CHAPTER FIVE

                Vincenzo

I trailed her with my eyes, till she was out of sight. I did it, without appearing to do so. I cut a bit of the lasagna on my plate and took a bite.

"Father, you sent her away with your words." I heard Lila say.

I didn't reply, taking a sip of water instead. 

"Father, you.." she began saying again when I cut her off. 

"Not now Lila. Your friend should be grateful I allowed her to stay with the pack, even though I'm not supposed to do so." I said sternly. I avoided looking at her, not wanting to rouse memories that I desperately wanted not to awaken.

"Just great." She muttered, and slamming her fists on the table, she mumbled out of the dining hall. Leaving me to my thoughts.

As the door shut, I leaned on the chair. "Ella," I murmured. An image of her flashed through my mind, and I growled lowly.

'Snooping on a naked woman is exactly what an Alpha would do.' Ray said, with a yawn.

'I didn't know she'd want to shift. I don't even know why I trailed her last night.' I said in my defense.

'Of course, and that's why you didn't turn away when she began undressing.' Ray retorted.

I didn't reply. Last night, after leaving the living room, I watched her from my window. And when she had gone into the woods, I couldn't tell what had prompted me to follow her. As the image of her nude body flashed through my mind, I grunted lowly. I sniffed her scent which still lingered in the hall. It was intoxicating. She hadn't changed that much. She had become curvier though, and earlier on, I had spotted her nipple against the fabric of her clothing.

Recalling the scene made me stifle a groan. I shook my head lightly. I shouldn't be having such lewd thoughts towards a girl older than my daughter by barely a year. 

However, there was something about her that drew me close to her. Something I couldn't seem to place.

...

"So you think constructing more buildings would be enough?" I asked calmly, sipping on my cup of coffee, and placing my legs across each other. Clad in my loose yet formal clothes, I relaxed comfortably on my large chair.

"Yes Alpha," Raffaele said with a low bow. We were in my study, having an important conversation. The only source of light was the sun rays which filtered in through the little split in the curtains which had been drawn together. Aside from that, it was dark, just as I wanted it.

I nodded. It wasn't like I had doubts about my Beta and the one who had been my friend for as long as I could remember. We had grown up together, and when the time had come for me to choose a Beta, I had known just the right person to choose. And coming this far, he wasn't disappointed at all.

"Alright then. The funds for it would be sent to the necessary account, and that's..." I was still speaking when a knock came at the door.

"Didn't you give my orders?" I turned to an equally puzzled looking Raffaele.

"I did Alpha. Let me have a look." He said and walked over to the door. Whoever was behind it, didn't have enough patience.

"Hi Alpha Vincenzo," A breezy voice said, pushing Raffaele to the side and walking in.

"Contessa? What are you doing here?" I groaned inwardly. Putting up with her was the last thing I had in mind. A red haired image flashed through my mind, and I cursed lowly.

"I'm sorry, Alpha. I can leave right now if you aren't happy with my visit." She said and began making her way back towards the door, swaying her hips as she did so.

"Why are you here?" I asked yet again, making her halt in her steps.

"I came to keep you company," she replied, turning back, and bowing lowly, exposing a glorious view of her cleavage. 

"Company?" I repeated and waved my hands at Raffaele. Taking the cue, he bowed and left.

I rose slowly. "Let's take a walk around the castle then," I said, wishing I could get rid of her instead.

Her face lit up at my words. "Of course, Alpha. The pleasure would be mine.

The air outside smelt nice, and the sunlight shone down considerably. Placing my hands behind me, I took slow strides. Contessa trailed me, however, I could feel her hot stare on my being.

"I heard someone visited our pack." I heard her say.

"Um," I murmured absentmindedly.

We had barely walked a few steps ahead, when that so familiar scent wafted into my nostrils. I halted and stared ahead. Spotting a red headed beauty, made me gulp. I suddenly felt hot all over, however, I struggled to keep a bland expression on.

She was practicing archery in the open field set for the purpose. Lila was with her, cheering her on. I watched as she shot gracefully, and maintained that poise of hers.

"Is that her?" A voice jolted me out of my thoughts. I had almost forgotten I had company.

"What?" I took a defensive manner of response.

Contessa said nothing, and I made to continue walking. 

"Um, Alpha, why don't we just go back? My feet are getting kinda sore." Contessa suggested.

"But we just started walking." I arched my brow.

"We can talk inside the castle, you know." She continued. 

I ignored her, focusing my attention on Ella. However, once I did, she whirled in our direction, locking gazes with me.

I couldn't tell if I had imagined it, however, I saw her countenance change. I felt a knot tighten in my chest, and a guilty feeling washed over me.

Watching her as she whispered some words to Lila, and disappeared into the woods, made me want to go after her.

"Alpha,"

"Get the fuck out of here," I growled lowly and stomped off.