THE ALPHA’S ADDICTION

Derek shut his eyes wearingly and cussed intermittently as he heard the voice which he had last heard, about seven years ago. Fisting his hands tightly, he took a deep breath, in and out, before swerving around to face his oldest friend, turned foe.

“Maya..” He grumbled out, unfolding one of his hands, and inserting it into his deep left front pocket of his denim trousers; whilst still staring at the feminine beauty in front of him. He thought she was still the same, except older and more beautiful.

“Hello Cousin Brother..” Maya said with a smirk. “How have you been. Long time no see.” She continued, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Derek could tell, from the smirk that coated her lips, that she was also part of her father’s plan, again; and it didn’t do his mood well, it ruined it further. He had always wished she had been better, and not turn out like her father. For he always had a soft spot for her, until her actions seven years ago. Now, he only loathed her; or so he thought.

“Yeah. I’ve been fine. How about you?” He finally replied, adapting the same sarcastic voice tone as hers.

“Never been better.” She replied, before walking closer to him and giving him a bear hug.

She still smelt the same. He thought, as he stood still like a statue, not hugging her back. He hadn’t been expecting the hug; had actually been dazed by it.

Her scent of the wild forest, assailed his nostrils, taking him back to time; when she would embrace him whenever he was going through hard times in the hands of his father or even her father. Her hugs and presence had been one of the things that made his childhood, beautiful. He remembered now that she had even learnt how to make pancakes, so that she could make them for him, whenever his mother wasn’t around.

He wanted so much to return her hug which brought back these sweet memories, but then her betrayal seven years ago hit him again. And so, He couldn’t help but wonder what she was up to this time around. Well whatever it was, it was his duty to stop it. He thought; whether his father likes it or not.

“Let’s get along fine, Cousin.”

He heard her whisper to him, before disengaging from the hug. He held himself from drawing her into another hug, as he beheld her smile.

Some eight years ago, he would have done anything to get her heart warming smiles, but now, staring at his beautiful cousin, he couldn’t stop himself from thinking that there was something sinister about her smile. But he hid his thoughts too, with a smile.

“Yeah, sure. We have a lot of catching up to do.” He finally stated, with a fake smile he mustered up.

Maya kept up her smile as she willfully stopped herself from hugging her cousin for the second time; she had really missed him. When she had gotten the news from her father that they would be going to the Black Moon’s Pack for a treaty, she was pleased, very pleased that she could meet her favorite person again. He was all grown up now. She thought, taking note of his beard, height and ponytailed hair.

She had been two, when her Aunt, Melvina, went into delivery; her mother had just delivered her little brother not more than two weeks ago. She had been excited to receive another baby to play with. Although she had wanted the baby to be a girl, since she already had a little brother, she had still basked in pure joy when she saw him, swatted with a soft clothing material. She had thought then that he was the most beautiful but tiny creature on earth.

They had been inseparable while growing up, and she had always protected him, even from her father’s wrath.

She didn’t know why her father hated him, but she knew he did, very much.

When she had heard that her father had almost killed him during the pack’s training, she had accosted him even though the meet up had ended with her receiving two hot slaps on her cheeks.

But it had all changed, seven years ago. Seven years ago, she had betrayed his trust. Although she had been forced to by her father, she had still betrayed him. She had felt guilty afterward, but there had been no time and chance for reconciliation.

And even now, she was feeling so guilty because she knew she would have to do it again; her father’s sudden interest in merging their packs wasn’t for fun. She knew he had an ulterior motive in mind. She also knew that she would just be a pawn again; that it hadn’t ended with her just spying on her cousin alone.

“Maya!”

She heard her father call through the pack link, and cussed. “What does he want again? Isn’t she playing her part right?” She thought, her mind wandering to all the occasions where she had to mask her true feelings, in order to please her father; even if it meant hurting the ones she love.

“Get your mind back in the game. What are you thinking about?” She heard her father ask through the link, and mused. It seems she had spaced out, while thinking.

“I’m sorry father.” She linked back.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Sorry for yourself. Stop your wandering mind and show him your fellow pack members.” He said, before tuning her off.

Maya sighed, and looked at her cousin for the umpteenth time. He was still staring at her, as if trying to figure her out, or rather her plans. She wished they could go back to when they were closer than friends; but then she smiled wistfully at the thought. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. She thought, folding her hands across her chest, as she tried to regain the stance of a villain. It wasn’t necessary that he knew what she really thought about them; it wasn’t useful again, and they couldn’t go back to how they were before.

“Let’s go Cousin Brother. I think you would love to see my pack warriors.” She finally said, re-inventing the sarcastic tone and smirk again.