She was about to open her mouth for another question. But Llewis waved a hand to silence her.
“I will tell you everything you want to know. But we need to get of here first.”
“Where are we going?” She bit her lip when he grabbed her hand tightly, sending weird tingles down her spin. His grip was strong but it didn’t hurt her.
“The city.”
4 The Hideout
Miranda was surprised when Llewis brought her to a tall apartment building. The unit they were in was modernly organized and everything was remote controlled. She had an idea where he got it but not so sure. She just knew bits and pieces of him and it would be rude to conclude anything.
Llewis was a mysterious guy. But she had to admit that it was one thing that added to his allure.
“Nice,” she commented, slamming her body against the leather upholstered couch.
“My parents bought this for me when I was still in Med School,” he answered, pulling out a pitcher of cold water from the fridge.
She didn’t know he had stocks, too.
Miranda raised a brow and crossed her arms on her chest. “You’re a doctor?”
Interesting.
“I used to want to. But I stopped going to school when was turned by your father.” He shrugged, before drinking the water from his glass in one gulp.
She watched his Adam’s apple moving as he guzzled the liquid. She swallowed her saliva at the Llewis’ view. How could someone look terrifyingly hot just by drinking a glass of water?
She swallowed hard. “S-So… D-Do your parents know you’re a hybrid?”
He chuckled before shaking his head. “Nope, they believed I just found Med-School tiring. I visit them sometimes. All they know is I am working for someone as an assistant.”
She clicked her tongue.
“You call stalking someone being an assistant?” she joked.
“I didn’t have a choice. I’m sure they’d freak out if I tell them I’ll be away to guard someone or something like that,” he reasoned.
She watched him make his way to the living room. She just noticed that he was only wearing a white shirt and dark jeans. The shirt looked a little bit small for his muscled body.
Gorgeous, her mind commented when her eyes landed on the small bump between his legs.
Damn it, Miranda!
She shook her head and looked away, diverting her attention to the picture frame beside the telephone. The Llewis from the picture was a little thinner than the present. He was wearing a pair of black-rimmed eye glasses – very nerdy. But what caught her interest the most was the woman beside him. She looked gorgeous. She was blonde and had blue eyes.
She’s like a doll, she thought.
“That’s my sister,” he spoke, pointing at the framed photo. “That photo was taken before she passed away.” He sat on the couch across her.
Miranda heard herself gasp in surprise.
“She’s beautiful,” she commented, feeling awkward. And there she was thinking she was his girlfriend or something.
“Yeah, she was.”
“O-Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to-“
“It’s okay,” he smiled. “We all knew she was sick. My parents wanted to get her cured. But she preferred not to get any treatments.” His voice was plain and she couldn’t sense any remorse from it.
“Why?” She didn’t want to pry. But she was curious why would someone at a very young age abandon the hope of living a longer life?
“Because she said she had enough time to see how wonderful the world is. She died at twenty-two – in her room, quietly.”
He smiled.
Miranda bit her bottom lip. She didn’t know what to say.
“You don’t have to say anything.”
Frowning, she looked at him. “Can you hear my thoughts as well?”
She knew Llewis had more than excellent senses. But the only thing that’s bothering her was the way he was able to know her thoughts.
“No,” he laughed. “It’s all written in your face, Mira.”
She flinched. There he was again, calling her by her nickname. His voice sounded like a song with an upbeat tune, making her heart skip a beat.
“You should rest. We’ll talk tomorrow.” Llewis tilted his head to the doors behind the couch he was sitting on. “The left is yours. And this one,” he paused, pointing at the door on the right, “is mine.”
She fell quiet for a moment.
“I’m still trying to understand why you got a two-bedroom apartment,” she joked as naughty ideas swarmed her mind.
Llewis wiggled his brows as if knowing what she was thinking. “In case you’re curious, we always do it in my room. Yours used to be my library.”
Miranda was surprised when she felt an invisible hand gripping her heart. She forgot how to breathe for a moment because of the pain and jealousy that had devoured her. Why was she feeling that way?
She averted her gaze and brushed off the weird emotion that was growing inside her.
“Perfect,” she mumbled, trying to sound completely glad. She didn’t know if she was relieved.
What the hell, Miranda? What is the meaning of this?
But she knew she needed to focus on her father’s death first. She needed answers. And before that, she needs rest.
“Good night, then,” she said, before turning the knob.
Llewis watched her as if there was something he wanted to say. So, she waited. But he remained silent, giving her no choice but shut the door closed.
Leaning against the door, Miranda took her time to study the purple-themed bedroom. It looked elegant and was designed exactly to her preference. It wasn’t as big as her room in Wakerlin mansion. But it was nice and warm – better than the cabin in the forest.
Thoughts about her father filled her mind as she washed herself in the adjacent bathroom. And what bothered her most was the absence of sorrow in her system.
She was shocked, yes; But no remorse whatsoever. And she didn’t like that. She didn’t like the idea of not being able to feel anything about her father’s death.
Is he really dead? she wondered.
“I made you porridge. Eat.”
Llewis watched Miranda curling up like a ball under the purple sheets. It took three days before the news about her father’s death sink in. And there he was, babysitting a twenty-three-year-old. She had fever two days back and still recovering.
Looking after Miranda growing over the years, Llewis felt like it was his responsibility to keep her safe and alive. Though the Alpha was not around anymore, he swore to himself that he’d continue protecting his only daughter – especially from Jomari.
He just couldn’t watch her get in trouble. He couldn’t let her die. She was innocent.
“Mira it’s okay if you don’t want to talk. Just eat,” he urged her once more.
The woman shook her head and rolled to the other side of the bed, turning away from him. He was like talking to a lifeless form. She was pale and weak. And what scared him most was the empty expression in her yes.
Releasing a deep breath, he stood up from the stool, carrying the tray he brought with him.
“T-tell me,” she spoke, making him stop on the spot.
“Anything you want to know,” he said, turning around to see her face. He sat back on the stool and placed the tray back on the bedside table. “Anything. Everything. Just ask.”
“What was he like?” she murmured. “I mean, my dad. What was he like in his wolf form?”
His mouth curled into a smile he watched the Alpha’s daughter. His mind was trying to pick the proper words to describe the old man.
“He was big – taller than my wolf, stronger, and ferocious. He was pitched black. And you would never be able to see him during night. But he had those eyes-“
“They were gray,” Miranda said, finishing his last sentence. “I’ve always wished I got those.”
“Marco always tells me that you took after your mother,” he sm
iled. “He was a good leader. He wanted to make peace with humans. And over the years he ruled over the pack, he made a rule to never attack a human – never hunt outside Wakerlin woods. He wanted co-existence.”
“H-He wanted to keep me safe,” she mumbled, tears finally escaped her eyes.
“You and your mother,” he corrected.
“S-So, my mother is alive?” she grumbled.
“Your father didn’t want you to come looking for your mom. He wanted to keep you both away - because it was best. You are both safer without each other.”
“What do you mean?” she asked confusingly.
“Your mother is human. And so are you. A lot of wolves didn’t like the idea of having connections with humans because they think humans are weak and helpless creatures,” he explained.
“You mean my Uncle Jomari and his group didn’t liked it,” she spoke in between gritting of teeth.
He nodded.
“But since your father was the Alpha, they didn’t have a choice but to follow his orders. Or else they’d be banished.”
He released a deep sigh.
“Your father thought Jomari changed. So he kept him in the pack. Also, thinking that he shouldn’t be allowed to go to the outside world. Jomari is wild and he doesn’t care about anyone but himself – and his daughter, Marcella.”
He explained, wincing upon the mention of the she-wolf’s name.
“And so they killed him…” Miranda grumbled.
“Jomari always wanted to get whatever your father has. He was always jealous of your dad – because he was weak. And the Alpha was strong. His motives are purely selfish.”
“Is he my dad’s brother?”
“No, he’s from a branch family. He was your dad’s second-degree-cousin,” he informed.
She nodded in response and fell quiet for minutes.
Feeling like he needed to leave her for solitude, Llewis rose from his seat and took the tray back to his hands.
“Just leave it there,” he heard Miranda speaking. “I’ll eat,” she said smiling.
Oh, how he missed seeing her smile. Miranda Walker was the prettiest when happy. She had the most beautiful pair of chocolate brown eyes he had ever seen. And her lips were red without any make-up on. She had a cute face, yet, sexy and alluring.
Above all her perfect physical looks, Llewis found Miranda more attractive because of her wits. She was smart and wise. And he thinks that was the sexiest part of her.
She was everything he wants.
But he knew he couldn’t have. She was the Alpha’s daughter. He’s a wolf and she’s human. And he was her bodyguard. All he could do was watch and protect her.
But what if she’s a wolf? His mind asked, as his feet led him back to the empty kitchen.
She’s human and I’m not going to let her live a life she doesn’t want, the other side of him retorted.
You’ll never know.
Impossible, he thought.
5 Taken
Miranda jumped out of bed with a growling stomach, surprised with the knowledge of how hungry she was. She hasn’t eaten a proper meal for days. And no one can blame her.
It was already two in the morning and she was too shy to wake Llewis who seems to be sleeping soundly in his room. She supposed she can handle making her own food – even though she never cooked before.
Silently, she tiptoed her way to the kitchen, hoping that she wouldn’t disturb the sleeping hybrid. Miranda was starting to feel a little dizzy as her stomach started making weird sounds.
Ugh, she grumbled silently.
Slowly, she checked the cupboards for something to eat – hoping to find an easy to cook preserved food. Luckily, there were three seafood flavored cup noodles. She didn’t think it was enough. But at least she wouldn’t have to go on the difficulty on trying to make a dish taste good.
“Do you want to eat?” asked a baritone bedroom voice, sending the hairs all over her body standing. It was too cold and sexy for her to handle
“Mama mia!” she gasped in surprise, dropping one of the cup noodles on the floor.
“You should’ve told me you wanted food,” Llewis spoke, yanking on the floor to get the cup noodles. He was topless. And to her surprise it didn’t feel awkward anymore – seeing his skin.
You’re just hungry, she reminded herself.
Yeah, but he could fill you, too.
Oh, shut up, she shook her head once more to erase the unwanted thoughts, biting her bottom lip.
She studied Llewis’ form a little bit longer. He was undeniably gorgeous with his disheveled hair. His six pack abs was screaming at her face as if telling her to lick them one by one. And his biceps were lean and strong. How she wished he would enclose her with those.
Miranda swallowed hard as naughty ideas filled her mind.
“I-I I thought you’re asleep,” she stuttered, feeling mortified when he caught her staring at his body.
He chuckled.
“I was asleep. Until I heard your stomach growl,” he said, shaking his head, placing the cup noodles on top of the kitchen counter.
Lost for words, Miranda averted her eyes and lowered her head. She had never been that embarrassed in her entire life. Feeling her cheeks heat up, she fell silent.
“What do you want to eat?” she heard him ask.
“Just cook me something decent,” she grumbled in mortification. There she was drooling over someone who hears her growling stomach. She wouldn’t doubt if he hears her fart as well.
She gasped at the thought.
Good heavens!
“What? Is there something wrong?” Llewis asked worriedly.
Shaking her head adamantly, Miranda pressed her eyes closed upon the realization. He could not only hear her stomach growl but her fart as well. Would there be anything more humiliating than that?
Yeah, he can hear the loud beating of your heart too.
“Why don’t you watch TV while waiting for the food?” he suggested, making her feel a bit relieved. She didn’t know how to react around a superhuman who hears the slightest sound in the world.
Turning in her heel, Miranda had the urge to ask him the most stupid question her mind ever created.
“Uhm, Llewis?”
He was washing his hands in the sink.
“Yes? What is it?” He asked without looking at her.
“Do you mind if I ask something?”
“No. Not at all.”
“Can you hear me fart too?” she queried suspiciously.
“Yeah, I can hear when your heart races as well,” he chuckled, tilting his head to see her. He smiled, flashing his perfectly white pearly teeth. “Just like now.”
“Geez,” she grumbled, marching her way to the living room. She was annoyed.
So he could tell if I’m excited or nervous around him?
Instead of watching any TV shows, Miranda laid flat on the leather couch as she waited for her food. She was too hungry to think or do anything.
After about thirty minutes, her senses awakened upon smelling the delicious scent of beef steak. Quickly, she hopped up and went to the dining area.
“Are you done?” she asked impatiently.
Llewis chuckled when he saw her holding a plate. He then nodded and placed the platter of rice and steak on the center of the dining table.
“Dig in.”
“Thanks,” she mumbled not minding whether she lacked manners. She was hungry. And there’s nothing could stop her from filling her stomach.
“Aren’t you eating?” she asked after taking three spoonful of rice.
Miranda was starting to feel awkward with the way Llewis was staring at her. There was a weird smile on his face, giving her chills.
“No thanks,” he said, shaking his head.
“Why are you smiling?” she asked.
“Well, you know that I’ve been watching you for over a decade. And it’s funny that this is the first time seeing you eat like that,” he chuckled.
“Lik
e what?” she raised a brow.
“Eat like a soldier.” His smile turned into a wide grin, flashing his perfectly white set of teeth.
She swallowed hard.
How can someone make her feel so hot without doing anything? They were facing each other and he was half-naked. And under the dim yellow light of the dining area, she could see Llewis’ skin shining with sweat. God knows how much self-control it took her not lick his tanned body clean.
She didn’t know she was that hungry.
Miranda wasn’t normally a maniac, but Llewis was different. He was the first person who made her think like a slut. She wasn’t the liberated type of woman – maybe because she grew up in the country side. But everytime Llewis flashes his outrageous smile, she felt like he just stripped her panties away.
“What are you looking at?” he asked mockingly, wiggling his brows.
Pressing her eyes closed, she tried to divert her attention to the food that was infront of her. She took another spoonful of rice and slices of meat. But surprisingly, it’s delicious smell and taste wasn’t alluring anymore.
Miranda sighed, helpless over something she knew she should not be feeling. How was she supposed to deal with these ideas popping in her mind?
“Are you okay?” Llewis asked in a worried tone.
She shook her head in response, not looking at him.
“Are you sick?”
“No, I’m fine,” she replied softly.
With that, she felt Llewis’ hand spatting her forehead to check her temperature. Miranda stiffened. The simplest skin contact with him makes her body shiver and her insides melt.
She tilted her head away from his grasp, wanting to keep her distance. She should not be feeling like that – not with Llewis whom she didn’t know anything about – not now that she just lost her father.
“I said I’m fine,” she hissed. She didn’t want to sound angry. But she thought it was the last option to keep the handsome stranger away.
She didn’t like the way she was feeling about him. It was wrong. She didn’t even know if he had a girlfriend or his own family!
Standing up, she quickly gathered the dishes on the table and washed her own plate. She realized that maybe; she was just being too dependent on him. And being vulnerable was not in her dictionary.
Romance: The Campus Player: A College Romance Page 67
