Five Alphas and A Choice

06 Liars

General?

My heart skipped a beat as my head jerked to look.

He was even taller than I remembered.

The silver epaulets on his broad shoulders blinked under the flickering lights from the open fireplace. His black long military coat was fastened by a leather belt in the middle, the medallion on it having a snarling lion engraved, the symbol of the Republic. His body was all lean muscles under the sharp uniform and he was built like a tower.

I noticed the ruby on the head of his heavy silver cane, blinking under his leathered glove.

Every high official in the army had a cane. It represented authority and power and high rank. But not many officials would be allowed to decorate their canes with gemstones. It was the highest honor.

Everything about this man was immaculate and intimidating.

He was, after all, one of the few Lycans in this country. His raw presence radiated dominance and power.

Lifting a leather-clad hand, he tipped his peaked cap a little, revealing a pair of eerie blue eyes, “I hope I didn’t interrupt you, Mr. Dawson.”

“Of course not, General,” Mr. Dawson shot up from his seat in a panic, the smile on his face flattering, “I’m the most delight to see you, General, as always!”

General nodded vaguely as he walked into the room, his heavy leather boots thudding against the floor. A couple of uniformed adjutants followed him.

My gaze turned in Beatrice’s direction. She was still standing next to Mr. Dawson’s chair behind the desk.

She looked like she was completely stunned by General’s presence. Her mouth parted slightly and her cheeks were tainted by a pinkish hue.

She was not faking her shyness this time. I realized.

“But you shouldn’t have bothered to come here by yourself, General. It made me feel guilty for not being accommodating enough…” Mr. Dawson fussed.

“It doesn’t matter,” General said coldly as his sharp eyes roamed across the room. “I couldn’t wait to see Lola. Sitting in the guest room and doing nothing is torture.”

I struggled to my feet, my eyes focusing sadly on his beautiful face, but he didn’t even look in my direction…once.

After being tortured and abused all night, my hair was a mess and my clothes were torn. I must look terrible compared with Beatrice, who was in a white dress despite the cold winter outside, looking all beautiful and pure…

“Of course! Of course!” Mr. Dawson laughed as he circled his arm around Beatrice’s waist, bringing her to General, “Sir, this is Lola. I bet you missed her a lot. Lola’s such a good kid in the orphanage. She’s been waiting for you every day. Lola, my sweetie, tell General how much you missed him…”

“G-General…” Beatrice plastered on a shy smile as she dipped her chin, her long lashes trembling innocently as she said with a sweet voice, “I-I’ve been praying for your safe return every night… I-I’m glad you’re finally here for me.”

When she said that, her slim fingers brushed the beautiful ruby before her chest. It was the necklace General had left me…

General’s cold eyes fell on the gem. And then, a faint smile finally graced his perfect-shaped lips.

My heart was broken into pieces.

I was the real Lola. And I was right in front of his face. Yet he only had his eyes on Beatrice, that murderous lying monster…

I suddenly had the urge to scream at him, to make him see me… to tell him the truth.

But Mrs. Kim walked forth, pinching the soft flesh on my arm as she squeezed out a threat between her teeth, “DON’T have any idea, girl. Or your precious little friend will die.”

Jasper…

I sucked in a breath.

These people were hell creatures. They would definitely not blink an eye when they murdered Jasper…

I couldn’t afford to lose him…

Thinking of that, I only bit my tongue and stood still.

“You’re not that stupid after all,” Mrs. Kim hissed next to my ear before she raised her voice again, “Mr. Dawson, why don’t you sign the files first so we can get this over with? Mr. Prosecutor is still waiting…”

As if just realized, Mr. Dawson slapped his own forehead and roared a laugh, “Christ, I’m getting more and more forgetful as aged. Now, if you don’t mind, General, I will have to get the signatures done first. Would you please wait on the couch for a little while, Sir? It will be quick. And after that, we can get the adoption formalities done.”

“Definitely, just as I said, I don’t want to interrupt you in any way,” General arched an eyebrow. And then, to my surprise, his cold eyes suddenly turned in my direction, “Are those files concerning this kid?”

My whole body stiffened as I sensed Beatrice’s vicious stare from my side view.

General was looking at me. I stood there in shock, my whole body tensing up.

He noticed me…

“Yes, yes,” Mr. Dawson instantly walked before General’s face to block his view, putting a hand on his arm as he led him to the couch, “Just a stupid kid who made some silly mistakes. It’s insignificant enough and you don’t need to worry about that, Sir. Please get some rest first. It must be pretty tiring coming directly to this place after leaving the base… Wine or tea?”

“Wine, please,” General murmured before he cast one last suspicious glance at me, whirling to follow Mr. Dawson’s steps.

His adjutants stood behind the couch when he sat down. Beatrice edged toward the couch, sitting next to him with her chin ducked, acting as if she was a newly married sheepish bride.

My heart sank as Mr. Dawson sat behind his desk and started to sign those papers at a fast speed. He looked like he couldn’t wait to get rid of me.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Kim was trying to start a conversation with General.

“…Lola’s such a great kid. You know, being this beautiful and sweet, those boys are trying to date her all the time. But she said she only wanted to wait for you, General. She didn’t even go out with any of them for once. She’s so pure and loyal… and You can completely trust me. I have worked in this place for 20 years and I know Lola like her mother…”

Liar! What a shameless lair!

Beatrice was nothing but a w***e. How could she even stand to tell such a huge lie?

Anger boiled in my blood.

I must tell General the truth.

I NEED to tell him the truth!

“General… I have something to tell you.” I began as I turned to face the man sitting on the couch.

Beatrice’s eyes shot viciously in my direction. She looked like she would claw my eyes out if I dared to tell him anything.

General frowned, his cold gaze focusing on my face again.

But would General even believe me, when everyone else in this room clearly shared the same lie?

Would he believe a teen criminal instead of all the authorities working in this orphanage?

I didn’t have a clue. But I couldn’t take this anymore.

“I actually…”

“The files are all signed. You can take her to the court now, Mr. Prosecutor.” Mr. Dawson’s booming voice canceled mine.

“Beatrice, my dear, what are you trying to do?” Mrs. Kim walked toward me, blocking my body from General’s view using her wide one, “Are you out of your mind? You are in no position to speak to someone like General directly. You are just a silly kid who committed murder…”

And then, she gave me another threatening eye.

I shuddered. But I didn’t want to give up on my last chance…

So I stared at her directly in the eyes, “DON’T call me Beatrice. My name is NOT Beatrice!”

Mr. Dawson clearly also noticed my attempt of telling General the truth. So he snapped his fingers at the prosecutor, “It’s done. Take her away, NOW.”

The prosecutor came forth, trying to walk me out of the room.

I could feel his grip clenching around my forearm like iron. I was half-dragged to the door as I cast one last glance at General. His handsome face looked both suspicious and confused.

Tears rolled down my cheeks.

I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to watch myself throwing away what I would have got…

And then, I heard his voice.

“Stop,” General’s deep voice boomed, “bring that girl to me.”

My eyes snapped open in surprise, but the prosecutor didn’t stop dragging me along.

“Wh- General, this girl is a criminal. Today is her third open trial in court,” Mr. Dawson said in a panic, “she’s not trustworthy…”

“That’s right,” Mrs. Kim also hurried to say, “she’s a foul kid. She constantly tells people lies. You don’t have to waste your time on her, Sir.”

Beatrice faked some tears as she clung to General’s side, using a trembling little voice while pressing her chest against General’s strong arm, “Beatrice… is a bully… General. She bullied me a lot in the orphanage…and…and she said she should be the one who got adopted by you… She told me I was worthless and I didn’t deserve your love and care… She’s a horrible person… Don’t let her get near me… General… I’m scared…”