Elián;
"If you put a bit more bounce into your jump, maybe you'd be able to catch it."
Shit!
I quickly turn around, and I freeze. There's a figure in the shadows. A tall… lanky one that I can't quite see… but he's there.
"Who… Who's there?" I question in panic as I slowly start backing away.
That isn't Koda's voice…
"A spectator." The deep, sultry voice replies, and I raise a brow. "How many tries does it take to catch a branch? I haven't seen someone with such stubby legs before." The voice continues, and the words are a slap to my face.
Stubby legs?!
I've never been called that in my entire life!
Who is this punk?!
"I don't have stubby legs! The branch is too high, and I'm… I'm not in the right frame of mind!" I scold as I scramble to my feet, and I watch the figure fold his arms behind him.
"It's not that high." The voice replies, and I grit my teeth.
"Yeah?! Why not come do it if it's so easy!?" I demand, and this stranger huffs a breath with a shrug.
"I would… But I'm not trying to run away from people who spent a fortune to acquire me." He says as he finally steps out of the shadows, and my heart dies in my chest.
"That's not very nice… Is it, Elián?"
Who… is this??
I feel all the air in my lungs get knocked out as I look at the man who has appeared before me.
The first thing that catches my attention… are his eyes…
They are… different… Beautiful…
One pupil is blue… like ice… It's so bright and beautiful, it looks like a blue diamond with stars trapped inside. His other eye is brown. Golden brown… like sands of a beach… If those grains of sand were made of sunlight…
Wow…
He has flowing, white, almost silvery hair that falls to his waist like curtains… Complimenting his spotless, fair skin. His upper body is bare. The second shirtless man I'm seeing today, and goodness, he is just as beautiful!
He is leaner than Alpha Koda, but still has this intimidating aura about him. He has muscles, a toned torso divided into beautiful abs, and even though he's just dressed in black pants and simple black sandals…
The golden choker on his neck that looks like a curled serpent, and the golden rings on his fingers tell me that he's no simpelton…
Crap!
Is he one of the Alphas?!
He stretches forth a hand, and only then do I see the teal blue scales that line his entire left arm.
Scales. Real, glimmering teal-blue scales. My breath catches… what is he?
"I'm Alpha Zephan. One of the brothers you're trying so desperately to get away from…" His silky smooth voice speaks, and I feel my soul leave my body.
Alpha!
He's an Alpha!
He's one of the brothers.
Shit!
Oh, Fuck, I'm dead.
I'm so dead.
How the hell do I get out of this?!
I watch as he folds his arms across his chest and taps the index finger of his right hand against his chin as he looks me over, and I swallow as I watch his rings glisten under the moonlight.
"Koda said none of us are allowed to touch you until you're comfortable here… Yet look at you. Running to my garden in the dead of night when you should be preparing for your meeting with Father." He speaks again, and my jaw drops as I involuntarily stagger back.
THIS IS HIS GARDEN?!
"Oh… Don't look so shocked. You know this garden is restricted. I heard Alana telling you that just this afternoon. Yet here you are. Were you so eager to meet your Alpha Zephan?" He continues, and I'm mortified.
"I… I'm… Actually… I…" I begin, as I start backing away from him, and I watch something in his eyes shift just as my back hits the wall.
"Do you know what this garden is?" He questions, and I gulp as he starts walking over to me in slow, calculated steps.
I shake my head in negation, and he shuts his eyes as he takes a deep breath… as if relishing the smell of something.
"This is my shrine." He notes, and I gulp. "Every flower… creature… and leaf here is under my care." He continues as he gets closer to me, and I press myself harder into the wall behind me, suddenly wishing I could disappear.
"Do you know what happens to those who trespass into my garden, Elián? They don't get the chance to do it twice." He speaks as he finally stops in front of me, and all I can hear now is my heart screaming its petition to leave my chest.
I hold my breath when he suddenly places a hand on the wall beside my head and leans close to me. So close, his warm breath fans my face, and the scent of rain and flowers fills my nose.
"Tell me, little omega… what should stop me from feeding you to the roots beneath us…?"
My eyes widen, and I feel my whole body begin to tremble in horror as I gawk at him.
Feed me to the root?
Does he mean kill me??
I didn't even touch anything…
I… I'm… I was… I was just trying to escape. I…
He suddenly leans closer to me. His long fingers wrap around my throat. Firmly, but not tight enough to stop my breathing.
"I have a problem with people who can't keep to the rules, Elián… They irritate me…" He whispers into my ear, and I shut my eyes tightly as I clasp my arms in front of me in panic.
"I'm sorry…" The words escape from me as a whimper, but I don't mind. Anything to keep me from getting killed.
I was stupid. I was fucking stupid to think I could do this.
I didn't ask enough questions or know enough about anything. I just sprang into action, and now I've jumped from pot to fire.
"Please don't kill me…" I push desperately, and I'm met with dreadful silence.
Alana warned me, and I didn't listen… Is this truly how I'm gonna die?!