Affliction - Book One - Man x Man

Chapter 22

I struggle to explore why it bothered me so much to leave Alpha outside. It'd be easy to pin it on simply not wanting to be alone with Haryek, I stop the train of thought in its tracks. I can't allow myself to get sidetracked while riding the high of punishment.

Haryek leads me to the table and pulls me a chair, I block his hand, taking the back of the chair in my palm as I sit down abruptly. I'm not quite in the mood for taking any sort of offerings from such a sleazy character. "Tea?" He offers.

"Trying to poison me?" Tea is not something the Lycans see a need for, my taste for anything other than water and ale had been clawing at the back of the throat for nearing on a week now. While I wouldn't put it past Haryek to slip death into my cup, it seemed like a move that was beyond him. If he wanted me dead, I'd imagine he would have done it by now.

Haryek feigns anguish, "You wound me. I just want you to be comfortable."

"Cut the shit, Haryek. Did the Cheif of Police meet you with your papers? You must give back those houses you took." I would just stick with business, I would refuse to play his games, I would remain in control and I would get the answers and the results that I needed. 

"Of course." Haryek goes over to the stove and pulls down two cups, the porcelean tea cups glint in the light falling through the cracked window. I spy Alpha, arms crossed, staring into the woods with what I imagine is longing. I was removing him from some important task to have him here, I was sure. Would he suffer more backlash for this?

"Haryek, we have to figure this out. I haven't told the enterity of what went on but I can't ignore your behavior. I would very much like to give you a second chance but you must prove to me your worth. I'd like a full report of exactly who is in the rebellion and documation of everyone's abilities. Then, we can begin to discuss your punishment." I begin.

I note the rigidity in his shoulders. My time with Lycans was slowly turning me into an expert on body language. The cup trembles as he rests it on the tiny saucer, heating the water over the stove. I know that this is not from fear, one does not stand quite so hard when faced with fear. He was angry, so angry with me. "I was just caught up in the moment, Nicolas! You know how it is, I can't help that I'm attracted to you." 

His voice is light, soft and melodic. He chuckles, carefully adjusting his woven crown in the mirror. The corner of his lip threatens to turn down, threatens to twitch ever so slightly. Much as he wants to smile, I know that I'm getting to him. 

I am not like him. I have my dignity in that I would never force myself onto someone. I would force someone into a physical relationship with me if they didn't want it. "No, I don't, Haryek. I've never tried to rape someone." And if this is what he does when he's attracted to someone then Alpha is right. 

Haryek brings over the cups and sits down across from me, pouring the tea carefully so as not to burn himself. The smell wafts to my nose and I could almost groan in appreciation. Perhaps I would partake, I watched him make it, it wouldn't seem like he'd done anything to it. Snatching the cup quickly, I take a deep, slow breath. "If this is how you choose to behave then I feel I must warn you I will happily turn you over to the lycans to do with as they see fit. This a non negotiation, Hayrek. I was hoping to see some remorse from you."

With large, glimmering eyes, he smiles so widely that it almost frightens me. It looks unnatural on his pristine face. Akwardly, I glance away, for looking horrified by someone's natural smile might not be the best for polite company. I steal a sip of the tea, sighing at the delicate flavor and the sweetness of it. 

"Look, I've learned my lesson. Your boyfriend, or whatever is going on there, made it pretty clear that you're off limits. There will always be people like us Nicolas. You need me." He takes a drink of his own beverage, a careful sip. Tilting his head casually, he observes me with careful reguard, dragging his eyes over my slightly unkept appearance. "Honestly Nicolas, are you happy living like this? Look at you, you're a far cry from a royal as of today. You look right to be a beggar on the street, they obviously are not caring for you."


I sigh and stir my drink before taking a sip. Little did he know this was the healthiest I'd felt in a long time, this was the most like myself I'd been since my return home. Haryek had no desire to know me, he only wanted what he thought was rightfully his. "I think you should be much more concerned about what I'm not showing you than my appearance." I warn him, bringing a crack to that careful expression.