Stay

Deal

Neeko's P.O.V

I haven't spoken a word to Ruth since we returned to the pack house. She has been unusually quiet and I left her alone to give her some space. But it didn't felt quite right. So, I decided to check up on her. As expected, she was alone, busy staring at the walls.

I sighed and took gradual steps towards her. She didn't even turn to look at me but she did flinched when I sat beside her. I had no plans to chat with her. I was there just to accompany her so, I didn't mind her silence. We stayed in silence for almost an hour until she finally decided to break the bubble.

"You're really not going to talk to me?" her voice was hoarse, as if she hadn't been talking for months.

I wasn't surprised the first thing she asked me was that, considering her nature. "I'm trying to give you some space." I said softly as I looked at the dusty rays entering through the window while her curious eyes turned to me.

"Then why are you here?" she looked away, sounding slightly disappointed.

I smiled, "because I didn't want to leave you alone" for fear that she might do something insane or even end up breaking down. My eyes were soft as I gazed at her and she gazed at me with a slight surprise and anticipation.

"I thought you wouldn't care" she mumbled softly as she bowed her head to avoid my eyes.

At that moment, I finally realized how insecure she felt. Having a life like that and on top of that having a mate who didn't look at her with the same compassion she felt, was indeed something dreadful. I never really realized how lonely and insecure she felt whenever I tried to avoid her, when I refuse to fulfill my duties as her mate. It did make me feel like a bad guy. I was indeed unfair to her.

But the circumstances didn't allow me to tell her the truth. I couldn't tell her about her real mate. Plus the issue of me being involved with the Alpha was getting out of hand. It seemed as if the whole world was trying to mess up with me.

"Of course I care about you silly!" I chuckled. "I don't know what you think but you're important to me and I've made a promise to protect you" She's my brother's mate, of course she's important to me.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't get you earlier." I felt angry as I recalled the events where I found her wounded and b****y. "If only......" I clenched my fists to suppress the bubbling anger inside me as I turned away from her. "If only I could get to you earlier"

I felt her head on my back and I flinched at the sudden contact. She wrapped her hands around me and drew herself closer to me. "It's fine now. Just promise me that you won't let go of me" she whispered and I felt her smile slightly on my back.

I was supposed to be the one to comfort her but here I'm being comforted by her.

I smiled at the reversed situation. "I promise." I didn't know what she meant by not let go of her but I figured that my reasonings were pretty much the same. After all I'd be protecting her till all this mess will be solved.

~~~~~~

I accompanied Ruth for almost a week, neglecting all my duties. I was surprised that the Alpha didn't barged into my room fuming with rage. During this time, I got to know Ruth a little better. She was a strong willed person with a fierce personality. She could be a chatterbox and extremely clingy at times, not exactly the type of person I'd like to associate with but I didn't mind having her around either.

I decided to get back to work once she was back to normal. However the consequences of ignoring my duties as a Beta turned out to be heavier than I expected.

I felt suffocated once I entered the Alpha's office. His dark aura signalled me to flee the scene but my body wouldn't listen as I stood frozen on my spot in front of the Alpha. I gulped when his cold gaze fell on my body and I felt an involuntary shiver run down my spine.

His scent was all over the place which kinda helped me calm down a bit. He looked intimidating yet at the same time, gorgeous. His disheveled white blonde hair made him look more beautiful than ever and his green orbs locked with mine felt electrifying. My eyes landed on his lips and I gulped as I recalled how they felt on mine. Sweet....

Focus! Focus! I mentally slapped myself awake from the hypnotizing being in front of me. What the heck's so wrong with me? Seriously? Do I have to think about all those things at a time like this? Am I going insane?

"So you finally got time for your duties, Beta." his voice mixed with anger and coldness seemed to prick my nerves but at the same time why did it sound so alluring? Dammit! What am I even saying?

"I'm sorry Alpha. It won't happen again" I said, intending to make it sound strong but came out weak and soft. Just great!

He stared at me coldly for what felt like eternity and I had to clench my sweaty palms behind my back to calm my racing heart. I always seem to have a greater risk of getting a heart attack whenever I'm with him.

"I don't want your excuses. You're coming with me to hunt the rouges. And Your mate isn't allowed to tag along." he said as if he was sure that Ruth would follow me wherever I go.

"Got it, Alpha." I nodded. I was just glad that he didn't explode on me. Not letting Ruth to follow me was an easier job compared to facing his intimidating presence. Just a piece of cake!

Or so I thought!

"I'm coming with you. I can't trust that jerk Alpha. His intentions aren't pure" she said crossing her hand and sat grumpily on the bed.

Apparently I tried to coax her to stay but Ruth being Ruth, just wouldn't listen to me. Actually it'd be strange if she did.

"Ruth, listen to me. The Alpha is actually pretty mad at me for ignoring my duties. So, I don't want to piss him further, OK?" I pleaded but in vain. As if she'd listen...

"Don't be a coward. I can deal with that damn Alpha by myself. I'm not letting you go alone with him. I don't trust him." she was fuming and ready to march out to the Alpha's office but stop her from moving further.

"OK Ruth, I don't have the time to be arguing with you. Tell me what do you want me to do to make you listen to me?" I was already at my wits end. This girl was out of my control. I wanted nothing more than Nathan to come and free me from her at that moment.

She stopped after hearing me and I stood straight, having no need to restrain her anymore.

" Let me mark you! "she looked at me, dead serious.

I was triggered as panic rose in my chest." What!?.... No need to rush. "I said smiling sheepishly at her, cursing myself for even mentioning to fulfill her desire.

" After I mark you, you'll be branded as mine. No one will dare to take you from me" she smirked as her eyes shone with determination as if thinking why didn't I think of it before? She took steps closer to me baring her fangs to bite me. I took cautious steps behind trying to stop her.

"Wait! I'm not ready yet" I blurted out in hopes to stop her. She did. I looked at her to find her disappointed.

I sighed, "Fine" I didn't seem to have a choice anyway.

Her eyes lit up in excitement as she looked up at me, "does that mean I can mark you?"

"What? No! I mean you can come with us!"

"Oh!" she didn't look happy at all. Guess she's disappointed.

I grabbed her hands and made her look at me. "Your mate won't be taken by anyone. And you will mark your mate, I promise" she smiled and nodded after hearing that. Phew! That was a close one. Clever move. I didn't make any false promises,replacing me with mate, that doesn't make me a liar, does it?

~~~~~~

Once more I stood in front of the Alpha's intimidating figure. Refraining my mind from wandering elsewhere, I focused on the man in front of me, who was certainly not happy about my request. He looked....pissed!

I gulped for the fifth time as his eyes landed on me.

"I already said no. So, don't even think about changing my mind" he said coldly, not even bothering to consider the poor me.

"Alpha, Ruth is excellent in combat plus she can perform magic. I'm sure she'll be a great help to us" I said trying to show the merits of taking her along but that seemed to piss him off even more.

His priviously expressionless face had started to change as he narrowed his eyes at me and I couldn't help but gulp again. Man, he looks terribly gorgeous. Please kill me now! I'm probably insane to be thinking like that.

"So, you think I won't be able to protect you? " he was already closing the gap between us and I backed away in fear. Where did that come from?

"I-I didn't mean it, Alpha?" did I just stutter?

"Then what do you mean?" his voice boomed in my a head so loud that I squeezed my eyes shut. Although my body wasn't trembling or showing any frantic movements, I was a mess in the inside.

"Well... It's.. I..." I tried forming the words but not a single word came out of my mouth. "She wants to mark me if I don't take her along" I sighed, at last I'm fated to be embarrassed.

I'm not sure if it's my imagination but I saw his eyes widened ever so slightly. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared,which left me wondering if it was even real.

"Make a deal with me!" his voice tickled my face due to the fact that he was so close to me.

I looked at him in confusion and disapproval. "I've got no money!" I said.

"It's not about money" he smirked. "I'll let her go if you promise to fulfill my one wish"

"What wish? I basically can't do anything that you can't do and I don't posses anything more valuable than you do." I said, confused.

"I'll ask for it when the time comes" he smiled, a genuine smile as his eyes turned incredibly soft. It's probably the first time that I get to see one of his rarest features. It's gorgeous like the rest of him. Man, I can't seem to dislike this guy no matter how bad he turns out to be.

"What if I can't fulfill it? Will you kill me?" I looked up at him, fearful to hear his answer. But I dared to face it.

He just chuckled, "You can and I won't kill you. Anyway it's the only way. I won't agree otherwise" dammit! He knows how to play his cards. He knows that I don't want to be marked and he's taking full advantage of my situation. Even so, I can't seem to be able to hate him.

He lifted up my chin and made me look at him. "Hurry little panda. We're running out of time"

I bit my lower lips as I tried to take a quick decision. Damn!

"OK! I promise"