Mine to Protect Chapter 15: UNEXPECTED

*Hazel*

When I finally snap myself out of it, he is already turning to leave. I manage a “Good night”, he smiles briefly and goes downstairs. Now he’ll think I am dumb. Like I care what he thinks of me. Yet deep down I know I do care.

Enough thinking, time to sleep. I quickly brush my teeth and wash my face and go to sleep without showering. I am too tired for that. I will shower in the morning.

I lay in bed and try not to think about that someone sleeping naked downstairs, obviously failing miserably. Eventually, I am overcome by exhaustion and fall into a dreamless sleep.

It feels like I have been asleep for only a few minutes, when my alarm rings. Gosh. I wish I could just stay in bed all day, but then I remember the mountain of work that is waiting for me, and I begrudgingly get up from the bed and pick some fresh clothes from my wardrobe. I then grab my soft towel, my toiletries and head for the bathroom. I don’t even think to knock, because my parents usually wake up very early and leave the bathroom free for me at this hour, knowing I like to take a morning shower before I get ready for work.

Hence, I am very surprised when I open the bathroom door, and I find myself looking at a half-naked Alpha, covered only by a small towel secured at his waist. His hair is wet, and he is shaving his face with a razor over the sink. With every stroke of his hand, I can see the muscles on his arms and chest ripple. Water drops are dripping from his wet hair, trailing a path down his neck, to his chest, tracing every bump of muscle, down his stomach sliding through a firm six pack, and disappearing into the towel hanging from his perfect adonis belt.

I find myself transfixed by his god like appearance; I just stay there like an idiot perving on him.

He finishes shaving, washes his face, and wipes it with a clean towel, then turns my way with a dazzling smile and says, “Good morning, Hazel.”

That smile, and that sexy body nearly completely on show, make my knees go week. I can’t find an appropriate reply, my brain has stopped working.

“I am finished here; I’ll leave the bathroom to you,” he says while walking in my direction. I am still at the door, with my hand on the door’s handle, the door half open. He squeezes with me in the narrow entrance, our chests touching. I feel my nipples harden, very aware that I am not wearing a bra underneath my thin pajamas; I hope he doesn’t notice. His gaze dips down, to the place our bodies are touching, so maybe he did notice. Then he grabs the door handle and says in a husky tone, “I bet this red looks amazing on you.” He then leaves the room, closing the door gently behind him.

I look down where his gaze was moments ago and notice my red lingerie. I can’t help blushing a deep red myself. Why did I have to choose this sexy set today? Will he think that I chose this on purpose for him? That I want to have sex with him? My heart thuds at the thought, and I find myself equally scared and excited at the idea. I feel so confused.

I hope the shower can help me clear up my mind a little, so I hop in, and let the hot water sooth my jittery thoughts.

After I am ready, dressed in black sheer stockings, a black skirt which reaches mid-thigh, a white silk blouse, a black blazer, red lipstick and simple make up, I go downstairs to the kitchen to get something for breakfast.

Before I reach the kitchen, I hear the Alpha’s laugh. What are they talking about that’s so funny? I enter the kitchen not thinking too much of it, when I hear my dad say, “She really thought someone tried to murder her in her sleep. It took me and her mom nearly one hour to convince her that it was just her menses.”

I can’t believe it. I feel myself go pale and then completely red. Why is my dad telling this Alpha the story of my first period. It wasn’t embarrassing enough living it first-hand, and then being reminded of it every time I do something foolish, which is often. I want to strangle my dad!

“Dad! Why are you telling him this story?” I hiss at my dad, trying to shut him with my killer glare.

“He asked me to tell him how you were when growing up, and this is by far one of the funniest episodes. Come on, there is nothing to be ashamed of, we are all adults.”

I love my dad, but at this moment, I wish I was an orphan. How could he humiliate me like this?!

I don’t even want to discuss this topic with him anymore and dig myself an even deeper grave. I keep my back to the Alpha, not daring even snatch a look his way, and open the cabinet to reach for my energy drink. Before I can screw the bottle’s cap open, my mom rushes besides me, and steals the bottle from me.

“Honey, you can’t drink this anymore,” she says with a pointed look.

I look at her not understanding, then it hits me, the wolf suppressants, they are hidden in these energy drinks I have been taking every single morning, for as long as I can remember. My mom always told me that I had to drink them because my body was weak, she would always remind me to drink it, even when I was in a hurry to get to school or to work.

The feeling of betrayal and hurt from yesterday comes back full force, and I lower my gaze, not able to look my mom in the eyes anymore. Suddenly, I feel out of place, I want to be anywhere but here.

“I need to go,” I say, keeping my gaze low, I walk to the entrance and start putting my boots on.

“Hazel!” mom calls in a pained tone, and I hate that I am hurting her, she doesn’t deserve it.

“I am ok, mom, I just need some space,” I tell her, forcing a smile, I grab my bag and then I am out of the door, into the crispy morning air.

Today it’s sunny and the sky is a clear blue, but not even good weather manages to improve my bad mood.

The Alpha catches up to me, “Hazel, wait! Yesterday, I said I will drive you to work. Why didn’t you wait for me?”

I don’t dare look up, as I know his intense blue eyes will melt my resolve, and I reply with indifference, “I just didn’t feel comfortable in that room anymore. I know what you said yesterday, but you don’t need to drive me, I don’t want to inconvenience you; I can take the subway.”

I start walking toward the subway station, not even sparing him a glance.

He catches up to me again, grabs me by my elbow and turns me to face him.

“It’s not an inconvenience; I’m happy to drive you. I want to spend some time alone with my mate, even if she’s in a mood,” he says with a small smirk, while placing his fingers on my chin and tilting my head up to meet his bright blue eyes. They are the color of the sea under the summer light, so beautiful and calming.

“Don’t you want to spend some time with me? Get to know me?” he asks with those puppy eyes of his. Argh! I knew he was going to unleash their power on me!