CHAPTER FORTY SIX
ROXANNE
It's been three whole days since the Alpha last talked to me or visited me and I felt like I was losing my sanity. Or maybe, I've already lost it.
I was too grown– I was too old to be grounded but this asshole wasn't getting it. I hated that I had to be locked up like a twelve year old and I couldn't even take a walk in the pack house. All I did was bathe and eat and stay in my room, staring out the window till it was dark and I had to fall asleep again.
I didn't like being confined in Red Moon. It was never quiet. I liked solace but not in these sorts of places. I grabbed a glass vase and flung it across the room but it just rolled away.
I hope you didn't think it was glass. I didn't dare break anything in the Alpha’s house. It cost a fortune and even if I was sold, I would never be enough to get it back. So whenever I was mad about something, I would reach for the plastic items and fling it– No damage plus aggression successfully transferred.
I barely saw anyone. No one came to my door, even the meals were passed through a cat flap and it was so annoying. I wasn't even a damn animal but these people were gutsy.
A knock at my door interrupted my thoughts and I paused. No one had come to my door in days. Could it be Ryker?
I hastily got on my feet and pushed back my hair. I looked like a mess. Hot mess to be specific.
I hastily opened the door and I wouldn't lie when I said my smile disappeared when I saw Beta Miles. And my emotions are something I can't hide. He must've noticed my disappointment because he said. “I'm sorry if you were expecting someone else.”
“No, no. It's fine,” I replied hastily.
He looked me over, “Are you sure?”
I nodded, “Yeah I am. It's good to see you, I was almost dying from talking to my furniture.”
“Huh,” He said in disbelief. “You're joking, aren't you?”
I shook my head. “Of course I'm not, Beta Miles. I named them yesterday. I had too much time on my hand so don't blame me.”
He stifled back a laugh. “Oh no I don't.”
I sighed deeply. “It's terrible in here. I can't even breathe.”
He looked me over. “How are you? I heard you've been grounded.”
“Stop,” I said, nudging him in the ribs. “Don't say it like that. It makes me feel like a child.”
He chuckled. “I'm sorry.”
That was when I noticed his outfit. He looked different. He wasn't wearing his Beta costume but a really nice outfit and his hair was well slicked to the back.
“If this is a new look,” I said with a smile, “Then I love it.”
“It's nice, yeah?” He asked nervously.
“Sweetie, you look amazing.”
“I wish I could say the same about you but you look terrible,” he said then paused. “No hard feelings though.”
“I'm not offended,” I said grinning. “But thank you though.”
“It's my mate's birthday today so I'm going to take her to someplace with a few friends. Wish you weren't caged though.”
“I wouldn't have gone, Beta Miles,” I said matter of factly. “I do not like Selina ,remember.”
He nodded and went punk in the neck. Was he blushing from shame? “I would rather slurp pigs shit than attend the party.”
He burst out laughing. “I can bet the grounding is responsible for all of this. I mean, what's with pig shit and a party?”
“I need you to understand the depth of this whole thing. Anyway, you're an amazing person Beta Miles and happy birthday to her, or not.”
“Before I leave, is there anything I can get you?”
“Books. I would be so grateful,” I said.
***
Beta Miles didn't disappoint me when I said books. In thirty minutes, he was back with books, five of them and a woman.
“These are books. I know you'll hate me but I mixed them up with romance. You know, get to know a little love here.”
“I could get us a ring, right now,” I said and smiled gratefully at him.
“It's fine, I'll be on my way and Portia here, will take care of the rest.”
“Have a lovely time and kick your wife in the butt for me,” I whispered in his ear.
“Ha! I'm not the only one who wants to do that,” Portia said and grinned at me. “I could be a volunteer though.”
Beta Miles dismissed us before walking off, leaving me to Portia. I stared at her.
“Hi I'm Portia and you look terrible.”
“I'm Roxanne,” I said.
She smiled and stretched out a tray. “I brought food and work tools. You really look like you could make use of a makeover.”
I grinned and collected the food tray from her. “Finally, a proper food brought to me by a proper person.”
She walked in and I slowly closed the door. “So are you leaving after dropping the food or—”
“I guess so,” she said. “Except you could make do with some company but in return, I must fix up this whole messy appearance for you.”
I sighed and stared at my reflection. I did look terrible and I hadn't taken a shower for the day. Like I said, I wasn't a morning person so no judgments.
“Fine,” I said. “We have a deal.”
***
It was a pity only six of fifteen books were actually good. I was going to murder Beta Miles for recommending sock as romance books. This was one of the reasons I detested romance and I'm sorry, not sorry but I consider people who read romance books, funny people.
“Tell me why the hell she's weak,” I said to myself as I threw the book across the room. “Do you think every girl needs to be like that– weak?”
Portion sighed as she cleaned my nails. “That's what society thinks. They portray women as these weak creatures that they could easily prey on.”
“What I hate the most, is how these books don't change. I mean, women do need men. That's how it works, that's how we live. We werewolves also need our mate. But the storyline is always the same,” I said. “She's always the weak female lead who needs a man to save her or pull her out of her shell. It's pathetic.”
“That's what makes the female gender attractive to them I think.”
“The fact that they like us dumb or the fact that they know some of us are just stupid?”
Portia giggled. “You sound really pissed.”
“I am,” I admitted.
I didn't know if I was pissed at the books or I was pissed that I missed Ryker but I had to stay mad at him.
“Portia,” I said. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure,” she said with a smile.
I snatched my leg and stared at her. “Has the Alpha ever fallen in love or you know, found his mate?”
“Seems like someone is in love with the Alpha eh?”
I shrugged. “I don't care about him. I'm just wondering, you know.”
“He's never had a mate nor has he been in a romantic relationship and it's such a shame because he's so hot.”
I chuckled, “yeah I think so too.”
“Of course,” Portia said. “She spilled the milk.”
“No, no,” I protested. “That's not true, but still I mean yeah, he's hot.”
“Sweetie,” Portia said and tapped me on the shoulder. “You're too young to get your heart fucked. Alpha Ryker is the type of man who can love you and still get you killed.”
I nodded and kissed her on the cheek. “You've been amazing. Thank you, our nail job is done.”
“We're not even halfway through,” she said. “It was paid for.”
“That's great. You get to keep the money and save yourself the stress,” I said, grinning widely. “You can take the tray with you on your way out.”
Her eyes lit up like a kid on their birthday, “so the rest if the pancakes is mine?”
“Yeah, thanks for your time,” I said and ushered her out.
“Thanks for the free food. I'll love to work with you again.”
“Portia,” I called. “The pancakes, not the cranberry juice.”
“Oh,” she said, pausing to take a sip before handing the cup back to me. “I'm sorry but this tastes so good.”
I smiled and collected the cup from her, before shutting the door behind me. I was probably going to spend the rest of my day re-reading those dumb ass books and then sleeping. Rather than miss Ryker, I was going to eat grapes and drink wine.
But it wasn't my fault. I would never admit to being in the wrong.
I laid back in bed and stared at the ceiling. I didn't like Ryker but I felt relieved to know he had never been in love. I swatted my hands around the bed till I found the dumbass book I had been reading, minutes ago.
I opened the first page when I heard a knock at my door. Now who was it again?
I dragged myself out of my bed and slowly opened the door.
“What do you want?” I ask in frustration.
Fabiola, one of the maids, stood outside my door, she bowed when she saw me. “I'm sorry to have interrupted you ma'am. I have something to give to you.”
I furrow my brows, “And what's that?”
“A letter,” she muttered softly. “From the Alpha.”