Megan's POV
To bring us to his target as quickly as possible, his long legs made giant, substantial leaps. He softly drew me along with him as his long fingers entwined with mine. His hands were enormous and robust but kind as they grasped mine. They virtually devoured me. Alpha kept me close while watching for potential threats in every way.
The road to his home eventually became familiar to me. The area outside his house was where his fragrance remained the longest, identifying his residence and delineating his domain. He had me enter first, then closed the door behind us. It was different this time. He gently let go of my hand, secured the door, and rapidly went around his big house, securing every window and door. I follow him in silence. I tried to close an open window to assist him, but he stopped me.
You've been harmed. He groaned before bolting the window closed and closing it. It would be best if you didn't aggravate the situation more.
He lifted my hand again and escorted me upstairs after shutting all the doors. I was startled as another piercing scream shook the darkness and caused me to lose my balance, almost falling. Quickly catching me, Alpha scooped me up and held me close to his chest. He pushed the door to his bedroom open as he walked down the hall. His aroma of cedar and pine permeated the whole space. His bed was unmade and disorganized, I saw. A body pillow was parallel to the bed, almost as if he were lying on it, and a blanket was partially on the floor.
I had never been inside the locked door that Alpha brought us to. It was significantly bigger than my childhood room in the bathroom. It included an oversized walk-in shower and bathtub. The whole space had been carefully cleaned. The sinks were not lined. There was no body wash or shampoo in the shower or tub. The room was immaculate throughout.
When Alpha moved ahead and turned the knobs, water started to fill the bath. He stopped the water from draining by reaching down and plugging the drain. He got up again and unlocked random cupboards and drawers, removing bottles, towels, washcloths, and toothbrushes.
I'll return immediately. He spoke to me before leaving the room. The heat from the bath caused the mirror to start to fog up. I could see a hazy form of myself when I looked at it. Her hair had knots and was oily. She had a covering of grime and filth on her skin. Blood had crusted on her hand and arm and coated her garments in crimson. My features were considerably sharper and slimmer than the previous time I had seen myself, and my hair had grown so long. I then shifted my gaze. I hoped there was just one thing that would ever bring my father and me together. His eyes were filled with hatred and anger, while mine were filled with dread, and tears were streaming down my face. To honor my mother's memory, I longed to be someone she was not—kind like everyone claimed she was.
Alpha reentered the space. He was clutching what seemed to be his shirt and boxers since they smelled just like him. One pair of women's underwear was on the clothes heap. He placed the dress on the counter after catching my attention and changed his balance.
"Blaire told me your size because she had previously given you clothing," His cheeks were flushed with crimson, and I-uh purchased you some personal clothing so you wouldn't need to continue wearing hers.
I mumbled, "Thank you. He wasn't required to spend money on me. I seldom need any clothes since I spend more time in wolf form than in flesh.
"It's not a problem." To prevent the water from overflowing, he stepped back over to the bath after clearing his throat. Do you find this to be excessively hot? He enquired. Does he allow me to use the hot water? I felt the warmth of the water touch my skin as I moved my hands over the surface.
No, everything is fine. I fix my sight on the inviting ocean. I had never experienced such total luxury in such an introductory manner.
"All right, I'll get out of your path. Take your time, and feel free to use whatever tools you choose. Call out to me if you need anything at all. The bedroom is where I'll be. He responded by locking the door behind him so I could remain private after I nodded to him to show that I understood.
I divested myself of the bloodied garments while avoiding the mirror. My body felt warm as I sat down in the water and entered. To make sure I could get to the towels and bottles, Alpha had placed them on the bath's edge. I grabbed the shampoo, put the tiniest bit into my hand, and started vigorously combing my hair. I ducked down and shook my hair to get the wash bubbles out. I next similarly applied the treatments, but just to the ends of my hair. I gently cleaned my arms and legs in the vicinity of my wounds, and the water had become brown with a tint of pink.
I knew it was time to go when my fingers began to wrinkle. When I disconnected the drain, water started to flow down it and swirl around gently. I grab a towel and rapidly dry off, ensuring no water is left on the floor. The shirt reached my thighs when I slipped it on. The boxers were too large, so I had to roll the band down repeatedly. He was so big his garments practically engulfed me. I cleaned my teeth with the brand-new toothbrush next to the sink. I hadn't washed my gums in a while, and they were slightly bloody. My undoubtedly soiled clothing was on the floor when I picked them up and folded them.
I finished my work and exited the room, shutting off the light. Alpha was curled up against the headboard while lying in bed. His TV was turned on and at a modest volume. As I entered the room, his eyes caught mine right away. Under his glare, I felt... strange. I wasn't sure whether I should enjoy it, but it wasn't horrible. He swiftly exited bed when his gaze widened and shifted from my face to my body.
I said, "Come on." He guided me back to the restroom while gently pressing my back. I was surprised when he took me up and set me on the counter so we could see one other. He brought a box marked with a red cross from the cupboard to my right and underneath me. Confounded, I turned my head in his direction.
"Why-?"
"You're bleeding yet again." I immediately saw that my foot and my arm were both bleeding. The cuts were stinging, but I wasn't disturbed by it.
I'm very sorry. I bowed my head in regret. He went away and came back, his bare feet tapping on the tile floor. With a focused expression, he lifted my head and wiped a warm towel over my face.
It's OK. You are not to blame. I'm not angry with you. He assured me. You have dirt on your face that you overlooked. He grinned at me briefly. He started working on my arms and feet when I didn't answer. Even though they would heal quickly, he applied bandages and grabbed a pair of tweezers to remove the embedded glass from my flesh. I jumped down from the counter as he left once again.
"Fine, have a seat on the bed. I'll go in a moment. He remarked as he dug about in his drawers. I did as instructed and waited on the edge of the bed till he emerged. My gaze turned to the television. There were dancing and singing animals and talking lions in this concert or movie about becoming a king. I cocked my head and wrinkled my nose. This was what?
You've never seen The Lion King. I gasped in terror. He entered the room again, but I was unaware of it.
"No," I said incoherently. I didn't watch a lot of TV. I assumed he would give it to me when I saw a brush in his hand. He sat behind me and untangled it for me as I stood up. Taking care not to pull or tug it too much, he carefully made his way up from the bottom. He went through my hair with his fingertips. His fingertips lightly stroked the back of my neck, sending tingles down my spine.
It's "so soft." He was whispering, which I overheard. I rose and began to withdraw slowly.
I questioned, "Where should I sleep?"
"Here. That is, of course, if it's acceptable. Although I knew I wouldn't be getting any sleep tonight, I dozed. I intended to snuggle up in the corner once again and keep an eye on the entrance. I watched as he took the extra blanket from the foot of the bed and tossed a pillow on the floor.
The question "What are you doing?" I mutely enquired. I would most likely be sleeping there.
The act of "making my bed." The color returned to his cheeks as he touched the back of his neck. "My wolf is still a little uneasy, and I don't want to leave you just yet."
I'll stay awake on the floor. He shook his head right away.
"No. You take the bed, not me. I'm going to sleep on the floor.
But this is your room. It is improper for you to sleep on the floor.
I don't want to put you in a bad mood. He slowed down.
It's okay, I muttered. In any case, I was going to transfer to the floor. He picked up the pillow from the floor and returned it to the bed. He slid in, pulled aside the cover and sheets, and patted the bed next to him to invite me to join him. I moved gently. Underneath me, the ground was soft, the blanket thick and warm and scented with Alpha. The light was then shut off, leaving the room pitch black as he rolled over. My TV and our slow breathing were the only noises in the room.
I'm sorry it's so silent. He spoke while increasing the volume. "I wanted to hear from you if you needed me."
I waited a few seconds, then said, "Thank you, Alpha.
"Please." He was about to plead. Don't call me that, please. Ask for Jason.
I maintained my silence while regulating my breathing so he would believe I had slept off. He twisted to the side. As he exhaled, I felt his warm breath on my neck. I hung on. I kept listening until he started to breathe evenly and let out a steady, gentle snore. I climbed out of the cozy bed slowly and crept over to my corner. I watched as the red-haired lion was let go down the cliff by the black-haired lion while I curled up into a ball. A more miniature lion screamed and sobbed as he cried out to his father. My heart was broken.
My head was resting on the wall. His calm snores and slow breaths could be heard, lulling me to sleep.