MARKED BY DECEPTION

THE PUNISHMENT

~Darius Pov~

It was a few hours to midnight. My body was still fully alert, despite the tiring day I had.

“Fck!”,I cursed beneath my breath, slamming my hands on the reading table.

I knew it was about to be yet another night struggling to find sleep. A luxury that a lot of people in the pack house enjoyed except me.

I returned the history book I was studying back on the shelf. Then quietly left my study room,heading for my bedroom.

On my way, I heard footsteps,barely audible. If I were not an alpha and was not bestowed with the gift of hearing even the most minute sounds, I would not have noticed.

I hid behind a pillar.

On further listening,I realized they were directed towards the new servants quarters. The doors were always left open but they had lights out at 10:00pm, meaning no one should be walking out by this time.

I looked down at my wrist watch, it was now 10:47pm.

Breaking the rules on your second night.

Who could be this brave woman?

Peering from the pillar that helped conceal me in the darkness. I watched as she took light steps, studying the area carefully.

The moonlight shone on her face as she was about to turn into the corridor leading to their rooms.

Sera?

Ofcourse, it was her.

But why was she sneaking into the quarters by this late hour?

“I didn’t know the maids worked this late”, I said.

She stopped dead in her tracks and slowly looked up, meeting my eyes.

I swallowed as we made eye contact. It reminded me of the first time I had seen her, but this time it was —-softer.

“Come”, I commanded softly, gesturing for her to come to the third floor.

She hesitated a little before climbing up the stairs.

After a minute she stood before me, consuming me with her fragrance. She smelled of vanilla,flowers, and a stronger scent I couldn’t place my finger on at the moment.

I tried to ignore it.“Follow me”, I said,turning away.

“Where are you taking me to?”, she demanded, hesitant.

I turned back to her, she appeared flushed.

“How dare you question your alpha?”

She fell silent, trying her best to avoid eye contact.

I turned and started walking towards my study.I heard her light footsteps following me now.

Good.

At the door of my study, I placed the key into the lock opening it quietly.

“Inside. Now” I whispered, There was a delay on her end.

“Now!” this time it was more of a command,she reluctantly obeyed. As she slipped into the office, I took a good look around making sure no one was in the hallway observing us before shutting the door quietly behind us.

“Come closer!” I ordered as I sat on my recliner. She moved sluggishly from the door to me, head down.

“Now tell me where you are coming from?” I questioned sternly.

She was silent,again.

“Look at me when I’m talking to you!”She lifted her head revealing those striking features of hers. Her brown doe-like eyes looked at me.The most beautiful pair of eyes I had ever seen.

I felt my chest tighten at the eye contact I requested for, I hated that my wolf was drawn to them. Why?

“I took a stroll”, she blurted out.

I leaned back on my recliner, “ a stroll I see”, my brows furrowed in quizzical fashion.

She nodded, “yes— I was trying to feel at home-”

I recognized my own words. What I had told them earlier this morning.

You sarcastic little lady.

“I got so carried away—”, she paused. I could tell from the way her body stiffened that an internal struggle brewed within her.

After she delayed a few seconds, she knelt down on the marble floor, taking me entirely by surprise.

She locked up at me,“I’m sorry Alpha. I really am”, she pleaded. Her eyes were now glassy, as if she was holding back tears. Yet, I could tell begging didn’t come naturally to her.

A lump formed in my throat at the sight before me. I had not expected this from her, I anticipated defiance not submitting.

I had to admit I could not understand her and also seeing her that way disturbed me in a manner I could not comprehend.

“get up!”

She rose up slowly from the floor, her eyes locked on me.

A little smile cracked on her face;“Thank you alpha”

The thought of her thinking she was forgiven made me chuckle,I didn’t show mercy that easily, little lady.

I stood up, and walked towards the book shelf, I felt her eyes still trailing me.

I picked out a classic book from the shelf. I can see the confusion all over her face as I walked towards her with it.

“Think fast!”I threw it to her. She caught the heavy book immediately.

Hm, sharp reflex and strong grip.That was unusual for an omega.

“Read me that”, I ordered, taking a seat back on my recliner. She looked at the book in her hands strangely, then looked up at me.

“That’s your punishment,if you like staying up late you might as well be useful.”

She gasped, clearly wanting to argue but swallowed her words instead.

“Read slowly and softly”, I added.Anger flashed her eyes for a second, making me pleased on the inside.

“Yes, Alpha," she said softly.

She cleared her throat. “ Fated Mate by Nelson Meadow. Chapter one-”

I found myself staring at her face as she spoke softly.

There was something about her that kept making my wolf nag in a curious way. I could not tell if it was good or bad, all I knew was I hated how aware he was in her presence.

“Repeat the last sentence”

Her jaw clenched.I chuckled within myself. It was so easy to get her irritated and I enjoyed it. I might not be able to read her mind for whatever reason but her body language did have a way of giving her away.

“When he met her. He hated her, she was his ruin but the goddess thought otherwise, because his dormant wolf jubilated within him.”

“Isn’t that interesting?”I stretched my legs on the end of the recliner.

She shrugged her shoulders, “ I guess”

“Go ahead. Slowly don’t rush”

She shot me a nasty glance but opened her mouth to continue.

Thirty minutes into reading, I started to feel sleepy.That was strange.Her voice was actually putting me to sleep.

“Sera?”, I called out her name, groggy with sleep.

She did not answer.

I called again, “Sera”

She looked up, “you want to sleep”, she noticed.

A yawn escaped my lips before I could talk.“Yes.Thank you- ”

She nodded softly,” you’re welcome … alpha”

I meant it, I had not slept this quick in the past two years.

“Drop the book on the table.”

She obeyed.

“You can go to bed now- ”

“Thank you alpha”She bowed, and walked towards the door.

I turned to her,“Don’t let anyone see you, if you’re caught. I’d truly punish you”.

For the first time I saw fear flash through her eyes.

“Goodnight sera”