Chapter 6 What Relationship?

Zeke's POV

I stared down at the flustered human, left speechless with her mouth gaping like a fish’s. I must admit, though I did question Jayden for his new ‘girlfriend’s’ stupidity, there was something about this human’s reaction that was endearing. ‘Amusing’, even. So much so, I want to tease her more.

But there’s one werewolf nearby- the one laughing with her just seconds ago- then staring at us in shock with her jaw dropped. Through my mask, I narrowed my eyes in a glare, in which she jumped at, no doubt sensing the glare.

“Right. So, I will be on my way now. You two can… Yeah. See you later, Maya,” she hastily said, walking away.

The human became baffled by her friend’s sudden leave and reached out to her. “Wha-?! Wait, Corina!” Despite her call, her friend was already long gone.

With her gone, the crowd around us dispersed, continuing on with their business. I turned back to the human, grabbing her by the hand. “How about a dance, milady?” I asked in a low tone.

I could feel her tremble at my request, before nodding. I led her to the dance floor, near the orchestra I had hired for the party. While I was not one for dancing, especially with a human, I do like to have a ‘chat’ with her. What better way to do it in a dance, by the music where our voices won’t be heard by outsiders?

 “So tell me. What is your relationship really with Jayden?” I asked directly, even though I knew the answer.

Maya- who seemed to be trying to concentrate more on the dance- glanced at me before looking back down, reluctantly answering, “Nothing. We’re strangers.”

I frowned at the response, for I despise being lied to, as I twirled her. “Try that again, Maya.”

Maya lifted her head at my question, looking at me in surprise, as I brought her back to a slow waltz. “How do you know my name?”

“Your friend gave it away as she left, remember?” 

Maya kept her mouth shut at the question, and turned away from me.

It was nothing but silence as we continued our dance, with the music acting as our guide. I had thought so before, but I must say, this human truly does know how to move her feet. Here I was, thinking I would be taking the lead the whole way, moving her along like a puppet. Yet, she made it a little easier for me.

It was not much longer that the music came to an end, as was our dance, as I dipped her so lowly. A round of applause reached our ears, as I lowered my face to hers.

“Let’s try that again. What are you and Jayden?” I asked once more.

I could see her face slightly heat up, “L-Like I said, we’re nothing to each other.” she pouted her dewy lips.

I narrowed my eyes at the response, and raised her to her feet. If she had poured out what Jayden had done to her, I would have let him pay for this. But she hadn’t.  

“Well… Thank you for everything. I should get going,” she said, attempting to leave, when I tightened my grip on her hand, and pulled her off the dance floor.

We arrived in a secluded hallway, where I had the human pinned against the wall, hands above her head. I kept my face close to hers, keeping watch of any sign from her big, innocent eyes. I could hear her heart beat erratically, her scent most especially catching my attention for some reason, but why? Even back when we were dancing, there was something about it that bothered me. A feeling I pushed to the back of my mind.

“Why try to leave? You have been trying to get my attention for the longest time now, haven’t you?” I questioned, in which she blinked in seemingly confusion.

“W-What are you talking about?” she asked.

“Isn’t it obvious? It seems you humans are incapable of knowing people in power at first glance?” I sneered, while she seemed to have flinched from my sarcasm. “And now that you know for certain who I am, you wish to get close to me for your own ambition, don’t you? Pray tell, what do you plan to do next? Seduction, perhaps? You wouldn’t be the first to attempt such.”

Maya seemed perplexed by my guesses. Offended, even. Seemed she had plans for me, after all, and didn’t like how I was assuming right about her. I could only scoff at her foolishness. Who did she think I was? How many before her did she think did what she did? It was quite pathetic of her to think-

My thoughts were cut off, as I suddenly felt something hit my cheek, turning my head slightly. I looked back down to her, eyes slowly narrowing in a glare, as I saw her staring back at me with an angry expression. 

“I am not that sort of convenient girl! At the very least, I wouldn’t betray anyone like Jayden did to me!” she exclaimed. 

For her to say that to me with her voice raised, when she was trembling like a frightened pup just earlier, I was honestly intrigued. At the same time, however, no one has ever disrespected me the way she did. Jayden’s human girl was one matter, but what Maya had done… How can I not be enraged by it? 

“Did you really just slap me?” I questioned with a growl, making her cower in fright.

Before I could do anything else to frighten her, another smack struck me in the head, with a force I recognize so well. 

“You foolish grandson! Who on earth taught you to be this rough on a young lady?! Moreover, your lady!” my grandmother scolded me.

“Grandmother… What brings you here?” I questioned through my teeth. 

“Why do you think so?! Of course I am here to see your girlfriend!” I widened my eyes and turned to her in shock at her answer. “I heard from Ethan that she has arrived. How could you not report that to me yourself? And release the poor thing! Regardless of ranks, who on earth taught you to be this harsh on a lady?! I know I raised my grandson to be better than this!”

I reluctantly did as told, knowing I couldn’t win against her. Maya rubbed her freed wrist, uttering out a light ‘thank you’ as she looked between us in confusion.

“I uh… Assume you must be his grandmother?” she asked. A question that seemed to have brightened up Grandmother’s mood.

“Indeed, I am,” she confirmed. “I am so happy to finally meet you.” As she said that, she happily took Maya’s hands in hers for a handshake, only for the human to grunt in pain, to our confusion. Grandmother looked down at her hands, and let out a small gasp. “Oh my lord! Zeke, look what you did!” 

I became confused when she called me out, and looked to see a bruise form on Maya’s wrist. Something that puzzled me even more, for I was certain I did not use that much strength on her.

Grandmother clicked her tongue as she gave it a little feel, in which the human shuddered at. “Bruised pretty badly. The one time I didn’t bring any herbs with me, and my future granddaughter-in-law is hurt? It was foolish of me to think Zeke would keep you unharmed.” She looked at the human and gently held both her hands. “If Zeke does anything like that again, don’t ever hesitate to tell me. I will take good care of him.”

I was irked by the accusation. I knew for certain I did not clutch her wrists that hard, and I could not believe Grandmother would be so fond of humans, it would be to the point where she would be happy to assist them. Though I would like for her to cease this like towards the lower creatures, once she sets her mind to something, she will not change it so easily.

The human, on the other hand, seemed lost, and for good reason. “Sure? But uh… ‘Granddaughter-in-law’? You mean me?”

“But of course. You are Zeke’s girlfriend, are you not?” Maya grew more befuddled by Grandmother’s words. Again, not that I blame her. “Yes, perhaps it is a bit too fast to declare you as my in-law, but this is Zeke we speak of. He hasn’t been too kind to other women these days, regardless of their ranks or offerings. For him to be with you so lovingly, there is still hope yet.” Grandma blinked. 

I could only facepalm behind her back as she made such a claim. To think her delusions had gone that far already. I wasn’t sure if I should be disgusted or amazed by her thought process.

“Oh, and how is the baby?!” she then asked, catching me and Maya off guard. “It’s not hurt, is it? If you wish to go home and rest up, you can,” she continued.

I could already sense trouble lurking from the inquiry, and hastily got between her and the human. “Sorry, Grandmother. With the bruise on her arm, we need to get it treated immediately. That, and also check up on the child. Okay. See you later, Grandmother.”

Without another word, the two of us quickly left. I could hear Grandmother calling out for me to stop, but I rather not make things more complicated than they should be. Besides, I could already tell the human had questions to ask after all that. As dreadful as it may be, having to explain my situation to her, even though I knew it was right.

“E-Excuse me, Mr. Alpha? Sir?” she spoke in a shaky tone. “I’m a bit lost. What was your grandmother talking about?”