Louisa's POV
I cried myself a river in his arms. He lifted me, carried me back to the box, and placed me gently on the sofa.
I leaned against his chest and wept silently.
We stayed like that for a while without saying anything. I could hear the auction had already taken place with the auctioneer introducing some antiques and announcing the bidding price repeatedly.
"I don't know why I've said those mean things to Will. All he wanted to do was to help me." I whispered. "I used to be regarded as a freak and retarded in my father's tribe. People didn't want to talk to me, because I was either too weak or too slow, too stinky or too skinny. Nobody would pay attention to me other than my old nanny and Uma the Shaman doctor."
Talking about Uma, my heart started to throb again.
"I don't want to be treated like a freak. But the way people look at me..." I covered my face and couldn't continue my speech.
Alpha Zackery removed my hands from my face and said, "I know what you mean. Look at me. I'm as queer as a three Kron bill. I've always been like this since I was a little boy and I would get myself into trouble because of this. But you saw the way I scared Alpha Cyrus and Julius just now. It was a bit too much but I have to admit that they really got on my nerve. You don't really need to care about what people badmouth you in your face or behind your back. When you're stronger and more powerful, their voice starts to fade and is replaced by the compliment. Your way starts to become the new way and everybody will follow. They might still secretly despise you and trash you, but they will fear you."
His voice was mellow and steady, which soothed me down.
I wiped the tears from my eyes, looked up at Alpha Zackery, and asked, "The person you loved... Have you managed to get his love eventually?"
"No." He stared into my eyes and said in an alien and cold voice. "It didn't end well."
"Are you still in love with him?" I asked.
"Yes." He replied briefly. I could see the ripple of sorrow in his amazing blue eyes.
"Does it still hurt when you think of him?"
No response.
"Does the pain ever go away?"
Still silent.
My heart sank.
"Does it at least get any better?" I persisted.
"No, it only gets worse," Alpha Zackery answered in a straightforward voice. "And you can't do anything about it."
"If it follows you for the rest of your life... If you can't get rid of it no matter how hard you try... Is this love or is it a curse?" I asked with a tremor.
He didn't say anything, held my head gently towards his chest as if he wanted to shield me from the rest of the world.
"I love you, little girl. I know it for the first time I saw you in that pair of ridiculously dangerous high heels. You look so vulnerable and hopeless in the crowds, but at the same time, I know nothing will stop you from going wherever you want."
"Can you help me to save Darren? Lucas wants to sell him to the slave market. He's in poor physical and mental condition now. If he was sold to the slave market, those people would torture him to death..."
"You mean that warlock?" Alpha Zackery asked.
"Yes. He needs my help. He's my friend."
The smile on Alpha Zackery's lips was gone.
"He wanted to kill you," he said.
"No, he didn't mean it. Lucas forced him to admit that and..."
Alpha Zackery looked at me and said, "He was lying to you, little girl. You're too naive and innocent to hang out with a bad person like that. Warlocks are very canny and dangerous creatures. They do everything to survive and serve their masters because that's what they've been trained for in their entire lives. I'm not being judgemental here. After all, their lives are constantly in danger and there's nothing wrong with striving for survival. But I'm afraid that I can't help you on this one."
"I can't watch him being tortured..."
"I'm sorry, but no means no." Alpha Zackery said in an assertive voice.
He seemed to be particularly bothered when I mentioned Darren.
The look on his face reminded me how inappropriate it was to make a request like that.
He must have noticed my disappointment. So he said to me in a softened voice, "That knot between your eyebrows appears again. Let's do this, little girl. I can help you to locate him after he's been sold to the slave market."
I looked up at him with appreciation and gratitude.
"Thank you! That's all I need." I said in tears.
"Don't get happy too quickly. Warlocks are an expensive commodity in a slave market. Even though he's not in a good condition, it still will cost you to purchase him."
"I've got money," I said. "I've got Shaman's pearls and a jewel-encrusted egg."
Alpha Zackery took a sip of champagne and said, "The starting rate of a grown-up warlock is at least 80 million Krons plus another 500 grand for a purchasing permit. Then, you can start to bid for him."
I was shocked. I didn't know the exact price of the pearls and jewel-encrusted egg, but I was sure that it wasn't going to be enough. Not even for purchasing a permit.
Alpha Zackery tapped his long slender finger between my eyebrows and said, "Don't worry, little girl. I will prepare the money for you."
"But... That's too much... I... I can't possibly pay you back..." I said and lowered my head.
Alpha Zackery smiled and put down the champagne glass in his hand.
He drew himself closer to me and said with a naughty smile, "We can always think of something for you to pay me back."
My body was petrified.
According to Lucas, Alpha Zackery was into boys, but I didn't know if it was true or just a rumor.
Apparently, the way he looked at me was not technically innocent.
My face must have blushed because I could feel that my cheeks were burning.
I wished I could have Colt's comb knife with me, at least I could have something in my hands to protect myself.
And Will was gone.
Talking about bad decisions I have made in my life. I thought to myself.