Melina POV
I froze as the Alpha's words rang in my ears. Mine? Not a single wolf's eyes are allowed on me? My cheeks burned, and my stomach knotted up like a rollercoaster. I wanted to protest, but the words stuck somewhere in my throat.
Dennis stepped back, smirking nervously, while Jessica just raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained. But I could only stare at the Alpha the man Dennis said was my mate standing there, impossibly tall, impossibly confident, his presence like a storm pressing down on me.
Mate? I muttered under my breath, confused. Dennis had used the word, but what did it mean? He's my… mate? How? My thoughts scrambled, and I blinked rapidly.
Dennis, trying to be useful, muttered, "I'll… I'll get the room ready."
I barely heard him. All I could feel was the Alpha's attention like a tangible weight, radiating through the hall, sharp and possessive. I shifted on my feet, trying not to fidget, cursing under my breath. Why does he have to be so… overwhelming? And why am I feeling… heat?
I tried to ground myself in logic. Deep breaths. Focus. Remember the plan. Escape. Steal the money. Survive. Do not faint. Do not get flustered. Do not think about… him.
But even as I repeated those rules, my eyes couldn't help wandering. His presence was magnetic. Every move, every glance, every quiet growl of Mars wait, Dennis said "Mars" something inside me flinched at that name. I had no idea what it was, but it seemed connected to him, the Alpha.
Dennis mentioned Mars… but he didn't explain. Is it his wolf? His power? My stomach twisted. Questions I didn't dare voice crowded my mind.
Once Dennis left, the hall went quiet again, leaving me alone with the Alpha's gaze lingering. I shifted, trying to appear calm and collected, but my heart hammered like a drum. I had to focus, plan my escape, study the house, and survive. Everything else his teasing, his energy, the way he dominated the room was a distraction I couldn't afford.
I glanced at the training equipment nearby. If I survive this… I can at least learn something, maybe get strong enough to escape. Or at least be prepared if this Alpha decides to… I shivered and swallowed, trying to ignore the blush creeping up my neck.
The Alpha's voice cut through my thoughts again, low and teasing: "Remember, every move counts. Every second you waste looking elsewhere, Mars notices. And trust me… he doesn't forgive easily."
My stomach flipped. He means… the Alpha. Or Mars. Wait are they the same? The mystery only made my curiosity flare. I could feel a strange pull toward understanding this Alpha, even as a part of me screamed to plan my escape.
Dennis returned to guide me to the training room. The Alpha didn't follow yet, letting me enter the space alone. My mind raced train, survive, observe, plot. Every second counts. Steal his money. Learn the house. Survive Alpha Mason.
I stepped into the room, my body tense, ready for whatever came next. My eyes flicked toward the Alpha's empty doorway, and I couldn't stop a small shiver of anticipation or fear.
I may not understand Mars yet. I may not understand what it means to be his mate. But I will survive. And one day… I will have my freedom.