The Alpha's Contractual Human Mate

Absence and Bodyguard

Ariella POV

“Hybrids have no place in this world! Nothing! Now and forever!" shouted an old general. He is short with a fat build. His mustache was messy and his black curly hair looked like it hadn't been combed in a week. Fierce, scary.

"Have mercy on us. Please don't kill us.” The woman beside me begged. I turned to him and he did the same to me, showing his swollen eyes that almost didn't want to stop crying. I watched his face while I couldn't stop the liquid from sliding into my eyes. I clenched my fist causing my nail to cut into my palm.

The begging and crying of almost all the women who were with me grew louder but it seemed like a happy song to the generals and all the officers who were here in the jungle. Pack soldiers with Archers are also positioned with the arrow head pointed at us. The old general walked closer to the woman who spoke. My eyes just followed them but I still couldn't stop my heart from beating fast. "I can release you depending on what you can do and your performance." The old man said flirtatiously while observing the woman.

The woman swallowed and almost trembled with fear and disgust. "But don't worry because this year is DIFFERENT and more EXCITING! HAHAHAHAHAHA!” he laughed deviously, sending our hair to stand. He stepped his foot slowly while putting his arms at his back, looking at us.

"Because this year", he smirked, purposely hanging on his words. “Anyone left alive will be our ALPHA's personal slave!” he shouted loudly, raising both his hands in the air. The soldiers also chanted together with him. "Promise me Sol, if you survive this, live your life at its best. I will do everything to save you. Remember, no one should know who you are and where you come from." He raised his thin hand to caress my face but the heavy handcuffs on our hands were getting in the way. I lowered my face at the same time as I also raised my numb hand to support his hand in caressing my round cheek.

“Ariella”, she trembled while liquid glows into her eyes.

“Dont say that, we will both survive this”, she bravely encouraged.

“I will going to give all of you chances!” the old general deep and old voice bombarded in the forest, making an echo that sents shiver in our hairs.

“We will release you and I will count! Run for your lives, my little rats HAHAHAHAHAH ” he laughed darkly before continuing his words.

“And after the last number, my men will find and kill each one of you! And whoever left will be the slave of the Alpha!” he announced.

“Live your life, Ariella! Don't let anyone know who you are!”

I was thrown in my bed when I woke up having a nightmare.

It's been a few days but I haven't seen Dion. I haven't talked to him after the hospital scene. He seemed to be occupied and no time for me. I felt useless and unimportant.

And now I had decided one thing—to escape.

“Ariella! Please, don't run away. I'm begging you.” Derah dragged my arms back to the direction of the mansion but I won't let her. I am done with unending lessons and etiquettes they wanted me to learn. It's been few days when the Alpha wanted me to learn those things as the next Luna. Dion haven't visited me yet. The battle strategies and thousands of philosophy on how to become a good ruler of a pack!

"Aish, Derah! How many times did I told you that I don't want to rule this pack! I wanted to be outside this mansion and live an ordinary life." I replied and snatched away my arms, looking at her dangerously.

"B-but Ariella, Alpha will be here today to visit and witness improvements you've made. If he discovered that you escaped again, he'll kill me and all the servants in the mansion." She explained with trembling knees in fear.

"Whatever Derah." I snorted and about to flew away when she kneeled on the ground while hugging my two feet.

"What are you doing Derah?!" I asked with irritation, trying to move my feet. Derah is my personal maid since we were ten but she keeps on meddling everytime I plan to broke the pack's rules. Argghhh, rules! Laws! Regulations! And everything that stops me to be free and experience the world outside this mansion.

"Miss, don't go. The Alpha will be here any minute, he'll going to skin me alive if I allow you to wander again in the woods. The last time you escaped almost sent you to death so please don't go." She cried loudly into my feet that even my strength can't get away from her hold. She keeps sobbing and blathering nonsense. I facepalmed myself in annoyance and was about to tell her that I won't flee now because her cries irritates me more than anything, when I heard an authoritative voice making me stunned in my place.

“Ariella! YOU DARE TO ESCAPE!" His voice was defeaning but full of authority. I gulped nervously.

"Alpha", a small voice slipped into my mouth as I turned to face him. I give him a forced smile and a apologetic smile. I saw how his veins popped out his neck, with a clasping hand from anger.

"Ariella! How many times I warned you about not to escape?!" He shouted angrily but I remained calm. I was about to come closer to him but when I tried to advance my feet, Derah was still hugging me.

"Derah!" I half shouted, half whispered to call her attention.

"Psssst Derah", I called her again but she seemed pre-occupied.

"Derah! I can't walk if you still clinging into my feet", I raised my voice with a gritted teeth. Derah realized what she'd done and immidiately let go of me.

I sighed heavily and walked towards the Alpha's direction that are still wearing his famous scary and domineering look. I kneeled in front of him and didn't bother the gasps from everyone.

“Pardon me Alpha, I just wanted to roam and visit the territory of the pack so I could memorize and study it well. The geography are important for the tactics.” I explained.

“Lets go back to the mansion and let's talk about your punishment”, he suddenly broke out.

I will also face punishment and my name will be Al around the pack being the next undeserving Luna. I thought he will let go of me easily just like before but I was wrong. I stomped my feet following the servants and guards back to the mansion while my the Alpha was behind me. I angrily stomped my feet again roaming my eyes in the vast forest. If Derah didn't stop me, I am now running happily and swimming in the riverbank. He won't caught me into action and I won't receive any punishment.

“Stop stomping your feet and don't give me that face again, Ariella.” The alpha angrily warned and walked beside me. I bet he'll lecture me again with his preaching talent that even the saints will bow their heads to him.

“You are nearly about to reach the right time to rule next to the Alpha of our pack, you need to learn more and apply it in your life. Stop playing and QUIT your escaping obsession for a free life. You are a woman and I don't want a Luna who's weak and can't even fight to save herself! I don't want you to be protected by Dion all his life! You'll be the reason of his downfall so better be serious with this mere human!” He started but I didn't bother listening to him. My mind is clouded by the thoughts of the outside world of this thick wall surrounded by our mansion built by them. Talk to Dion and tell him I AM NOT HIS MATE! He should have visit me even once but how come even his shadow can't be seen anywhere. And he even agreed to give me lessons!

The mansion is located at the back of the pack Alpha's mansion, heavily guarded by my their men. This place is forbidden to enter to any members of the pack who haven't any permission from the Alpha or the Luna.

Speaking of the Luna…

“Alpha, where is the Luna?”, I asked, turning my head to him. I saw how his expression changes into a bitter one giving me the answer. A small pain squeezed on my little heart.

“Mind your own business”, he grumbled.

A huge and high rusted back gate welcomed us, opening a wide space for us to enter with guards snappily standing straight side by side. I fixed my emotions and masked myself with a happy smile.

I stepped lost in my thoughts as I carefully roamed my eyes around. The mansion is standing firmly with an old yet elegant design. The two-storey white building surrounded by tulips with different colors. The path leading the door has flowers side by side. I lowered my right hand to touch the bloomed tulips while walking. I carefully played with them thinking that I am still following dad and his men.

“Ariella, we need to hurry. Let's admire and water your flowers tomorrow.” Derah suggested with a low voice, looking at me with warning and moving her lips towards the entrance of the mansion. I glanced at their direction and I was shocked to see them already in front of the mansion, looking at me raising his brows. They are all waiting for me.

I ran into them to caught up. “I think they have long limbs than mine”, I whispered to Derah.

“Ahemm”, my father fakely coughed and gestured all his men to go and leave the both of us.

“Human”, Alpha called out, standing in front of me seriously. I have this feeling that he's not only here to visit me but there's something else that sent him uneasiness.

“You can say it directly, Sir. I know there's something else you wanted to talk about. Say it directly to save both of our time.” I harshly commented and slumped myself in the couch.

I heard him sigh deeply and walk in front of me. I am still sitting, lowering my head. I am afraid to meet his stares because if I did, I knew I'll lose to him. And this time, I know he needed me to do something again. I maybe important to them.

I raised my head to look up to him as I saw his sad eyes that made me realize he doesn't want to do this personally but I know, his rule is the pack first. I smiled at him to assure that I am okay, besides I am used to everything.

“They decided to give you a personal bodyguard”, he quickly mentioned. I creased my brows unable to utter a sound. I am stoned on my seat still can't digest what he announced.

“A p-personal b-bodyguard?" I stuttered standing angrily making the pillows fell.

“Yes”, he quitely replied. He sitted in the couch beside me with worried look. He brought his elbows on his knees while his hands are massaging his temple.

“They wanted to know every move I am making. Great! Such great officials that wanted to throw me out. Can't they wait?” I balled my fist and sit again when I realized I burst out in front of the Alpha.

“If that's what they want then be it, but don't expect me to follow their orders. Even if they deploy thousands of bodyguards, I can still find a hole to escape.” I eterminately said. I won't give this bodyguard an easy life. I will bring him to hell with me.

“The officials already chose your bodyguard, he'll be here tomorrow.” he informed looking at me with a judging eyes.

“Let's see who'll surrender first”, I smirked deviously with plans in my head to bring this bodyguard of mine to hell.

Welcome to the hell of my life. Entertain me while Dion is still out of my reach.

The Alpha left after few minutes and I continued myself slumping on the couch. A knock awakened me so I ran over rthe door to open it.

“Dion”.