I glare at my newspaper photo and wish they had at least picked a better image of me. I appear to have eye bags in this photo, for the love of the moon. I have no eye bags. I have perfect skin! I sigh as I realize that is utterly irrelevant.
I absolutely detest Alpha Max.
I reread the article and noticed how my face jumps out on the first page with my big blue eyes, full red lips, and overflowing hair. How exactly did they obtain this image? I sigh once more as I put the newspaper down next to me. Now I'm truly in trouble.
If the Assassins didn't want me dead before, they most definitely do now; that much is obvious.
I sigh again for a long time, bending forward and letting my hair fall forward. I ignore it because I'm too stressed to be upset, but I can't help but keep looking at my gold ring and noticing the italicized "R." Even though it appears more like an "A" than an "R" from the side.
You are given a new name when you enlist in the Assassins. I was inducted into the Assassins as Ava, even though my real name is Rose. Your given name's first letter is used to give you a new name that, in the eyes of the person doing the renaming at the time, is ideal. Because of my jet-black hair, Ava was picked for me. I actually really liked it, so I've been Ava ever since.
For me, Rose has always seemed too innocent, elegant, aristocratic, and lovely. Yes, that is exactly who I used to be, but I've changed since then.
Nevertheless, I was aware that using my real name to lure Axel was a bad idea, but Aiden persisted, and look at me now—my true identity is prominently displayed on the first page of my pack's newspaper by my Alpha, as desired!
The newspaper is thrown at the wall.
Anyone who can catch me will receive a lot from Max! According to him, he will "reward them beyond their wildest expectations." Now I'm in trouble. Anyone who sees me would want my blood because my face is plastered across that newspaper, along with my distinctive long black hair and blue eyes. The Assassins would also never accept or want me back because I had transgressed their most crucial unwritten rule by revealing my identity.
Fortunately, this newspaper was just distributed within my pack, but I can only imagine how long it would take for it to be distributed among all packets. I can't go back to the Shadow Night pack right now. Even though there are assassins everywhere and a bunch of them are out for my blood, I didn't intend to join them. But how on earth did I become sucked into this miserable pack? It's so full of woods that none of the other wolves even recognize it as a pack. It seems as though modern civilization is nowhere to be seen.
I must take action.
I tugged at my hair, as if begging her to talk to me and provide me with solutions. When I go to sleep, my hair's silky smoothness is still a sensation in my hands.
~*~*~
my hair was pulled back into a single braided high ponytail that flowed effortlessly down my back. The red silk nightgown also gave me more self-assurance. I was prepared for what I would do. I knew how to do it well, and it was the only thing I could do.
I walked into the kitchen and asked Aiden, who was buttering his bread in the middle of the night, "Hungry?"
"Since we were young, my sister and I had a habit. We get up in the middle of the night to eat," he remarked with a smile that seemed to be celebrating fond memories. I had to hold back from sneering at him. I had assumed that his misdeeds against everyone were what kept him awake at night, but it's wonderful to be reminded once again just how cruel he truly is.
I reached over and snatched the bread from the dish.
I lean against the marble island and lift my gaze sensually through my hooded eyelashes as Aiden glances up at me. I carefully pulled back a stray hair from my eyes while also making sure that my chest was dipped just enough to reveal just enough of my chest to pique a man's interest without preventing him from letting his imagination go wild.
Aiden immediately quits buttering his toast. I carefully lick my lips as I take a small bite. Aiden stepped up to me. Our shoulders nearly met, so I moved just enough to curve my chest in his direction. My braid fell naturally against the table as I tilted my head. I take another piece of the bread while maintaining a little grin, and my eyes are still visible through my eyelashes.
Aiden gazed down at me, his eyes twinkling. "That's mine," he said in a low, teasing voice.
I said, "I know," while putting my right palm on his chest and taking another bite.
Aiden glances at me from my hand. I bit my bottom lip and straightened my posture to match his. I put the bread down and lightly tapped his chest with my fingernail. His eyes are on my lips as I breach his personal space, while mine are fixed on him. My left hand locates his neck and slowly draws a long line from the base of his neck to behind one of his ears. He begins to quiver a little, and I give him a tiny smile while cocking my head back to show him my long neck. Our room is filled with the perfume I applied there.
The question "What are you doing?" He asks me while lowering his gaze to focus on my chest. I stepped nearer. We weren't touching each other all that much, just enough to mingle our odors and breathes and give the impression that we were.
My lips slide to his earlobe, and I give him a quick kiss before whispering, "Some," stopping to draw little circles behind his ear with my polished red nail, "Thing," and suddenly Aiden's hands are on my hips and he's lifting me onto the marbled kitchen island. He can stay between my legs because they are split. My red lace underwear is nearly visible since my dress has fully ridden up above my thigh. I can still use my nails to lightly tease the back of his neck because of how loosely my hands are around his neck.
When he stares down at me, his sparkling eyes are filled with light as he follows his glance from my eyes to my lips, to my cleavage, and ultimately to my exposed thighs. Then, as he leans forward, he angles my back so that it is arched against the table. Aiden's hand started at my neck and hurried down the chasm between my breasts, stopping only when he grabbed hold of my hips.
I keep waiting for him to act, but he doesn't until I lift my neck to gaze for a while. He grabs me in an instant, places his lips on my neck, and I smile. My stomach begins to startle as the lick touches my skin, a thrilling sensation that I have definitely missed. He nips at my neck, and I expose more of it to him while enjoying the disconcerting sensation. One of my weak points has always been my neck.
When I moan, he seizes me by the hair and brings my lips to his. Finally, we kiss. I make an effort to answer it, despite how hasty and clumsy it is. He held onto my hips tightly, forcing them to arch abruptly. I'm hoping he won't treat me like my prior partner did.
Then, without warning, he started to back off. His lips abruptly retreated from mine. His hands, which had been gripping my hips earlier, found the table and caught me instead. His head dropped, and he laughed before I could respond.
I couldn't understand the laugh, which caused my cheeks to heat up abruptly in the kitchen.
Through his laugh, he said, "You are good." I'll give it to you. You're fine.
"Pardon me?" I gently exclaimed as I straightened my posture.
"You're incredibly hot, and I'm sure you know how to get a man excited. I lost all sense of reason for a split second because I was so enthralled by you. I'm lucky because I have incredible self-control." I had to tighten my fists to resist hitting Aiden because of his smug smile. Instead, despite being an Assassin, I sat there struggling for years to do something else: control my tongue.
He said mockingly, "I just wish you showed this much determination for Axel," and I had to fight to keep my face from moving. "Ava, I'm not a moron. You resemble me exactly. You always look for some sort of gain in everything you do. Your mind functions in that way. Just like mine, I know that this little show you just put on—which, I'll admit, almost got you in my bed—has a hidden agenda.
And, believe it or not, I never engage in sexual activity with a person if I stand to gain nothing from it. Although it's hot, sex isn't really my cup of tea.
Most likely because you're bad at it.
"You're only concerned that I'll jab a blade into your jaw, I guess. I eventually said, tracing another circle on the base of his neck, "I promise I won't. He twitched his eyes before shoving my hand away. "Aiden, don't act like you don't want me. I leaned backwards on the island, enjoying the cool sensation against my skin and accidentally lowering the cleavage of my boobs. "I know that you want me," I said. Aiden also lowered his sight. "Right here, right now, on this table, you want me."
His body reacts even though he doesn't. There is no other explanation for how his pupils dilate than passion. He almost touches me, but stops himself before he can reach out and touch me.
Before my finger reaches my mouth, it follows the contour of my breast and the length of my neck. His gaze never wavered as it followed my movements.
I almost mutter, "I can see that you want me," never taking my eyes off of his. Why are you holding yourself back now? A murmur comes from the base of his neck as I move my foot to brush against his leg.
"Alpha, why are you going against what you want?"
Saying, "Stop it!" The lights are turned on after the speech echoes across the kitchen. When Aiden and I turn around, Sofia is there with brown hair this time, gray eyes, and a frown. She now appears as Mesa, a perpetually ominous dark Ness in my life.
Are you an idiot, Aiden? Mesa yells in pain. Sofia, or Mesa, has two distinct personalities. When they indoctrinate you into their witch world—or whatever grotesque name they may give it—the witches also choose a new name for you, just like the assassins did. Mesa was assigned Sofia. Each personality also has a different look. Sofia, the witch, has silvery eyes and hair, as opposed to a wolf that is more like a normal dog. Mesa presents herself as a young woman with brown hair and gray eyes.
Aiden instantly pulls away from me and shakes his head as if to expel the lust that was undoubtedly devouring him. That hag is really annoying. Ava is merely engaging in the seduction for which she trained for years. Avoid being a fool! What other motivation could she possibly have to fuck you? No less on a table?"
Aiden begins to defend himself: "I know, I just," but Mesa cuts him off.
"She entered your mind. Her role is that.
I squinted my eyes.
It's called being horny, guys. Relax, it's only sex; none of us are virgins around here, I doubt. I lay down against the marble since I was in the mood to have fun. She's right, I guess. Because my life is in danger and he can still save it by persuading little Miss Party Pooper over here, I merely wanted to entice Aiden to wager my freedom.
She rolls her eyes and says, "And I was born yesterday," before approaching us. "So you read about Max's bounty in the newspaper, and now you want to have fun with Aiden? I definitely buy that, yeah."
I'm at a loss for what to do as I watch Aiden, whose expression appears to have dimmed from his lusty high. Should I confess to my scheme, which may have succeeded if this gloom had not come? Ness Should I just pretend to be innocent if Mesa doesn't interrupt? Well, the Assassins tell you that defeat should only be tolerated in the event of death; therefore, I chose to remain silent.
Aiden tells Mesa, "She's good," and I secretly grin. Absolutely, I am. You pompous snob, I'm not the greatest for nothing!
"Exactly. With a malicious smile, Mesa tells Aiden, "I told you she'd be great for the job. I sat up, not liking the sudden change in the air. The question is, "Do you believe now?"
Aiden countered, "She couldn't seduce Axel."
But didn't she almost get you down on your knees for her? If I hadn't interrupted earlier, then
"What's happening?" I interrupt because I don't like how confused they both make me feel as I stare at the duo.
You desire your independence; are you sure? So we thought we'd give you another shot. We have another task for you; if you finish it successfully, I'll grant your wish. Mesa makes a commitment, and I stare at her with my eyes narrowed because my mind is going in a scary direction.
The position is "What's the job?" Despite my hesitations, I ask.
"We want you to woo another Alpha," they said. Storm is his name.