Bye, My Ruthless Alpha-Chapter 12: Do You Like Her?

Tori’s POV

The lively bonfire at the party brought back memories of the times when my mama used to teach me how to dance under the starry sky. It was a mix of heartache and happiness, for sure.

It had been ages since I last danced. To be honest, I’d completely forgotten how dancing used to be such a big and wonderful part of my life.

I closed my eyes, and in my thoughts, there was my mama, with that kind and patient look on her face, guiding my little feet through the steps when I was just a wee thing. I twirled and swayed, feeling as if I’d hopped right back into my childhood.

I may have been sold to a ruthless Alpha, but this was still my life.

The people here were not awful or hurtful toward me. In fact, many of them cared for me; although I didn’t understand what I had done to deserve their kindness, especially Ava and Kas. When I was free and left here, I would miss them.

And Alpha Cayden...

The most intimidating and gorgeous man I had ever met—my master. My eyes closed, and everything about him rose in my mind. His slander and powerful fingers that brushed over my skin, his deep voice that rang over my ear, his cold and musky scent that surrounded me, and his piercing and clear blue eyes that locked on me...

The music slowed down.

He was always distant and cold, and I could never understand what was in his mind. He probably would be the only man to touch me. But to him, I was only a tool—a container.

My heart filled with bitterness at this thought. But none of those things would matter after ten months. My mind flew forward... Nine months and a pup, and after that, I would be free. Subconsciously, I let my body move to the rhythm.

I felt the beat of the music deep in my bones. I immersed myself in the dance, wearing a big smile.

Yes, I was ready to be a breeder... and to pursue my freedom.

***

Cayden’s POV

A shrill ringtone jolted me awake from my nightmare. I fell asleep and had a dream in the car on my way back. I shook my head, trying to get rid of the horrible scene where my father was brutally killed.

It was still lingering in my mind, but I forced myself to focus on the present.

I picked up the phone, and it was Jace. His voice was rushed and anxious as he told me that our pack had been attacked.

"Details?" I asked.

"It seems some of the outlying groups have been hit sporadically. There were a few casualties, but not too many in these initial attacks. We’re still getting reports, Alpha. It looks like... they’re testing our defenses," Jace said.

"I knew this day was coming." That was why I was so dead set on always being prepared—about having an heir. "Any ideas who’s behind these attacks?" I asked, rubbing my temples. The car was still moving, and we’d be inside the pack territory soon after crossing the border.

"We’ve got some guesses, but no proof," he replied.

"Get me the list of the attacked groups and the details of the injuries. I need it tomorrow."

"Yes, sir," Jace said.

In the past few years, the packs near the border had been dealing with rogue attacks now and then, usually every two or three years. Normally, it wasn’t a big deal, but now it was happening more frequently. This was the fifth attack in the past three months. Something was off.

"Where are you now?"

"I’m at the bonfire," Jace said. "Today I took Miss Kas and Miss Tori shopping and for a walk. Miss Tori’s in a pretty good mood."

He reported on Tori’s situation before I even asked—guess he knows me well.

Since that first night with Tori didn’t go as planned, I thought she should have more time to get used to things. Going out and having fun would help her relax and do her job better.

"But she didn’t buy anything while shopping."

I didn’t want to focus too much on this, or else Beta might think I cared a lot about Tori.

"I don’t want to hear more details about her. Just handle it," I cut in.

"Yes, Alpha. Everything will be taken care of as you say." After he finished, I grunted and hung up.

When the car pulled into the pack grounds, I saw the bonfire. The crowd was lively, with everyone sitting around it. The driver slowly stopped the car. Through the window, I saw Tori dancing by the bonfire. The firelight lit up her face. Her movements were lively and graceful, and her hair was flowing in the wind.

At that moment, I was captivated by her.

For a while, I forgot about the anxiety and trouble caused by the pack being attacked and just watched her. I couldn’t let myself get caught up like this. The more her dance affected me, the harder it was to control myself. Jace was her caretaker, and he had to keep an eye on her.

I had to have her stop... even if she soothed me in a way no one else could. The last thing I needed was another distraction. War was brewing, and the longer we waited, the stronger the forces of our enemies got, and the more danger we were in.

Jace had to stop her from dancing. She had a job to do, and so did I.

Yes, she was pretty—and kind, I had been told—but it didn’t change anything.

My mind was firm, and the sooner I could get her away from here, the better.

Her dance continued, and I frowned. The figure of her dancing lingered in my mind. Of course, I could imagine what she was like when she was dancing alone in the room. She wouldn’t know there was an audience.

Strangely, I could tell how she was feeling. Lonely but peaceful, sad but hopeful.

Shouldn’t a weak soul like her be frantic and live in fear all the time, like the few times

I interacted with her. I had to admit that whatever her dance represented, it was very charming.

I dialed Jace’s number again.

“Is everything okay?”Jace said.

I cleared my throat.

Forget it. Why should I waste my time on a breeder? If she wanted to dance, I would just let her do her thing. After all, how much time did she have left in this world? I had more important things to worry about.

“Jace, have you increased our patrols?”

“Yes. I met with the security of the assaulted packs yesterday and sent reinforcements. Of course, it’s going to take some time for us to investigate fully.”

“That’s good,” I replied, thinking over everything. “I want to make sure this is properly taken care of. Make sure you send Tom up there to handle it all.”

Sending Jace had been an option, but I didn’t want anyone else to oversee Tori. She was in a delicate situation, and Tom was a good second choice for this mission.

“Alpha, everything will be executed as you wish. Is there anything else that you need?”

“No, I just wanted to be sure.”

I took a sip of water. All right, I admitted it—this wasn’t like me. I blamed the damn nightmare. I heard a brief silence on the receiver. He hesitated for a moment.

I frowned. “Do you have anything else to report?”

"I’d like to report to you that Tori gave me a pair of gloves."

I crossed my arms over my chest and said, "Sounds good."

“Thank you, Alpha.”

“She made it for you.” I didn’t need to ask and he knew who I was referring to.

“Yes... she did,” he replied. “It was a thank-you gift for being kind to her. Nothing more.”

“Jace,” I said firmly. We grew up together, and we knew each other too well. He had something to say. “Spit it out, Beta. I don’t have all night.”

Finally, Jace spoke up. "It’s about Tori."

I raised an eyebrow and said, "Come to my office and we’ll talk later."

After hanging up the phone, I told the driver to head to the compound. When I got to my office, Beta Jace already waiting for me. I motioned for him to come in.

"Aren’t you going to sit?" I gestured to him.

"I’m your subordinate. I’m good with standing," he replied.

"Fine then," I said as I sat in my office chair, and took a sip of water. "So, what is it you want to tell me about Tori?"

"The test results all came back normal," Jace started. "She’s managed to gain some weight back and is physically doing a lot better than before..." He hesitated to go any further, and his uncertainty caught my interest. He seemed to be searching for the right words, which was rare for him. “Based on her reaction to things... you know, due to her previous mental health concerns... I do have a suggestion if you’d be open to it.”

I was aggravated with how everyone kept saying she was messed up in the head or not ready. They made assumptions, and they didn’t know how she truly felt about anything. Not that I was worried about it, but it was interfering with my task.

“Just spit it out already, for God’s sake,” I said through gritted teeth.

“I would simply suggest that you take a slightly different approach to the situation. Perhaps, be slightly gentler than usual. She is a virgin, after all.”

Jace had a lot of nerve to speak to me in this manner, but I had a suspicion as to why he was concerned.

“Do you like her, Jace?”

The source of this c𝓸ntent is fr(e)𝒆novelkiss