A GIFT FOR THE ALPHA

CHAPTER 6

Larissa's POV

Out of curiosity, I followed him sh*t. I never knew someone could walk this fast and still look sexy at it. He moved so fast, with steps like a predator certain of what he was doing; luring his prey with him into a trap. Isn't it sad that this prey happens to be me and instead of fleeing, I was gladly following him?

Oh, those muscular broad shoulders and the way he carried them with an aura of superiority had me biting my lips, imagining what those shoulders would look like when bared.

I could hear the thoughts in my head screaming. Larissa, since when did you start having dirty thoughts and of all people, it's towards a man you barely know!

I should be running away from this man, I mean, he had my n*pples hardening under one single gaze, shouldn't I?

But d*mn it, I followed him, hating how the people between us hindered my movement.

“Excuse me. Excuse me.” I struggled to put up a smile while veering my way through the gathering. I stole a glance at my father grateful he was still chatting with his friends.

“Princess Larissa, happy birthday!” a maiden waved, and I waved back even though not recalling the face. And then I bumped into Prince Lucas!

“Hello, my betrothed.” He smiled obviously drunk. And when I checked, my mystery man was getting away. “May I have this dance?”

“Not now, Prince Lucas.” I moved the other way but he blocked me.

“I insist. Dance with me,” Prince Lucas said. I felt like screaming or better yet pushing him away from my way.

Prince Lucas didn't look like he was going to give up anytime soon and by the time I searched for the mystery man again, he was gone!

I hated it. “Fine!” I blurted at Prince Lucas, dropping my glass with a passing server.

Not bothered, he brought out a hand. “Shall we?”

I snatched up the hand and he cackled.

We danced and twirled about the dance floor, but I was sad. Nevertheless, I continued to put up a smiling face. Despite dancing with Prince Lucas, I searched for my mystery man amongst the crowd, scanning the room, wishing at the same time that this awful dance with my betrothed would come to an end soon.

Knowing Prince Lucas, if I told him now that I was tired, he wouldn't stop. He never respects my decision! And so I sought another way to set myself free from him.

“I think we've danced enough, Prince Lucas.” I began a conversation.

“Yeah, but I still want to dance some more.” He grinned nastily at me.

He pushed me away and rolled me back into his arms like a dice. We danced. My eyes spun and I felt like puking.

“I'm exhausted,” I confessed. We danced. “I think you should get yourself another dance partner,” I added.

“You're my future wife, you should do what I say...” And there he goes again, reminding me what an a*shole he was.

“Do you know how many maidens out there that are dying to dance with me but I chose you? You should be happy that I chose you,” he boasted.

“Oh, really?” I smiled.

And he defended. “Yes!”

We waltzed to the symphony. With a mischievous smile twisting my lips, I decided it was time to teach this prince a lesson.

Prince Lucas was happy.

I played happy too. My body was sore but I continued to dance, swaying my body and moving in whichever direction he tossed me.

“Ouch!” he flinched. I had mistakenly stepped on his foot, ironically.

“Oh, I'm sorry,” I said, putting up an innocent face.

He struggled but we continued to dance. Not giving him enough time to recover from the first, I stepped on those toes of his again.

Prince Lucas colored. “What the h*ll?” he cursed.

“I'm so sorry, I don't know why I keep doing that?” I put up a very sweet face, puckering my lips as a child. It wasn't until I squashed his toes the third time that he knew better to let me go.

“You really need to go back for dance lessons!” Prince Lucas cursed.

“I'm so sorr–” He was gone before I could complete the apology, good riddance to rubbish!

Exhaling, I moved away from the dance floor grateful that no one seemed to have noticed the drama between Prince Lucas and me.

Alone again, by the corner of the room, I grabbed another glass of juice and gulped a mouthful. Now, where was I again before Prince Lucas came with his trouble?

Yes, the mysterious man! I resumed scanning the room but sadly, he was nowhere to be found. Maybe had not returned ever since he exited the hall. Who knows, perhaps he was heading home as of that time I saw him exiting the hall. I didn't get a chance to get acquainted with him, thanks to Prince Lucas.

Poor me, I walked back to my father and his friends and tried my best to amuse myself with their old jokes. The jokes were entertaining though and hilarious but I soon lost interest and got bored. I was still glancing at the door, hoping to see the mystery man re-enter the room.

King Stephan was enjoying himself. I don't remember when last I saw him laugh like this. I realized I didn't want to ruin this moment for him by hanging around with a sad face. Sighing, I moved away and carried my glass with me across the hall. And soon, I neared the door.

Fresh air! I needed some fresh air, I told myself and proceeded outside the hall and began walking down the terrace of the castle. It led me outside into the courtyard and I continued; walking down the lawn.

The breeze was mild, caressing my neck. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. For a moment, I thought about Zia and hoped all was well with her, in a matter of minutes, I would be going inside to check up on her.

Re-opening my eyes, I realized I was still holding my glass. And there was an empty bench on the lawn.

Grabbing my dress with my free hand, I moved and lowered myself on the chair. Sighing, I began to stare at the moon above, grateful it illuminated well the yard.

I was alone in the open space. But I enjoyed it, maybe because knowing my father's knights are close should I need help or in the case of any danger. Exhaling, I relaxed deeper into the bench and began to admire the vast courtyard before me and the night sky.

It took a while before I realized the bench I was seated on, wasn't the only one on the lawn.

There was a second chair to my right, and someone was seated quietly in it. I wasn't alone after all!

Gulping, I looked away and continued to keep to my space. Until it dawned on me that the person seated in the second chair was actually the mystery man from the hall!

My gaze widened. Leaving my glass behind, I stood and began to stroll down the lawn to meet with him. It wasn't until I had gotten to his chair. “Hello,” I said and greeted him, that he raised his gaze from the floor and straightened. And he brought back those powerful eyes on my body, igniting the same fire as in the hall.

“Hello.” He spoke to me for the first time.

I smiled. “May I sit down?”

At my question, he glanced at the chair, and then his gaze returned to my body, burning me all over again. “Why not?” he said.

But when I sat, he moved away, far away to the other edge of the bench as if he was avoiding me.

Was I smelling or something? I sniffed myself.

I tried not to let that bother me and smiled it off.

He resumed staring at the space before him and I stole the opportunity to study him.

His hair was dark and wavy. His eyes were liquid black with long lashes that hooded them in a fiery way.

He possessed a straight and relatively narrow nose in proportion to his mouth. Neatly shaved to reveal a strong jawline.

I was lost admiring his features and he caught me. I flushed with shame and looked away.

I think I saw him shake his head and he looked away too.

“My name is Larissa,” I said. He glanced at me.

Our gaze met and I swear I felt my n*pples tingle as he looked into my eyes. He was quiet and looked away, yet again.

“Do you have a name?” I asked.

Dragging a breath, he suddenly jerked to his feet. “My name is not necessary,” he snapped, visibly gnashing his teeth at me. I was confused at first, and then I realized he was looking at me with so much hate.

I also jerked to my feet and stared at him.

“Have we met before?” I asked. “..because you're acting like someone who has a huge grudge against me,” I said.

I don't know why, but the tears itched in my throat and threatened to fill my eyes.

Dusting his suit as if dusting away my presence, the man shrugged. “If you will excuse me, princess, I'll have to take my leave now,” he said nonchalantly.

Dragging another breath, he moved and walked past me, heading back into the castle.

“Why did you come to my ball since you hated me this much?” I questioned.

My question had him halting in his tracks and I saw his hands clenching into fists. I stole the opportunity and walked back to him, holding my gown in my hands, not afraid.

Who was this man? How was he able to control me even without one single effort? Instead of letting him go, why was I feeling a pull towards him like something was magnetizing me to him?

Gulping, I came face to face with him again.

“Do you think I hate you?” he spoke and I became confused.

“What?”

“I said, do you think I hate you?” he rasped. The liquid in his eyes as he looked at me left me forbiddenly yearning to be buried in those seemingly strong arms, and it brought confusion to my existence.

I gulped. I should be running away from this man, fleeing for my life, but I didn't. I stood there like a statue staring into his eyes, wondering what naturally was luring me to him? Could it be his physical appearance?

But I think even the stranger needed help as much as I did. One minute he was staring at my lips, causing a shudder to glide down my spine.

And the next minute, he was cursing under his breath and looking away.

The tears pooled in my eyes seeing how much he hated me. I gulped. “Well, you're acting like you do, as you hate me,” I said.

He seemed unbothered by my emotions. I stared at him. And then I realized something behind me has caught his attention. It piqued my interest and when I tilted my head to see for myself whatever that had caught his attention. He grabbed my arm and pulled me into his arms.