The Alpha Assassin novel Chapter 17

A million emotions flooded through me. Fear as I haven’t felt it in years, confusion, shock, my mouth hung open, and I quickly closed it. I didn’t know the right response. Was he accusing me? He was, but how did he know? I didn’t know how best to react, so I settled into what I knew.

“What are you doing here?” My voice came out shaky, and I didn’t have to fake it. “You’re not supposed to be here.” I pulled the blanket tighter around me.

He didn’t say anything for a too long moment; the silence was a weight in the room. The only sound was my heartbeat in my ears and his heavy breathing. I knew that he did that for my benefit; for the show, he could be as silent as he wanted.

“You should leave if you’re found here..”

“I won’t be. No one is coming to check on you. Alice is fast asleep.”

“How did you-”

“It’s my job.” his voice was harsh, and it made my stomach churn. I felt like a child getting scolded. I was thankful he couldn’t see the heat rush to my cheeks, but part of me thought that he might be able to see through the darkness as if it were daylight.

“You’re not very good at it.” I tried.

“No?” He turned his head to me, and the flames danced off his face. His harsh yet beautiful features were bathed in warmth even though his face held nothing but coldness.

“You broke into a room that wasn’t even locked to accuse me of Goddess knows what. I would say you found the wrong room.”

“I knew it was yours. I’ve been here before, remember?” he quirked a brow, but I knew he was anything but amused.

“What do you want from me?” I curled in on myself.

“You know.”

I shook my head violently. “Just tell me and leave. I’ll.. I’ll be in trouble if you’re found here.” I hung my head.

I heard him land on the ground, softer than I thought to be possible. I watched his black boots walk up, bathed in the warm glow of the cracking fire, the only sound in the room. He dropped a sprig of dried Juniper on the bed. I internally winced.

“A gardener,” he said.

“I like making bouquets. The Luna likes them,” I mumbled. “Is there something wrong with that?” I looked up into his eyes, tilting my head.

“You don’t know what that is?” He pointed to the plant that I poisoned him with.

I shrugged. “It’s pretty.” His eyes turned to slits, and he stood up tall, heading towards the door. “Where are you going?” I asked. Fear laced my voice.

If he told the Alpha, what would happen? I didn’t have an escape plan. I didn’t have anything packed, any money, or any direction of where I could go. I knew no pack around here would take me in; they would send me back or hold me as ransom. Either way, I would end up back here.