Alpha's Faire

XXVII

"I have to apologize, Alpha Stone, for my appearance. Set up took longer than I thought it would." Raphael resisted the urge to roll his eyes at her remark. Dr. Yvette Wells came out in a low-cut purple shirt and black floor-length skirt. They clung to her body's curves very intentionally. She even had curls pushed back with a charming headband and supported a bold dark mauve lip color.

Raphael could smell arousal outside her door when he picked her up just moments ago. It was painstakingly obvious what she had in mind. Her scent bothered him. It wasn't inherently revolting, but when humans became aroused, their scents increased in strength exponentially. Before, her scent of lilacs and lavender was subtle. But now, it smelled like an air fragrance aerosol can exploded. He nearly choked as soon as the door opened.

"Please, don't worry. You're fine." Raphael screwed a smile on his lips through the thick smell. "So, tell me, is Dr. Lewis a good cook?" Raphael looked down at the small woman to her smile twitch.

"She's pretty good. I don't know what she could have put together, however. We're not allowed to allocate supplies to our rooms from the dining hall." Dr. Wells shrugged her shoulders.

"Well, I guess we're both in for a surprise then." Raphael nodded, trying to play down his anticipation. It had been a long time since a woman intrigued him this much, he had to admit. She had spent so long evading his grasp, but now he had the perfect opportunity to corner her. Dr. Jexanna Lewis wasn't going to escape him.

"Alpha Stone," Dr. Wells cleared her throat and leaned even closer to Raphael. Her breasts just brushing against his skin, and her scent grew even more. "Do you mind if I ask a personal question?"

"Depends on the question, Dr. Wells." Raphael stiffly replied, resisting the urge to pull away.

"I know that Dr. Lewis has always been in the spotlight. She can't help it. Her father left a big hole to fill. She was expected to be his successor. Everyone was waiting for the day that she would match his greatness, but sometimes that's just too much pressure on a child." Dr. Wells replied, looking down for a moment. Raphael narrowed his eyes at her pained expression, almost too sympathetic towards Dr. Lewis. "I know that's what drove her to do some reckless stuff in the past."

Ah, so that's what her goal was.

"Reckless?" Raphael played along, ready to see how far this colleague would go to smear Dr. Lewis. "You don't actually mean to say that the rumors are true?"

"Oh, every rumor starts with a spark of truth." Yvette nonchalantly replied, her eyes full of mischief. Raphael wanted to throw her off in disgust. What was the point in trying to suede him away from trusting one of the most competent people on the force?

"I'm pretty sure that's lies, Dr. Wells," Raphael stated pointedly as they entered an elevator and pressed the 6th floor for Shou's apartment. Dr. Wells laughed.

"Lies, rumors, they're essentially the same, wouldn't you agree? All tools in society to either build someone or tear them down. Most of the time, unfortunately, it is the latter. " Dr. Wells sighed, flicking her hair back. "Dr. Lewis could be considered a victim of society, but she turned the script. She embraced them. If a rumor went around stating she went out and hung with gangs, then that's what she would do. Jess would flaunt it in the faces of Hamma and the others. And for that, I commend her." Raphael's expression remained stoic. She was talking in circles, one moment ready to condemn Jexanna, the next she was complimenting her?

What was the end game here?

"But?" Raphael asked as the elevator doors opened and they stepped onto the floor.

"But nothing." Dr. Wells shrugged. "I just wish that she would phone a friend more often. I had no idea that she was involved with the Commander of the Shadow Knights. If I were to and forgive my language here Alpha Stone, pull one of the most powerful men into my bed, I'd phone a friend about it. It's only right to share such an experience, don't you agree?" Her eyes narrowed as her voice dropped into a husky tone. Was this her idea of flirting? Raphael could smell her arousal dripping in waves.

"Maybe some people prefer to keep relationships private." His voice tightened, trying not to show his disgust. Wells' scent was overwelhming.

"Perhaps, but women share secrets, private moments between lovers quite often Alpha Stone. I'm honestly a little wounded that Jess didn't bother to phone a single friend about the experience. I know that I'd barely be able to keep such a world-rocking event to myself."

"Really? I wasn't aware that I could be considered under the category of world-rocking." Shou's voice came up behind and Raphael's nose immediately caught another scent beside him. The sweet scent of honey and cinnamon grew stronger as he turned around to see Dr. Jess Lewis standing beside Shou. Raphael couldn't help but notice the change in her appearance. Her bright honey locks were let down in long waves, she wore subtle eyeliner that enhanced her sapphire eyes. She wore a simple black dress that fell just above her knees. It wasn't tight or as revealing as Dr. Wells' attire but it still hugged all of the right curves. Raphael's heart stopped for just a moment. She was here, and while he found her attractive before, she was simply captivating now. Because now, he knew what she actually looked like. He only tried to imagine her with pale skin and lilac and lavender locks. But anything that came to mind presumably paled in comparison.

"Please, you're many things, Shou. But world-rocking wouldn't be an adjective I'd use to describe you." Her sapphire eyes narrowed with a slight glisten at Shou, playfully insulting her potential mate. Shou growled lightly in response as he wrapped an arm around Dr. Lewis, bringing her tight against his frame.

"Don't act like last night wasn't world-rocking enough for you," Shou replied before nibbling at Jexanna's neck.

Raphael's stomach tightened. It was nauseating to watch them be so close, even more so when he met a pair of golden eyes that glanced over during the interaction. Shou was declaring who was his, and it made Raphael's stomach churn in response.

"Stop." Jexanna's cheeks turned a tinge red as she pushed the dhampir away from her body, facing Raphael and Yvette. "We were worried you'd get lost, so we decided to meet you in the hallway. So who's hungry?"

"I'll be the first to admit I'm starving Jess, for more than just food, girl. We need details of this." Yvette pointed her finger through the air at Shou and Jess. Raphael's appetite, however, was slowly vanishing.

"Alright, fair enough. We both owe you an explanation. Follow me." Jess smiled before turning around towards a door.

Raphael's eyes narrowed as Shou followed behind, wrapping an arm around Dr. Lewis's waist. Something told him that this was going to be a long night.