Chapter 4 Pretty Little Liar

Chapter Four

First Person's Perspective

Belle

What a terrible idea this was

No, scratch that. This was the worst idea I'd ever had. And considering my track record, that was saying something

I stood in front of the massive mahogany desk, my eyes darting everywhere-the bookshelves lined with ancient texts, the modern art on the walls, the weird bronze wolf sculpture in the corner that looked like it cost more than my entire existence-anywhere but at

him

Anywhere but at the man I was about to manipulate into helping me destroy my ex

So easy and simple

Totally not complicated at all

I'd rehearsed this, in fact, I had a whole speech planned. Walk in, be confident, lay out the facts, appeal to his sense of justice or pack loyalty or whatever Alphas cared about, and walk out with his support

It was intended to be clean

Except I'd been standing here for a full minute and hadn't said a single word

Because he was just...staring at me

Not in a creepy way, no

More like he found my obvious discomfort amusing. Like I was some kind of entertaining little puzzle he was trying to figure out

His fingers were steepled under his chin, elbows resting on the desk, and those impossibly dark eyes tracked every single fidget, every nervous shift of my weight

I could feel his gaze like a physical thing

"Are you going to say something," he finally drawled, his voice low and entirely too calm, "or are you just here to admire my office?"

My head snapped toward him

Big mistake

Because now I was looking directly at him, and goddess help me, he was even more devastating up close. That infuriating calm that made him look like he was in complete control of everything, including me

I hated it

I hated him

Okay, that was a lie. But I wanted to hate him *why?* choosing to ignore that question, I raised my head up high

"I need your help," I blurted out, better to spill it all out now right? *Shrugs*

One dark eyebrow arched "With?"

I squared my shoulders, forcing myself to hold his gaze "There's a... situation, back where I was living. Someone is spreading lies about me and ruining my reputation, and I need it handled" what a way to request help from someone you literally just met

"Handled," he parroted lazily, like he was tasting the word

"Yes. You're an Alpha, and you have influence, connections, resources..."

"And you want me to use those resources for you" it wasnt a question, more like stating out my thoughts

"Yes" I responded without hesitation

He leaned back in his chair, studying me with that same unreadable expression "And why would I do that?"

I blinked, wasnt it already so obvious?

"Because-because it's the right thing to do? Because someone is lying and..."

"Because you're my mate?"

The words hung in the air like a bomb

My mouth went dry

He said it so casually. So matter of factly, like it wasn't the single most catastrophic truth either of us could acknowledge

"I..." I started, but he cut me off

"Let me be clear, Belle" He stood, rounding the desk with slow, deliberate steps "I love your mother. She is my wife, my Luna, my everything, and I will not do anything to jeopardize that. Whatever this-" he gestured vaguely between us, "-is, it doesn't change that fact. Nothing can happen between us"

I should've felt relieved

I should've nodded and agreed and moved on

Instead, I felt my temper flare

"Oh, please," I scoffed, crossing my arms "Like I'd want anything to happen between us anyway. You're, what, twice my age? And clearly my mother's type, which is the exact opposite of mine. Old, controlling, probably obsessed with rules and hierarchy..."

"Old?" His tone didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes

"Yeah. Old. No offense, but I'm not into the whole 'silver fox with a god complex' thing"

Still nothing

"And I must say, you're very weird to think I came for help bevause of...that" I shuddered in disgust....fake disgust, might I add

Deep within me, I lowkey felt embarrassed that I even thought to use our bond to manipulate him

"Then what made you so comfortable saying it? We just met....havent even had a real conversation, except...this" he stated with a raised brow

My face twisted more "For an old man, you seem really full of yourself"

"I'm forty two, that's not old" he responded ever so casually

No anger, no defensiveness. Not even a hint of reaction

He just kept looking at me with that same calm, measured expression, and it was infuriating

"Are you done?" he asked evenly

"I-yes. No. Maybe." I threw my hands up. "This was a stupid idea. Forget I said anything."

I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me

"You're lying, and as an Alpha I can tell that by looking at you"

I froze, my hand on the door handle "Excuse me?"

"You don't think I'm old. Or unappealing." He stepped closer, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him "You're just scared"

I whipped around "Scared? Of what? you?"

"Of this" His gaze dropped to my lips for half a second before flicking back up "Of what you feel when you're near me"

My heart slammed against my ribs

"I don't feel anything," I shot back, but my voice came out breathless

"Liar..."

"Pretty little liar"

He was right in front of me now, so close I had to tilt my head back to meet his eyes

This was dangerous

This was wrong

This was...

"You need to back up," I whispered

"Do I?"

"Yes"

"Then why aren't you moving?"

Good question

I should've shoved him away and walked out...no run out

Put as much distance between us as physically possible

But I didn't

Instead, I stood there, frozen, as he reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear

The touch was soft and gentle, and boy! Did it set every nerve in my body on fire

"This is a bad idea," I breathed

"The worst," he agreed

"Then why aren't you also backing up?" I asked and he chuckled, the rumble went from my ears down to in between my legs, making my clit clench and unclench

"Um.."

And then his mouth was on mine...it was so sudden and...I don't know

The kiss was nothing like I expected. It wasn't soft or tentative or careful

It was consuming

His hands cupped my face, angling my head as his lips moved against mine with a hunger that stole the breath from my lungs. I gasped, and he took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine in a way that made my knees buckle

I grabbed onto his shirt, fisting the fabric as I kissed him back just as desperately

This was wrong

So, so wrong

But I couldn't stop

Isla was purring, practically singing with satisfaction, and every logical thought in my head dissolved under the heat of his touch

He backed me up against the door, his body pressing against mine, and I felt the hard line of him against my stomach

Oh goddess

His hands slid down to my waist, gripping me like he was afraid I'd disappear, and I arched into him, needing more, needing...

A sharp knock on the door made us both freeze

"Alpha? The council meeting is starting in five minutes"

We broke apart, both of us breathing hard, staring at each other like we'd just committed a crime

Which, technically, we had

"I'll be there," he called out, his voice rough

Footsteps retreated down the hall

I pressed a hand to my swollen lips, my mind racing

What the hell just happened?

He ran a hand through his hair, looking just as wrecked as I felt

"This can't happen again," he said quietly

"Agreed"

"I mean it, Belle"

"So do I"

"I simply lost control, this doesn't mean anything" he added and I nodded before the words sank in my mind...it didn't mean anything?

Hmph! Nonsense

"It doesn't mean anything to me, wherever did you get such an idea?" I lied through my teeth and we stared at each other for another beat.

And then I yanked open the door and fled.

Maybe I had gone insane, but I kind of liked the thrill I felt and would like to do this

Sorry Mum