Word Count: 1616

~Kezziah

The next morning, Alden announced we were going home.

I can't say I'm all that happy about being sent back to the institute. Locked up at the mercy of Sermon, doing everything in routine, each day after the other doesn't sound so appealing to go back to. But once we are back, Alden can take what he knows about my brand and the mate bond, and hopefully get some results.

All I can hope for is Time isn't any closer to finding out what is happening. If he comes back, I don't know what he will do. Maybe figure what he wants with me, and why he decided to mark me.

Alden and I don't speak much on the drive back. I'm too busy thinking. Alden and I are in this for our own gain, so I'm not sure if I should thank him. I decide I need to.

"Thank you."

Alden's glance at me away from his driving is heavy. I look away, unsure of how to react, suddenly wanting to step out of the car, despite being somewhere in the middle of nowhere. If only I could explain why Alden makes me feel nervous, and not out of fear. It's some kind of foolish little girl nervousness you might get around someone you find attractive.

I need to get rid of it. He's my Alpha, and he would surely ridicule me for my feelings if they went anything beyond this stupid flutter in my stomach. It shouldn't matter how attractive he is. It shouldn't matter how I feel about him. It will come to an end, and I'll make sure of it.

"I've said this before, Zezziah, you don't have to thank me," he tells me, confirming my raitional thoughts from earlier.

I shrug my shoulders, looking out the window. "I thought I best anyway."

Instead of concentrating on Alden, I concentrate on the rolling fields that pass us by. The sun hidden behind dark, looming clouds. These are sights I won't see once we reach the Wisdom Pack, and I'm placed back into the institute. I can only wonder what concoctions are waiting for me at Sermons hand.

"You don't want to go back," Alden says, his tone firm and direct, less of a question and more of a statement. However, he is not accusatory. It's almost as if he read my mind, or perhaps felt the dread seeping from my pores.

"I used to have free reign wherever I wanted," I tell him, propping my elbow on the cars armrest. "I miss that."

Alden nods. "I understand."

Despite his words, I have a feeling he doesn't, though. Alden surely knows nothing but what he is confined to in his Pack. And, his special hideaway in the mountains. Perhaps he is the most intelligent Alpha on the mortal land, but he runs a prison like Pack. A place with one goal. To be the best.

When I don't say anymore, Alden speaks again. "I'll try my best to ensure you do not have to remain in that place for much longer."

"Thank you," I breathe.

I say no more for the rest of the trip.

***

We arrived at the Wisdom Pack that evening. The sun had set a warm glow across tinted building windows, across smooth white pavements as we pulled back into the institute parking lot. As the darkness of the overhead swallowed us whole, I felt the depression of this place weigh upon me.

Alden leads me back to the elevator, however, instead of taking me back to my room where I have commonly spent my time, he takes me to another floor entirely. High up too, pas this offices and close to his personal suite.

When the doors slide open, I see a hallway, littered with doors leading to room I cannot assume what is behind.

"What is this?" I ask.

Alden steps out, beckoning me to follow. I do so, looking down the hallway with yet another door at the end. This isn't the cold, damp hallways of the institute down below. These doors don't have windows to see through. Whatever is on the other side has privacy I've dreamt about ever since I got here.

"This is the staff quarters," he tells me. "For the nurses, in particular. They are quiet and keep to themselves a lot. They will be great neighbours for you."

I startle. "Wait, sorry?"

A rare smile shows itself upon the Alpha's face. A smile from taking pleasure from giving, from allowing me a simple pleasure. I can barely believe this is true. Thus far, I may not have seen the rooms, however, I already can tell they will be significantly better than what I've occupied previously.

"I've had your room set up yesterday. I know how much you hate it here, so I thought the least I can do is make you comfortable," Alden tells me. "If you happen to not like it, you can always go back to your other room."

Alden is giving me so many reasons for that immature flutter to remain deep rooted in my stomach. "You didn't have to do this, you know."

"I know. But I wanted to."

My room was right at the end, closest to the bathroom. It's a relief, when he opens the door to my new room, that it's so much more than I thought it would be. No, it's not incredible, but I couldn't ask for anything else. A bed, a few furnishings and privacy, this couldn't be better. Okay, I could be outside this place, but for now, I'm not complaining.

"It's perfect," I tell Alden, before turning around to face him. Out of nowhere, Sermon has appeared, arms folded, glancing between both Alden and I. Oh great.

"Glad you two are back," she says.

The only way Sermon wants Alden back is so she can continue to flirt with him in hopes he will finally notice her. Maybe she even wants him to whisk her away. And the only reason she wants me back is so she can poison me with their 'medication'. It's about time they weaken this brand, anyway.

Sermon glances down at her watch. "You're wildly behind your schedule. We are going to have to start your next dose of medication as soon as possible."

"Tomorrow," Alden reprimands quickly. "She needs rest."

It's obvious it's taking every part of Sermon not to disagree with the Alpha. Of course, she won't, swallowing her pride as she quickly walks away. I have no doubt she isn't okay with me having this room.

Alden wishes me a good night, closing the door after him. There's no lock to keep me in. No instructions to not stray out.

He trusts me.

Instead of feeling fatigue after this long day, all I can feel is the high of receiving this whole room. I lay down on the bed, wondering what I did to deserve this. When I rolled over, all this renewed hope so stolen away by the sight of one figure sitting in my room. Of course, it's Time, here to ruin every part of my life.

I quickly sit up, not wanting to be in a vulnerable position. A feline like smile appears on Time's face, as he leans against my dresser, arms folded over his chest.

He looks like night. He looks like darkness. Like suffering and despair. As usual, he's in his typical dark clothing, as dark as his hair, as the shadows that surrounded his features. Naturally, those golden pierce through the ebony mask, sending shivers down my spine. Why? Why now? And most importantly, Cian should have protected me...

"Hello my darling mate," he says warmly, stepping from the dresser, instead taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

I push away more, my stomach turning. "What do you want?"

This seems to be the common narrative between us. If Time wants me to accept the fact that I'm his mate, he's dreaming. He's not my mate. The bond between us is fake, no matter how much he tries to convince me otherwise.

"Well, I thought I best visit my favourite person," he says raising an eyebrow. He acts like I didn't notice the way he slid slightly closer. "Same attitude."

"Leave me alone."

"Look, we're mates, which I know you hate. Trust me, it's not my favourite situation either. But unless you want to get sick from not having me around so often, I would suggest giving up this angry facade and just get on with it," Time says flatly. "Or admit you're scared of me."

I grit my teeth. My mind is whirling at the information he has supplied, intentionally or not.

"What do you mean? Why did you mark me if you didn't want to?" I question. I can almost feel the bond within me burning. I don't want to be bonded to him either, so why is he putting us both through this?

Time sighs deeply. He seems troubled. "Now that's a story."'

My eyes narrow. "Tell me."

Time takes a few moments before he admits what he has to say. That's when I start thinking maybe I don't want to know. But it's too late, he's ready to be honest with something I'm not ready to hear.

"Well I hate Alden," Time says slowly. "And Alden's your mate."

🖤••💜

If you guys want more of Alden, the rest of available now on Radish (:

Sinful's own story is up now on Radish! I wanted to make it apart of the Seven Sins series (which will have stories involving Cian and other characters you've seen before)

Instagram: Sophie_Midika

~Midika 💜🐼