IGNITING ICARUS

CHAPTER FOUR

The alpha landed in the states and immediately sought out Aella's hospital.

As he walked through the halls, the smell of disinfectant and disease filled his nostrils. He could hardly contain the wrinkle in his nose from disgust. He hated humans—hated how they lived and smelled.

A nurse tried to speak with him but he brushed passed her. He knew where the girl was and needed no assistance in finding the room.

When he came to the door, his lycan rippled under his skin. He wanted to growl in frustration. He wasn't a pup who couldn't control his beast; he'd mastered himself decades ago. It bothered him that he seemed to have little control of the beast that hid under his pretty facade.

He knocked once and then entered, shutting the door behind him.

Aella was sleeping, curled into herself. He held back a grunt as he walked in. Why was he here? Why did his lycan feel so concerned for a human child? He didn't know, and he wasn't used to being unsure.

She stirred in her sleep and opened her eyes to see the blinds open. She smiled and sat up. She jumped as she realized someone else was in the room and brought her knees to her chest. She bit her inner cheek as she looked at him, having no idea who he was.

"You're Aella," he said, unbuttoning his suit jacket and sitting on the chair against the furthest wall.

She once read an article that dominant males often spread their belongings and limbs to assert dominance. If there was any definition of a dominant male, it would be this man here. His sheer masculinity made her skin crawl. She was always taught never to talk to strangers, so she was defensive and scared.

"W-who are you?"

He watched her fingers as they picked at her cuticles from nervousness. He sat down, his ankle draping across his knee. His hands flexed against his thigh as he watched her cower away from him. He knew he was intimidating to humans, and he liked it that way.

"Has my brother not mentioned me?"

She gasped her doe eyes widening. She maneuvered above her covers and crawled down her bed, keeping a cautious distance.

He watched her movements with bored eyes.

She shook her head quickly. "I thought you didn't like coming here? Mom said you're very busy."

"I am," he said. "But business called me back here."

"Oh . . . Well, I'm glad we've finally met! Eveline told me about you, but there are no pictures or anything anywhere."

"Are you always so . . . animated?"

Aella grinned happily and pushed her hair behind her ear. "Mom says I'm just inquisitive."

He grunted. Silence filled the room, and Aella awkwardly fidgeted. She wasn't the best at making conversation.

"Well, what do you do?"

He looked at her.

"L-like for a job? You said you came back for business," she explained further.

"I'm the CEO of an IT company."

He rarely spoke openly, and when he did, it was only to certain pack members. He kept his life personal and was entirely disinterested in making small talk. But when she looked at him with those brown eyes, he felt the need to quench her curiosity.

"Are you good with computers and stuff?"

Wordlessly, he walked closer to her bed. He gestured for her laptop, and after a moment, she handed it to him. He opened it and typed for some time. It was clear that he was focused on his task, although she didn't know what that task was. Once he was satisfied, he returned the laptop to her.