Ulterior Motive
Kieran’s POV
I allowed myself the time to take in all that had just happened. It was hard, but at this point, I wasn’t so sure I had a choice anymore. I dragged my eyes from the tip of my slip and to the lady in the uniform just a couple of feets away from me. She wasn’t alone, apparently, and the more I watched her chat with Xander, I wanted nothing more than to wipe that wide grin from her face.
Shit.
I didn’t like her, not one bit, and Xander wasn’t supposed to either. Couldn’t he see it? Couldn’t he see that she was clearly trying to deceive him by being all nice and fluffy? He was an Alpha right, so how couldn’t he see the aura radiating from her was nothing less than pure evil and diabolical vibes.
I crossed my hands over my chest as another string of laughter from Alice pulled me out of my thoughts. It was infuriating to say the least. How was she able to do it so flawlessly? I mean deceive Alpha Xander that is. Was it her so called charms? If it was, then the Alpha was doing a really bad job at resisting it.
Another jab of pain poked my insides when someone else laughed. A mini heartbreak occured inside me when I realized who it came from, Xander. He was laughing along with her jokes? What the hell was she actually yapping on about? Was there really anything funny in what she was talking about? Honestly, I would personally like to know what was so hilarious about handling a group of people who were supposed to be keeping the entire mansion clean.
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A quick glance at my hand showed my fingers to be vibrating. It wasn’t weird, I was always like this when I was mad or something but the downside was, if I didn’t try to control it, then it wouldn’t be long before I exploded like a pent up can of explosives.
I must have been staring at the duo for too long because the moment I shifted my gaze from my fingers, they rested straight on Alpha Xander’s. His beady eyes pierced into mine, asking the question his mouth couldn’t.
But if given the chance, would I really be able to speak up against Alice? If yes, what were the grounds of my claim? I doubted that Alice was giving off bad vibes and throwing sultry winks at the Alpha would classify as a valid reason.
A thought popped into my head immediately, and a small frown made its way to my lips. I stole another glance at the duo as something stirred inside of me. Xander was cool with Alice and if he were to find out I was rude to her originally, how would he feel about it.
I was yet to understand what was between the Alpha and I, but the last thing I wanted was for him to find out Alice and I didn’t exactly get off on the right foot. It would be disappointing if he ever found out I was the cause of it all. I wanted the Alpha to feel a lot of things because of me, but disappointment was nowhere near that list.
I hated being the bigger person.
I sucked in a mouthful of air before walking up to them. The moment I stopped just right in front of them, every piece of conversation halted.
“Kieran?” Xander was the first to speak. “You’re back?”
“Yes.” I nodded awkwardly. After Xander had announced Alice was in charge of the maids now, I’d stormed off indefinitely. I had no idea why, but now, I was kind of regretting it. “Sorry about that.”
“Alice.” I turned to the elephant in the room. ” I think we got off on the wrong foot earlier and I’d like to apologize for being rude to you. I honestly didn’t mean to.”
A heavy silence settled amidst us. We all stood, unmoving, the only sound audible to my ears being the loud thumping of my heart in my head.
My gaze darted from Xander, to Alice and back to my fingers again. Maybe, just maybe I shouldn’t have been the bigger person. Perhaps, I wouldn’t be stuck in this awkward situation right now, and…
“It’s okay.” Alice spoke up. My ears perked up at the sound of her voice immediately. I raised my head just to see that she looked, slightly less haughty. “I understand, you were probably just looking out for everyone else in here. Apology accepted.”
“Wow.” Xander exclaimed, more amused than shocked. A full grin played out on his lips and I found myself mirroring his expression. “I guess it’s all settled then.”
“Kieran can help you get settled in.” He turned to Alice. “If you need anything, I’m sure she’d be more than happy to help out.”
I smiled at him tight-lipped.
Maybe that was going a bit too far.
“All right, ladies.” Alpha Xander was already on his way out of the kitchen. “Have a nice day.”
I trailed Alpha Xander’s back till he’d completely disappeared from my view. The moment I was sure he’d gone a fair distance from us, I turned back to Alice.
“If there’s anything you need, like Alpha Xander said…”
“Excuse you?” Alice bit back, cutting me off immediately. I blinked back, obviously taken back by her sudden switch in tones. “Who the hell do you think you are?”
“I don’t understand.” Truly, I didn’t. I thought we’d both made up? Like it was only a couple of minutes ago, or was I suddenly hallucinating? “You just said it was okay and…”
“And you believed that?” Alice cut me off again. I felt my anger levels rise by a hundred percent. Who the hell did she think she was to play me like that? She scoffed loudly, before continuing. “I would never accept your apologies, even in a million years.”
“Are you shocked?” She cackled humourlessly. She’d obviously seen the shock on my face and was planning on milking every piece of it. “Oh, poor poor Kieran.”
Like that wasn’t condescending enough, she clicked her tongue as she slowly circled me, like I was her next meal.
“You think I can’t see right through you?” She whispered in my ear and I shuddered in nothing but pure disgust. “Your cherry nature and everything else is just a facade to what you truly are underneath.”
“You’re out of your mind.” I spat. “Tell me, was this part of your training in that stupid institute of yours?”
“Don’t you dare talk down on my profession.” She roared and I knew I’d just struck a nerve. “You can only dream of attending that institute.”
“Please.” It was my turn to scoff now. “The only reason you’re here is to stand around and teach people how to clean, doesn’t that bother you at all?. You’re literally so insignificant in the grand scheme of things.”
“That’s what you think.” a sly smirk made its way to her lips. “But I assure you, I have bigger plans and I have my eyes on bigger things.”
I wasn’t an idiot, so I had a very clear picture of what she was referring to. Or more specifically, who, rather.
“Whatever you do, leave Alpha Xander out of it.” It was more than a warning and hopefully she would see it as that. “I’m warning you.”
“Sweetheart,” she cooed. “You should know your threats don’t hold a candle to where I stand. I’ll trample on you and your stupid threats.” she said and my hands balled into fists.
“Leave Alpha Xander out of this!”
“No.” She smiled. “Instead, you’ll watch how I snatch him away from you. Right under your nose too.” she said before she shrugged “Not like you ever stood a chance”
Without giving me the luxury of having the last word, she stalked out of the kitchen.
Goddess, I hate that girl so much.