Word Count: 1656

~Brielle

Mabel's words didn't leave my mind.

I met Ren near the front door, ready for my tour around the grounds. Within me is a mix of excitement to see the island I have stared at from the docks on the mainland since I was a child, but also nervous. That's Mabel's fault, feeding me thoughts about Ren that I know aren't true.

I should be concentrating on Ren's secret, and finding out what I can about it. Not wondering whether he sees me differently from all his other staff. As far as I've noticed, he couldn't care less about me.

He even forgot my name. And his excuse for that was rather questionable, and I still have to consider how truthful it was.

At least the day is beautiful.

When I step outside, the midday sun shines brilliantly upon my face. I never get out, so the heat warms every inch of me. Ren joins me soon after I find myself waiting on the step, already dressed and showered. He looks spectacular under the sunlight. The strands of his damp hair glisten, his skin glows and even his eyes seem brighter than usual.

"Thank you for meeting me," Ren says, his tone and smile resembling the warmth of the sun immaculately. "Such a lovely day for it."

"I couldn't agree more."

For some reason, looking at him makes my heart flutter. So, to distract myself, I look across the formal lawn I trekked across when I first got here. The edge of the cliff is framed by thick bushes spotted with pretty flowers in a variety of colours. Clearly, it's so stop anyone accidently walking off the edge.

"It's nice to get away from all the Alpha's for a moment," Ren says, loosening a sigh. He starts our stroll around the side of the estate. "You'd be surprised how needy they can get.

That makes me smile. "I'm sure they are used to getting what they want."

The moment I said that, I realised that Ren himself is also an Alpha. He doesn't seem to mind, though, that I stepped over some kind of line. No matter what Mabel might say, I'm still a staff member of his and I have to be careful or what I say.

We wander around the side of the building, the shade of the estate a momentary escape from the heat of the sun. On each side there are perfectly manicured gardens with beautiful flowers.

Ren seems to notice me admiring them. "I love flowers."

"Why's that?"

"They are delicate, yet so beautiful. I love that about them. The more I have, the better I feel. As if they can ward of the purest evil," he tells me honestly, stooping down to pluck a rose from the bush. He picks off the thorns before handing it to me. It's perfectly sculpted, the deepest red colour.

I raise it to my nose and breathe in. "If I'm honest, I'm surprised an Alpha would appreciate something so simple like a flower. I never really thought about one being any more than just a plant."

Ren turns back to his walk, and I quickly follow him, clutching my rose.

"I've always been an outcast from the other Alpha's. As much as they are all great people, there was never been a time where I have felt truly included. Maybe it's just my circumstances, or the fact I prefer solitude on this island," Ren explains.

That doesn't surprise me. Five minutes with those Alpha's would drive me crazy, and it doesn't take the most intelligent person to realise Ren is much more reserved, refined in comparison. I mean, when I look at this flower it tells me all I need to know. But I know this isn't all to him. There's something else that keeps him pinned to this island. I know it.

"What do you mean circumstances?" I ask. When he freezes, I quickly change tack before I offend him. "Sorry, I don't mean to pry."

Ren takes a deep breath. "It's hard to say."

It takes all of my willpower not to pry any further. Instead, I allow him to lead me away from the estate toward a path that trails down the side of the island. It's etched in by many steps, rather than the other paths made specifically. Clearly either Ren, or someone else comes down here often.

Turns out, scaling down a path near a cliff face, is a little more treacherous than I thought. So much so, I nearly grab out for Ren for support. I stop myself, though.

Slipping through dirt and skidding over stones, we finally make it.

The path extends into a small cave like area. The entire area seemed to have been carved out of the cliff, leaving a small patch of grass with an amazing view. I pause, watching Ren walk over to sit on the grass, facing the outside of the island.

He glances up at me, patting the grass next to him. "Come sit here. You won't regret it I promise."

I do so, but nervously.

This would be the perfect place for him to jump on me with his biggest secret. Maybe he's a murderer and he's planning to throw my body off the side of this cliff to never be discovered again. Or maybe he is the shapeshifting demon everyone rumours about, and he's lured me here to possess me.

Brushing these foolish thoughts, I come to sit next to him. The rose he picked for me is still being twirled between my fingertips. Something tells me I'm going to find a vase for it and keep it for as long as it lives.

"This really is beautiful. You must come down here a lot," I say, looking out at the view.

From here, we can see the North side of the mainland, and quite frankly, the most beautiful. The water glistens seafoam green and deep blue under the sun, few boats gliding over the surface. It almost makes me miss being home.

Almost.

"It's especially nice at night. When it's all getting too much I'll come out here. Early evening, typically," Ren tells me, glancing at me.

I have to tear my eyes away from his to stop my blush. With those multi coloured eyes looking brighter than ever, and the scent of him encapsulating me, I can't help but feel a little overwhelmed. Ren is truly the most handsome man I've ever laid my eyes on. And I've seen all the other Alpha's at once.

"Why early evening?" I ask. "Why not late, when the stars are out and the moon is the brightest?"

Ren takes a moment to answer, as if he doesn't want to say. "I like to watch the stars appear. The wink and twinkle, as if they know I'm watching and want to make a show. And it's before the Pack's lights turn off for the night. I can look at the lights coming from the homes and try feel connected to my people."

I draw my knees up to my chest. No one feels close to Ren. Some spin fables that they have met him, or are great friends with him. But all these accounts seem to be false, from what I've noticed.

He isn't the harsh warrior my father told me he was. He's gentle, refined. He's mysterious, and that intrigues me.

No one has any idea.

Ren almost seems to move closer, and my heart almost stops. "Well you picked a great spot, Alpha. Thank you for showing me this."

"Of course. At any time you need an escape from those communal living areas, you can come out here. It's a great place to clear the mind," Ren murmurs, tapping his head. "And I have a lot to clear out of here."

I open my mouth to question him, seeing how troubled he suddenly seems to be, but the sound of someone walking down the cliffside has all words vanishing from my mouth. I expected Ren to pull away from me, afraid to be seen close to one of his staff members, but he doesn't move. He even seems to lean closer to me.

It's Alpha Malik or the Love Pack.

He hops down, adjusting the lapels of his jacket as he does so. The grin on his face is warm and curious as his pure azure blue eyes scan the area. He doesn't seem to mind that he could have been interrupting something.

I even notice his eyes flutter down to the rose in my hand. I clench my jaw, wanting to hide it from prying eyes.

"Was wondering where you left to," Malik said cherrily toward Ren.

I have no reason to hate Malik. In fact, from what I've heard about him, he seems like a great leader, and as does his mate, Aira. I'm jealous of their love story, which almost everyone knows off by heart.

When Ren doesn't speak, Malik does again. "One of the Alpha's needs your attention urgently."

Ren stands, brushing himself. "Alright, I'll be right up."

He sees calm, knowing Malik wouldn't say anything to anyone about what he witnessed. I stay seated, not wanting to be seen going up with him. Everyone will be out by now, enjoying the sun for sure.

Ren looks down at me, smiling. "Have a good day Brielle, I shall see you later."

I watch him leave, hugging my rose to my chest. Why am I feeling this way about him? As exciting as it may be, there is one thing I can't deny.

This feeling is surely dangerous.

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Want more of Ren!? On the site Radish, Ren is considerably ahead, so go check it out (:

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I've also just posted the second novel in the Immortal series (in no way in correlation to book one which is Fate

It's Time!

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Instagram: Sophie_Midika

~Midika 💜🐼