6
I lied beneath the blankets for a while staring up at the ceiling seeming lost. What was I to do? I felt so closed off. So of course, I called my mom for guidance
"Honey, I know you don't like the circumstances you have found yourself in, but he doesn't seem like a bad guy." she said.
"Yeah well you aren't in my position." I replied.
"You put yourself in this position. We told you that group could be trouble, but you insisted on being involved. And in the end you ended up finding your soul mate and in a handsome Hispanic attorney." she said. I winced shaking my head some.
"What does him being Hispanic have to do with anything?" I asked.
"Hispanic men are really nice. I dated a few Hispanic men before your father, and I reconnected, and I found out he was my alpha." she explained.
"I don't want to have to give my life up for anyone." I said lowly.
"No one is saying you have to. He doesn't seem to want you to give up your life for him." she said.
"And how would you know?" I asked.
"Because believe it or not every alpha is different. I have met alphas who seem like dictators in their own homes and I have also met alphas who worship the ground their betas walk on. Your alpha is a good man, a man who seems good at his job and holds himself to a high standard as we have always held you to one. Maybe you should stop being angry at how you two met and try to actually get to know him. See what he likes how he got to where he is today. He's handsome and charming and I can tell he really likes you." she explained.
"Because his genes tell him he is." I told.
"And that's a bad thing? I think if you can get out from that cult's spell, then you may be able to be happy again. Be thankful that he got you out of jail with a clean record. I am thankful for that. From how he dresses, I know he lives in a nice neighborhood and fancy house, and he seems willing to share the life he made for himself with you." she said kindly. I looked away hating that she sounded right.
"It's just all so new to me." I replied.
"Of course, it is. Dating isn't the same anymore where two people meet and can just talk to see if they're compatible." she said. My eyes filled with interest now.
"People used to date like that?" I asked.
"Very long ago honey. Now alphas and betas exist because betas are chosen to probably produce the best offspring for certain alphas." she said. That didn't help.
"Are there people out there who aren't alphas or betas?" I asked.
"If there are, we will never know." she replied. "But there probably are alphas out there who never find their betas leaving the betas open to be with whoever they want to be."
"Then they're the lucky ones." I muttered.
"Which one, the betas or the alphas?" she asked. Honestly, I didn't even know the answer to that. Everyone was a servant to everyone it seemed. "I'm going to bed honey. Good night. Love you." I continued staring at the ceiling.
"Love you." I replied and hung up. I curled up in the comfortable blanket just getting lost in my own mind. I really never did think of Rafael and how he was trapped basically with me, a stranger he didn't know. However, his feelings tell him he's happy and that he has someone to call his own. Why don't I get to have those feelings? Maybe I would be happy if somehow my mind changed and told me I cared for him. I would never even know any feelings before I met him. If only I could be so lucky. I let my mind carry me to sleep and just as quick as I fell asleep, the sun began to rise. I slowly rolled onto my back and stared at this unfamiliar place. I closed my eyes wishing to go back to sleep, but I'm an early riser. I had to get my day started. I removed my scarf and tied it back. I moved to my… dresser and was thankful I put everything away. I pulled on some work out leggings, my sports bra and a tank top before moving to put my socks and shoes on. I grabbed my hoody and walked out of my room. I looked down the unfamiliar hall and then bac toward his bed room.
I could just leave I could go for my jog and then come back. But then that would lead to an argument and I didn't want to argue. The happy look on his face when I told him he could come with me played on my face and I just sighed and crossed my arms. Well it's not like I have a key to lock up anyways. I would never be so petty or irresponsible that I would leave someone's house and leave their door unlocked no matter what neighborhood I was in. I needed to get a move on, so I had time for breakfast. Believe it or not I kept a strict schedule for my mornings. I moved over to his door and just remembered what my mother said. Just try. I knocked gently on his door. I could hear light snoring coming from inside. I knocked again thinking of knocking harder but now I kind of didn't want to wake him up if he was sleeping hard.
I looked down at the door knob remembering he wanted me to hit him to wake him up. So he wanted me to go in. I slowly opened the door and moved into his room. It was completely dark, yet I could see the silhouette of everything inside due to the sun light trying to pour in from behind his dark curtains. I saw Rafael's back and just moved up to him not caring if I made any noise. Maybe he would wake up from hearing someone in his room. But no he didn't stir at all. So I just moved over to his curtains and just pulled them open. The room brightened with sun and Rafael's eyes suddenly tightened as he groaned.
"What the hell!" he muttered turning on the opposite side now. I couldn't help but smirk and move over to the end of his bed.
"I felt this was better then hitting you awake." I replied casually. Rafael groaned more and looked around squinting.
"What time is it?" he asked raggedly.
"Almost seven." I responded tucking my hands in my pockets. He reached for his phone and confirmed my words before groaning. I rolled my eyes and he glanced at me.
"Wow… you look good." he said blinking the sleep from his eyes. I just gave a polite nod.
"Thanks. Look you don't have to come with me. If you really want to stay in and sleep you can. It's no big deal. I'll come back." I told. He looked at me with a look of anxiousness.
"Will you though?" he asked. I kept my hands tucked into my pockets as I felt myself withdrawing from him already this morning.
"Yes." I replied.
"Did you even want me to go last night?" he asked lightly, and I just shrugged.
"I've always been a solo person when it came to the gym on campus. But it couldn't hurt to have a jogging partner when it came to running outside. People are crazy and I never want to put myself in a victimizing position." I replied looking at my feet now. I wondered what he would say. Maybe I could let him make us breakfast or something so we could eat when I got back.
"Then I will go with you. It's smart to run in pairs." he said getting up out of the bed. Thank god he was wearing his boxers and a t-shirt. "But you'll have to take it easy on me though and not run too fast. I am an old man." He was moving to his bathroom and I just looked away biting my bottom lip some.
"Yeah, forty-three isn't that old." I said glancing over at him now. He paused in the door way and glanced back at me with a warm look. I just stared at him wondering why he was looking at me like that. "Well come on, hurry up." He smirked now.
"Whatever the lady wants." he said and moved into the bathroom.
"I'll be waiting at the door." I merely replied before leaving his room.
Rafael's POV
Why were there so many butterflies flying around in my stomach? Was I that excited to just go on a run with her? Yeah because I don't run. But just seeing her in her outfit ready to work out got me wanting to work out too. She didn't look at me with the usual scowl she was trying to force on her face every time I looked at her. I knew she was talking with her mom last night, and to give her the privacy she deserved I didn't eavesdrop. I was still hitting myself unable to believe I went to her room with the intent of having sex with her. Stupid man!
She didn't want me sexually and I felt my heart drop. It was understandable, but it still didn't hurt any less. But this morning, she looked at me with less anger. She seemed genuinely calm and I could tell she didn't want to fight or argue about anything and neither did I. I argue enough in the courtroom and with the detectives. The last person I wanted to argue with was my beta. Lord I was going to make a fool out of myself running, but maybe she'll take pity on me. Maybe me being out of shape would make her laugh. Her legs look strong. God I can only imagine how it would feel to have her legs around my hips while I'm on top- Jesus no. Stop!
"Come on man don't ruin this on day two!" I said to myself.
"Rafael are you ready?" she called out loudly. My eyes fluttered close for a second. To hear say my name, god she sounded beautiful.
"Yes, coming mi amor." I whispered before clearing my throat. "Yeah just a second!"
Amara's POV
Rafael was completely out of shape that much I deduced after five minutes of running. We were keeping it in the neighborhood. Many others were jogging as well and didn't think too much of us when we passed them. I was hardly pushing myself, since I had kept a slow pace in order to not lose him. Half of me was wondering why I didn't just leave him behind. Because he wasn't complaining just jogging… slowly.
"As you can *pant pant* probably tell *pant pant* I am totally out of shape." he said. I slowed us down to a brisk walk and looked at him sympathetically.
"I hardly noticed." I commented. He smirked and panted more as we just walked casually.
"Well maybe you can get me back into shape." he said. I glanced at him looking me over.
"Yeah if you can take it." I replied not really trying to challenge him. I honestly didn't think he was serious. He nodded quickly.
"I can. I'm sure of it." he said. I just nodded and looked ahead continuing our brisk walk. "You've always liked exercising?" I knew he was making small talk and I wasn't sure if I really wanted him to know my interests, but what could it hurt.
"Not always. I used to hate it as a kid, but I got into fitness as I got older. Just mild work outs." I replied. I didn't want to talk more, but he wasn't going anywhere. "What about you… got any hobbies?" He grinned.
"I like skiing and getting together with friends on their yachts." he said. I nodded slowly.
"Ah rich important people?" I asked. He motioned his head back and forth.
"Yeah sometimes…" he replied. I gave him a smirk of disbelief.
"You don't own a yacht unless you are rich or important." I said. He chuckled dryly.
"You caught me. I just didn't want to sound like some stuck-up rich asshole." he said.
"Well even stuck up rich assholes are allowed hobbies." I teased.
"Would you believe I wasn't always rich- or well off?" he asked. I looked him over wondering if I would believe that.
"You're stand offish, but you're not entitled. So yeah I believe it." I replied. He arched a brow smiling.
"Why thank you." He teased. I just looked away and smiled. He suddenly looked down at his pants pockets and pulled out his phone. He winced and slowed down. "It's work." I nodded and we paused our walk as he turned and walked only two steps from me to answer the phone.
"Hello…Okay. Fine fine. I will be there. Yeah Goodbye." he said and hung up the phone before wincing at me.
"What's the matter?" I asked.
"A case with AntiDom. The Detectives aressted someone, and we are trying to get him to talk. He is involved with assault on an alpha." he said. I slowly nodded.
"You are needed then." I replied. "Go. I'll be good by myself." He shook his head.
"Actually, you could help me now as part of our agreement." he said gauging my reaction. I tensed now and looked away before nodding.
"Alright." I replied and turned and began to walk back to the direction of his house. He was at my side immediately taking hold of my forearm lightly.
"Look after today, you wont' have anything to do with AntiDom." he said. I looked at him confused.
"I thought you wanted me tell you everything I knew of them?" I said.
"I did, but I realized that using you to help us catch them could be putting you in danger with them." he explained.
"They've never been threatening to me before." I said.
"Yes, because they saw you as one of them. If they find out, you have an alpha and that you are living with me it won't take long for them to see you as an enemy." he said. I winced at his words and looked down in sadness.
"Let's just get back to your place and get this over with." I said. He nodded and followed after me.
