Alpha Nox by Jane Doe novel Chapter 5

Beneath my hands, Nox’s muscles went taut. The way his eyes widened with bittersweet realization was better than I could’ve ever imagined—the drug of all drugs.

If I could bottle it, I’d make a fortune. There had to be millions of poor souls out there who had been wronged, salivating for revenge just as I was.

Oh, I was going to savor this.

“Lilac? You’re here? You’re alive? You’re my…” Nox sputtered.

Waves of icy blue splashed against the barrier of his eyes, the spray carrying hints of shock, horror, and something I might’ve compared to joy if I cared enough to analyze it further.

“Your mate. I’m your mate.” I said slowly, dragging my tongue along each word as though it were the sweetest of songs.

Around us, couples danced. They spun and twirled to the squeal of a violin, yet their eyes remained on us. Nox didn’t notice, though. How could he when he was too busy gaping at me like a corpse that had crawled from it’s grave?

Suddenly, the sharp slashes that were his brows fell downward, and the waves in his eyes evaporated, leaving an ocean that was eerily calm. As a young teen, I’d memorized every expression that beautiful face of his had made. I was surprised to realize that I remembered his tells, though it was different seeing it on his face four years later.

“The dance is almost over. Leave with me. My father is going to want to speak with you.”

Ah, there it was. I had waged a bet with myself earlier, wondering how quickly Nox would try to order me around—as if I were his to command. Pleasure rushed through me, even better than the pitiful orgasm’s I’d managed to give myself over the years, at the mere thought of disobeying him.

His eyes moved from my face to survey the crowd, and while it might’ve not looked like much, the simple action made my blood boil. The mate of the grand Alpha Nox Griffin was none other than Lilac Einar, the banished murderer.

The asshole was looking around to make sure no one recognized me.

“Mm, I think I’m fine where I am.” I hummed.

A flash of irritation sparkled in his eyes, tightening the muscles along his jawline. Biting back the urge to snicker, I batted my eyelashes innocently. The hand that was on my waist tightened ever so slightly, enough to keep me from slipping away. As he moved, I followed.

Nox led the two of us into the hall, past the voyeuristic eyes and ears that were undoubtedly listening.

“I need to speak with you in private, Lilac. This isn’t negotiable.”

Seeing the man Nox had become was fascinating. Within him was traces of his father, which I picked out with the barest of effort. His voice had deepened exponentially, thick like honey with a raspy edge that reminded me of tree bark.

He was gorgeous, standing there in his all-black suit, but even his god-like looks couldn’t deter me from my mission—from what I was owed.

“You don’t get to command me, Nox. Not now, not ever.”

My voice was the softest of silk, slithering over his shoulders and around his neck, captivating as it tied itself into a noose. I made a show of yawning, patting my hand over my glossy lips.

“You know, I’m actually a bit tired. I think I’m going to head back to the hotel and get some shut eye.”

Nox lunged with his hand extended, but I predicted the move long before he pulled me into the hall. His speed was impressive, though. Everything I expected an Alpha’s to be, but it would never be enough to keep me in place.

I avoided his touch easily, gliding out of the way as though my body itself had melted into a stream of crystal-clear water.

Those eyes of his lingered on my back. His surprise felt similar to the adrenaline coursing through my veins, consuming and horribly addictive.

Not once did I look back, though I did toss two carefully crafted words over my shoulder.

“Goodnight, Nox.”

The plan Delphine and I had come up with didn’t entail me leaving the party so soon. I wasn’t supposed to be due back for another hour, which meant the maid that snuck me out wouldn’t know to meet me at the back door on the ground level.

I had no intention on waiting an entire hour outside in this gown, which meant I had to get creative.

Scaling the building wasn’t nearly as terrifying as it seemed, and actually proved to be an incredible source of exercise. The ledges beneath each window were the perfect footholds to keep me in place, along with the rough brick exterior.

Sweat clung to my back and arms, but I didn’t have to worry about overheating. My gown was slung over my shoulder, the lace tickling my nose as I climbed to the third floor.

It wasn’t ideal, climbing in nothing more than a bra and panties, but it sure beat lingering outside.

Finding the window to our hotel room was easy considering Hakeem had spent the entire day in bed watching reality television. The curtains were drawn back, giving me a clear view inside the room.

Gritting my teeth, I used what upper body strength I had to pull myself further onto the ledge, enough to raise my fist and knock on the window.

Hakeem’s head popped up, swiveling towards the window. His lips popped open with surprise, and I swore even with the sheet of glass between us, that I could hear the sound they made.

I couldn’t help the mad grin that spread across my face, making my muscles ache.

He slid the window open and stepped back, giving me room to pull myself inside. I landed in a heap on my dress, my muscles burning as I pushed myself off the floor and onto my wobbly legs.

“That was kind of fun.”

Hakeem looked me up and down, taking me in from my feet to the mess of curls on my head. Typically, anyone who gawked at me in my underwear would get a fist in their teeth, but there was something about Hakeem that made this moment different. I didn’t get the sensation that he was undressing me with my eyes or lingering anywhere he shouldn’t. If anything, I had the strongest feeling he was taking me in, analyzing the way I looked as he tried to piece together how I’d gotten this way.

“You’re insane, you know that?” He said, folding his arms over his chest.