The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

-

ENRIQUE -

I change into grey pants and a plain white shirt for dinner. Pushing my sleeves, I adjust the straps to my prosthetic, switching the battery on, and flex the robotic limb.

It's black, with some movement, I don't tend to use this one often, even if the movements are better, it draws more attention and although I don't care what people think of me, it's when they ask what happened that irks me.

Luis knows enough, but the way his daughter doesn't know when and how to shut up, I have a feeling we'll be facing a lot of stupid questions. Putting on my belt, I walk to my office, drop into the seat and look at the files regarding the mysterious attacks and the images of the dead bodies.

What are you?

The summit is in under two weeks, before then I need to see what this might be. Even if it means diving beneath the surface of the waters to find the source...

Standing up, I walk over to the shelf and take down the wooden box that contains the crystal necklace and look at it. The urge to probe her mind... to know exactly what she's thinking grates on my nerves... but that's not exactly something I could have done. I know what I need to do... I just have to make sure I don't step back when the time comes...

Turning over the necklace, I remember her words when she gave me this... The little girl whose heart was too pure for this world.

Closing my eyes, I sink into my seat.

Kataleya Rossi, you are consuming my mind... and with it my f*****g common sense.

I know that, yet I am still unable to stop myself from getting so caught up in her... The necklace she wears contains an image of her family and me. Almost as if she holds me in the same regard as them.

I scoff. She's delusional.

Hearing footsteps and a door opening and shutting, I know it's Kataleya. She's the only one on this floor. I even made sure Luis and Marie aren't sleeping on this floor.

I sigh. I need to put this necklace somewhere so she doesn't end up seeing it... she's already been in here. Once, it's a good thing I left her necklace in the drawer of the desk.

Stop thinking about her and fucking focus on what's going on around you, Enrique.

I rest my elbows on the desk, running my hand through my hair. I'm losing sight of my revenge, the rage inside of me no longer making sense to me...

What am I angry at?

A chica who was but another victim in the game of power. I can't help but be irritated with my own thoughts. Since she's come here, she has stolen my peace. The state of my mind is in constant jeopardy consumed by her. Why?

I clench my jaw, trying to pull forward the rage that keeps the pain away. She's a Rossi. End of fucking story.

I'll keep telling myself until I do what's needed.

Frowning, I slip the necklace back in the box and stand up, putting it away before I leave my office, locking the door behind me before making my way down for dinner. The smell of delicious food from the kitchen fills my nose. I glance towards the kitchen, hesitating for a few moments before my curiosity gets the better of me and I head towards it.

The kitchen instantly goes silent before I reach it, the staff sensing my presence, which I allow them to do by not masking my aura. They bow politely when I enter, fear and respect radiating off them as they keep their heads down.

The younger omegas are eyeing me, their hearts racing, but I ignore them, scanning the food that is ready to be taken to the dining hall.

"I hope the food is up to our best standards. You know I like my guests to have a good meal."

"Everything will be of the best quality, Alpha Enrique. Rest assured." The head chef says.

My eyes fall on the platter of pastries that I instantly know were made by Kataleya. "I see you've tried something new," I remark, walking over and picking up one of the tarts.

"Those-"

"It's not a problem, as long as they are up to the standards." I cut in, not wanting her to point out who made them as I bite into the cherry tart.

Fuck, it's good.

Why is she not fucking bad at anything? This woman will fucking ruin me with her perfection.

I finish the tart off, enjoying every bite and ordering the chef to place a few aside for me. I don't want the greedy pack members to devour the leftovers.

Once I'm done, I make my way to the private dining room. It will only be me, Jose - the idiot, Carlos, Kataleya, Luis, and his daughter. One could ask why I'm inviting Kataleya, but the best f*****g part about being the alpha is I don't need to answer to anyone. Especially when I don't fucking have an answer.

Stepping into the dining room, I see Carlos, Luis, and his daughter are already there.

They stand up when I enter, and I motion to Luis to sit down. I take the head of the table and Luis motions for his daughter to take the seat on my left and sits on her other side. Carlos takes the seat opposite Luis, leaving the seat on my right for Jose, as my beta. "I do apologise for my tardiness," Jose says politely as he hurries inside and lowers his head to me and Luis.

Since he's acting as my beta, maybe I should just make him beta again... not that he's earned it.

"Where is our final guest?" I ask coldly as Jose walks over to the table. "She..."

He stops when the sound of heels makes us aware of her presence and I turn, finding myself staring at the woman who has just stepped inside looking fucking breathtaking and somehow... out of this fucking world. 5 Gold glittering heels cover her dainty feet, and her sexy smooth legs shimmer under the dim lighting of the dining hall. She wears a few delicate rings and bracelets that twinkle when they catch the light.

She's clad in a figure-hugging purple dress with a blue hue to it that accentuates her sexy thighs and voluptuous a*s oh so f*****g perfectly. The lace bodice wraps around her big tits, and it has a cutout to show off that sexy cleavage of hers. Sparkling earrings glitter in her ears and her hair is braided with a few strands framing her face. Her plump, perfect lips are covered in shimmering gloss. She blinks her gorgeous dark eyes, and the touch of glitter on her lids sparkles. "I'm sorry I'm late," she says softly as she tucks a strand of her gorgeous curls behind her ear only for it to come loose again.

Tease.

Her voice snaps me from my thoughts, and I look away, tugging at the collar of my shirt for a second.

Why the f**k is she dressed like she's going to go walk a f*****g fashion show or some shit?

"Why don't you sit here, princesa Kataleya? You and señorita Marie can get to know one another," Jose remarks, glancing over at Marie who gives him a smile. "That's sweet of you, I like the idea. Thank you, Beta Jose," she answers him.

He gives her a small nod as Kataleya looks between us hesitantly.

"I don't know if that's a good idea... you're-"

"If he said sit, then just sit the f**k down," I growl, refusing to look at her again, because the f*****g temptation that she is- is messing with my head.

Jose holds the seat for her as she sits down before walking to the other side of Carlos.

Why is he so fucking fond of her? Jealousy rears its ugly head, although I have no reason to be.

*So, Princesa Kataleya, what brings you to Puerto Rico? Just on holiday?" Luis asks her.

"I'm sure she is. Our islands are beautiful." Marie adds, not that he was asking her.

"Visiting someone important to me," Kataleya replies politely.

"Ah... well, if you have time, you should come visit the Dominican Republic. I will be more than happy to show you around." Luis smiles and my frown deepens as the first course is brought in.

"I'm sure you will. However, she does not have much time left on her visit." I cut in icily before Kataleya can reply.

She's watching me, but I refuse to look at her. She's a distraction. I don't want to be caught up in her, especially when Luis is here. He might be a womanizer with a wandering eye, but he's also extremely attentive. "Thank you for your offer, though," Kataleya adds as she reaches for the jug of juice. She's painted her nails too.

Why the effort, princesa?

I glance up at her, watching her pour herself the juice, my gaze flickering to her cleavage. I force my gaze away and catch Luis with his eyes fixed on her, making my anger rise.

I glance back at her, and this time my eyes meet hers.

"Would you like some?" she asks me, raising the jug of juice.

"Sure," I reply, not breaking eye contact as I slide my glass closer to her.

Her cheeks flush and I can feel the others watching me as she pours it for me.

"So Alpha Enrique, tell me, what is your favourite food?"

I glance at the woman, who is smiling brightly. "I don't really have any," I reply curtly.

Her smile falters, "Not even dessert?" she asks, fiddling with her fork, looking uncomfortable.

"No."

"Then what do you like doing in your free time?" Marie persists.

"You'll learn in good time. What's the rush? You're here for good, no?" I look her over. She's put some effort in, wearing a plunging neckline black dress, but I'm not interested. She blushes lightly; her gaze flickering to meet mine before she looks away.

"So Alpha Enrique, when do you plan to hold the engagement? Or should I say the Luna ceremony?" Luis asks as we begin eating.

"I have decided to go to the Alpha Summit. I'm thinking once I return." I reply quietly, looking him in the eye. We both know what this union means.

"Well, I think that's a good idea. You need to show that you hold a lot of power, Alpha Enrique, to prove that these lands are yours... so you don't want me to go?" Luis asks.

"No."Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

His gaze flicks to Kataleya. "Is she trustworthy to speak in front of?" he asks in Spanish.

"There is nothing to hide," I reply, taking another spoonful of rice.

"I'm surprised she is here when you have not hidden your true feelings regarding the Lycan king." Luis continues in Spanish.

"That is my business, and what I do is none of your concern. Remember who you're speaking to." My warning hangs heavily in the air and Marie comes to her father's rescue - or tries to, anyway.

"So, umm... Kataleya, will you tell me a little about how you and Enrique know one another?" she asks, trying to ease the tension, now looking at Kataleya.

I sit back, looking at the woman who had clearly been enjoying her food, but now looks like a little kitty caught in the headlights.

I stretch my leg under the table and feel it brush against hers. She tenses, her heart thundering as she looks from me to Marie, slowly moving her leg away from mine.

"H-how we met?" she asks, turning those doe eyes on me, silently asking for help on what to say... the urge to run my fingers through her hair and tell her she can tell them whatever the f**k she wants as long as I can get a taste of those pretty plush lips again is strong.

Instead, I turn to Marie, reaching instead for a strand of her dark hair.

"I don't think it's important at all... why don't you tell me about yourself instead?"

I hear Kataleya's heartbeat quicken, but I don't bother sparing her another glance. After all, it's time she wakes up and sees her reality for what is to come.

Marie is speaking, her words rolling off me like water. I don't know what she's saying, nor do I care, far too aware of the tinkle of Kataleya's earring. The whispered thanks as Carlos passes her something. The soft sigh that escapes her lips resonates within me. "Alpha?" Marie calls, snapping me from my thoughts. By the looks of it, she has called me a few times already.

"What is it?" I ask, picking up the juice Kataleya had poured for me.

'She asked you if you liked swimming. Jose asks. My gaze flickers to him before I look at the woman, who is to be my Luna.

"An irrelevant question. I think the sooner we get the facts on the table Maria, the better... you are to be Luna. Your father has made it clear that you excel in everything needed to be the perfect Luna. So, I hope to see that in the coming weeks...mundane chat about my likes and dislikes is unnecessary. Am I clear?" I ask coldly.

The dark-haired woman looks a little pale as she lowers her head.

"Yes, Alpha." She lowers her head.

"Good."

Luis is frowning slightly as he looks at his daughter, probably admonishing her for angering me.

"I actually don't agree."

I clench my jaw as Kataleya's soft, irritating voice fills the silence.

"Excuse me?" I challenge her.

"For someone to be a good Luna, she needs to know what you like and dislike. You are going to be in a union. I don't think Marie asked anything wrong... besides, an Alpha and Luna are meant to be a partnership."

I clench my jaw as Marie looks up, her heart racing as we both turn to Kataleya. Despite her contradicting me, she wears a gentle expression on her face which only irks me more.

"Perhaps where you're from, not here," I answer harshly.

"Why do you think alphas are given mates? Why do you think it says that an alpha needs a luna to rule at his best?" She challenges me, tilting her head a little.

"To produce heirs," I growl.

"To stand up to the Alpha when he is wrong," she corrects me, her eyes now holding mine. My aura emanates from me and I clench my jaw keeping the balance of control over it, refusing to use 'that' part of my power.

"Oh my... as much as I understand your point, princesa Kataleya, you are in Alpha Enrique's pack and as his guest, you should not disrespect him," Luis says, now watching her intently.

"That was not my intention," Kataleya says apologetically as she glances at Marie, who gives her a warm smile.

"Well... I think you are definitely all talk, princesa... after all, I don't see you standing beside your Alpha as an equal."

She smiles at that. "When I find and claim my alpha, you will see that I will," she responds with such confidence that even I wonder how she is so certain?

The urge to tell her that she agreed to be my power supply as a side piece is on the tip of my tongue, but I don't. Not yet, I will explain to Marie soon enough, but not right now.

The rest of the dinner, Kataleya, is far quieter, at times I sense her watching me, but I refuse to look at the vision in purple. Not when she distracts me like a siren from the stories, luring men to their doom... And that is exactly what Kataleya Rossi is for me, a death sentence.