Chapter 4 He's Been Watching Me For A Long Time

DAPHNE

My heart thunders in my chest, I'm unsure if it's from fear, shock, or something else I don't want to name.

His eyes don't leave mine, not even for a second. They're sharp, daring me, like he's waiting to see what I'll do next. And for the first time, I see him chuckle, which only tells me he's messing with me.

I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, scowling at him. "Are all werewolves this insane, or is it just you?"

He leans back in his seat, completely unfazed. "You're the one who thought the food was poisoned. I just helped ease your doubts."

If I didn't already plan to kill him, I would now.

He stands up, ready to leave, like we didn't just have whatever the hell that was. I'm so consumed by anger, I'm not even thinking straight, and before I know it, I grab the glass and hurl it at him. He dodges it easily, like he knew I'd do that. He doesn't even turn around, he just walks out of the dining room like nothing happened.

Cocky bastard.

"Breathe in..." My voice is shaky. "Breathe out..." I force air into my lungs. I breathe in and out again. Natalie's voice echoes in my head. 'When you panic, breathe, Daph. Just breathe.'

Once I've calmed down, my focus shifts. I remember why I'm really here, to find my dear friend. I rise from my seat and quietly leave the room. Strange, there are no guards at the door or in the hallway. It feels off, but I don't stop.

I head toward the Alpha's study room. When I spot two guards walking in my direction, I quickly hide into a shadowy corner, holding my breath. I don't move until I'm sure they've passed. Then, I approach the study door, glancing around carefully before I pull out a small hairpin from my hair and kneel by the lock.

Natalie taught me this trick when we were kids. Back then, I was locked in the collateral zone because the humans believed I was a threat to their world. Natalie hated how bored I was and figured out a way to sneak me out. I thought she used magic the first time, but it was just a lockpick. She saw how fascinated I was and taught me how to do it.

I hear the soft click of the lock and smile as I carefully push the door open and slip inside, closing it behind me.

I step into the dimly lit study, my eyes scanning the room. Tall shelves packed with neatly arranged books line the walls. I can't help but wonder what secrets they hold. Are they about werewolf history? Pack politics? Or something darker?

I move to the Alpha's desk, where stacks of organized files sit like guards. Without wasting time, I pull out the chair and switch on his computer. It's password protected, of course. Well, I'm a data analyst. Cracking a password like this is child's play.

My fingers dance across the keyboard, working fast, and in less than a minute, I'm in. I search for Natalie Jackson, nothing comes up. I frown and try again. This time, I search for Good Time Magazine, the company where Natalie worked. Still, nothing comes up.

I lean back, frustrated. "He must have hidden it." I mumble. "He's meticulous with his secrets."

I shuffle through the files on the desk, but they are useless, just budget reports and boring political documents. Nothing about Natalie, nothing personal, nothing dangerous.

Letting out a sigh, I try to think. That's when I notice three drawers built into the desk. My fingers twitch with curiosity. Maybe this is where the real secrets are kept.

I pull open the first drawer and find a small black box sitting beside a file. Curiously, I open the box and blink at the glittering diamond pendant inside. "The Alpha must have bought this for his lover." I mutter, letting the lid fall shut. I flip open the file next and it's all about me. Every little detail. The jerk really did run a background check on me.

I slid both items back into place and close the first drawer.

The second drawer opens with a soft creak, revealing a black leather journal. Of course, black again, this Alpha seems to have a thing for the color. I flip through the pages, they are blank, just like Natalie's journal. "Seriously?" I grumble, giving it a shake. That's when three photographs slip out and fall to the floor.

My heart skips as I drop the journal and pick up the first picture. It's me, sitting in my favorite coffee shop, a plastic coffee cup in hand, smiling like I didn't have a care in the world. I pick another picture and it's even worse. I remember the day this picture was taken, it was during my interview for the analyst job five years ago. The exact outfit, the nervous and forced smile.

"How the hell does he have a picture of me from five years ago?" I pick up the last photo, my chest tightening. It's me and Natalie, standing side by side, laughing.

My breath catches, this isn't just about politics. He's been watching me for a long time.

I hear footsteps from outside and it jerks me back to the moment. I scramble, shove the pictures back into the journal, toss it in the drawer, and power off the computer. My hands shake as I rush to arrange the files on the desk. When I hear door click, panic sets in. I look around to find good hiding spot.

As the door knot twists, I run and hide in between the rolls of shelves. I hold my breath so my heartbeat won't be heard.

I hear footsteps enter the room, followed by the soft rustling of papers. I don't dare peek to see who it is, but deep down, I already know, it has to be that stalking son of a bitch, the Alpha.

The sound of footsteps starts again, and a moment later, the door opens and closes.

I listen, but I hear nothing. Just silence, complete silence. Whoever it was must have left. Slowly, I let out the breath I've been holding, waiting until my heartbeat calms down before stepping out from between the shelves.

But the moment I step out, I nearly scream.

Standing in front of me is Ezekiel. He leans against the bookshelf with his arms folded, like he's been waiting for me to slip up.

For the second time today, he's caught me off guard, playing games I didn't know we were in. His expression gives nothing away, but there's no mistaking it.

He was expecting me here.

And now, I've been caught.