Alpha Noah

~Abella

"I can't explain it. I just feel watched."

My good friend lies upon my bed, flipping through a magazine, sipping out of her wine glass. She doesn't even look at me, too fascinated by the smiling models with perfect straight teeth and sharp cut abs, as pixualted as they might be upon her page. You can't help but love Samantha.

"Maybe you have a secret admirer," she offers, draining the rest of her glass. Alcohol is banned in the Harmony Pack, the fine being caught with it is steep. Consequently, we drink at the privacy of home. Well, Sam drinks. I don't like what it does to me.

"I'm being serious Sam. I feel like I walk home from work and someone is following me," I tell her firmly. It's been bothering me a lot recently, to the point I've been considering going to the authority about it.

"I think you're just paranoid." She isn't just dismissing me, there's a reason for her thinking that. The Harmony Pack keeps immaculately to its namesake. Crime here is non existent, aside from the petty crimes like smuggling alcohol that often gets revealed to authorities in ways people question but get no answer to. This place is simply perfect. Part of me thinks Sam only comes over every night to drink her wine in my home, since I live in a small apartment complex. No one really investigates us.I like it thought, since I don't have many other friends.

"Let's be realistic here. Maybe someone you work with thinks you're cute and is following you home to see where you live," she offers. "That's if you're not going crazy." I roll my eyes at her.

"Considering the fact that the only people I work with at the Post Office is my manager and the mailman, who are both over seventy years old, I doubt that's the case," I remind her, leaning back against my deck chair. She shrugs her shoulders, raising her eyebrow at em, suggesting clearly that age doesn't matter. I shiver.

"Anyways, it's curfew in twenty minutes and I have to get home," Sam says in one breath, folding the magazine up before tucking it under her arm. "Will you walk me to the end of the street again?"

It's been a trend of ours since she started coming to my house to visit. I don't particularly like it, but it makes her happy.

"I hope one day soon you get over this."

"I'd keep dreaming love." With linked arms, Sam and I walk down the street which is brightly lit by warm street lights above us. There is no reason to be fearful, even at night. Especially on a colder one like tonight, where everyone is inside, right before curfew. However, that feeling of being watched haunts me as I say goodbye to Sam.

"Be safe," I murmur, giving her a fleeting hug. She looks at me strangely, making a comment about how I'm paranoid and over thinking, before she walks off, dark blonde hair swaying down her back with every step. Taking a deep breath, I turn around and start my walk back. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing up, making me shiver. And then, the street lamp right above me flickers off.

Without thinking, I quicken my step, fumbling with the keys in my hand. I see someone approaching, which is strange but not rare. They wear dark trousers, but their top is a green shirt which is in no way intimidating. He's just going to walk past me and not even acknowledge me. Sam is right, I am paranoid. He does, however, stop right in front of me. He's a young looking kid with shaggy blonde hair and warm brown eyes. Regardless, I'm skeptical, warily trying to move around him until he speaks to me.

"Hi, sorry, I don't mean to just jump out at you like this, but I thought I would come say something to you since we live in the same building," he says. I bristle.

"Did you just move in?" I ask. I've never seen him before that I know of, and it sure is a strange way to greet your neighbour by approaching them in the street at night. He looks rather friendly and easygoing, however, with how I've been feeling lately, I don't want to take any chances.

"No, I've been there forever," he tells me, grinning widely. My jaw clenches, as I try to pair him to where he might be living. Regardless, I can't find a place for him, so I begin to take steps past him warily.

"I'm sorry, I know everyone who lives in the building, and I don't think you do," I say, trying to turn and walk away. He takes one more look at me, and lunges. I scream, dodging out of his grasp, his fingertips barely touching me before I take off into a run down the street. Thankfully, I reach the door to my apartment before he does.

Fumbling with my keys, I attempt to shove them in the door, trying to get my way back in. Looking over my shoulder, I see him running at me, that warm expression gone.

"Please, come on," I beg, as the key slips from the lock. I'm going to die. He's going to capture me and drag me into his car, and no one will ever see me again. I should never have ignored my gut feeling. Finally, the door opens, and I dive inside, slamming the door shut behind me.

Behind the glass, the stranger suddenly appears, banging loudly against the door. They are trying to break the glass... Stumbling back a few steps, I look into his crazed eyes, wondering how long he was stalking me for. Just before I was about to turn away, someone else appears at the door, dressed in all black, a hood pulled over their head so I couldn't see their face. Both are here to kill me. Both are going to get in here before I can get help. It seems I'm proved wrong though, as the hooded man grabs the back of the boys shirt, and rips him away from window, throwing him onto the pavement behind him.

I don't stick around to see what happened to either of them. I turn around, running for the elevator. Not even looking back, I move up to my floor, entering my apartment to lock it safely behind me. What just happened? Checking my lock again, I close all my curtains and turn all my lights off. Settling into a chair in the back of my room, I contemplate what to do next. I'm for sure going to call the authority after I sift through my mind at what just went on. All I know is that I got attacked by someone who may have been stalking me for awhile. And most importantly, someone saved me...

~Abella The authorities couldn't tell me who the hooded man was. For once, I paid extra to get driven to work, rather than walking. Expenses outside of my strict budget aren't usually permitted, considering I hardly make money that doesn't go toward rent. This, however, is completely justified. I can't tell if that hooded man was trying to help me, but I'm not taking risks. Thankfully, the stalker man was detained immediately. Crime in this Pack is almost always brought to justice. That's what makes the fact that the authority can't find this hooded man all the more perplexing.

And frightening. At least work is uneventful. I'm stuck in a back room sorting through mail, not seeing a single face. I can't wait to get home and see Sam. She will love to hear about what happened. I can already predict her curiosity about the hooded man. As I was sifting through mail, something catches my eye. It's a rectangle box, covered in glimmering golden paper. It's so soft to the touch, it sends shivers down my spine. Much to my disbelief, it has my name and address printing on it. It doesn't suggest who brought it, so I take it onto the break room. I'm careful opening it, peeling back the paper with precision. Inside, is a small velvet black box, and a golden note which flutters out onto the table. I pick up the note first, more curious about that then what might be in the box. I want to know who this is from. Abella. I'm sorry for last night's events, I hope you are not too shaken. Tonight, I am having a party (find address on back). I hope you wear my gift. Consider it a thank you for last night. ~ Your Secret Admirer Flipping the note over, I in fact see the address. It's a place in the town over. It's a wealthy town that I can barely afford to pay for a ride over, let alone stay there. Regardless, I wouldn't go anyway. If this is the man that wore the hood like was insinuated, the last thing I want to do is thank him. I want to forget this all happened. Scrunching the note up, I toss it into the trash. Curiously though, I open the small box. Inside, is a pair of glittering earrings. Are these real diamonds? I can't throw these out, so I slip them into my work bag. Maybe Sam will know how to get rid of these. As the work day slipped by, I couldn't help my wandering mind. Who is this hooded man? Clearly he is a generous, wealthy man from another town. Why are they interested in me? Once work was completed, I stopped by at a local bar to see Sam. It's her idea. She can't drink here, considering the strict alcohol ban, however, she likes to sit in a booth spying on attractive guys who walk through. Here, I can talk to her about what happened last night, completely safe in a public place. "So did they get the guy?" Sam questions, chewing on the end of her potato fry. I'm glad I came out to dinner with her today rather than going to the party I was invited to by that stranger. I'm deciding to keep that to myself. "He's been detained. They are saying he won't give an explanation to why he did it," I tell her, resting my head in my hands. It's hard not knowing what he was planning to do to me. "I wouldn't think about it if I were you. He's not your problem now," Sam says dismissively. She's clearly distracted by someone who has just walked into the bar, so I glance over my shoulder to see what has gotten her interest so quickly. She even speaks up about it. "Do you see that guy? God he's cute." Her gaze leads to a man who walks in, shoulders slouched, hat shoved on his head. From where I sit, I can't see much of his face, which seems to be the point with what he wears and the way he walks. "Stop staring," I scold Sam, who seems to be staring dreamily at him. Either she is desperate, or sees more than I do. "He looks like he's had a bad day." "Then let's call him over." There was no chance to hush Sam, as she calls the man over with some flirtatious remark which makes him halt in his step to look up at us. I see a flash of dark eyes before he looks down again. Much to my surprise, he saunters over, sudden air of confidence in his step. Now he has our attention, he seems much more brazen. He slides into the booth, right next to Sam. I sit on the other side, nervously fiddling with my fingers under the table. He glances up at me, and for a full minute, I'm practically struck by the entire look at him, it has all the hair on my body standing on end. "Good evening girls. I'm glad to see you," he says with an accent that is practically magical. It lingers in the air, making me shiver. Then, he flips off his hat Both Sam and I flinch at the sight of him. His eyes, although normal, are sharp and focused, staring so deeply into my soul it's unnerving. His skin glows flawlessly under the lights of the bar, confirming an exotic, otherworldly look about him. His hair is the most ethereal part of him. The roots of his hair grow a brilliant golden colour before fading out into thick, inky darkness on the end. He's clearly speaking to me, but his voice is muffled in my ears. Sam seems as dumbfounded as me, wondering how such a perfect creature is sitting out our table. There doesn't seem to be a single flaw from his round eyes, defined cheekbones and straight jawline. "It's nice to meet you Cian, this is Abella," I hear Sam say, snapping me out of my trance. Blinking a few times, I look up at the stranger, who stares blatantly at me. "Beautiful name," he breathes. Not once does his gaze ever falter. "Hello," is all I say. I'm not so sure why I'm struck by this man. Maybe because he is clearly not normal, nor from this world. It seems foolish to think like that, since I doubt he is immortal, yet he looks so different. Maybe he is from the Desire Pack, where dying hair and looking eccentric is expected of people there. I expect this stranger, named Cian, to turn his attention to Sam. She is not only more attractive, but she's confident and a good speaker. Instead, though, Cian remains focused on me, as if I have anything else to offer the conversation. "It's a shame you didn't come to my party," Cian says slowly. My heart almost completely stops for a moment. "I was expecting you." My mind hurts trying to put everything together. I need to order a taxi and get back to my locked apartment as soon as I can. Then, I can report Cian to the authority. How did he even find me here? He must be the reason I feel so watched recently. Somehow, he's managed to completely take over my life. He knew I would find the letter at my work. He knew I would be here with Same. "Sorry, but I should go," I say without warning, getting up from the booth, shuffling my way out. Sam protests, questioning where I am going, but I ignore her. I'm sure I look foolish walking briskly out of the bar, not looking behind me. The cold air outside is a slap in the face as I emerge onto the street. Curfew is approaching fast, I assume. I need to get out of here. "Why are you leaving so fast?" I hear Cian say from behind me. Whirling around, he follows me out, hands shoved in his dark pants, an raised eyebrow in my direction. He looks like the shadows themselves with the dark button shirt with buttons the same gold colour as his hair. "You're a stalker. Get away from me," I accuse. My backwards steps down the street are only matched by Cian's as he follows me. Considering the hour of night, no one is around us, the remaining dead until morning. Cian looks sinister under the luminous glow of the street lamp, his smile sly, making me shiver. I've concluded he cannot be normal. "Come on Abella. Can we not just talk?" he questions. There is nothing he could say to make me want to talk to him. He's a stalker, who found out my location too many times for me to be able explain away. It makes me wonder how long he has been plotting this. By the expression on his face, I wouldn't be surprised if he is planning to attack me right now. "Get away from me. If you come any closer, I'm going to call the authorities," I threaten, to which Cian only chuckles. "I'm sorry, but I can't say I'm all that threatened by your authority." His words send my blood cold, so I decided I'm not going to stick around much longer. I give him one last glance, before I turn to run down the street. Sam will be safe inside the bar, and if he follows me, I'll scream. Curfew isn't over yet, meaning people won't be afraid to come out of their homes to save me. "You can run all your like Abella," I hear him call out after me. "I'll always find you."

~Abella I didn't leave my house for a few days. What Cian said to me plagued me. I've always been a rather anxious person, only doing things I know I'm comfortable with, living through my outgoing friend, Sam. My apartment is the one place where I feel the most safe, so I keep myself here when things aren't going right. And to say the least, nothing is going right at this point. "What is going on? Two guys stalking me in one week? No one has ever looked twice at me before, so what's changed?" I complain, holding the phone to my ear.

I haven't allowed Sam to come in, since that means unlocking my door. So the phone will have to suffice. "I personally think you're being over dramatic," she comments. "I mean, maybe you heard him wrong? He was probably just looking for your number." You can run all your like Abella. I'll always find you. "I'm not being over dramatic. Trust me, the guys a total creep, and I hope I never see him again," I mutter. Getting up from my seat, I wander over to the window. Pulling back the curtain, I look at all the other apartment buildings, lights off, curfew in full effect. Everyone is leading the perfect lives promised to us here in the Harmony Pack. "You have work tomorrow. Promise me you'll go," Sam says softly. My weekend is over, meaning I'll have to step foot outside of this apartment and live my life. I'll have to set aside more of my savings money for taxi rides home from work every night. Closing my curtain again, I sigh deeply, walking into my bathroom to turn the shower on, balancing my phone between my ear and shoulder. "Yes I will. Okay?" We say our goodbyes promptly. Going to work the next morning wasn't as difficult as I assumed it would be. Through the taxi window, I didn't see no golden hair man with a flashing gaze. It was a welcome reprieve to be in the back of the mail room, sorting through mail that isn't for me, but for wealthier people living better lives. Jeffery, the mail delivery guy pops his head into the room around noon. He has a painted look of excitement on his face that unmistakable. "Abella. I have some big news that I think you would be interested in finding out about." I pause my sorting, looking up at him. Jeffery and I have never really spoken much. So him coming into this room calling for my attention is strange. "What's so interesting?" "We've been asked to hand deliver a package to the Alpha's estate. It has been requested that you come along with me also to ensure it is delivered safely, and promptly," he tells me. I almost drop the package I was holding, unsure if I heard him right. Jeffery is old, so maybe his hearing isn't the best. Jeffery walks into the room, holding something. It's a small, matte black box with a emerald green ribbon tied around it. He holds it as if he is the most delicate, expensive things he has ever touch. If he is right in it being for the Alpha, then he is probably right. "Are you sure? We have had things being sent to the palace all the time," I comment. It is usually given to a worker there, and from that point I assume it's given to the Alpha. "No, I received a call that requested this be hand delivered. By you." Blinking a few times, I try to wrap my head around that concept. It doesn't seem right, considering the fact that I doubt anyone even close to the palace knows I exist. We may be the only post shop in this small town, but it's one of many in the Harmony Pack. Why would he chose this one, and why would he decide for me to go? "You must come, no excuses. The regional manager requests it, alone with, well, Alpha Noah. I'll see you here tomorrow at 5 AM. Don't be late," Jeffery tells me, before he rushes back out the door. He has a job to do too. I just stand here, dumbfounded. This is either a joke put together by my co-workers who want to wake me up extra early. Either way, I'm going to have to go if I want to keep my job. In my head on the way home from work, I ran over my job for tomorrow, considering what it might entail. What if I get to meet Alpha Noah? We are delivering it right to him, although I doubt he will have time to deal with us. I'm shamefully excited to see his estate, and the lavish lifestyle he must lead. "Thank you," I murmur to the taxi driver, slipping a few cash on the centre console of his car before getting out onto the street. The brisk air blows against my arms. I should have grabbed a jacket on the way out of work. Someone holds the apartment complex door open for me, which I thank him gently. I take a few steps in, before I realise something is off. I turn around. It's Cian, standing inside my apartment complex. Part of me wanted to scream, but the other part knew he would silence me the moment I did. He stands there, a soft, slight smile on his face. That strange, golden strand hair glistens under the dull lights before it fades into the shadows of his tunic. Unnervingly, I see the outline of toned muscles under the shirt. Those could hurt me. "Good evening, Abella, he comments. My heart rate accelerates to unhealthy levels, my feet stepping behind me, one at a time. What is he doing here? He truly is a stalker, finding me here, where I live. Where I thought I was safe... "Get away from me," I growl. He follows me, hands shoved casually in his pants as if all is well and right in the world. He has something seriously wrong with him. "I'm not here to hurt you." There is no way I'm going to believe him. He may approach me calmly, looking like a friend who wants to have a chat, however, I know better. Who is he, and where did he come from? These are all questions I want to know, but am too scared to ask. I have a feeling the answers aren't what I want to hear. "Why are you stalking me? These cameras will pick up your face and the authorities will find you, I promise you," I tell him. We still walk down the hallway, elevators passing us by that I consider diving into. I'm running out of room, the wall coming up behind me. "Stop running, and I'll stop chasing," he tells me softly, biting the edge of his lip. "It's that simple, my love." I wish he would stop calling me that. My love. "Tell me what you want with me? Do you want to kill me?" I question, my gaze fluttering up to the camera's littering the ceiling. It's debatable how many of those cameras work, but at least one must be catching this. "I promise I have no money. Like no money at all... Not that you look like you need money." Looking at him, his fingers are littering with simple, silver band rings that I would assume are worth more than my entire years wages on one hand. He has come from wealth, clearly, which confuses me all the more. Why am I interesting to him? "Your money doesn't interest me. The lack thereof does. Do you need help?" he asks me. I furrow my brow at him, but shake my head. "That's beside the point. Why are you here?" "Why don't we go out for dinner one night? In a public place until you feel safe. I didn't mean to scare you, you're just so beautiful, I had to get to know you," he tells me earnestly. I'm not sure how truthful he is being, however, his explanation does make me feel a lot better. Maybe he isn't just a creepy stalker. I release some tension from my chest with a breath. "I'm not interested in getting to know anyone yet. I'm so busy with work, and if all goes well I might be getting a promotion soon, so I'm sorry." A muscle in Cian's jaw flinches, but thankfully, he nods, taking a few steps back to give me space. It's a relief, considering I thought he was going to follow me all the way to my apartment. "Good luck with your job then," he says gently. He turns to leave, however, I find myself calling to stop him, as if him accepting my rejection so simply bothered me. Plus, I have one more question that I must ask before he disappears forever. "Are you from the Desire Pack. You look foreign...Almost," I say. Cian turns back to look at me. He takes a suspiciously long time to answer. "Something like that," he breathes. I watch him walk away, ensuring that he is actually leaving before I return to my apartment. I feel less stressed, as if I've gotten rid of a plague in my life. Once I reach my apartment door, I even crack a smile, until I kick something by my door. It's a black duffle bag with golden handles. Looking around, I notice no one is around. Immediately, I know who did this. Cian. Unlocking my door, I drag the bag into the apartment. It's unbelievable heavy, leaving me with no other choice but to pull it along the ground rather than pick it up. It drifts into my mind that I might be unzipping a bag that has a dead body in it. It doesn't smell though, so curiously, I sit down and tug the zipper open. I go slowly at first, part by part, until it pulls back, revealing something green within. Fully pulling it open, I reveal something frankly mortifying. Money. And a lot of it. Plucking a note that sits innocently inside, I look at it. My love, I know this is unexpected, but it has occured to me you have money problems, and rent is due. Please accept this, as I don't doubt you need it. Also, I hope you'll meet me tomorrow night for dinner. I'll be waiting for you outside your apartment. You are truly beautiful. Cian.