Mated to the Demon Alpha

Chapter 4

Alisa

At some point during the ride, I simply fell asleep, curled up inside the massive jacket. I wrapped it around me, and soaked myself in the Alpha’s scent. It was strangely comforting - like a mug of hot chocolate chasing away winter chills.

I buried my face in its folds, breathing in the faint mix of cedar wood and something darker, something I couldn’t quite place. It was almost feral.

“Alisa,” a voice breaks through the haze of sleep. A hand gently shaking my shoulder. “Get up.”

I force my eyes open, blinking up at Alpha Derrick’s shadowed face. “Whu—where are we?” I croak, my throat dry and scratchy.

“Home,” he says simply, stepping out of the car.

For a moment, I don’t move, clutching the jacket closer. The memory of what happened at Rosewood comes into sharp focus, and I’m painfully aware that underneath this jacket, I’m practically naked. Taking a deep breath, I swing my legs out and step onto the neatly paved driveway.

I forget that I’m still wearing the white stilettos, and when I take a step in Derrick’s direction, I lurch forward, snapping off one of the heels.

Derrick is lightning fast, catching me before I face plant into the pavement. The jacket flares open, revealing my entire body to the Alpha.

I can feel the heat of a blush creeping up my neck. It’s stupid. He saw me naked mere hours ago, but this feel’s different, more intimate.

The Alpha reaches out and fastens the buttons of his jacket with practiced fingers. The garment still droops down my shoulders, but it offer me some kind of modesty.

“Are you good,” Derrick asks.

“Yes,” I whisper and kick off the shoes. “I was never any good in heels. Mistress Katrina always said I had no grace.”

The Alpha says nothing, but he lets out a soft, disapproving grunt.

My feet cry out in relief as the cool pavement soothes my burning soles. I hook the shoes over my fingers and look around.

The air is cold, ripe with the scent of rain and clean earth. I lift my head and gasp as I take in the massive mansion sprawling before me.

The place feels more like a fortress than home. Its pristine white walls stark against the night sky. Modern and imposing, it seems to stretch endlessly, five stories of glass and stone rising into the dark.

The terrace spans the entire front of the mansion, supported by sleek columns, and at its centre are massive double doors - so wide they look like they belong to a palace.

Instead of a traditional fountain or garden, the circular driveway snakes around a magical koi pond. The water shimmers faintly under the moonlight, fish gliding lazily beneath the surface. It’s beautiful. Peaceful.

And dark.

Too dark.

The sight of the shadowy entrance sends a shiver down my spine.

At the academy, the lights were always on. Harsh fluorescents buzzing, never letting us forget where we were.

Tanya used to lock me in the broom closet for hours, laughing outside the door while I screamed in the pitch black.

My stomach clenches.

I am afraid of the dark, and the mansion's entrance reminds me of the wide-open, gaping maw of some kind of movie monster.

I can’t bring myself to climb the steps, to willingly walk into the jaws of death.

Derrick doesn’t miss my hesitation. He hops ahead of me, leaving me behind. A minute later, I hear a soft click, and suddenly the whole place is bathed in a soft, golden light. “Alisa!” he calls from inside. “Hurry up. It’s late.”

My legs feel heavy as I climb the stairs, forcing my body to move forward.

I step into a vast, sleek lobby, with slate-grey floors, towering ceilings, and walls lined with deep blue drapes.

The panic that gripped me abruptly let’s go. I release a shaky breath, leaning forward and grasping my knees as I try to steady myself.

Derrick watches me carefully. "Are you alright?"

I nod and straighten.

I glance around, trying to find my bearings. The interior is immaculate, each detail precise and deliberate, minimalistic art pieces decorate the walls. It screams wealth. No wonder he threw money at Mistress Katrina like it was nothing more than paper.

It must be nice, being so rich that you regard money as a bothersome formality.

Warriors in red-and-black uniforms stand motionless at their posts, their stoic faces adding to the air of intimidation. One of them shifts slightly, his boots scraping the floor. I let out a little yelp of surprise and jump back in the direction of the open doors.

The warriors don’t move. They don’t speak. But I can feel their eyes on me, silently judging me.

I still don’t know why I’m here. What my purpose is. Does the Alpha want me as a sacrifice, a servant, a harem keeper?

My immediate future is uncertain and unsettling. I’d rather know what’s waiting for me so I can be prepared for it. Not knowing is the worst of it.

“Let’s go.” Derrick strides ahead, unbothered by the looming figures, moving with effortless authority.

He doesn’t explain where we’re going. Doesn’t slow down.

I have to jog to keep up.

We pass the grand staircase, its railings lined with intricate carvings, but Derrick doesn’t take it. Instead, he stops at an elevator, withdrawing a key from his pocket and inserting it into a hidden slot.

A quiet beep, and the doors slide open.

“Come,” he says again, stepping inside.

I hesitate, eyeing the small space. I’ll be trapped in that box with a ruthless Alpha and no way of escape.

He lifts a single brow, watching me. Waiting.

Standing around isn’t going to help. Running would be impossible; his many guards would catch me before I make it to the front doors. Either way, I’m trapped and I only have one way forward.

At long last, I step inside.

The doors shut behind me with a soft finality, sealing us in.

Derrick presses the button for the top floor. My stomach tightens as the elevator hums to life, smoothly gliding upward.

I grip the jacket tighter, the Alpha’s scent calming and unnerving all at once.

The seconds stretch painfully.

Finally, the elevator dings, and the doors slide open to reveal a long, dimly lit corridor.

Derrick steps out, and I silently follow him. This place has such a foreboding sense of impending doom that it nearly chokes the air from my lungs.

Wordlessly, the Alpha walks down the hallway, and I have no other choice but to run after him. “Access to this floor is restricted,” he announces.

That makes sense. Alphas like to lock their harems away, keeping them out of reach of the other wolves, and they prefer to have other she-wolves looking after them, removing all temptation.

So that’s my purpose then. A harem keeper. As these things go, it could have been a lot worse.

But then a much worse thought strikes me. What if he keeps his sacrifices up here? It would make sense that a wolf of Derrick’s stature, one blessed with so much power and wealth, would give the blood god a lot of sacrifices.

He steps in front of a steel door and slides a key into the lock. “This is your apartment,” he announces. “I’m right down the hall,” he goes on and points to a door on the opposite side tucked away in the corner.

I gulp past a sudden knot in my throat. “I- I’m on the same floor as you?”

“Where else would you be?” he asks, slightly amused.

“W- with the other sacrifices.”

“I don’t sacrifice,” he states bluntly.

“Whu- that’s heresy,” I gasp, wildly looking over my shoulder to make sure that no one overheard him.”

“Yeah, I don’t really care.”