Hiding the Alpha's Heir (Desmond and Seraphina)

Chapter 17: Client, Not Employer

Just as Sir Elron said, I waited at the public park for the carriage. I was surprised when I arrived there early and the carriage was also there. Even Sir Elron was also here.

"Greetings, Sir Elron," I said, curtsying before him.

"Greetings, Lady Seraphina," he greeted, smiling. He opened the carriage door for me. "The carriage is ready. We must go now."

I was hesitant at first because I noticed the carriage I saw right now was the same carriage Desmond and I used whenever we traveled to the palace to attend the meeting. It felt nostalgic when we used to do the deed here.

I castigated myself and felt my cheeks flaring up in embarrassment before I decided to mount on the carriage. I secretly pinched myself for daring to remember those moments we had together. It was all over now.

It didn't take long before we arrived at the hotel establishment where Desmond was staying. Sir Elron got down first before he offered his hand to me. I gladly accepted it as he helped me to get down from dismounting the carriage.

"Are you not from his pack?" I couldn't help myself asking when we entered. But I panicked when he smiled. "I-I mean, you kept addressing him as L- Lord Verlice or His Lordship. I thought="

"He is my Alpha." He didn't let me finish the words I was about to utter. "Does that answer your question, Lady Seraphina?" he asked politely. "Um..." I was rendered speechless for a moment. "Y-Yes." I coerced a smile.

We halted when we were in front of the door. I gulped for a moment before I took a deep breath. I even gripped my skirt because I was frightened of what would happen next when there was a moment that I would get to be alone with Desmond.

I hope... He wouldn't do anything. I really hope so.

Sir Elron opened the door. We entered the hotel room and I was greeted by the smell of the familiar gentle, warm, and sensual fragrance of tea. Just by smelling it made me already taste the sweetness of it.

My heart automatically jumped out of my ribcage when I saw Desmond having a morning meal on the balcony with Oakley. My heart leaped more when his eyes darted on me. I could have sworn his eyes danced in... happiness?

"Alpha, I have brought Lady Seraphina as per your request," Sir Elron said with a bow.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I lowered my eyes to the ground and curtsied before him. "Greetings, Lord Verlice," I greeted while I could feel my hands being sweaty right now. "Good. You are here." I looked up and saw him sipping on his tea before our eyes met again. "Have you had your breakfast?" I opened my mouth to speak but he spoke and turned his head at Oakley. "Have a seat and eat a meal with me. Oakley, summon the hotel service crew and tell them I have a beautiful visitor who shall dine with me."

"Yes, Alpha. As you wish."

That made me grit my teeth in annoyance. Though his words were familiar because that was the time he also addressed me when I was first brought to his pack and he found out I was his mate.

Deja Vu was the right term.

"I do not need it. I already ate before Sir Elron fetched me," I said, finally speaking up.

Desmond smiled a dangerous one. "You are working under me. What I say right now, you must follow it, Seraphina," he said coldly.

I smiled bitterly. "I am only working on your tuxedo. You are only our client, not my employer," I retorted.

If he thought that I would back down just because he used that kind of tone to intimidate someone, well, he was wrong.

I watched Oakley place a new plate with bacon and eggs. There was even a slice of toasted bread. I could even smell the butter spread on it. Then, there was a red tea was served.

"I made sure that they prepared your favorite morning meal, seraphim."

I gasped when in an instant, Desmond was already whispering in my ear. I was about to turn around but I stiffened when he held and locked my waist with his hands.

"D-Desmond...!" I panicked when he didn't allow me to turn my body and I couldn't even move away from him. "Stay away from me!" I placed my hand on his hands and tried to remove them but he wouldn't budge.

He chuckled darkly and made me lean to his front body causing me to stiffen on my ground. "Say, Seraphina. Are you going to dine with me or we must stay here until I decide to take you to my sleeping quarters?"

I shivered at his husky voice. I even gulped, wanting to turn my head at him. But I knew that once I did that, I knew that I could lose this one.

"Release me this instant, Desmond!" I said through gritted teeth.

I gasped so loud when in an instant, my front body was already leaning against the wall while Desmond pressed his front body to my back. Damn it! I cussed inside my head and was about to turn so I could fight him but he was quick to press my hands on either side of me.

"Desmond!" I almost screamed his name and used my wolf strength but it was futile because Desmond was stronger than me.

Chuckling darkly, I felt his lips behind

my ear. "Choose wisely, Seraphina. You only have thirty seconds to decide. Do not blame me if I shalftie you up in my bed and bestow you

the punishment you deserve to have.

What do you think, seraphim?"

I almost moaned but I hissed when he ruthlessly held my wrists together, inflicting pain on them. I could tell that at any moment he could break my bones if he wanted to.

"Thirty seconds is almost over. Decide now before I will lose my patience towards-"

"Fine! I shall dine with you!" I said, making my voice as loud as before so he could hear me. "Get off me! I already answer you, asshole!" I barked. Feeling his body pressed on me, I shivered when he licked my earlobe. "Good girl," he said darkly before I felt him stepping back.

Frowning, I darted at him with a glare before he pulled out a chair for me. Then he gestured his hand implying to tell me that I must take my seat.

I approached the table but dared to sit where he sat earlier, not on the chair he just pulled out. "I do not need someone to pull a chair for me," I said, almost barking before I took the plate and teacup with me.

Desmond smirked and shook his head before he sat on the chair he pulled earlier. "You never changed, Seraphina. Still, the feisty woman I knew..."

I only scoffed and hurried to eat the

meal. I didn't want to cause any trouble here as I wanted to work right now. The longer I would stay here having Desmond right in front of me, the more I would get uncomfortable from working.

I glanced up when I felt his amber orbs piercing me. My heart leaped again before I looked down on my food.

"Can you stop looking at me?!" I said impatiently and almost slammed the table when Desmond never left his eyes on me. Desmond's lips curled up into a furtive smile. "Ah... But you really liked it when I stared at you. Don't you remember?"

I glared at him and averted my gaze. Why did he keep on reminding me about the old times we had? Didn't he already have someone with him which was why he asked us to make a dress for his woman? That suddenly made me feel bitter right now.

"I'm done," I announced when I finished my meal.

"Your red tea first," he said and leaned forward. "Didn't you like to have it after your morning meal?"

I creased my forehead, finding bizarre what he was doing. "I do not like red tea anymore," I said coldly.

How dare he make me remember all the favorite things I did every morning... This man... What on earth was he trying to do as he kept acting like this?

"I hate red tea now." Because it always reminded me of you, I wanted to say.

When I said that, I could have sworn Desmond's face darkened. I flinched when he slammed the table causing the red tea to spill on the table. I stood up in no time when the liquid almost reached my dress.

"Are you insane, Des-"

I almost choked when he was in front of me and gripped my neck. "Red tea is your favorite tea to drink," he stated, emphasizing every word. "Do you understand me?!"

"Des... mond..." I dug my nails to his forearm when he gripped my neck more as I was gasping for air.

What the hell was wrong with him and he suddenly choked me? Was he offended that I never liked red tea anymore?

His darkened face was palpable. He looked angry but then he realized how I was struggling for breathing. He immediately released me.

Gasping for air, I massaged my neck as I glared at him with abomination in my eyes. I could see the sudden guilt smeared on his face.

"Seraphina..."

I summoned my hand to halt him from approaching me. "Don't ever come near me, bastard," I said through gritted teeth. "Let me work in peace!" I

exclaimed angrily.

How dare... How dare he hurt me like that.

Desmond clenched his hands before he left me alone. "I am going out," he said out loud. He was announcing it not to me but Sir Elron.

"Yes, Alpha. Have a safe trip," Sir Elron said.

Desmond glanced at me one more time before he averted his gaze and walked out of his door having a hat and a trench coat hanging on his other arm. I looked away as soon as he left.

My eyes were glued to the red tea liquid that spilled on the table. Somehow, it made my heart ache seeing it spilled.

And I don't know what could have been the reason...