The Alpha’s Contract (Taylor West) novel Chapter 53

“Ah, I leaned over you. You don’t like that. Sorry. I won’t do that again. Personal space isn’t one of my strongest areas.”

He takes a seat on one of the worn sofas under the window. His deep green eyes move to the glass in my hand. “Are you planning on using that as a weapon?”

“No…..I….” Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea

“It’s not poison. I am not stupid. I don’t need Dane ripping my guts out. Just water, straight out the water machine.” He points through to what I’m assuming is a kitchen.

I still don't drink it.

“When were you unbound?” Klaus asks randomly

“Huh?”

He points to his ears. “Kind of a giveaway.”

“Not long ago.” I mumble

“It’s a nightmare, right. More the hearing than anything. It makes you feel like your head is going to explode. Do they help?”

“A little. It’s…it’s still loud.”

“It took me at least a year to get used to it.”

“You were bound?” I couldn't keep the surprise out of my voice.

His head bobs up and down.

“Alpha Dane?” I knew how he felt about my binding, I couldn’t imagine him doing it to anyone.

“Hell no. No, I was born into a different pack. I wasn’t what they wanted. ‘Too smart for my own good.’ That's what they would tell me. When I started school, Dane and Eric were the only ones who didn’t bully me. Dane and Eric stuck up for me and brought me back to this pack. Dane has let me live here ever since.”

Alpha Dane had saved him. He had given him a better life.

“You were bound because you were smart?”

“Stupid right, why were you bound?”

“I…” I wasn’t even sure if Alpha Dane wanted me to tell people. “I was set up for killing my parents.” I tell him, at least I could stay away from the whole first born and monster stuff.

“Did it make you feel better?”

“No….I…” I tug my hand free, and come to a halt. I didn’t know how I felt.

With his rough fingers, he tips my chin up, making me look at him. “I thought it would make you feel better, knowing you are not the only one. And Klaus is a good guy, I would rather you didn’t accuse him of poisoning you.”

“I didn’t.”

“You thought about it.”

“I…. You were reading my mind and you still left.” Annoyance was creeping in.

“I was right outside, if Klaus had tried to do something, I would have known.”

I feel my scowl deepen, “You were testing me?”