Chapter 35: Alpha Devoured Me Like His Favorite Wine

Zara

Sparia was an evergreen kingdom, renowned for its roses and rich heritage. It exported its unique roses, available in all colors and sizes, all over the world.

I wondered if that was why Alpha Kane had put a rose on his company logo; the wolf was certainly as far removed from roses as Pluto is from Earth.

We descended the plane’s steps, and a black limousine was waiting for us. The sun was scattering its last rays across the horizon when Olfi held the door for me, and I climbed into the spacious car.

Alpha Kane joined me on the other side, and the car began to move like a silent wolf.

"We’re going to the hotel where I’ve booked a room. You can freshen up and change, and then we’ll go downstairs to have dinner with my guest."

I absorbed all the information Alpha Kane imparted. I was here to play his girlfriend, and that’s all I was going to do.

"Ok," I assured him, hoping he’d calm down, but he remained tense.

I continued to stare out at the street through the tinted glass. The place had a quaint cheerfulness that I saw most places lacking. Modernity combined with rustic charm. The buildings had a rustic feel, with flowering vines climbing them, and their facades were adorned with pots of roses on stands.

Some streets had cobblestone sidewalks, filled with the sounds of children’s laughter as they raced bikes and played with hula hoops.

"How beautiful," I whispered reverently, trying to absorb all the magic that exuded from this place.

"Yes, indeed." It was hard not to notice a note of pride in his voice.

Soon, we pulled up to the hotel he’d booked. The car stopped in front of the three-story, cottage-like hotel, and I got out.

The blue and gold façade gave it a cozy, homey feel. Intricate floral patterns adorned the walls. The lawns on either side were covered in the greenest grass I’d ever seen, and fountains spurted clear water.

The soft golden hue of the light buns accentuated everything.

I stared at him, my jaw dropped, feeling Alpha Kane beside me.

"You can walk around here freely; this is mine." He owned the hotel, so it was understandable why he’d brought me here and not to his pack. The Alpha Kane Sterling pack was here, where his family lived.

I turned to look at him, and he stood next to me like a movie star, examining his treasure. His sleeves were slightly rolled up, revealing his thick arms, with blue veins running down their lengths like aimless rivers.

"Excellent. Perhaps I should change first." I glanced at my clothes.

"Olfi will show you to your room. My guest will be here around eight. So I’ll pick you up at a quarter to eight. We’ll go in together." I nodded understandingly and followed Olfi down the cobbled path lined with rose bushes.

We approached a room with a door painted a dull green. Olfi opened it with a key, and the bellhop brought my luggage.

After making sure I had everything and was comfortable, Olfi said this with all seriousness.

"Ma’am, if you need anything else, let me know." He was as impassive as his boss, but I knew all bodyguards were like that.

"Thank you! Olfi, definitely."

Closing the door, I glanced around the room. Unlike the usual hotels, this one was completely different. The bed didn’t have plain white sheets. Instead, they were silky and decorated with bright flowers. The same went for the walls, which were painted with small floral patterns along the entire length.

The room was equipped with everything I needed, so I wasted no time in making myself presentable in front of his guests.

My makeup was light and natural, but my lipstick was a deep plum. My favorite lipstick shades are rich.

Finally, I adjusted my rose necklace; it fit snugly against my skin, and I really liked this elegant little thing.

Glancing at the pendulum clock, I felt a surge of pride, as I only had two minutes left. Taking my mother’s gold earrings, which she gave me for my 10th birthday, I put them on too.

I just turned around. I was distracted from the mirror and putting on my white shoes when there was a knock at the door.

It must be Alpha Kane; that man was obsessed with time.

Clicking my heels on the floor, I walked to the door and opened it.

His smoky gaze, so subtle, sparkling with wonder, found me, and I caught a slight flicker of surprise on his face.

Alpha Kane’s heated gaze slid very slowly over my body, and he didn’t even try to hide it, letting me know he was examining me.

My cheeks flushed, and my insides clenched with every glance. He devoured me like his favorite wine.

I’ve never been so grateful for the lack of cleavage, because, after all, he’s still my boss, and that would be incredibly awkward.

When he’d had his fill, Alpha Kane glanced at me and extended his hand.

"Go ahead, they’re here."

We stood facing each other, like night and day. He was dressed entirely in black, and I was pearly white, save for the hairpiece that resembled his own.

I took his hand, letting him lead me forward.

His grip was firm, but not painful, and his posture was noticeably relaxed. Alpha Kane’s visibly clenched jaw today seemed chiseled from steel. It spoke of his tension and his desire to make things work.

"Relax! Everything will be fine." I squeezed Alpha’s hand and felt it grow clammy.

I looked at him and immediately looked away, looking straight into his eyes.

We crossed a hallway lined with paintings when, without looking at me, Alpha Kane whispered,

"Smile, as if I said something funny." A classic move, but I followed him when we reached the stairs leading to the dining room.

His gaze flickered to me, noticeably tired, but I smiled at him and asked playfully, trying to distract Alpha.

"Do you know what the buffalo said to the man?"

Alpha Kane paused for a moment as we descended.

"Hello?" His confusion was compounded by the slight smile he tried to force onto his sharp features.

I shook my head in amazement. "No, silly. She just stared silently. Buffalo can’t talk, remember?"

Alpha Kane’s lips twitched genuinely, and he finally smiled; the tension eased a bit as we descended the stairs.

What a beautiful smile he had, softening the granite features of his face. He seemed boyish, almost sweet.

Turning my gaze from his handsome face, I focused on the seven well-suited people seated around the white wooden table.

***