Alpha Valerius

Trammels of the Heart

Ray's of warm sunshine bled into my room. Caressing every edge of furniture, brightening up the interior. I was sitting, awake, at the foot of my bed, already dressed for whatever the day would bring. 

It was around 8 in the morning when I woke up. I took my time to shower, and in the meantime, met with Viola. She informed me that Valerius wanted to let me rest for the first night. So he ordered the staff to not disturb my sleep. 

Let me sleep for the night...

I guessed that the only reason he allowed that, was because he was still offended and pissed about yesterday. Still, I couldn't blame him. I never wanted to mention that in the first place, or  even word it in such a way. But the other part of me was willing to soil Valerius's fun too much...even though it yearned to be close to him. 

Thus, the first day of my life with this man began. 

Now, around 10 in the morning, I finally gathered the will to go down and look for the dining room again. My stomach grumbled and protested to my intentional delaying. I simply didn't want to see that man right now. 

However, the more I stalled, the more sluggish I felt. 

It was nothing weird to me. As an Omega, I was afraid that this would happen. Once exposed to the male alpha pheromones, and in such a big amount, my body will begin to change. I'll have no choice but to depend on my mate.

When upset, or stressed, I am supposed to seek solace in my mate's arms. His scent, voice, and everything else included, will calm my mind and give me peace. 

With Valerius, I was sure it had already begun. 

Feeling sluggish is the result of being deprived of his pheromones. It's good that I'm on my suppressants, but once I get used to his pheromones, it'll be hard for me to separate myself from him. 

My body could go into overdrive. 

All of that was frightening. 

I walked down the stairs, convinced that this was the direction to the dining room. Luckily, before I made the wrong turn, one of the maids crossed my path. I offered her a kind smile, but she frantically bowed and sputtered out polite greetings.

"Calm down.."

I reassured her. 

"Apologies, my lady, I-uhm..."

"Don't apologize, please. You did nothing wrong."

My hand came up, squeezing around her shoulder in a consoling manner. She seemed to freeze at the contact, slowly edging away from my touch. As I detected this subtle action, I removed my hand, a perplexed look on my face. 

I decided to ignore it, for the sake of not embarrassing her further. 

"Is there any leftovers for breakfast? If you could just show me where the kitchen is, I'd like to get something to eat. "

I questioned her, my voice in a soothing tone. However, the look of terror was written all over her expression. In that instant, I didn't know what was going on. But when a second passed and I felt the sudden surge of strong pressure, I realized why she was so terrified. The strong scent coming from behind me, the intimidating aura and presence...it was none other than my mate. 

My luck...has completely run out. 

"Nonsense. Go tell the chef to prepare a meal for my mate."

His alpha tone was harsh. Enough to send the poor girl in a state of petrification. Yet, she couldn't disobey. Her body moved on its own, but the look in her eyes was completely blank. I was afraid, that when she completes her little mission, she will collapse. The overwhelming power of an alpha, to those who are weak, could sometimes even be fatal.

And I am not too different.

My hands trembled softly, limbs frozen from fear. The only difference was that I knew he couldn't harm me. There was this certain part of me that felt safe in his presence, drawn to it too. 

As if he sensed my distress, he took a step closer. His heat washed over me and sudden feeling of ease relaxed my frozen form. I felt a gentle pressure on my lower back, his chest pressed to my left shoulder. He crowded my space, creating a bubble around me that made me feel warm and fuzzy. I felt the heat on my cheeks, the butterflies ripping through my stomach. 

"I apologize if I frightened you."

His voice was a tone deeper, husky and raspy. As if he woke up just a minute ago. 

"I-It's fine.."

Somehow yesterday's events seemed to fly out the window of my mind. I could only think...of him. 

His hand slowly slid around my waist, pulling me to him. His fingertips dug softly into my skin. I drew a breath, inhaling his rich scent. My senses were focused on him, filling every aspect of my mind. 

What is he doing?

Valerius's lips twitched up into a slight smirk at my question, reminding me that I couldn't block him out, that my walls are nonexistent to him. 

"Would you like a tour of the property later? It would be good, since you'll be here from now on."

He suggested. My trembling hands came up, pressing against his toned chest in order to push him away. But my strength was nowhere to be found. I was powerless against his mind-boggling presence. 

"Uh-okay, sure. That..That would be good."

I cleared my throat, awkwardly leaning back. 

His eyes slightly narrowed, judging my actions and reactions. His hold on me didn't waver, even after he started leading me to the dining room. 

My thoughts were full of one thing. 

My mate is touching me. 

During my years of puberty and early adulthood, I had never been touched by a man. The physical contact was enough to send my nerves into a frenzy, spiking up my pulse and sending heat into every part of my body. Valerius must have sensed that, for when I glanced up, he was wearing a proud smirk on his lips. 

Above all that, my wolf was starting to get obnoxious. Happy to get affection and attention from her mate, she sent obvious amounts of my scent right at him. Not even the pills could help with that.

When another wave hit both him and me, Valerius's eyes flashed it's mesmerizing, golden color and stopping our walk on a halt. 

"Easy. You don't want to provoke us."

Indeed. 

I flushed, taking a step away from him, only to be pulled back into his huge body. 

"I-I..."

Words were stuck in my throat. I stuttered and looked down in shame. 

Pissed that I was letting him see and feel this, I mentally whacked myself. All that talking about not giving him any satisfaction as his mate made me a hypocrite. 

Can't help it. 

My wolf replied instantly. Even though it was her that made him angry yesterday, she was jumping straight into his arms. 

Valerius released a small, husky chuckle. He turned my body slowly, pressing me to him to the point my breasts were squished against his abdomen. 

Then.

Something clicked. 

I remembered. 

I pushed against him and managed to quickly get out of his hold. Regret and guilt washed over me, making me look away from the shocked expression of my mate. 

Another rejection. He felt it. 

It was like a hammer hitting him across his head, jerking him back to the state he was in yesterday. I knew he was confused. He didn't understand. 

How could he. 

He wasn't thinking of the consequences his actions would cause. 

"I'm sorry, but please don't do that..I-.."

I need time. 

We stood there, for a couple of moments. Both not speaking. Both not moving. I felt him take a breath, I knew he wanted to say something. But luckily, for me, he was interrupted by a maid announcing that my breakfast was ready. 

Without a thought..I left for the dining room.