(Alnilam)
From the moment I set my eyes on Amaia, I didn't trust her. She is cunning, secretive and ambitious. That's what I have gathered from the short first meeting with her, when I found her kissing Huradis.
I have seen and dealt with scumbags all my life, and Huradis is a different breed; he tops them all.
How can a woman fall so low as to offer herself to him to gain favour, especially regarding the joining of our prestigious institute?
If I didn't have a hunch that she had indeed been the one to kill the Barzaker I would have left her right then and there.
But I had asked the man who was selling the head of the Barzaker and he had given me the description of Amaia. It matched when I finally saw her.
With black hair that holds a streak of silverish-gold as if the moon goddess has partially blessed her she possesses an intense pair of pitch black eyes.
But it's her scent that baffles me. It's faint, so faint like the whispers of butterfly wings. I can't even detect it.
Intriguing, something is exciting about this woman. Like a siren calling sailors to their deaths, she has a natural pull which I can only imagine men can't resist.
I feel it, down in my bones, compelling me towards her like no woman has ever done.
Even though she isn't my mate, my wolf, Snow, doesn't sense that, or he would be ferociously howling in my head.
Strangely he stirs inside me, watching her, purring inside me to get closer to her. To take her away from this dangerous place.
A protector, he acts like.
Never has he shown even an ant-sized interest in any woman.
Not only my wolf, but the ancient magic in my hair reacted to her too.
Reaching out to her, binding her, but never roughly.
What's with this woman? How is she deceiving me, my wolf, my magic?
I bring her to the institute to see what she is made of. If she can actually fight or wishes to tempt men.
I critically watch and observe tension clinging to my limbs as she ferociously battles alongside the twins.
Her technique is good, needs work but she can hold her own. I warn her, though, to remain away from the twins. I don't want her to corrupt them.
Pain radiates on Amaia's face. She is not hurt in the battle then why? Is it my warning or cold stare? But we don't know each other so why does she seem hurt? Or is she merely acting?
My chosen mate, Jamina, remains by my side. After waiting years for my mate, I needed to step up. Being the oldest son comes with responsibilities, and I am going to fulfil them by marking her and making our relationship official.
Jamina is my best friend, and we have known each other since childhood so she is the perfect choice.
Mates are hard to find in our world, only a few have the luxury after the apocalypse and I am not amongst them.
Even with my status as an Enforcer who are practically worshipped by people, I feel incomplete.
When healer TJ comes to me with the news that she has collapsed, and the tests he ran to detect the poison in her system show it's a Barzaker poison—I lose it completely.
Not only is she a manipulator but also a liar and deceiver. At least that explains why she constantly appears fighting through pain.
"Treat her but I need to know when she wakes up," I sternly instruct TJ.
"I am a healer, not your messenger. No one has pity on the old man, using me as an errand boy," he mumbles while walking away.
TJ has been with us for what seems like forever, and we are used to his sharp mouth.
He is all bark and no bite and we all love the old man.
She remains unconscious for a day while TJ and his daughter treat her. Finally, I received the news that she is awake, and I decided to confront her for the lie she told me.
Fuming I enter the separated area and question her.
"You have got some nerve to lie to me. It was you who killed the Barzaker. Didn't you? His venom was found in your system. That wound on your shoulder, he gave you that. Didn't he?"
The scent of chemicals and herbs mingle and block out whatever natural scent she possesses.
It shouldn't be possible, because Snow has a very sharp sense of smell. He lifts his head and watches this woman keenly.
Amaia appears taken aback at my sudden outburst. She flinches. But all I can think of is that she is an extremely good actress.
Uncomfortable, she watches me with her almond-shaped eyes.
"I had no reason to tell you anything. You wouldn't understand how hard it is outside these walls for people to live and find food. Telling you was like digging my own grave. I know what you Enforcers do," she answers, fighting through whatever pain she is experiencing.
Has the venom spread? Is her shoulder still in pain?
I make a mental note to tell TJ to give her more painkillers.
"These creatures, which have taken over our world after the Apocalypse, are still a mystery to us. People are allowed to kill them but possessing magic and keeping it hidden. That's forbidden and punishable." I take a step forward and her delicate throat moves when she gulps.
Her gaze never leaves mine as I sternly ask.
"So tell me and be truthful. Do you have magic Miss Amaia? Whose magic called us there?" I let out my aura, trying to overwhelm her.
Any human or anyone ranked lower than the alpha would bow their head in submission.
She doesn't even blink her eyes and leans back in the bed. Calmly, she answers with a slight air of indifference.
"It belonged to my companion, he bolted when his magic failed to control the Barzaker. I am merely human, I have no magic."