Beta's Lover

Chapter- Eight

MACKENZIE

I woke up feeling my legs numb with cold and soon realized my face was frozen. Even though i was covered in blankean t but the weather was too harsh for a mere blanket to keep me warm. I sat with support from my arms and for a few minutes, I just sat there with my head inside the blanket covering me whole.

"Mack?" I heard Quinn’s voice ring against the cold bloodied walls and shuffling of feet.

I moved the blanket from my head and found her coming towards me with a worried expression. I warmed internally and put my arm forward for her to hold it. She quickly held my hand and sat beside me and rubbed my hands with hers.

"Today is cold as ice, isn't it? Winter has come ealrier than suspected." She said, puffing an air out of her mouth which became mist in the air.

"It sure is," I mummered and massgaed my legs to let a little bit of heat to reach them. I felt a sneeze coming and quickly covered my nose.

Quinn seemed to find it funny as she chuckled at me. I smiled along and bumped my shoulder with hers.

Our moment was destroyed by the sound of several footsteps coming outside the cell. Quinn and i sat there silently and looked whatever was happening. The prisoners all started rattling the metallic rods and screaming, thrashing in their cells to let them go or promising to kill them once they get free. The shadows neared our cell, Quinn and I shared a look.

They were here for us.

Three men came in our sight, they were the same men who we meet at the doctor's. Only Cylon was missing. One of them opened the door and came inside. Quinn slightly moved towards me that she was completely flushed with me. While I remained still and kept looking at them.

"Stand up and come with us," The man said, it sounded more like an order.

"Not before you tell me where are you taking us," I questioned him and held the blanket tighter.

"Alp- uh- The head of the city wants to see you both and decide what happens with you," He said sounding bored except the stuttering he did in the start.

I didn't think much of his slip of tongue and looked at Quinn and nodded my head. Letting her know, we have to do this and better find a way to get out of here. We stood with balnkets still wrapped around us and as we were about to walk forward, the blankets were snatched away from us leaving us bare in the coldness.

"What are you-"

"Don't you have any humanity? Let us keep the blanket," I demanded but it was all in vain.

They ignored us and kept watching us without any expressions in their faces. It was of no use fighting them they won't budge.

"Let's get it over with. Just try to hug yourself," I hissed at them and rubbed my arms to keep the little warmth that was left behind.

I was a bit grateful that they didn't handcuffed us like before, only surrounded us as we walked to an unknown place. The sun was up but the rays weren't heating us up as it does in summer. But it was good to be out of the cell the least. Quinn shivered behind me, rubbing her hands together and then placing them on her face.

We must be looking pathetic.

Dirty, wounded and cold.

We passed a few buildings and reached a large building in front of us. Opening the door, the man in front walked inside and gestured us to come inside. We did as we were told. Inside the building it was like i had entered heaven. Warm and cozy looking home was in front of my eyes.

"Move," the man beside me growled and slightly pushed me forward. I showed him an irritated look and walked forward unsure to what i was about to face.

As usual Quinn was behind me, holding my shirt for moral support. We always have been like this, Quinn shy and scared to speak up while I do get scared but i conceal it for her and stand up for myself and others.

After passing a hallway, i entered a large room where several long sofas and chairs were placed. And there happen to be people there who seemed to be waiting for us. There were around six people but two men stood out the most the rest were Jazmine, Cylon and an elderly couple I haven't seen before.

The first man- who sat in the center had dark black hair like mine with hazel eyes and seemed tall enough to tower over me and he was build like a warrior. His eyes were on us and they seem to be judging us.

Moving my eyes to the right where the second man with a similar physique sat but he was more appealing. He wore a white shirt, the fabric of which was tight across his broad chest and outlining the biceps he was hiding beneath. The first two buttons of his shirt were open, allowing me to observe him. He had tan color skin with light brown chest hair, and thay were slightly peeking through the open shirt. My eyes trailed down his arm and to my disappointment the sleeves of the shirt were covering his arms for me to see him but I could see the veins protruding over his fingers. I controlled my facial expressions so as not to give away the look as I undressed him in my mind. His long thick hands rested over his knees and finally, I looked at his face. And my god, I sure was not disappointed now. He was as handsome as a Greek god. The slight stubble along his jaw gave him a rough look which suited him perfectly. His nose bridge is a bit crocked but still pointed at the end- a beauty. And oh let's just not talk about those lips, full and plump. My eyes seemed like fingers tracing his face and down his neck, and oh his neck. That Adam apple was popping, the hottest feature of any man, I would say. As if feeling my eyes on him, he swipes his tongue over his lower lip, making it wet. I gulped and felt my heart race looking at this attractive man. His features were soft and it's like the delicacy of his face doesn't match well with the rest of his body. His light brown hair pushed back off his head and finally, to reach the eclipse, I met his hazel eyes. His hazel were widened but soon they narrowed out at me and held an emotion which made me frown. It was a look of desperation and anger.

I looked away, feeling my cheeks burn with embarrassment. I wish he didn't see my eye-raping him just now in front of everyone! Fisting my hands, I shake my head to get rid of stupid hornt thoughts and focused back on reality.

Focus! This is not the time to daydream about an attractive man!

I looked back at the man in the centre as we were standing in front of them like we were being interviewed or worse being judged. I don't care about sitting or whatsoever. I just want to listen to what they have to say and get over this bullshit.

"I am Arthur and the Head of this city. I would like to know your names," The man in the centre spoke. His voice was gruff and held an authoritative tone.

"Mackenzie," I spoke, maintaining eye contact with him. He remained unfazed by my unwavering eye contact and looked at Quinn waiting for her to introduce herself.

"Quinn," she spoke softly and looked down unable to hold the stare. I grabbed her hand and gave it a slight squeeze to let her know I could handle this and she didn't need to worry. She gave me a reassuring smile.

"I know about all the details of your sudden unintentional visit to our city. But was it unintentional?" He asked, looking at us but more like me. He was sitting still but curiosity was visible on his face.

"Yes, it was unintentional. We were on our way to a trip and happened to take a shortcut where a man at a gas store told us to take a right turn on the road which would lead us to our destination. Unfortunately, we missed the turn and happened to move straight which led us here," I told them, sincerely. I want it to be over. I was getting cold. I rubbed my hands subconsciously as the attractive man was staring at me constantly.

"Give them something warm to wear," the leader ordered his men, who were on their feet in an instant.

We were handed large jackets, wearing one jacket, I looked back at the leader.

"Thank you," and I meant it. I had manners. My aunt raised a well-mannered woman, not a rude brat.

Arthur seemed grateful and gave a small smile in return. At the sight of his emotions, I realized he was being stiff but seemed a relaxed person.

"We don't even know where we are and in which city we currently in," Quinn spoke up,

"On that note, we found some suspicious papers in your car. Cylon bring them to me," Arthur objected, with a raised eyebrow.

I looked at Quinn and we both were puzzled about what papers were in the car that was suspicious to them.

Cylon brought a bundle of familiar-looking files in his hand. He gave it to the leader who placed the contents of the file over the table and gestured for us to come forward.

"Take a look and let me know what is this all about," He questioned and sat back on the sofa.

L

"What about them? They are just random myth research work I did back in high school. I don't even remember having them with me in my car.

What does it have to do with us being hostages?" I asked this time.

Arthur didn't seem to believe what I just told him.

"Research? Hmm well. Are you sure you are not hiding anything? Anything happened during your encounter with the wolves on the road?" He asked instead. Hands clasped together in front of him.

"Oh yes. We did encounter wolves but there was so much chaos going on that we don't remember what happened or what not," Quinn spoke and for a second I held my breath thinking she might tell them about the shifting thing that we were unsure about. Neither of us wants unnecessary trouble in our way.

"We only remember a few wolves fighting and we blacked out. That's all. And I am sure you didn't find any weapons or anything that point at us being hunters or impose any threat towards you," I interjected and laid all the cards.

Arthur shared a look with the handsome guy to the right and they seemed to share a look then he nodded.

"Yes, you are right. It was just a precautionary measure for us to take care of intruders. Why don't you shower and change into something warm and then we will take the rest of the discussion to the table," He said, standing up.

"Thank you," Quinn said, to which Jazmine smiled brightly and Cylon was openly staring at Quinn.

But my eyes happened to fall on the handsome guy who seemed stressed and looked away as soon as my eyes met his. They seemed in pain and awe.

It was an odd reaction of him.

Did I miss something?

I pursed my lips and just looked back at the rest of the people.

"Let me take you to a guest room. Come," Jazmine offered as she came towards us with a similar relaxed smile.

As soon as we left the room, I heard the shush voices of all six of them talking among themselves probably about us. Jazmine led us to a large room where there were two single beds present.

"Please sit. Let me fetch the clothes for you girls," Jazmine said, gesturing for us to take a seat on the beds.

We sat on the bed facing each other just lost in our own thoughts. I was tired, cold and restless. I just need to go back home, where nobody is waiting for me. I sighed and fumbled with the hem of my dirty shirt trying not to get emotional.

A few minutes later, the door opened and Jazmine arrived with a bundle of clothes and placed them over the bed.

"Here you go. It has all the stuff you need. After you guys are done, come straight down the stairs and turn left towards kitchen," She said, patting the pile of clothes.

"Okay," I replied with a nod.

"You can shower first," Quinn said as the door behind Jazmine closed.

I gave her a smile and grabbed the things i needed and went to shower. The warm or i must say near-boiling water was heavenly and I couldn’t get enough of it. Subconsciously, while drying my hair as i looked up at my blue eyes in the mirror of the bathroom, the hazel eyes of that handsome man came into my mind. I shook my head to get rid of unnecessary things and went out to find sleepy Quinn on the bed. I lightly shook her shoulders to wake her up. After she went to shower, I walked towards the window and moved the curtains aside to see outside. I wasn't staring at anything in particular, I was just lost in my own world. Which was blank, no thoughts.

"Let's go," Quinn’s voice brought me back from my peaceful break from the world.

I hummed and put my hands in the pocket of the jacket and walked out of the door down to the stairs. Following Jazmine directions we reached a large kitchen without getting lost. Again, we were met with the same six people and worse thing only two spots were vacant. One by Cylon and the other next to handsome guy who looked up in time to make eye contact with me and this time he didn't move his eyes away. Which made me a bit conscious of myself.

"Please have a seat," The leader said, putting the fork down on the plate.

Quinn walked towards Cylon and my heart beat suddenly picked up upon learning i have to sit next to him. I was embarrassed by my own emotions like he is not the only handsome guy i have ever seen. I quietly sat down and folded my hands on my lap.

"Alistair please help her," I heard Jazmine soft and urging voice. I looked up to find her looking at the man beside me with a knowing look.

Oh so his name is Alistair.

So hot! Just like him.

Wait what! What a unique name, that's i mean.

I scolded my dirty minded brain and while i was having a battle with myself, he moved towards my side to grab my plate. I smelled something- oh that scent. It was such a good cologne it pulled me towards him. Perfumes and colognes were my weakness, i was sucker to them. And oh god, this cologne of his was just wonderful. I so wanted to ask him the name of it but i refrained myself, remembering where i was and how our situation was. So I watched as he silently put food on my plate.

"More?" He spoke for the first time and let me tell you t was just hot as i predicted, deep, a little husky and throaty voice.

"That's fine. Thank you," I spoke and slightly waved my hands in front to stop him from adding more food to my plate.

He nodded his head and moved to his side. I made an eye contact with Quinn, who was watching me the whole time. She nodded her head and gave me a reassuring smile. Means the food was okay and i could eat with ease. Once i started eating i realized how hungry i was and was grateful for them for the food. I would subconsciously hesitate in between to eat and then I look around to see everybody eating alright which made me relax in my seat and would eat a few more bites. I could feel the eyes of Alistair on me from time to time, that one time i turned to look at him to which he maintined eye contact me. And for a moment i was lost in his hazel eyes and noticed his eyes were hazel with green fleeks making them green more than hazel.

Upon hearing clearing throat of someone, startling me and i looked away but felt him look away a few seconds later. I moved my hair behind my ears feeling a little embarrassed.

He is a dangerous man. I need to avoid him

At all cost!

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