THE ALPHA’S ADDICTION

The chairs around the tables were occupied, except for three, certainly more than it used to be, three years ago. Yes, that was when her mother had come and taken her away from the orphanage.

At first, it had been a bit rough relating with her and the others in the new community, away from her friends in the orphanage, even though she had still attended her old school, but when she had told her the reasons why she had left her in the orphanage home, for her protection, she had come to accept her bit by bit, the community too. But they usually ate alone in the large dining table. Not with others.

Ordinarily, Freya was an introvert. She avoided public places as much as possible, preferring not to have to worry about shielding herself from unwanted emotions, especially since after that night.

She took a deep breath and walked in, her hand clasped with Yodah’s.

Kyran looked up with a welcoming smile, stood, as if waiting for her to join the group at the table. He had also reserved a chair for her.

She made herself smile back at him, unaware of the way she looked, innocent, sexy, completely unattainable. She crossed the room, greeted her mother with a peck, whose eyes ran from her to her hand clasped in Yodah’s. She felt him squirm, and bit back a laugh.

She fixed a barren smile on her lips as her mother introduced her to the others on the table.

She tried not to let her alarm show on her face, not bothering to memorize their names or faces. She knew her picture had been plastered all over the newspapers and even on television during the investigation of the last killer. She didn’t want to be recognized, didn’t want to relive the horrible nightmare of the man’s twisted and depraved mind. There would be no discussion of such a hideous thing here. Her mother wouldn’t allow it. And also, Yodah’s brothers had erased everything from the media with their power and influence.

But still… she didn’t want anyone here to recognize her.

“Sit here, Freya.” Kyran said, and graciously pulled out a high-backed chair for her.

Carefully avoiding skin contact, She allowed herself to be seated, allowed Yodah to break his hands away from her and take a seat almost opposite her. It was like her mother had planned to seperate them both. Or was it all Kyran?

Too bad for him then. He was backing up against the wrong tree.

It was hell to be so close to so many people. As a child she had been overwhelmed by the bombardment of emotions around her. She had nearly gone insane when she had discovered that she was different until she had learned to protect herself, to build a shield, since no one had been there to guide her. It worked unless the pain or distress was too concentrated, or if she was in the presence of a very sick and evil mind.

Right now, with conversation flowing all around her and everyone seemingly having a good time, Freya was experiencing classic signs of overload. She couldn’t possibly eat a thing.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

“Breathe Freya. Your mother is watching.” She heard Yodah say through the mind path.

As she was half of his kind, she could communicate with him too.

She nodded absentmindedly, before picking up her fork.

“Are you okay? Freya.. ” She heard her mother ask after some beats.

“Yes mother.” She replied, forcefully eating and swallowing down the macaroni.

“Okay, eat up fast, and return back to bed. You look tired. Didn’t you nap well?” Leonarya asked, scrutinizing her daughter well. She had a feeling that something was off with her.

“I did. I guess it’s just the jet lag. I need more sleep.” She said, shrinking a bit as she felt Kyran brush his hand against hers.

He dropped a chump of meat on her plate.

“Yeah, you really do. Eat up.” He said, and she nodded stiffly before glancing at Yodah who smirked at her, before shrugging, noting her uncomfortability.

“Mother, can I go for a walk outside the community? I just want to check out the forest.” She implored, meeting the gaze of Leonarya who furrowed her eyebrows at her request.

“I won’t be going alone. Yodah will accompany me. He is a good guard.” She said, a small smile touching her lips as she felt Yodah muse and cuss at her in her mind.

“No, I wouldn’t allow that. It is not safe.” Leonarya said in finality, before returning to her food. She can’t risk the girl to be caught at this time. It was enough that she came back at a wrong hour.

“But Mother…” Freya tried pleading, but Leonarya was having none of it.

“Shut your mouth and eat, or you go back to your room.” She ordered, holding her fork tightly as she watched her daughter’s nostrils flare.

She knew she shouldn’t have talked to her that way. The kid was angry.

“I will go with them, my Queen. I will keep her safe.” Kyran said, placing his palm on Freya’s thigh, unaware of her eyes that went wide at his act, and the distress which that one touch had caused.

***

Aiden was skimming through a history book.

And as he lifted his head to remember something, the first wave of her distress hit him.

Freya.

He had unconsciously been seeking contact with her, touching her mind gently to assure himself that she was still with him. Alert now, he kept the book on the shelf and sought her.

He opened his mind, focused on the thread and followed it. It had been years – his skills were rusty – but he could still “see” when he wanted.

Freya was seated at a table with Leonarya, and other witches. He also saw the one she had called her friend. He was shocked when he saw that the fledgling was the younger brother to his two old friends. He mused as he ruminated on their younger days. Where were they now? The guy had a lot of questions to answer when they finally met.

Outwardly, his lifemate looked beautiful, serene. But he knew better. He could feel her confusion, the unrelenting pain in her head, her desire to leap up and run away from the table. He could feel her disgust. But for who?

Her eyes, brilliant sapphires, were haunted, shadows in the paleness of her face. Strain. It amazed him how strong she was. There was no telepathic spillage, no way for anyone with telepathic ability other than he, or her best friend, to tell she was in distress. He could see the fledging controlling his anger. But for what?

And then he saw the man beside her lean forward, look into her eyes, raw longing on his face, desire in his eyes.

“I will come with you. The vampire won’t be needed.” He suggested, and his hand moved from her thigh to rest just above her knee.

Aiden saw red.