Chapter 5: A Girl Of Virgin Heart
1396 Words
CHAPTER 5: A Girl Of Virgin Heart
Leota’s POV
Jason’s eyes still burned gold, wild and sharp, like they belonged to something that shouldn’t even exist.
My body moved before I could think, and I stepped back with my heart pounding so hard it hurt. If he reached out now, he could tear my throat out in one swipe.
“Stay… stay back,” I whispered with my voice shaking.
Jason blinked with a jaw tight, and for a second, I thought he might lunge, but instead, he spoke roughly.
“You have no idea what you’re doing here, Leota.”
Then he spun and bolted.
“Jason!” I shouted, but he didn’t stop.
I hesitated only a moment before running after him with curiosity taking over my fear. I couldn’t just let him go like that, not after what I’d seen.
He sprinted across the rink, out the door, and down the hallway, and his head stayed low and shoulders hunched, as if he was hiding from everyone. Every few steps, he let out a harsh groan, like something inside him hurt.
“Jason, wait!” I called again, weaving past a pair of janitors. He ignored me, cutting through the lobby and pushing out of the building.
He avoided the parking lot, keeping close to the deserted place, and whenever people passed, he ducked behind cars or took another path.
It wasn’t random; he was running from more than me.
I followed at a distance and we left the buildings behind, crossed the road, and headed straight for the dark line of trees that marked the edge of campus.
“Don’t go in there,” I muttered under my breath, but he already had.
Branches scraped my jacket as I stepped into the forest, and my shoes sank a little into the soft ground as I tried to keep quiet.
Up ahead, Jason stopped with one hand braced against a tree trunk and his head bowed. His whole body shook with ragged breaths.
I slowed with my heart beating fearfully loud.
“Jason?” I called, barely louder than a whisper.
He didn’t answer.
I took a few careful steps closer.
“Are you… okay?”
That’s when he spun.
I saw his face… or what was left of it, and a scream tore out of me before I knew it, and it echoed through the entire forest.
***
Dante’s POV
“Please, Mr. Oliveira, I really have to finish this report,” the young girl begged, clutching a folder against her chest. “Your father will be so mad if I don’t send it in ten minutes.”
I leaned lazily against her desk with a smirk tugging at my lips.
“Relax, sweetheart. You’re way too tense.” I picked up her pen and twirled it between my fingers. “Come on, tell me something fun about yourself.”
She sighed, pushing her glasses higher.
“Sir, I can’t…”
“Sir?” I laughed. “That’s so boring. Call me Dante.” I winked. “You know, soon you’ll all be calling me Alpha Dante anyway.”
She blinked.
“Alpha?”
I spread my arms, as if presenting myself.
“Alpha Ricardo Oliveira is my father, and guess who’s next in line? That’s right.. me.” I leaned closer with my voice dropping to a teasing whisper. “So maybe you should smile more. Future boss in front of you.”
“Mr. Oliveira, please,” she whispered with her eyes darting toward the hall. “He’ll fire me if this isn’t done.”
I chuckled.
“If he fires you, I’ll hire you back. Maybe as my personal assistant. Job security, see?”
Before she could answer, a firm voice cut through the conversation.
“Dante.”
I stiffened and slowly turned. Alpha Ricardo Oliveira, my father, stood in the doorway with arms crossed and a gaze sharp enough to murder me.
“Father,” I said quickly, straightening my jacket. “Didn’t see you there.”
“Office. Now.”
I flashed the girl a smile.
“We’ll continue later.” Then I followed my father.
Inside the office, Father shut the door hard enough to rattle the frame, and then he rounded on me with his eyes blazing.
“What do you think you’re doing?” the Alpha shouted. “Flirting with staff during work hours? You’re embarrassing yourself and me!”
I raised my hands.
“It was just a bit of fun.”
“Fun?” Father stepped closer and smacked the back of my head. “Do you think an Alpha wastes time like that?”
“Hey!” I rubbed the spot. “Stop hitting me.”
“Not until you get it through your skull.” Another knock came. “Grow up, Dante! One day, this pack will depend on you. You can’t act like a spoiled child forever.”
I scowled but stayed silent.
Father jabbed a finger at me.
“You want respect? Earn it. Now get out before I lose my temper.”
I stormed out, slamming the door behind me. Anger and humiliation burned inside of me, and everyone in the hallway quickly looked away.
I pushed through the exit and walked toward my car.
“Open the door,” I snapped at the driver.
“Yes, sir.”
I slid into the back seat and yanked the door shut.
“Partition up.”
The glass rose, sealing me in, and I grabbed my phone and called Stefan, my best friend.
“Yo,” Stefan answered. “What's up, dude? You ready for that ...”
“Don’t start,” I growled. “My dad just chewed me out like I’m ten. He doesn’t get it, Stefan. He’s ancient and a dinosaur and won’t let go of the throne.”
Stefan chuckled.
“Maybe you need to… hurry up the process.”
I frowned.
“What are you saying?”
“Think about it.” Stefan’s voice dropped low. “If Ricardo weren’t around, you’d be Alpha already. Like, maybe take him out?”
I sat up.
“What? Are you crazy? Everyone would know it was me!”
“Not if you do it right,” Stefan said, sly now. “I know someone.. A witch, actually, and she lives past the border, near the old river. She can make things… easier.”
“A witch?” I snorted. “That’s a fairy tale.”
“I’m serious,” Stefan said. “She’s helped people before. She can be of help to you.”
I tapped a finger against the seat, considering.
“And you think she’d help me?”
“She will if you pay,” Stefan replied. “Meet me there tonight if you really want this.”
I glanced out the window at the fading sun, and a wicked grin spread slowly across my face.
“Fine. Text me the spot.”
***
Night had fallen over the forest by the time I arrived at the place Stefan had mentioned. The car rolled to a stop near a crooked hut by the lake.
“Wait here,” I told the driver and stepped out and approached the hut carefully.
Stefan stood near the doorway with his hands in his pockets.
“Thought you’d chicken out,” he said.
I smirked.
“Not a chance.” I pushed the door open.
The witch sat at a table, bent over strange symbols carved into the wood and without looking up, she spoke.
“You want to be Alpha, Dante Oliveira.”
I paused mid-step.
“Okay,” I said slowly. “That’s… creepy. But I like it. Means you’re real.”
She finally lifted her gaze with her eyes dark and knowing.
“You crave your father’s power.”
“Yes,” I admitted with my swagger returning. “So, what do we do?”
The witch traced a finger over the runes.
“To take the Alpha’s strength, you must bring me something first.”
“What?” I asked, leaning in.
“A girl,” the witch said calmly. “From Lake Mississippi. A girl with a pure and virgin heart.”
I blinked in confusion.
“What girl?”
Her smile was thin as she replied.
“Your ex-girlfriend. Leota Chase...”
- Writer
