The Alpha Behind The Mask-Chapter 60: Show Me Your Face

​Aurora’s POV

​I stared at him, the silence inside the car thick and suffocating. Even with the mask hiding half his face, I could tell he was close to losing control. His entire body was tense, vibrating with a dark energy that made the air in the small space feel too heavy to breathe.

"Thank you," he finally said, his deep voice rough when he noticed I had stopped struggling.

I blinked at him, anger flaring instantly.

​"Thank you for what?" I snapped. My hands were still shaking from anger and shock. "For kidnapping me? For grabbing me in front of everyone like I’m some kind of possession?" I glared at the mask covering his face. "Do you think because you have money and hide behind a mask you can own me, Raymond?"

​He didn’t answer right away. He squeezed the steering wheel so hard the leather made a crunching sound. He stepped on the gas, and the car roared down the city streets. The lights outside became long, blurry lines as we sped along.

​"For not making me use the cuffs," he finally said, looking straight at the road.

​I let out a bitter laugh. "You’re insane," I muttered, folding my arms tightly across my chest as I turned toward the window. "You rich men are all the same... always looking for someone to control."

​"Don’t compare me to anyone," he hissed. His voice had a command in it that made my skin crawl. "I’m not like them."

​I turned back slowly, narrowing my eyes at him.

"And what exactly are you then?" I challenged. "What do you have, Raymond? You don’t even have the courage to show your face." My gaze hardened. "You’re nothing but a shadow hiding inside an expensive suit."

​He slammed on the brakes at a red light. The tires made a loud screaming sound on the road. He turned his head slowly, his burning eyes locking onto mine. I thought he was going to grab me or yell, but he just sat there, breathing heavily.

​"You know me, Aurora," he said quietly. "You don’t need to see my face to know who I am."

​For a moment, he sounded almost sad and honest, not just bossy.

​I glared at him. "I don’t know you... show me your face!" I spat.

I was desperate to know who the hell he really was... what he actually looked like.. I wanted to see how my parents’ killer looked.

​He stared at me, and for a moment I thought he was going to do or say something, but he didn’t; rather, he stepped on the gas and drove.

​The rest of the ride was a heavy, suffocating silence. He navigated the streets with a focused rage, the car’s engine humming like a beast ready to pounce.

​When the car finally screeched to a halt in front of my crumbling apartment building, he didn’t unlock the doors immediately. He sat there, staring straight ahead, his chest rising and falling in shallow breaths.

​"My offer still stands, Aurora," he said, his voice dropping into that low, magnetic tone that made my stomach flip despite my anger. "Be my submissive."

​I reached for the door handle, but it was still locked. I turned to glare at him, my blood boiling.

​"I can give you everything you want," he continued, finally turning his masked face toward me. "I know about the debts. I know about the mounting hospital bills. I know your brother needs surgeries that you could never afford in three lifetimes on a waitress’s salary."

​My heart stopped, then hammered twice as fast. A cold chill washed over me as I realized how deep he had dug. He had pulled my financial records, my family history, and my secrets.

​"You had no right to dig into my life," I hissed, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger. "You think because you’re rich and powerful, you can buy my desperation?"

​"I’m not buying your desperation," he replied calmly, though his eyes burned behind the mask. "I’m offering you a way out. It’s a win for both of us." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

​I felt exposed, almost naked under the intensity of his gaze. The thought of my brother’s health and our empty bank account was a weight that lived in my chest every day, and here he was, using it like a leash.

​"Never," I spat. I found the lock switch and slammed it up. "I’d rather starve than become a pet for a man who is too much of a coward to show me his face."

​I shoved the door open and climbed out, the cool night air hitting my skin. I didn’t look back. ​I marched toward the entrance of my building, my heels clicking loudly on the pavement. I didn’t look back, but I could feel the heat of his gaze—and the idling growl of his car—pinning me to the brickwork.

​I pushed through the heavy front door and hurried into the dim, narrow hallway. My footsteps echoed against the peeling wallpaper as I reached my door at the end of the hall. I fumbled with the keys, my heart hammered against my ribs until I finally heard the click of the deadbolt sliding into place.

​I leaned my back against the wood for a long moment, waiting for the sound of his tires to fade. Finally, I moved toward the bed and sat down, still in my work clothes, my mind a mess of anger and confusion...

I was mad at Raymond for his arrogance, but mostly, I was mad at myself. Why did I feel that sharp sting of jealousy when he ordered that submissive to his room?

​"Aurora, get a grip," I whispered into the dark. "You’re supposed to be finding a way to kill this man, not getting jealous over who he sleeps with."

​I groaned and flopped back onto the mattress, closing my eyes. But I couldn’t escape the memories. My mind flashed back to the night before—Raymond in this very room, the meal he cooked, the way he looked at me during that game. And the kiss. My lips still felt the ghost of his touch, and despite the hate I carried, I felt a hollow ache of loneliness.

​I didn’t even have the energy to change. I let sleep take me, heavy and dreamless, until a sharp ringing woke me up.

​I fumbled for my phone. It was early in the morning. Too early. My heart lurched when I saw it was the hospital. I sat up straight, panic clawing at my throat.

​"Hello? Is my brother okay?" I blurted out as soon as I picked up.

​"He’s fine, Aurora," the doctor’s voice sounded surprisingly calm. "Actually, I’m calling with good news. Your brother’s first surgery has been paid for in full."

​I froze. "What? By whom?"

​"I don’t have a name," the doctor replied. "The payment was made anonymously. All the person said was that he is a friend of yours."

​I frowned, my mind racing. A friend? I didn’t have friends with that kind of money. My thoughts immediately went to Alpha Oliver or Raymond. Was this Raymond’s way of forcing me into his deal?

​"I... I’ll call you back, Doctor," I said breathlessly.

​As soon as I hung up, my phone vibrated again. An unknown number. I hesitated, then pressed answer.

​"Good morning, Aurora."

​The voice was smooth, confident, and dangerously charming. I felt a chill run down my spine. I knew that voice. It wasn’t the cold, professional tone of my boss, and it wasn’t the rough, dark growl of Raymond.

​"I believe the doctor has already alerted you about the payment for the first surgery," the voice continued.

​My grip tightened on the phone. The voice... that voice...

​"Alpha Oscar?" I breathed.

​