crime.

“You’re such a lovely young lady, Zerra. I heard you haven’t found your mate, either?” the queen commented and queried kindly. She’s smiling and looking gently at her. That made her remember her sweet mother. A pain suddenly stung her heart with that. But still, she managed to genuinely smile at her and bow as a show of respect.

“Thank you, Your Highness. And yes, until now, my mate is still nowhere to be found,” Zerra replied with a sincere tone. They all looked at Alpha Erdy when he scoffed at the queen’s remark about her. Because of the gentleness in the queen’s voice, Zerra began to feel a bit at ease. So, when she saw the annoyance on the alpha’s face, she just ignored it.

“You’re just like our alpha and my second son. They, too, haven’t found their destined mates. I always wanted to have a daughter, but the moon goddess only blessed me with three stubborn males. It would have been nice to have a daughter as beautiful and as charming as you,” the queen continued saying. “They say that having a daughter–”

“Mom, are you really going to be emotional here?” Erdy butted annoyingly and Zerra shot him with a secret glare. He really is a heartless creature. How could he even treat his mother this way? She thought. Does he even know how lucky he is to have a complete and loving family?

The queen only laughed at her son’s words. Zerra stared at the queen in awe. She is so beautiful. Everything about her is nice and admirable. She thinks the same way about the king. So, how come Alpha Erdy is an arrogant and heartless one?

“Erdy, son, why don’t you just give her to me as my personal handmaiden? I would love to have her as one of my people,” the queen asked her son softly. Alpha Erdy rolled her eyes, ignoring her mother’s request. For some reason, Zerra felt hopeful about this. She would love to serve the queen. It is way, way better than being with this ruthless alpha.

“No! I have another plan for her,” Erdy refused. Zerra frowned and let out a disappointing sigh.

“And what exactly is that?” the king asked authoritatively. It’s so obvious that whatever the alpha is planning, the king isn’t agreeing to it.

“Father, we are done discussing this. So, I’m begging you, let’s stop here,” Alpha Erdy answered in a very serious note. The king only heaved a sigh. Maybe he doesn’t want to argue with his son over breakfast. Zerra even felt guilty because she felt like they were having a disagreement because of her.

After the meal, Zerra went back to her room to change. The alpha told her that they’re going somewhere today. Even though she’s very curious, she can’t bring herself to ask. She wore a plain and simple green dress just above her knees. She tied her hair in a bun and put on her ballerina shoes. One quick look in the mirror and she went out of the room.

While she was walking down the stairs, Alpha Erdy was already giving some instructions to his men. Zerra can’t help but to stare at his sexy back. There were only a few occasions that she saw their alpha from afar because her father rarely brought her to the official events and festivals in the palace. Her mother died when she was only eight years old and since then, her father never took care of her. She’s always left with the care of a nanny. Maybe her father wanted a son instead of a daughter.

Zerra was so lost in thoughts that she didn’t hear that the alpha was already calling for her. The second time he called for her name, he’s already glaring at her. She walked faster to reach his side as soon as she could.

“I’m sorry, alpha,” she timidly uttered. He was gazing at her intently and she’s beginning to be more afraid of him.

“Let’s go,” he ordered. He turned his back on her and strode out of the house.

“Uhm… may I know where we’re going?” she asked when they reached his car.

“You’ll see,” he said with a sneer. Now this is not good, she told herself.

Zerra tried her best not to turn her head and stare at the handsome face of the alpha. His fresh scent is unbelievably making her feel something strange inside her. She loved his scent very much that she wanted so badly to inhale it and to have more. She closed her eyes and concentrated on his addicting scent. Her wolf is happy to be near him too. And she’s sensing that Erin – her wolf, is trying to communicate with the alpha’s beast. She shouldn’t be feeling this way, but she can’t help it. She is undoubtedly very afraid of him, but her body is reacting differently.

“What are you fantasizing about?” Alpha Erdy roared at her. She almost jumped on her seat when she recognized the irritation in the alpha’s voice.

“N-nothing. I am not fantasizing about anything,” she said, but her action is telling otherwise.

Since this morning, Erdy had been fighting the urge to take Zerra the moment her scent hit his nose during breakfast and worse, his wolf became so restless, too. The reaction of his wolf is really confusing him to the core. It is really the first time that the beast inside him strongly reacted to someone. Then, just now, when she closed her eyes tightly, his eyes fell on to her from the side mirror, and he almost lost his concentration on the road.

“Then, why are you closing your eyes like you’re imagining something intimate?” he asked, annoyed more at himself for even asking that stupid question.

Zerra only stared at him because she didn’t know how to answer that. Did she really fantasize about him? Her mind is on haywire now because his scent is so alluring that even her wolf, which is usually quiet, is reacting differently whenever the alpha is near them.

“I am not thinking about such things…” she answered without looking at him. She felt him glancing at her in the rearview mirror and her heart’s beating quickened its pace. She’s beginning to become more uncomfortable because his stare is too much for her to bear. She remained stiff and fought the urge to look at him because she’s too afraid to irritate the alpha more.

After three hours, the alpha pulled the truck under a very huge tree. Although she’s wondering why they are here, she remains silent the whole time. She got out of the car after Erdy did and she gasped in surprise at a paradise-like nature in front of her. This was her first time seeing this place and it already felt like home. Home? Seriously? What was I thinking? She mentally scolded herself.

“What is this place? This is the most beautiful place I’ve even seen in my entire life,” she asked while her eyes were roaming around. She only noticed now that they were on top of a hill which is surrounded by a vast land filled with different flowers of vivid colors. On the right side of it, was a small lake or spring. She couldn’t determine which of the two it really was. Then below the left corner of this hill is a house. It’s not just a house, but a grand one. Why didn’t I notice it earlier? She thought.

“Are you done?” she was too startled when he suddenly spoke in a very exasperated tone.

“I’m sorry, alpha, I was just mesmerized with this place. By the way, where are we?” she tried asking after answering his question. He looked at her with a very serious expression before speaking.

“This is my own land. Consider yourself lucky because only very few are allowed in here. I just needed you here to do something for me. This will be your main job as my personal servant,” he answered coldly, and began to walk towards the enormous house. It is not actually a house, it’s a castle. Maybe smaller than their palace, but while getting nearer, she is starting to be awestrikened by how gigantic and glorious it really is.