ALPHA: THE PUPPETEER

CHAPTER II: UNKNOWN

Dominique

Dom come on! Let’s find our mate!

“No. Control yourself.”

But Dom-

During our time spent picking up materials and buying groceries, I can’t bring myself to fully concentrate because of Emilia’s unusual excitement and overflowing happiness. Will you calm down?! I mentally ranted for the nth time.

But, he’s here Dom. She said, repeating her exact answer whenever I’m repeating my warning and attempts to calm her down. He’s here! Don’t you want to see who’s going to be with us forever?! She asked, her happiness creeping me out.

I don’t need a mate. I stubbornly disagreed. But how about me? She asked, sadness tainting her once happy tone. I don’t care about you. I scoffed.

But even when I said to her, I felt like I just said that I don’t care about myself, giving me slight pain in my chest. Did I seriously got offended by my own words? Shaking that thought away, I sighed. Duh, she’s inside you. It’s normal for you to feel what she feels.

“What do you think?” Gabbey’s sudden voice made me blink back to reality and faced him who’s holding a blue towel and a brown towel at his right while his left carried all the bags. “Which one’s better?”

“They’re both towels.” I said, bringing a frown at his smiling face. “But they differ in colors. Can you just pick one to get this over with?” he asked before looking at his chosen towels once again.

“I can’t really pick.” He said, slight irritation due to his indecisiveness visible on his features. “Just buy them both then.” I said with a shrug.

Considering my suggestion, he looked at me with a satisfied smile before facing the street vendor. “I’ll take the two of them.” He said, giving the towels at the female vended before taking money from his wallet that he fished out from his pocket.

“Nice suggestion.” He said, giving me a thumbs up before receiving his purchased towels. “Good thing you’re here with me.” He said, followed by a chuckle.

Shaking my head, I heaved a sigh once again. “Now, where are we going next?” I asked, looking at the bags he’s carrying at his left hand. “I personally think we need to go back.”

“Why?” he asked, transferring some of the bags back on his right hand to balance them since he’s done picking towel for himself. “Don’t you want to go and look around more? This place is beautiful and lively.”

That’s true. This place is surrounded with colorful stalls and shops which attracts many customers, including us, but we have limited budget so buying lots of extra things that we don’t really need isn’t an option.

Aside from the attractive buildings, the crowd’s pretty calm and lively, just like what Gab said. The people were just minding their business, and so far, no Azure wolves trued to pick on us or be stupidly-

While walking, a stone hit my arm. Annoying. With a glare, I followed the direction where the stone came from, only to find out a group of kids who has nothing better to do. “What do you want brats?”

“Dad said those with no symbols were monsters.” The kid who’s holding a stone on his hand said, smiling wide at us which showed his teeth, especially the front who’s missing one.

“See?” he asked and raised his wrist, showing his brown colored four-leaf clover perfectly embedded at his wrist. “I have one. But I saw none at you.” He said, his tone already mocking and bragging. “You’re a low-class.”

Packs have their own symbols to make them known. And us being the Wright Union, we have no symbols, which made it the trademark to easily identify on who’s a pack member and who’s not.

“Mind you own business, kid.” I said, then looked at the stone below me and kicked it at him and his three other friends.

I can feel Gab looking at me as if he’s done with everything. Satisfied with the shouts pf the kids who got surprised with the stone that hit the kid with a bad mouth right on his cheeks, I smirked and started to walk once again.

“Do you really have to argue with kids too?” Gab asked before sighing. Instead of speaking, I just laughed it off, making him heave another sigh once again. “If I don’t care about you, I would’ve left you back there.”

“But I’m precious for you so you can’t.” I said, looking at him with a proud smirk. “You’re abusing your power, Nique.” Gab said with a smile before bursting into laughter which caused me to laugh along with him.

“Hey rogues!”

Before we can take a right turn to continue or business, a man’s shout made us stopped, knowing well that he’s pertaining to us. “What does he want?” Gab muttered.

It turns out, the kid who got hit by the stone was the guy’s child. See? Kids always run back to their parents to hide behind them while their parents do what they want. Pathetic. “Yes sir?” I asked.

“Who gave you the permission to kick a stone at my boy’s face, huh?!” he asked, his huge build and purposely made deep voice didn’t even intimidate me at all. “Rogues just step I our territory so better act accordingly, rats!”

“I didn’t kick the stone because I was bored, mister butcher.” I said. “I’m not a butcher, stupid wench!” he replied, causing me to chuckle.

“No wonder you child has a foul mouth.” My words made him glare more. “Why are you teaching him to become stupid? People might hate him because of that, you know.”

“My kid did nothing wrong to you!” he shouted, obviously having his blood pressure rise in numerous levels. “He said he’s just playing when you dirty scums decided to pick on him and his friends!”

Children don’t lie, they said. Children were blessings from heaven, they said. Having full of the lies being spread out, I laughed and walked forwards towards him.

“You know sir, even when I’ll say that I did nothing wrong on your, the people who saw what really happened won’t support my claims.” I said, ignoring Gab who’s walking beside me and whispering for me to stop.

“It’s just a minor issue, Nique. Just apologize.” He said, looking back and forth between me and the mad guy. “We’re not here to pick a fight, Nique.”

“Who will believe outcasts anyways?” the man said, his stare definitely insulting us as if we’re something that shouldn’t have existed in this world. “You’re just an unwanted part of this world. Why aren’t you in a formal pack, huh? Cause no one’s dumb enough to shelter rogues, miss.”

That’s it. I sped up my walk and readied my fist for a punch. Just as when my walk switched into a run and my first is positioned already to create a hole at his face, a man suddenly went in the way, stopping me.

His cold, unique eyes, with white at his right and ash grey at his left, stared at me. And for some reason, I can feel him intimidating me. His blood red lips which contrasted his lightness of his blonde hair made him more handsome.

Aside from the sudden dominating aura he gave off, the sweet smell I smelled before resurfaced once again, but this time, it’s so strong as if it’s juts in front of me. Wait- In front of me?!

“Hey old man.” I was snapped back to reality when I heard him talk, this time, he’s facing the man, showing me his back. Is he really-

Dom, it’s him! Emilia’s sudden voice surprised me. It’s our mate! She said, followed by her howl of joy. Come on, let’s approach him!

“What do you want kid? This isn’t your business so scram the hell out of here.” The man replied, trying to sound tough despite being affected by the unusually heavy aura the guy was emitting. “You’re just a wolf.”

“I was about to get out here but you’re blocking the way.” The guy said, his smooth yet deep voice sounded like a lullaby for me. Wait- don’t get way too into it, Dominique!

“You’re causing a scene.” He added. “Why won’t you get out here instead boy.” The man said, a threatening smile present on hi slips. “Why? You have nothing more important to do or something?”

“It’s none of your business.” The guy answered, but that just made the man laugh, then he looked at the crowd who’s been watching them for a while now. “Hey folks!” he called, his finger pointing at the guy in front of me.

“Pick your son here while I’m being nice, okay?! He’s getting between me and that piece of s**t over there!” he said, pertaining to me. Did he just-

Before I can make a move to punch that man who insulted me, he laughed once again. “Why is no one answering?” he asked, then looked at the guy in front of me with a mocking face.

“Wait- you have no parents with you?” he asked, followed by a laugh that can insult anyone who’s talking with me. “Is that why you’re trying to become a hero for that wi-”

If I was not in the center of attention, I would’ve laughed at him. He just got punched and is now laying on the ground. Cool, that’s my man for you- wait! He’s not and will never be mine!

But he’s supposed to be our mate! Emilia contradicted. Stop passing your stupid thoughts about love, Emilia! Leave me alone! I shouted, trying my best to not succumb to her excitement.

“My parents have nothing to do with you, asshole.” The guy said, now stepping in the man’s face. “If you want to leave here without any missing body parts,” he paused, putting more force in his foot.

“Yu better shut your mouth.” He said, then he crouched down to look at the man whose fear is visible on his eyes. “You know nothing.” The guy said, giving him another punch.

“You’re just a fool.” He punched again. “Know your place.” He punched again. “Know your worth.” He said, his hand is now strangling the guy who’s having a difficulty to breathe.

“Papa!” the young boy cried and was about to run to him when one of the watchers hold him to stop him from going in.

“Who gave you permission to mention them, huh?” he asked, his grip obviously getting tighter and tighter.

No. This isn’t the ending that I want. I walked towards him and crouched down as well, then held his hand to make him look at me, surprising me with the weird electricity that flowed in my system after touching him.

What surprised me more is his eyes. I saw it shortly turn into pitch black before going back into one white and  one grey orbs. Was it my imagination?

“Stop.” I said, trying my best to look stern and serious. “You’re going to kill him.” I added. “What is it to you?” His cold voice sounded like it came from a man devoid of emotion.

“He’s still a person. Let him go.” I said, trying to ease the situation. “What if I’ll kill him?” He asked, his eyes not leaving mine while his hand tightened his grasp at the man’s neck, casing for the man to desperately search for air.

“Please. Don’t become a criminal.” I said. And as if testing my will to absolutely stop him, he stared back at me. Soon, he let go and stood up, yet his foot is still on the man’s stomach.

The man, on the other hand, coughed hard after his neck was freed. “Scram out, trash.” The guy said. And the moment he removed his foot, the man immediately stood up and took hi skid before running away.

“Coward.” The guy said, then he roamed his eyes at the crowd. “Get out.” Even without raising his voice or glaring at the people around us, his authoritative tone and superior aura is enough to drive people into listening to him and get out of here.

Who is he?

Without sparing me a glance, the guy just walked away, turning at the left corner. As if it’s my instincts who told me to move, I ran. “Nique!” Gab called.

“I’ll be back!” I said, still running to follow the guy who disappeared at the corner some seconds before.

After turning left, I saw no sign of him. Where did he go? I asked myself. Follow his scent. Emilia said, excitement literally overflowed at her words.

Again, as if I’m crazily addicted to dome drugs, I did what she said. What am I even doing?! Stop running! Even when I’m still in the middle of sorting my thoughts out, my feet continued to run to where my instincts told me to.

Turning left once again. I was met by a dead end, and there he stood, looking directly at me. What now? I asked myself once again. Why did I rushed here without thinking?!

Oh wait. I did try to think but I didn’t even finish thinking! Why the hell am I here?! Why did I even follow this guy?! While I’m the middle of panicking because of my stupid actions, he spoke.

“Why did you follow me?”

“I-” I sighed. “Look, I thought I need to thank you because of saving me from that rude-” before I can finish talking, he spoke once again.

“I said he’s blocking my way. That’s all.” He said, before walking and was about to pass by me to get out of the dead-end alley.

“But still, I want to-” once again, he interrupted me. “Are you here because of the mate’s pull?” he asked, catching me off-guard.

Please say yes. He might agree in knowing more about us if you’ll say yes. Emilia plead. “No. I just want to say thank you.” I answered, ignoring Emilia’s continuous pleads.

“Do you need a mate?” he asked next. What’s with him and his straightforward questions? I asked, silently panicking because of his questions that made Emilia more active.

Say yes, Dom! Maybe he needs our confirmation! She pushed. “No.” I answered. Even when I think that it’s the bets choice, I can feel my heart sink and for my energy to drain. I can feel myself getting disappointed. Calm yourself. It’s Emilia who’s sad, not you, Dominique.

“Don’t tell people what you’ve witnessed today. I don’t need more people who wants to be in my business.” He said before walking once again, leaving me alone in the empty alley.

What I witnessed? While thinking, the memory of his eyes being pitch black reappeared. Is he talking about that?

He’s gone. Emilia whimpered. We don’t even know who he is. She added, her tone now back to her normal sad and insecure one. Why don’t you want to meet too him, Dom?