The Alpha Who Hates Me

CHAPTER 9

“So are you two like...dating now?” Lia asked with a beaming smile plastered on her face. She hasn’t stopped squealing and talking ever since I told her about what happened between me and Kaleb earlier this morning.

Although I’d like to forget about the fact that Lowell witnessed us practically making love in Kaleb’s office, I couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that Kaleb had finally given in and allowed himself to be with me.

“What exactly is dating?” I asked her back. “I mean, we kissed. Like with tongue and all and Kaleb said he’s done resisting me, so I’m not sure if you could call that dating.”

“Of course, silly.” My best friend with ginger locks scolded me. “You’re one step closer towards your bond consummation, so that means you’re already in a relationship with him. And it’s not just because you guys are mated. I’m so happy for you, Ellie. I know how much you love Kaleb and how much you want to be him and now it’s finally happening. I told you he feels the same way.”

I had to take a deep breath because the feeling was so overwhelming. The past few months I’ve been crying myself to sleep because of him and now I can finally say that the tears were all worth it. “Well, technically, he hasn’t told me he loves me, so I’m not sure if that’s like a confirmation already.”

Lia nodded in agreement. “Sure, you need to hear that straight from him, but if you try to read between the lines, him saying that he’s done resisting you is like another way of confirming that he loves you, too.”

‘Help me!’

“What did you say, Lia?”

Lia looked at me in confusion. “I said that’s like another way of confirming that he feels the same way for you.”

I shook my head. “No, no. You said something after that.”

“Uhm, no I didn’t.”

‘Please, help me!’

I looked behind me and tried to find the voice calling out to me. “Did you hear that?”

“Hear what?” Lia followed me as I walked towards the window of her room to look outside, but I didn’t find anyone. “Hear what, Ellie?”

“Someone’s calling out for help. It’s a woman’s voice.”

She lightly tapped my arm. “Hey, don’t scare me like that.”

‘I’m here. Please! You have to help me!’

“I’m not making it up, Lia. I can really hear someone’s voice. We have to help her.” I quickly stormed out of Lia’s bedroom and then down the stairs. I didn’t stop walking until I was outside their house.

Lia was just following me behind with a worried and confused look on her face. “You’re really starting to freak me out, Ellie. I do not hear any voices. Let’s just go inside and ask for Kaleb’s help instead. We can’t go out alone.”

‘Here! I’m here!’

The voice was coming from the trees that were just at the back of Lia’s house. “Are there any more houses behind those trees?”

Lia looked towards the direction of where I was pointing before she shook her head. “Not a house, but the old mansion is located there.”

I suddenly remembered something. “You mean the old mansion where they locked up the witch?”

“That’s where they locked up the witch? Oh, hell no.” Lia shook her head firmly. We’re not going there, Ellie! She could be dangerous. She tried to breach into one of the barriers, remember?”

“But what if she’s the one in danger? She’s calling for help, Lia. I can’t stand here and do nothing.” I started going around Lia’s house anything then jumped over the fence that was leading to the large trees where the old mansion was hidden.

Lia was still following me. “I swear, Ellie, Kaleb will kill me.”

“You can call Kaleb while I go to the old mansion.”

“What? I can’t-”

I wasn’t able to hear what she said next because I was already running through the woods. I could hear Lia screaming but she didn’t follow me anymore and that’s probably because she went back to their house to call Kaleb.

It didn’t take long before I reached the huge gate of the old mansion.

This place was already forbidden to the entire town a long time ago and Kaleb and a few guards were allowed to enter the mansion. According to Narcia, this was the house where Kaleb grew up, but after his parents were killed, the old mansion became a prison for any enemies or unknown creatures.

The old mansion was surrounded by tall walls and there were guards in front of the huge gate.

‘Please, I need your help or he’s going to hurt me. Please!’

When I heard that voice again, I quickly ran to the gate and there were at least two guards who quickly blocked my way.

“What brings you here, Miss Ellie?” Gunard, one of the guards, asked. “You’re not allowed to enter this property under Kaleb’s orders.”

“You don’t understand.” I told them while I tried to catch my breath. “I heard someone calling for help.”

The guards exchanged looks at one another and they stood quiet for a moment before Gunard spoke again. “I didn’t hear anything, Miss Ellie. Look, it’s not safe here. I’ll have one of the guards escort you back to the house.”

“No, I swear! I’m not lying. I really heard-”

I stopped mid-sentence when a thin fog suddenly filled the surroundings. What’s happening?

I looked around and waited for the fog to vanish and when it did, Gunard suddenly grabbed me by the arm. I flinched in surprise.

“Let Miss Ellie in,” he said, gesturing to one of the guards behind the gate.

I looked at him for a moment as I grew confused because he had just told me earlier that I was not allowed to enter the old mansion. But I muttered a thank you to him anyway.

The gate finally opened and the guards stood on their posts, not saying anything. Gunard let my arm go and I let myself inside the vast yard of the old mansion. In the middle of it was a house that was almost as big as a palace. It’s made of brick and looks really old.

‘I’m here!’

My head snapped in the direction where the voice was coming from.

I realized the voice was coming from an open garden located on the left side of the yard. I was amazed to see that the flowers were still in full bloom, indicating that the shifters who are guarding the old mansion were also taking care of it.

I cautiously walked towards the garden while looking around. I thought I already knew all of the places and corners of Maytown, but I didn’t know that the infamous old mansion was like a paradise on the inside.

‘Come to the water, Ellie.’

The voice spoke to me again. I noticed the water fountain located at the very heart of the garden and it was surrounded by more flowers.

I was so immensely drawn by the beauty of the flowers that I didn’t realize I was already standing in front of the massive fountain.

‘Help me, Ellie.’

The voice became louder this time. The water seemed shallow from afar but I could swear the voice was coming from it. I extended my hand to reach for the water in the fountain.

‘Ellie, don’t!’

Another voice said. The voice was of a man who sounded just like Kaleb.

‘Ellie, please help me!’

The water suddenly moved and sparkled. When the tip of my finger touched the water, an unfamiliar face suddenly appeared in my mind. He had a scar on his left cheek and he was looking right at me with a sinister smile plastered on his face.

“Hello, Ellie.” His voice was deep and petrifying. “I finally found you.”

Something pulled me and I felt like I was thrown off the ground, but I felt a pair of strong arms around me. I tried to open my eyes but darkness began closing in.

‘Ellie, open your eyes. Look at me!’

Kaleb?

I tried to open my eyes again but my mind and body suddenly felt tired and heavy.

And then darkness completely closed in.