Alpha Temptations

02 | The Offer

I let out a soft groan as I put the two baskets of goods on the snowy ground. I was tasked by the cooks to get the ingredients for later's dinner since the alphas of the allied packs will be coming.

I was just about to resume walking when someone grabbed me by the hair and pulled me towards the frozen trees. "You bítch!"

I didn't have to check to know who it was. Karen then aggressively let go of my hair and pushed me toward the ground. When I turned around, I saw her with three other girls.

"What is it now, Karen?" I asked even though I know what they're going to do. "Aren't you tired of this?"

She smirked at me and raised a brow. "Tired? Why would I get tired when it brings me so much pleasure?" she responded, taking a step closer. "I would have let it pass earlier only if you didn't talk back," she added, leaning forward and slapping me without a warning.

My lips parted after the impact. I can still feel her hand on my cheek.

"But you're lucky I decided not to dirty my hands anymore," she said, flashing a sweet, irritating smile. "I made a promise to Hunter that I would change, so I brought some girls to do it for me," she added, getting up and signaling the other girls to deal with me.

I braced myself. I clutched my hands tightly. I want to fight back. I want to beat them to a pulp but that would just make my situation worse. If I fight back, they can just simply twist the story and make it look like I am the bad guy. And even if I try to defend and explain myself, it would still be pointless. Because who would believe an outsider, right? Who would listen to a cursed, wolfless outsider?

I bit my lower lip to stop myself from groaning in pain and patiently waited for them to get tired of hurting me. And after minutes of putting up with it, they finally stopped and left with satisfied grins on their faces while looking at me lying on the snowy ground with disheveled hair and a few cuts and bruises on my cheeks, neck, and arms.

I covered my eyes with my arm when they started to burn. And just a few seconds after, beads of tears started rolling down my cheeks. I took a deep breath and cried silently.

I am crying not because it hurts, but because of self-pity and helplessness. I am so tired of this life. I want it to stop. I want everything to just stop. If only I will have a chance to take a break from everything, I would not hesitate to embrace it.

"Maya?" I froze when I heard Alpha Lancer's voice. "Maya..." I got up when his voice got closer. I turned around and saw him walking towards me with a worried look. "What happened?"

I fórced a smile, "I...I fell, Alpha." I faked a laugh and scratched the back of my head. "Such a clumsy girl, aren't I?"

He looked at me with sadness. He knelt in front and embraced me without saying a word. "I'm sorry, Maya. I'm really sorry I couldn't do anything to protect you. I'm sorry if I broke my promise to give you a good life in my pack," he blurted out, rubbing my back and hugging me tighter. "I'm really sorry."

I am not stùpid to not know what he's trying to say. I know he is aware of the bullying that has been happening to me and probably about what his mate and son do, too. But I also know the reason why he can't defend me. It's for the pack. If he keeps defending me, then it would just cause more rumors to the pack and might even enrage his mate and son. He didn't defend me because it is his way of protecting me from suffering even more from his pack.

I softly smiled at him even though he couldn't see it. Then I hugged him tightly and rested my face on his shoulder. "It's fine, Alpha Lancer. You don't have to apologize. I understand," I whispered.

I pulled away from the hug and smiled at him. "I have to go now, alpha. I still have to bring those ingredients to the pack house," I told him and got up, slapping my clothes to remove the snow.

He nodded at me. "When you still have time, would you like to spar with me? It's been a week since the last time."

I quickly nodded at him and flashed an ecstatic smile. "I do! I don't have anything left to do after I bring those ingredients."

"It's settled then. Meet me at our usual spot at 5:00 PM."

---

We were able to spar for almost an hour, but that was enough to refresh my combat skills. My heart was filled with bliss after it because that sparring also served as our bonding and a reminder that my life isn't miserable at all; that I still have some good memories to cherish.

It's been five years since Alpha Lancer taught me everything he knows in physical combat. It was when I told him that I couldn't reach out to my wolf. He said he wanted me to learn combat skills so I could protect myself even without a wolf. But in exchange, he made me promise him to never use it against anyone in the pack; to keep it a secret; to just use it when necessary.

"You almost got me," Alpha Lancer said with a proud smile.

"Almost," I emphasized, panting. "I can never defeat you, alpha. I can never defeat my master," I added and grinned.

"If only you have a wolf, you could have surpassed me a long time ago," he said while looking straight into my eyes. "I'm proud of your growth, Maya."

"And it's thanks to you," I told him.

He just nodded before walking towards me to pat my head. "It's almost time now for the other alphas to arrive. We should go back to the pack house."

We went home separately. Alpha Lancer went home a few minutes earlier than me because I pretended I still have somewhere else to go but I just don't want the others to see us together. I don't want to drag him down with me any further. I don't want to continuously tarnish his name.

"Where have you been?" Luna Therese asked, piercingly looking at me. "The cooks need some assistance. Go there right now!"

I just gave her a nod before going to the kitchen. The cooks gave me the same look I got from the Luna but I ignored them. Well, it's not like I care anyways. I did everything they asked me to do. And after almost an hour of preparation, we're finally done. I quickly went upstairs to grab a towel then went down to take a bath from one of the common bathrooms in the pack house. I chose the farthest one since it's the least used.

My movements were quick. I need to get done before the alphas from allied packs arrive.

Right after getting done, I quickly left the bathroom and was about to go back to my room when I bumped into Hunter. He just got home from school. The impact was strong that I almost fell on my butt but the latter didn't even bulge due to his towering and masculine build.

I glared at him but was taken aback when I saw him staring my me. And that's when I realized I was just wearing a towel to cover my body. I suddenly felt awkward so I rushed my way to my room and didn't bother to know why he would look at me like that. I think that was the first time he saw me wearing only a towel because I usually take a bath before he could even wake up or go home from school.

Well, whatever. It's not like it would make any difference. To his eyes, I am nothing but a nuisance. I don't even think he has ever seen me as a woman.

After changing my clothes and drying my hair, I went down to the kitchen to help in serving the food. Luna Therese was already there giving orders. She was standing at the doorway. And when she saw me walk in, she looked at me with a hint of irritation. "Where were you? You know we need help here!" She gritted her teeth and looked around, probably to see if Alpha Lancer is around. She then looked back at me and pulled my hair. "Quick! Help them!" she said, aggressively pushing me inside.

I discreetly rolled my eyes at her before joining the cooks to serve the food.

I can hear the manly laughs of the alphas from the living room when I went to the dining room to place the food. When I took a peak, I saw Hunter joining them. Alpha Lancer probably introduced him to them and told him about the upcoming passing ceremony.

I quickly went back to the kitchen before Luna Therese sees me.

After serving the food, I was told to stay in the kitchen and be on standby in case they need something. The cooks have left to have dinner, so I am all alone in the kitchen, having my own meal.

"Maya!" I heard Luna Therese sweetly call my name.

I rolled my eyes. I want to puke so badly. It disgusts me when she calls me that way.

I went out of the kitchen and faked a smile at her to ride on her act. "Yes, Luna?"

"Can you bring us more juice?"

I nodded. "Okay." I went to the kitchen and made some juice for them. After I few minutes, I went back. I was about to leave when Luna Therese demanded me to pour on their glasses.

I mentally rolled my eyes before doing it. And while I am on it, I heard them talking about the training camp.

"Our son will soon enter the camp so he could take over the pack after," Alpha Lancer said. "But I worry about him since I don't think he can live independently, considering the fact he doesn't even know how to fry an egg."

"F-Father, stop it," Hunter said, blushing in embarrassment.

"That's to be expected, Alpha Lancer. That's the reason why others bring their mates with them when they enter the camp," Alpha Cenon said. "Why don't you do the same? I'm sure Hunter has found his mate already."

"Unfortunately, he hasn't yet," Alpha Lancer replied.

"Why don't we just let Maya come with him?" Luna Therese suggested with a playful, evil grin plastered on her face while looking at me.

I froze for a moment and almost dropped the pitcher.

"I also think that's a good idea," Hunter said, wearing the same grin as his mother. "Maya knows everything when it comes to household chores. I am sure she can be of great use to me while I stay in the camp."

"But Maya isn't qualified to enter the camp," Alpha Lancer objected. "She c—"

"She is," Luna Therese cut him off. "She can go there and train as a warrior. You know what I am talking about, Alpha Lancer," she meaningfully added before looking at me as if she's trying to tell me that she knows about our secret training.

"Still, I don't think we can just tell Maya what to do. We should ask her if she—"

"I accept the offer," I cut Alpha Lancer off out of excitement. This is it. This is the sign I have been asking for; a chance for me to leave this pack even just for a short while. "I will go with Hunter in the camp." I couldn't stop myself from grinning.

Finally!

Finally, my prayers have been heard. I don't care if I have to serve him there like a slave. As long as I can take a break from this suffocating pack, then I will willingly be his slave.