DILIGITIS // King Alpha

Chapter 9

'hurt'

I woke up the next morning by the sun shining in my eyes. Not by someone poking me awake or by the distant howl of a werewolf. I woke up because I was done sleeping... Next to a werewolf. 

Immediately I sat up and glanced over to his side. The bed was empty. For some reason it felt like a stab in the gut, I had half hoped he was there. But instead of seeing him I saw a note. I picked it up and let my eyes scan over his harsh handwriting. He was clearly as in the dark about my race as I was about his. I don't know how to read.

I couldn't just ask any werewolf what the note said. What if it held a big secret? Or what if they recognized his handwriting? I couldn't just risk that. I didn't even know whether or not this should be kept as a secret. 

All the answers in my head were shut down by my stomach growling loudly. I didn't know where the kitchen was in this place. So I was forced to walk around aimlessly. Sure, I encountered some werewolves, but I was not going to ask them for help. 

I still didn't know what to make of the entire 'mate' thing. It felt like whoever made this universe, and karma, had it out for me. Last night was clouded by exhaustion, the only thing that remained clear was him. The way he talked to me. How he smiled and how his hand felt against mine.  Now that I was awake I was also more able to worry. What the hell were my friends going to say? What will happen in the future? Will he even allow me to leave? 

I should try and be more distant. There is absolutely no reason for me to just trust him because he says he is my mate. He could be lying and this could all be a trick to finally end the human race. 

I could not find the kitchen. Instead I found the door that lead to the busy grounds. The sun was already higher up in the sky than I'd like to admit. I slept far longer than I should have.

"You look better." I heard Aris say behind me. See he crept up on me! There was no way he should be able to do that if we truly are mates. Am I not supposed to 'feel' his presence? I turned around and tried my best to ignore the initial attraction that laid waste to my previous conspiracy theory. Today he wore another suit. His golden eyes seemed even brighter in the light of day. "Did you get my note?"

"I don't know how to read." I answered. He was standing close to me, too close. I took a step back and kept my eyes away from him. 

"It's fine. I can teach you." He said. I glanced around the field. Many werewolves were happily eating and laughing. Nearby the house I saw the familiar tents from my people. Even they seemed to be getting more comfortable.  

"Nickolas told them this morning." Aris said to me, following my gaze. "They responded as you did."  He took a step closer to me, his arm brushed against mine causing shivers to go up my spine. "He is a good leader. He calmed everyone down quite fast."

"Tell me." I said, turning so that I was standing directly across from him with only a few inches between his chest and mine. "Tell me that we are not walking into a trap. That they will live."

"It was never the intend to trick you." He answered, his face wiped clean of all emotion, clearly I was talking to the king and not to Aris. "We need expertise. That is what you people bring. We would never harm an ally, especially after a blood bond." I nodded my head, searching in his eyes for any sign of betrayal.

"Now that I have found you," He whispered, his hand rubbing up and down my arm. "I could never look away and see you getting hurt. You are safe with me." I took a step back, getting out of his arms and back into reality. This is going too fast, my mind was screaming. But there was something else. Seeing him made me happy, but in the back of my head I also felt an incredible sense of guilt. The list of people I have seen getting slaughtered by werewolves is miles long. Werewolves that he commands

"The only thing that has ever hurt me were werewolves."