Kiara

What could be happening, what is going on within me? Here stood a man, a stranger who wasn't Alpha Ryder, and I felt the very same attraction to him.

 "I'm sorry if I startled you," he said, looking at me straight into my eyes. Does he feel it too? The same way I felt. Does he feel the same flame of neediness I feel just by looking at him?

 "Oh, no you didn't. I thought it was Alpha Ryder since he just left," I answered him. Trying as much as possible to sound composed. I couldn't lose my cool the same way I did with Alpha Ryder. I couldn't tell him how I felt or ask if he felt the mate bond too.

What if he rejected me, the same way Apha Ryder just did?

"I can't handle any more of being rejected. I have to keep it pushing like I feel a soul nothing for this man standing right in front of me," I muttered to myself.

 "You alright?" I heard him speak again. I was completely lost in thoughts I forgot I had him standing in here with me, enclosed in the same space.

"Yes, I am. Maybe, I'm trying to get used to being in a different setting my apologies sir," I responded immediately. I didn't want him to warn me about making him repeat himself.

  "Please don't call me that," he let out a soft chuckle. "My name is Brandon. Call me Brandon," he continued.

"I'm here on Alpha Ryder's command to help you settle in, show you around, and take you to the head of the chores department in the park. I hope you are ready for today's journey," he said to me.

 Was I fully ready to become a slave? No. But was I willing to spend my day with this fine-looking man staring down at me? Definitely. I could use the distraction.

 "As long as I am glued to you all day, yes I am ready," I said to him.

 I could see his eyes turn dark after I made that statement. His chest rose and fell at a quick pace, he looked at me like he could take me right here in this little room. I am sure he feels it too, he feels the mate bond.  

  After a moment of silence, he closed his eyes, like he was trying to blink away his emotions if he was trying to be under full control. When he flicked his eyes open, the desire was gone, hidden beneath his pupils.

   "Let us get going then, Kiara," he said to me. I nodded in response and tried to flatten my dress with my palms. Walking towards the door, closer to where he stood, before I could reach out for the door, he had already helped open the door.

 "Thank you, sir-Brandon," I said to him. He flashed his pearly white teeth and bowed his head in a gentlemanly gesture.

  He showed me around the park, explaining each route to me. He showed me the gardens, the playgrounds for little pups, and he explained to me how I could get to the river in case I would want to soak in the moonlight. He was kind and gentle with his words. I listened to him speak, without uttering a single word or giving little answers. I love to hear him speak. His voice was soothing to my ears, calm to my nerves, and dangerous to my wolf.

 We arrived at the lady who rules the park's administration as it was time to know my designated chore for the month. After all, I'm nothing but a slave in this park.

 "She has the eyes of the forest angels, why is she here to work," the last turned to Brandon, expecting an answer from him. But he didn't speak.

 "I am here to pay off my father's debt to Apha Ryder," I answered without meeting her eyes.

As much as those words were hurting, as bitter as it was while rolling off my tongue, it was my reality.

 "Hmm, I see," she answered.

"For starters, my name is Madame Agatha, I know Brandon would have filled you in on why you are standing in this office, and what post I hold in this pack," she continued speaking.

"Yes Madame, he did," I answered.

"That is great. We need more hands in the garden, and since you come across to me as if you belong right with the flowers, I would assign you there for this month. You would be moved constantly to other parts of the park each month, be diligent with your work," she said to me.

 "I am glad I got the garden, it doesn't sound so bad," I said to Brandon as we made our way out of Madame Agatha's office, and back to the home of Alpha Ryder.

   "I wouldn't be happy if I were you," Brandon responded. Moved my shock and felt a deep pit form in my stomach, I asked,

"Why is that?"

He replied, "Well, everyone knows the garden is as precious as the head of the ruler of the opposition park to Ryder. He wants the garden as beautiful as always, regardless of the season." He paused and then continued,

 "His mother started up the beauty of the garden bit by bit, with her own hands. And when she was killed with an arrow that passed through her heart, the last words she said to Ryder were to keep her flowers blooming. And ever since then, it has been so."

  This shocking realization made its way to my heart. Rather than having the fear of Alpha Ryder define me, I would put my work into this garden, and make sure I keep the flowers blooming for the past Luna. It was a form of admiration for her and I was ready to do that for my queen, Ryder's mother.   

Kiara

It is my third day now in this new place. I am unsure if I am to call it home just yet. I haven't seen or heard from Ryder ever since the day he walked into my room, rejected me, and placed his command.

 But Brandon on the other hand, has been with me from the very first day he showed me around. This feels like a confirmation that he feels the same way for me, that he feels the click.

 I resumed my duties in the garden at 9am right after having my breakfast. Everyone had their basket filled with tools for work from shears to watering cans. The ladies often kept to themselves, but the one heading the girls working in the garden was a bully. She was always wanting to get on my nerves.

B"After you are done with those roses, I need you to move to plot 4 where the lilies are, and hand-pick the weeds," I heard her loud voice cry from a distance. Every other person knew she was addressing me because she used the awful nickname she called me, "Little leech".

I do all within my capacity, as I do not want to fall into trouble or face Ryder ever again, not anytime soon at least. I was curious about him, who Alpha Ryder was, but no one spoke about him, there was fear plastered across the faces of everyone at the mention of his name or his arrival.

 "No one speaks about him. It is said that his name is only to be mentioned by those who are found worthy," Evie said to me.

  Evie was the least annoying among the other ladies. She has a tone as soft as cotton candy and a smile as warm as night.

 "I was the last added to the park's slave before you came in, been here for six months, and trust me when I say that I have only heard other ladies speak about him twice," she added.

"I can't speak of us being worthy to mention the Alpha's name as much as we want to, we are his slaves after all," she continued.

    All I did was nod and hmmed in response because little did I know that there was a stipulated rule on us mentioning the Alpha's name. I made a mental note to be careful as I wouldn't want to get into trouble with anyone.  I am okay with being on a low tone.

   After the day's work in the garden, my palms were sore, and my wrists aching. I waited up to see if Brandon would stop by tonight, but he didn't.

   "Maybe he is occupied with work or he has grown bored with me," I said to myself.

 The thought of being close to him sends heat to my core and I can feel the sensation of its effect between my legs. Shaking the idea of it off my head, I decided to take a walk right out of my cottage.

   The Moon was calm and the stars announced its presence making the night shine. The wind welcomed me into its arms, as I stepped my feet on the grass. With each step I took, my mind went back home. I wondered if I had truly been forgotten by them if I didn't matter to them anymore, and if I was just a slave in their sight as well.

  Looking straight ahead, I saw a bench sitting at the edge, I walked right to sit and sat down, collapsing myself into its shoulders. I loosened my hair from its tight bun and allowed the wind to blow through it. I sat there in silence, staring into the darkness of the night. Suddenly I heard a crunching sound, and I heard footsteps which were followed by a shadow, a broad shadow. I decided to follow this shadow to where it was headed,

  "Maybe something a little adventurous won't be bad after all," I whispered to myself as I got up from the cold wooden bench. I followed this shadow, as it led me on. And then I lost track of where it went. Now I am lost in the woods. I noticed the landmarks and discovered that this was the same route Brandon showed me, the same path that led to the river. So I went on with the journey of my own, heading to the river.

   Approaching the river I saw a man getting undressed prepared to go into the river. I followed his every movement, how his arms flexed while he took off his shirt, how broad his shoulders were, and how perky his ass looked after he took off his pants. He was standing there, tall in his glory, and beautiful with nothing on. I saw him walk right into the waters and sink into its wealth. I decided to come out of the woods as well, I wanted to be close to him, my wolf couldn't keep calm either. I chose to walk into the river with my clothes on, the coldness of the night embraced me, causing the waters of the river to cling to my dress onto my curves. I watched him watch me as I walked into the river, I watched his eyes clouded with desire, I knew he wanted me as much as I did, and so he swam towards me.

His eyes were fixated on mine not wanting to tear away his gaze of desire. His hands rested at the small of my back, drawing me closer to him, and without uttering a word, his lips collided with mine. His hands were hungry and so was his entire being. I could feel the heat he wanted to release, I needed it, I craved for it all. So I kissed him back, hungrily and needily. I wanted him to know I was in if he was, I felt his tongue slip into my mouth and I was greeted with the taste of alcohol.

 He pushed me closer to him so I could feel how needy he was for me, I could feel him pressing into my thigh, I could feel him sniffing me, and his lips buried into my neck, suckling on my skin. I moaned in response and I felt in sense of pride. We heard a snap and pulled away from each other. He turned his back towards me wanting to see what could have made that noise.

 "Whoever it is, come out now. I command it," he yelled. I recognized that voice, I know that voice.

"No, it could not be him, it just can't," I muttered to myself as I swam backward, returning to the woods that led me into the arms of the man who didn't want to be seen with me.