JEOPARDY: The Cursed Soldier.

10. Saturday havocs

"You look sad."

Kayla knew Alex was jogging her way before he even sat next to her and started the conversation with those three words.

Kayla didn't think she looked sad. Mostly because she didn't feel sad. What she actually felt, and was trying so hard not to show on her face, was disbelief.

She was watching Angela train after completing her compulsory epsilon training. And she couldn't believe just how unserious Angela was with her training. Or rather, her role in the pack. The Gamma, Markos' father, Andreas Petrov, was teaching her about the use of her wolf, but there she was complaining about the sun. Again.

Kayla had been watching her for only 30 minutes, and in that time, Angela had rested thrice, each time with a different excuse. Anyone with half a brain could see that The Gamma was already pissed off, but Angela acted like his training her was her doing him a favor.

Scratch that. Watching Angela train didn't make Kayla sad, it made her angry and scared. Angry at how unserious she was and scared for their future with her as the Alpha.

"I am not." Kayla finally answered Alex when it felt he was waiting for an answer.

"It's okay. We all get sad when we watch Angela train. She only ever tries when either of her parents is present. Otherwise, this is all we get."

Kayla moved her eyes from the whining Angela and met Alex's green eyes. It was strange really, but every day Alex looked younger and more handsome in her eyes. But that was not why she turned to him.

"You call her Angela and not Miss Angela." She stated, hoping he understood her question. His smile told her he did. And for the first time, it was him who said nothing. So, she probed further. "You are not just an epsilon, are you? You have a position in the pack."

"I'll answer that question if you agree to something."

Kayla immediately shook her head. She knew she should have kept her mouth shut. But that piece of knowledge that everyone but her knew had been bugging her. Still, no information was worth making a blanket promise.

"But I haven't even said what I want you to promise. It's not something bad, trust me. It's actually something very... flattering," Alex argued.

Kayla shook her head again. "You can keep your answer."

"I want you to go on a date with me." He suddenly declared, looking exasperated with her.

"What?" Kayla sputtered like an idiot. She had heard him just fine, but she couldn't believe what she had just heard.

"I thought I have been obvious enough... But maybe not." A sigh. " I like you. And I want you to be my girl. But I also know that will be too fast for you. So how about a date first?" Alex actually sounded serious and sincere with that small nervous smile playing on his lips, but Kayla only felt overwhelmed.

She abruptly stood up, aiming at getting a fresher supply of air. No guy had ever said that to her. For it to come from Alex, of all people, she didn't know what to think or feel.

Alex joined her, blocking her path and attempts at getting that very necessary fresh breath. His eyes roamed over her face, trying to read her.

"It's just a date, Kayla. We'll eat together, just you and I. And talk about us — get to know each other better." He still sounded so gentle that she almost caved.

But he had also just said something that made her mind up for her.

She couldn't date. She couldn't have anyone getting to know her. So she shook her head again. "I can't. I'm sorry."