The devil Alpha

In need of the devil

*Evangeline*

It is common knowledge that one never speaks of the devil for fear that in doing so, one would attract his unwanted attention. So it is that few among the high packs speaks of Lucian Langdon, the Alpha of Claybourne.

Yet, as I stand in the midnight shadows near his residence, I can’t deny that I have been fascinated with the Devil Alpha ever since he dared to appear at a ball uninvited. He danced with no one. He spoke with no one. But he prowled through the ballroom as though taking measure of each and every person within its confines and finding them all sadly lacking.

I found it particularly distressing when his gaze settled on me and lingered a second or two longer than was proper. I neither flinched nor looked away… although I dearly wanted to do both… but I held his gaze with all the innocent audacity that a young she-wolf of seventeen could muster.

I took some satisfaction in him being the first to look away, but not before his strangely silver eyes began to darken, to appear as though they were heated by the fiery depths of the very hell from which he was supposedly spawned.

Few believe him to be the rightful heir, but none dare question his status. After all, it is well known that he is quite capable of committing murder. He never denied that he killed the previous Alpha’s remaining son and heir.

That night at the ball, it was as if the entire throng of guests took a solitary breath and held it, waiting to see where he might strike, upon whom he might vent his displeasure, because it was quite obvious he was not one to exhibit gaiety. And it could only be assumed that he arrived with some nefarious purpose in mind, for surely he was aware that no she-wolf in attendance would dare risk her reputation by dancing with him nor would any gentleman have his respectability questioned by openly and willingly conversing with Claybourne in such a public venue.

Then he sauntered out, as though he had been searching for someone, and failing to find him… or her… decided the rest of them weren’t worth the bother. That irritated me most of all.

To my immense shame, I desperately wanted to dance with him, to be held within the circle of his arms, and to gaze once more into those smoldering silver eyes, that even now, five years later, continue to haunt my dreams. Bringing up the hood of my cloak, covering my head in an attempt to warm myself as the damp fog thickens, I study the Alpha’s residence more closely, searching for some clue to indicate that he is home.

I’m not certain that my fascination with him is entirely healthy. As a matter of fact, I’m fairly certain it isn’t. I can’t say exactly what it is about him that draws me; I know only that I am irrevocably drawn. Clandestinely, unknown to my family, after my first encounter with Claybourne, I even dared to have invitations to my balls and dinners hand-delivered to him by a faithful servant. Not that he ever bothered to acknowledge my overtures or attend my social functions.

As far as I know, save for that one night, he never made an appearance at any other soiree. He is not openly welcomed in the best of packs, and I am quite insulted that he rebuffed my attempts to include him in my life. Although I have to admit that my reasons for wanting him there were quite selfish and not entirely respectable.

I no longer have the luxury of trying to entice him nearer with gilded invitations. I am quite determined to have a word with him, and if not within the safety of a crowded ballroom, then I will do it within the privacy of his own residence.

An icy shudder skitters down my spine, and I try to attribute it to the chill of the fog, rather than my own cowardice. I have been standing in the shadows for quite some time and the dampness has seeped into my bones. If I don’t approach soon, I will be a shivering mess and that would hardly suit my purpose. I have to appear as though I have no qualms whatsoever about approaching him; otherwise, I’d no doubt garner his disdain and that wouldn’t do at all.

Cautiously, I glance around. It is so very late, and the night is very quiet. Ominously so. No one is about to witness me approaching his door, no one would be aware of my scandalous midnight visit. My reputation would remain unscathed. Still, I hesitate.

Once I set foot on this path, there will be no turning back, but I don’t see that I have any other choice. With renewed resolve, I step into the street and begin marching forward, fearing that, before this night is done, my reputation will remain the only thing untouched by the Devil Alpha.