The Master of Me

Chapter 15

        Alue paused, when Sterling’s voice suddenly stopped mid-sentence, wondering for a moment if something was wrong. Maybe he just stepped on my old clothes and is now upset I hadn’t thrown them out yet? What if he escalates and gets even more upset that I used the shower? Among her escalating panic, it was her wolf that commanded her to look at him. Her eyes met his and for a moment there was nothing but silence and soul gazing, as her garnet eyes peered into his diamond blue ones. She caught glimpses of different emotions from his gaze. Wonder, awe, and admiration, but most of all beauty. He found her so beautiful in that moment; she took a step back from just how powerful his gaze was.

 She knew what a gaze of lust looked like and this wasn’t it. It was something more. Something more complicated that she didn’t understand. Anything unknown, especially when seeing the emotions of others toward her, scared her.  To such a degree she wanted to run back to her den, where it was safe, known, and comfortable territory.  

         Sterling was getting better at seeing the emotions in Alue’s eyes. From day one he had seen fear and panic. As time went on, glimmers of hope had started to show, along with trust and comfort. He hadn’t meant to stop speaking when he laid eyes on her, but she was truly a marvelous sight to behold. He knew had to say something to keep her from bolting out the door. Her desire to run from his gaze apparent in her eyes.

         “Wait, Alue! Please . . . I apologize. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” He said, casting his gaze downward in a form of submission. Alue took a moment to clear her mind and relax. There was a time to run and a time to challenge the unknown. This was not something she needed to run away from, she told herself. Then with purpose walked toward him, grabbed her old rags from the floor and carried them to the garage garbage bin.

        When she returned from doing that she made herself side down at the table and looked to him, “I am okay. How was your evening with Julie?” she ventured to ask, he barely had any scent of the other woman on him, so it must not have gotten too physical. Sterling smiled softly, glad that Alue chose to stay, as he sat down across from her. “It was nice. She made a wonderful dinner; we went for a walk and talked, then returned to her home for dessert. Now I am here.” Alue gave him a flat look, the one that women use when they silently convey ‘Really? That is all you are going to tell me?’

       “What? I gave her a ‘proper’ chance, as you so called it. And I put forth effort too, it wasn’t just her. I just don’t feel anything beyond friendship for her. That is not wrong, you know.” He stated, wondering why Alue was giving him this look of uncertainty.

     Alue knew for certain that when a woman showed interest toward her old master, he put on a charming facade and wooed them with money, to reel them in for certain ‘benefits’. None of the relationships ever lasted long. Once he wasn’t so giving of his bounteous wealth, they would move on. For Sterling to have a pursuer and not desire of her was definitely an unusual behavior for Alue to understand. She understood the concept of a mate. She had some memories of her shifter parents. Both were owned by the same master, so they could stay together as a mated pair for life. It was also in her wolf and human genes to seek out such a prospect under the right conditions. She had yet to experience the right conditions to worry about such an event.

       

Alue shrugged her shoulders. “Who is to say it is wrong or right? I will simply view it as different. I’m glad you had a nice evening, none the less. Good night Sterling.” She told him, as she stood up and headed toward the back door. As she opened the door and Sterling said, “Alue?” She turned and looked over to him, “Will I see you when breakfast is ready and dinner too, perhaps?” he asked her, glimpses of hope portraying in his eyes. “You certainly will Sterling, especially if dinner is rare cooked steak.” She said her lips turning into a small clever grin, subtly hinting at her own internal jest. She would have come for dinner with Sterling even if it was something simple. She found comfortable pleasure when being around him. It wouldn’t matter what he made to eat, she would be there.