Shining Through Shadows

Strange Behavior

Lydia

This night has been the most tiring one during my stay here. The Alpha’s guests, the twins, were persistent in making him suffer under their antics and provocative manners.

And me… I felt like I had been the center of attention ever since I stepped inside the dining room. I might’ve been serving them, but under their predatory eyes, I felt like a sitting duck, waiting for one of them to strike and swallow me whole.

The atmosphere was tense, filled with too much masculinity and dominating auras, making it hard for me to take a breath.

I sighed in relief, happy that the guests had said their farewells and left, but before I could retire for the night, I had to clear the table.

A wineglass stood in the middle of the table, forcing me to lean over to reach it. Just as my fingers touched the stem, the double doors flew open, pushing a gust of wind through the room.

At the door stood the Alpha, a serious, almost deranged look on his face as he stared at me. I quickly took the glass and placed it on the cart, thinking that maybe I took too long to clean up after dinner.

But I couldn’t leave… Because the Alpha was soon blocking my way out with his broad body. His breathing was erratic, panting almost, and I could feel his eyes boring into the top of my skull.

“M’sahni.” His voice was slightly deeper than usual as he said that word again, the one he had called me several times before. While I still didn't know what it meant, it felt oddly comforting to hear him call me that.

I was just about to excuse myself when I felt something warm on my chin. Ever so slowly, he tilted my face upwards and pinched my chin a little when I kept my eyes closed.

When our eyes met, I noticed how his eyes were completely black. Not even a single drop of the usual dark blue color was left. His dark orbs were bewitching me as he held my gaze, making an unfamiliar sensation of warmth coursing through me.

Why didn’t I pull away? Or, why didn't I want to?

“M’sahni.” He repeated to himself, and I frowned in return, watching as he closed his eyes and dived his head into the crook of my neck. What was he doing!?

My whole body stiffened for the hundredth time today as I felt him inhaling deeply, rubbing his nose against the sensitive skin on my neck. It felt like sparks were dancing over my skin and I relaxed a bit because, honestly, it felt… Amazing.

“What are you doing, Alpha?” I finally managed to croak out, not liking how breathy my voice was sounding. It was his turn to stiffen, and he pulled away as if I had scorched him.

“I…” His normal dark blue eyes were flickering from mine to the floor. He suddenly seemed nervous, hesitant even before he regained his usual composure. “I apologize for my brothers behavior, both of them. And my own.”

Brothers? They were truly his brothers then? I’m not sure why, but I’d imagined him as an only child.

“I… It’s okay.” I accepted his apology, but he just shook his head repeatedly.

“It’s not okay!” He growled, making me take a step back from him. When he noticed, he calmed down and walked closer to me, caging me between the table and himself. “I don’t like how they were looking at you… Like you were a meal to be devoured.”

I could hardly breathe from his closeness, his breath fanning over my face as he pressed his body against mine. The edge of the polished dining table was digging into my ass, telling me I could move no further.

I didn’t know what to say, so I just kept quiet and stared at his neck where his rapid pulse was visible. Was he going to take out his rage on me?

His muscles were strained against his white shirt as he took in heavy breaths and I couldn’t help but mirror his breathing, as if I, too, was having an inner struggle.

Perhaps I was… Because, again, why didn’t I push him away? Why was my mind conflicted about him being so close to me?

“Zachary?” I tried to call out to his distant self and prayed to god he wouldn’t punish me for using his name instead of his title. I hesitantly placed a palm on his chest, ever so gently pushing him away from me.

He placed his forehead on top of my shoulder and took another deep breath, one that made my skin tingle as his breath tickled me.

“I cannot… I, I…” His voice was strained, sounding almost painful as he murmured into my neck before he pulled away as if he’d suddenly regained control of himself.

Two rapid knocks on the door made me snap my head towards them, but Zachary’s eyes remained on me as he took a few steps away from me. The doors were flung open as a large man entered, a serious expression on his face. I had a feeling he wasn’t bringing good news.

“Alpha! We’ve found another one near the north-western border.”