What could be happening, what is going on within me? Here stood a man, a stranger
who wasn't Alpha Ryder, and I felt the very same attraction to him. "I'm sorry
if I startled you," he said, looking at me straight into my eyes. Does he feel
it too? The same way I felt. Does he feel the same flame of neediness I feel
just by looking at him?
"Oh,
no you didn't. I thought it was Alpha Ryder since he just left," I answered
him. Trying as much as possible to sound composed. I couldn't lose my cool the
same way I did with Alpha Ryder. I couldn't tell him how I felt or asked if he
felt the mate bond too. What if he rejected me, the same way Apha Ryder just
did? " I can't handle any more of being rejected. I have to keep it pushing
like I feel a soul nothing for this man standing right in front of me," I
muttered to myself.
"You
alright?" I heard him speak again. I was completely lost in thoughts I forgot I
had him standing in here with me, enclosed in the same space. "Yes, I am.
Maybe, I'm trying to get used to being in a different setting my apologies
sir," I responded immediately. I didn't want him to warn me about making him
repeat himself.
"Please
don't call me that," he let out a soft chuckle. "My name is Brandon. Call me
Brandon," he continued. "I'm here on Alpha Ryder's command to help me settle
in, show you around, and take you to the head of the chores department in the
park. I hope you are ready for today's journey," he said to me.
Was
I fully ready to become a slave? No. But was I willing to spend my day with
this fine-looking man staring down at me? Definitely. I could use the
distraction. "As long as I'm glued to you all day, yes I am ready," I said to
him. I could see his eyes turn dark after I made that statement. His chest rose
and fell at a quick pace, he looked at me like he could take me right here in
this little room. I am sure he feels it too, he feels the mate bond.
After
a moment of silence, he closed his eyes, like he was trying to blink away his
emotions like he was trying to be under full control. When he flicked his eyes
open, the desire was gone, hidden beneath his pupils. "Let us get going then,
Kiara," he said to me. I nodded in response and tried to flatten my dress with
my palms. Walking towards the door, closer to where he stood, before I could
reach out for the door, he already helped open the door. " Thank you, sir—Brandon," I said to him. He
flashed his pearly white teeth and bowed his head in a gentlemanly gesture.
He
showed me around the park, explaining each route to me. He showed me the
gardens, the playgrounds for little pups, he explained to me how I get to the
river in case I would want to soak in the moonlight. He was kind and gentle
with his words. I listened to him speak, without uttering a single word or
giving little answers. I love to hear him speak. His voice was soothing to my
ears, calm to my nerves, and dangerous to my wolf.
We
arrived at the lady who rules the park's administration as it was time to know
my designed chore for the month. After all, I'm nothing but a slave in this
park.
"She
has the eyes of the forest angels, why is she here to work," the last turned to
Brandon, expecting an answer from him. But he didn't speak. "I'm here to pay
off my father's debt to Apha Ryder," I answered without meeting her eyes. As
much as hurting those words were, as bitter as it was while rolling off my
tongue, it was my reality.
"Hmm,
I see," she answered. "For starters, my name is Madame Agatha, I know Brandon
would have filled you in on why you are standing in this office, and what post
I hold in this pack," she continued speaking. "Yes Madame, he did," I answered.
"That is great. We need more hands in the garden, and since you come across to
me as you belong right with the flowers, I would assign you there for this
month. You would be moved constantly to other parts of the park each month, be
diligent with your work," she said to me.
"I'm
glad I got the garden, it doesn't sound so bad," I said to Brandon as we made
our way out of Madame Agatha's office, and back to the home of Alpha Ryder. "I
wouldn't be happy if I were you," Brandon responded. Moved my shock and felt a
deep pit form in my stomach, I asked, "Why is that?" He replied, "Well,
everyone knows the garden is as precious as the head of the ruler of the
opposition park to Ryder. He wants the garden as beautiful as always,
regardless of the season." He paused and then continued, "His mother started up
the beauty of the garden bit by bit, with her own hands. And when she was
killed with an arrow passed through her heart, the last words she said to Ryder
were to keep her flowers blooming. And ever since then, it has been so."
This
shocking realization made its way to my heart. Rather than having the fear of
Alpha Ryder define me, I would put in my work into this garden, and make sure I
keep the flowers blooming for the past Luna. It was a form of admiration to her
and I was ready to do that for my queen, Ryder's mother.