The Alpha's Daydream ✔️

Chapter 44

4491 words

"The things I want to do to you," he murmurs, his eyes scorching my body. When they meet mine, I shiver at the red flecks that glow in his obsidian irises.

It is so otherworldly, so foreign, and my breath catches in my throat as my lungs seize. I am pressed up against the wall in the foyer of the Alpha's mansion, and the evening shadows creep in from the corners and recesses of space. My heart pounds in my chest, reverberating in my ears, and I am sure Malachi can sense my fear as his lips lift in a crooked grin.

"You are all mine," his fingers tighten on the back of my neck as he pulls me closer, and his other hand trails from my mark to my throat, then down my chest in a sensual manner. When he caresses me and uncomfortable shivers snake down my spine, I finally find my voice.

"I may be yours, but you are just as much mine. And as your Luna, I order you to take your hands off my body."

I don't know where the strength in my voice has come from, but I thank God for it. I've been tense all day, so on edge after witnessing Malachi murdering a man this morning, and I don't know what to think. A part of me hates that he could do that, that such evil and rage consumes him. But another part of me remembers the tenderness I've seen in his azure blue eyes, and the gentle way he holds and comforts me after I awake from nightmares. Now, my darkest nightmare is standing in front of me, his flesh real and his heart beating with icy, lustful blood.

Malachi's eyes flicker to mine, so dark and red I can hardly stifle the gasp it causes in me. Such desire radiates from every swirl in his eyes, such a passion for me that the weight of it is nearly crushing.
Then his fingers release me. "Of course, my Love. I will go along with your little game. For now."

He smirks and steps back a foot, and my body involuntarily eases in relief. Then when he next speaks, his voice is dripping with molten desire. "But you want me just as much. Soon you will be begging for me. You will scream my name. Screaming for my hands to touch you in places—"

His words are cut off with a loud smack, and his head snaps to the side. My body trembles as I stare at my stinging hand and realise I have slapped him.

"Don't ever talk to me like that again," I tell him through clenched teeth, seething. The anger his words caused has built up to a breaking point inside me, and I will not let him speak such disrespect to me.

"Ariella?"

This time when he raises his head and pins me with his gaze, the anger melts from my face. Staring at me with pain are crystal blue eyes. Dark blue, admittedly; but blue nonetheless.

"Malachi?" I reach out to take his hand, but he steps back.

"Ari, are you alright?" Even his voice is back to normal; lighter and not so sultry. Clean and not perverted.

"I'm fine. How— how much do you remember?" My heart rate slows down, thumping irregularly as it eases back from the adrenaline spike of fear and uncertainty.

My mate swallows hard, as if wishing he didn't have to say what he does. "Everything. Ariella, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to touch you like that...." his face twists with internal anguish, as if the regret is eating up his words.

And then he turns and runs. Down the corridor his steps echo as he retreats without any further words.

"Malachi!" But he doesn't hear. He is too far away. "Why do always run when you need me?" My whispered words echo in the silence and ring in my ears as my heart throbs for my mate.

Sliding down the wall at my back, I sink to my knees and feel tears prick my eyes. I cover my face with my hands and stifle the sob that breaks from my chest. I concentrate on taking even breaths, my heart still racing from what just happened. I remember back to the few times I have seen those crimson flecks in his eyes, to the dreams I've had and wonder if they're one and the same.
All this time I thought Malachi was safe, that he was okay.