The Taming Of Alpha Rafael

Chapter 2

— Sonya's POV —

In the car, I sat silently, listening to the conversation unfolding between the man and the woman sitting in the front seats.

"Is Rafael going to accept her?" the woman asked.

"That I don't know, we both know him, he would reject even though he had no other choice. But I will ensure he accepts her," the man answered.

Gracie was beside me, busy with her wandering eyes all over the interior of the sleek car and finally, her eyes rested on the screen before her.

I was attentive and their hushed tones and cryptic words filled me with a sense of unease. They seemed to be discussing my fate, debating whether I was the right candidate for a certain individual named Rafael.

As a stranger, the idea of babysitting an alpha who had lost his pack and his leg appeared dangerous. However, my desperate need for money to support my fatherless daughter compelled me to stay and hear more. There was no crime in trying.

As the car turned into a silent lane, I peeked out of the window and noticed a large gate up ahead. The vehicle manoeuvred through the gate, finding its place in the driveway.

It was a mansion, with a lawn of flowing picturesque background. There were countless cars in the garage, and in the field were horses.

At the other side was a pool, a statue, and a mahogany tree which had a seethe underneath it. I was familiar with the figure. Particularly the statue. The mansion had been on news headlines over the years but I had forgotten all I knew about it.

With a mixture of eagerness and apprehension, we all stepped out of the car. I held Gracie's hand tightly as she was hooked to the surroundings and might run off.

"Gabriel, you should inform Rafael about this before you take her in," the woman spoke up, directing her words towards the man beside her.

Gabriel nodded in agreement, acknowledging the importance of her suggestion. He then turned towards me and spoke with a calm yet serious tone, "Alright, wait here for a moment. I will go and talk to Rafael."

The imposing structure exuded an air wealth and power. Also, to be in the news headline meant that it could be complicated. If all goes right, I will work here, I thought to myself.

"Mummy see, it's a pool," Gracie said and I nodded. I was right to hold her as she was joyous at the scenery and wanted to play around.

Left with the woman, she took the opportunity to introduce herself properly.

"I'm Cecilia," she said warmly, her voice masking the underlying tension. "Guess we should have done this earlier but we were in a rush. What's your name?"

"I am Sonya," I answered.

"And this little one," she continued, gesturing towards my daughter, "what is her name?"

"Gracie," Gracie, being a spirited young girl said and proudly flashed her teeth, almost as if greeting Cecilia with her version of a friendly grin.

"Let me brief you, Sonya," she began, her voice assuming a more serious tone. "You see, Gabriel, my fiancé, and Rafael are twins, the. Salvatore's twins. Gabriel maintained the family conglomerate while Rafael used to be in charge of a pack, but he's had a difficult time recently, losing both his pack and his leg. As a result, he's taking a break from the wolf business for a while. Gabriel has been with him for weeks but our wedding is next tomorrow, after which we will be away for a month, during our honeymoon…"

"Congratulations in advance," I cut in and Cecilia smiled.

"Thank you. Your role would be to assist him with daily chores while he heals and drive him to wherever he wants to go. About payment, I am prepared to pay you five hundred thousand dollars weekly for your services.".

"What!" I interjected. Five hundred thousand dollars? Weekly? That was more than I have ever made all my life.

"You deserve more," Cecilia said. "Rafael is broken, and beyond being broken, he has a personality I don't understand. But his brother loves him so much and if I want my husband to myself for one month, I have to settle his brother."

Cecilia had said a lot about who my boss was but my eyes widened at the mention of such a significant sum of money. It was more than I could have ever imagined earning in such a short period.

After I Imagined how the feel of money would be, the comments came to the surface. A personality that Cecilia doesn't understand? How will I cope?

The offer was undeniably tempting, but caution and concern for my daughter's safety still lingered within me. "Ma'am," I hesitated, "I understand the need for help, but is it safe? I mean, Rafael is a stranger, and the situation sounds complicated. Will he be okay with my daughter around?"

"Sonya, I can assure you that Gabriel and I wouldn't place you or Gracie in harm's way. While it's true that Rafael has been through a difficult time and he's complicated, I know him, he is still family. He might be tough but he's soft. I have seen it."

"I am only worried," I said.

"We want to support him during his recovery, and we trust that with your help, he will be able to get back on his feet. Besides, the house is big enough and you both may not be involved in much. Just attention to him when he needs you and return to your room when you're done. He will be in his room all day," Cecilia explained.

Her words offered me some reassurance, and while concerns still existed, the thought of providing for my daughter in such a substantial manner was too compelling to dismiss.

"Alright, ma'am, I'm willing to give it a try. But if at any point I feel that Gracie or I are in danger, I will have to reconsider."

Cecilia nodded understandingly, acknowledging my condition. "Of course, Sonya, your safety and well-being are paramount. We will do our best to ensure a secure environment for both you and Gracie."

***

— Rafael's POV —

Rafael Salvatore sat casually at the bar in his spacious Master's living room, his wild face adorned with a carefully trimmed beard that added an air of ruggedness to his appearance.

A scar on his forehead, barely visible beneath his thick dark hair hinted at a past encounter with danger. But it was the tattoo of a fierce wolf etched across his chest that truly embodied his untamed spirit.

His muscles rippled around his arms and shoulders and were also present down his torso as a six-pack, and his intense eyes burned with a fiery dominance, aided by the drink that was in his hand.

On the opposite side of the bar, Gabriel Salvatore strode in, carrying the opposite of all Rafael stood for. He was strut in a fitted suit and as a result of a healthy aftershave treatment, his face was smooth.

He took a seat, facing his twin brother and gave him a charismatic smile that contrasted with Rafael's rugged appearance.

"What's up, Gabriel? You just left, what brought you back?" Rafael spoke in his deep brazen voice.

"Brother, I've found a woman who could be of great help to you. A werewolf, no less. She can assist with our home chores and even drive you around when needed…"

Rafael slammed the bottle of vodka in his hands. The bottle broke and the liquid content seeped out.

"I am alpha Raphael of the Fairfield pack. I need no…"

"Where is your pack, Oh alpha," Gabriel cut in too. "Of course, you remain a werewolf. I don't buy the life but I can't tear that part of me away. But right now, you have to accept that you need all the help you can get."

"How long will you be away?" Rafael asked.

"I'm planning a month, but Cecilia might want more," Gabriel answered. "And she's a werewolf. A lone wolf. Your secret is safe brother."

Rafael scowled and leaned forward, his voice filled with stubborn resistance. "I don't need anyone, Gabriel. Be it a month or a year, I will survive on my own."

Gabriel berated his brother gently, placing a hand on Rafael's forearm. "I know you're independent, but I want you to understand that I am not helping you alone. This is a two-way help. I am helping you and helping the woman as well. She is a single mother who needs to survive, please give her a chance."

"What? First, it's a woman, now a single mother? Hell no," Rafael said and shook his head.

Gabriel rose from his seat and laughed. "Now I know," he said and placed both hands on the extended part of the shelf. "Are you looking forward to taking her to your bed?"

"What! No!" Rafael shouted.

"Well, I don't know her story. But she is a single mother and she will work here, live here with her daughter for the time while I'm away," Gabriel explained.

Silence prevailed and Gabriel continued in a soft voice. "Rafael, you have spent all your life as a werewolf. Fighting in the open and contending in the woods. How about you have some peace around you and deal without violence?"

Rafael sighed, his fiery gaze softening. "Fine, Gabriel. I'll agree to this woman's help. But I won't promise anything more. If the kid becomes a problem, I'll send her away before you return."

With a victorious grin, Gabriel raised both hands. "Thank you, brother. You won't regret this decision."

Gabriel walked out and approached Cecilia and Sonya. "What is her name?" he asked.

"Sonya," Cecilia responded.

"Sonya, you can start immediately. You'll be paid ten thousand dollars per week. We believe your assistance will be invaluable," he said.

Sonya couldn't argue as Cecilia already sent a million dollars to her account.

Gabriel deftly transferred the money to Sonya's account, and as she reached out to shake his hand, their eyes met, silently acknowledging the beginning of a working relationship.

"You can go inside," Gabriel said.

"Just like that?" Sonya asked.

"Yes. Just like that," Cecilia replied. "You can go back to your house and get your clothes after you too have talked. We will be on our way now." Cecelia concluded and hugged Sonya.

Gabriel and Cecelia got into the car and drove away, leaving Sonya facing the magnificent mansion. She took a deep breath trying to garner some courage before she stepped into the unknown.

"Mummy, let us go inside," Gracie said, pulling Sonya's arm towards the house.

As Sonya took weary steps, she tried to visualize her stay in the mansion. Who is Rafael Salvatore? An alpha? Yes, but what is his personality?

"Oh, I know his name," she said and then brought out her phone.

Rafael Salvatore!!! She typed to Google and the first response was the news headline… 'Rafael Salvatore, the playboy, the p***y mafia.'

This was the headline that Sonya had heard always but didn't know whom it reflected. But now, she would work with him.

There she was, an epitome of beauty. All through the years, she had maintained her skin and the shape that was building back then had reached its climax.

Sonya had advances over the years as a single mother, but the opening that she was introduced to on the basics of love and betrayal was still ringing in her brain so much that she saw men as replicas of Kantos.

Also, she wouldn't want anything that would touch the well-being of Gracie. She had been sent out of her father's domain when she was three months old, if anything would touch her, Sonya would rather exit, the same way she did with Kantos.

"I can do this," she whispered to herself, her voice filled with determination. With every step she took, her hips swung and danced to the pace of her steps. She buttoned her shirt to conceal her breast as an afterthought.