Alpha

"Good morning Ealasaid." She jumped and looked up from the table, she hadn't heard the door open.

"Good morning Doctor." She watched warily as the man slid into the seat across the table from her. He placed the stack of papers in front of him and observed her over his linked fingers.

"How are you feeling today?"

She looked around nervously. Two guards flanked her chair watching her sternly. She shrugged a shoulder. "Fine."

"Any incidents last night?"

Again she frowned and lifted her hands. Her wrists were encased in thick metal shackles and attached to a metal ring on the table. They rattled loudly as she moved and she glanced behind her. Her bright eyes were nervous and he could see the tension in her body.

"It would seem that way."

"Would you like to talk about what happened?"

She shivered as the memory of her 'correction' flashed through her mind. "You know I don't really feel like talking at all today."

She looked to the table, her auburn hair tumbled over her shoulders hiding her face from him.

"Did you hurt anyone?"

She raised her hands again, the sound of metal again metal filling the room. "I wouldn't be wearing these otherwise."

"I guess that's true." Eramund Sinoff watched her carefully. He wanted, needed, to get a reaction from her. "Then maybe we could talk about something else."

She was beginning to relax. Without the imminent threat of danger, she felt braver and leant back in her chair.

"Like I said, I don't feel much like talking today Doc."

His eyes darted to the guards stood behind her before he spoke again. "What about Drago?" Her grey eyes flashed dangerously and he could feel the anger coming off her. "Maybe we could talk about your time with him?"

"Don't you dare," her whole body was trembling and her hands curled into fists on the table. "Don't you fucking dare. You're not good enough to even say his name."

One of the guards reached down and placed a restraining hand on her shoulder. She wrenched herself free and stood. The shackles snapped tight bringing her up short of reaching him. He leant back in his chair nervously and watched as her plump lips curved in a snarl.

"I'll never tell you where he is." Her eyes flashed defiantly.

The hands grabbed her again and she felt the cuffs being unlocked. The guards held her tightly by her upper arms and dragged her from the room as she struggled against them. Eramund could hear her voice from down the hall as she was dragged away.

"You can't keep me here you fucking psycho!" He sighed as her screams retreated down the corridor. "You're crazy! You're all fucking crazy!"

*

Standing in front of the mirror she smoothed down the skirt of her uniform and tightened the white apron around her waist. She couldn't help but smile. Although she would never tell anyone she loved the outfit. She worked in a fifties diner and the uniforms consisted of a thigh length pale blue skirt, a dark blue short sleeved blouse, white apron, white socks and black and white saddle shoes.

Very cliché, but half the fun of working there.

She glanced at the clock before tightening the white bow that held her long hair back in a ponytail and popping another strip of gun into her mouth. Checking the pockets of her apron from her pad and tucking her pen into her hair she made her way out into the bustling restaurant. She walked over to the counter and smiled at the large man stood in front of the equally large stove.

"Well my day just got better," Grif's deep, southern drawl made her smile.

"Hi handsome." She leant across the counter and dropped a kiss to his cheek.

"Hi baby girl." He nodded towards the back corner of the restaurant. "Your biggest fans are back."

She looked over to her section and sighed. A group of four men sat at a table watching her. Rolling her eyes at Grif she sauntered over and took the pen from her hair.

"Hello again boys."

The leader, a tall blonde, leered up at her. "Hello beautiful."

"You want the usual?" She tilted her head to the side and forced her plump lips into a winning smile.

"And get something for yourself." He winked at her and she laughed softly.

"I've told you before, I'm working and my boss would have my ass if he saw me slacking."

The blonde smiled and leant back his eyes roaming over her round ass in her skirt. "It's a very nice ass, I can't say I blame him."

"I'll be right back with your drinks." She turned and walked to the bar. Grif smiled out at her and she rolled her eyes.

"They giving you trouble baby?"

She shook her head as she filled a large pitcher with beer. "Nothing I can't handle but I'll be sure to tell you if they get too handsy." She loaded her tray with mugs, the pitcher and hefted it onto her shoulder. "They'll have the usual," she shouted over her shoulder as she moved away.

She placed the tray down on the table and a movement from behind her caught her eye. Turning she saw a solitary figure sit at a table in her section and flashed the men a smile.

"I'll be right back with your food."

She could feel their eyes on her as she walked away but forced herself to smile as she approached the next table. She took the pen from her hair, tossing her head to send the ponytail tumbling down her back and pulled her pad from the pocket of her apron.

"Good evening." She kept her voice light and friendly. "My name is Ealasaid, I'll be your server."

She raised her eyes from her pad to look at him and her breath caught in her throat. He stared up at her, a small smile curving his lips and a dimple appearing in his left cheek. His skin was tanned a warm golden, brown and his blonde hair hung down his back. He had tied it back with a thin black band but some had escaped to frame his face. His chin and cheeks were covered in blonde stubble but she could see a faint scar running down his right cheek. Another cut through his blonde eyebrow and as she watched he crossed his arms across his broad chest. The muscles in his biceps bulged in his long sleeved black t-shirt and he leant back in his chair. Her eyes were drawn back to his though, they were a bright hazel and flashed as he watched her.

She felt her cheeks heat and quickly dragged her eyes from him to look back at her pad.

"Ealasaid, what a beautiful name." His deep voice was lit by a French accent and she felt shivers run through her at the sound.

Shaking herself she swallowed and forced herself to look back into his eyes. "What can I get you?"

He rubbed his hand over his stubbled chin. "What would you recommend?"

"The chilli dog." She answered almost instantly and he raised an eyebrow. She felt her cheeks heat even further and shrugged one delicate shoulder. "It's real good." She added almost apologetically.

He smiled again and she felt the same rush of heat go through her stomach. "Then I'll have one of those and a strawberry milkshake please."

She nodded and wrote down his order. "Coming right up."

She headed back to the counter and handed the paper over to Grif. He took one look at her face and smiled.

"I know that face. He a looker is he?"

She glanced away, she could feel the stranger's eyes on her and knew her cheeks were red. "Shut up."

Grif laughed but pushed the order for her first table towards her. She lifted the tray and made her way back over to the group of men.

"Here we go boys," she placed the plates in front of them and turned to leave, but a hand on her wrist made her stop. She turned and looked down at the blonde.

"Won't you join us?"

She smiled and gently pulled her hand out of his grip. "Come on you know I can't when I'm working. But you get points for perseverance."

He pouted and reached out to rest his hand on the curve of her round ass. "Then maybe we could get a drink when you're done?"

Gently but firmly she removed his hand. "You're going to get me in trouble."

"I didn't hear a no!" He called after her as she turned and walked away.

Shaking her head, sending her ponytail flying over her shoulders, she couldn't help but laugh. "I didn't give you a yes."

She moved back to the counter and picked up her second order. Grif was watching the men warily and he held a knife tightly in his hand.

"I'm pretty sure that counted as handsy."

She shrugged. "It's fine I've had worse. Besides they never do anything while they're in here, they can feel you watching them."

She took the tray over to the table and placed it down. "Here you are, one chilli dog and one strawberry milkshake." She looked back into his hazel eyes but her smile faded when she saw the look on his face.

He was leant back in his chair, his arms folded and his bright eyes watched the table of men. They all still watched her and she frowned.

"Is everything OK?"

"They touched you." His voice was dark and he didn't take his eyes off them as he spoke.

She raised an eyebrow, something about the way he spoke sent a thrill of fear through her. His tone was possessive and she watched as his jaw clenched. She looked at them over her shoulder before shaking her head.

"Unfortunately you get used it stuff like that. It's nothing I can't handle."

He looked back up at her and the same, slow smile lifted the corner of his mouth. Her stomach flipped and she felt her cheeks heat again. A soft laugh rumbled from his chest and he reached out. Hooking his finger under her chin he tilted her head up until she looked into his eyes again.

"I like seeing you blush," he stroked his thumb over her cheek. "Your skin goes the most beautiful shade of pink."

She dropped her eyes, unable to keep his intense gaze and pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. A soft noise, almost like a growl, came from his chest. She gasped quietly and he brushed his thumb over her lip.

She stepped back, his hand slipping from her skin. "Let me know if you need anything else." She turned, dragging herself away from him she forced her mind off him as she checked on her other tables. When she next glanced over to his table he had gone.

She went over and cleared the plates, then checked the money he had left. There was enough to pay for his meal with a hundred-dollar tip left. She frowned and moved back over to the counter.

"What's up baby girl?" Grif asked barely turning. He could always tell when she needed to say something.

"That guy," she jerked her head back to the empty table.

"Tall, blonde and ripped?" Grif glanced up with a sly smile and she glared at him.

"Well, tall, blonde and ripped, just left me a hundred-dollar tip."

Grif let out a low whistle. "Well you must be doing something right."

She winked. "Drinks on me tonight."

The rest of her shift passed quickly and by midnight she stood outside shivering while Grif locked up.

"Come on! I'm freezing."

He tutted. "Well you should wear some more clothes."

She looked down at her outfit. She had changed into black leggings and a white crop top that showed the smooth, pale skin of her stomach. "What's wrong with this?"

He glanced at her over his shoulder. Raising his eyebrow, he turned back to the door without saying a word. She stuck her tongue out at him. Finally, he finished and they climbed into his truck. Twenty minutes later they were stood at a pool table with the others from the diner, all held a beer and watched as Ealasaid leant over the table to line up her shot.

"There's no way." Dylan, another cook, shook his head. They had been close friends since she had started working at the diner but he still looked at her in surprise as she bent over the table. "No way she can make this. Not without hitting one of mine."

Grif laughed. "Looks like you're about to lose a lotta money. You really shoulda learnt by now boy."

They watched as she took the shot, sending the white ball sailing across the table to hit against the side. It came back to hit the opposite side, missing one of his by a fraction of an inch, before gently touching the black ball and sending it rolling into pocket.

"Son of a bitch," Dylan slammed his fist down on the table. She turned with a smile and bowed. Dylan dug in his pocket and pulled out a wad of bills.

"Thank you kind sir." She stuffed them into her bra and took her beer from Grif. Reaching up on tiptoe she kissed his cheek. "Imma step outside."

He nodded. "You need some company?"

She shook her head. "Nah you stay in the warm. I wont be a minute." She bent and pulled a packet of cigarettes from her bag, along with her lighter and stepped out into the parking lot. The air was cold, as though it might snow, but it felt good against her flushed skin. She lit the cigarette and leant against the stone wall of the bar.

"You'll catch your death stood out here."

The deep voice made her jump and she turned round. The same bright hazel eyes watched her and she instantly felt heat burning in her stomach. He rubbed his stubbled chin, watching her intently and she shivered.

"If I didn't know better I'd say you were following me." The drink was making her confident and she shook her head sending her hair flying over her shoulders. "You're not following me are you?"

Again that slow smile curved his lips and he took a step closer. "Following sounds so impersonal."

Her breath hitched in her throat. His voice held a note of dark promise of something more to come, but what it was she didn't know. She swallowed and pressed back against the wall. She felt vulnerable under his stare. Throwing her cigarette to the ground she brought the beer bottle to her lips again, trying to find her confidence.

"It's dangerous following strangers around. I could be a complete psycho." Her voice was soft, little more than a whisper and he laughed. She forced her expression into one of outrage. "You find that so hard to believe? I could be dangerous."

He reached out and softly pushed a stray curl from her face. Tucking it behind her ear he stroked her flushed cheek. "You are very dangerous little girl." He stared into her bright eyes for a moment, before sliding his hand over her shoulder and linking his fingers with hers. "May I give you a lift home?"

She looked at their entwined hands. Her skin looked even paler against his and his large hand engulfed hers. "It's only a couple of blocks. I can walk."

He stroked his thumb over her palm. "Then may I walk you back?" Again the smile lifted one corner of his mouth. "I should make sure you don't do anything dangerous."

She looked into his eyes and nodded. She couldn't force herself to speak but pulled her hand from his and stuck her head back through the door. She hurried over to Grif and grabbed her bag. He looked down at her and frowned.

"Going somewhere?"

"Yeah, I'm gonna head back." She smiled.

"Want a ride?"

She shook her head and kissed his cheek. "I'll be fine. I could use the fresh air."

"Alright, be careful baby girl."

Swinging her bag over her shoulder she walked back outside to meet her stranger. As she neared him she took a moment to study him. He stood with his hands shoved into the front pockets of his jeans. It pulled the waistband down giving her a glimpse of the top of his boxers and she wished his t-shirt would ride higher up so she could see more. He now wore a leather jacket and she could see something was stitched onto it. Before she could see what it was he stepped closer bringing their bodies inches from each other. Tilting her chin so she looked into his eyes he brushed him thumb over her lower lip.

"Ready to go little one?"

He was at least a foot taller than her and she had to crane her neck to meet his gaze. Suddenly she felt nervous, he could see it in her eyes and took her hand. Pulling her after him they began to walk down the street leaving the noise of the bar behind them. They had been walking barely a minute when he felt her shivering beside him. Stopping them he stood in front of her.

"Put your bag down."

She frowned but did as she was told and watched as she shrugged out of his leather jacket. He held it open and threaded her arms through as though she were a child. Instantly she stopped shivering and he ran his hands up and down her arms.

"Better?"

She nodded. He reached down and took hold of her bag, before linking his fingers with hers again. They walked in silence for a moment before she turned to look up at him.

"How did you know I would be there?"

He didn't look at her but she saw his eyes flash as he smiled. "I followed you."

She rolled her eyes. "That joke is only funny for so long. Then it starts to get creepy."

"Who says I'm joking?"

Once again she felt her stomach flip but kept hold of his hand as they walked. All too soon they reached her apartment building, she glanced up at the door.

"Well this is me."

Slowly, his eyes never leaving hers, he placed her bag on the floor and turned her so she faced him. He pulled his hand from hers and shoved both of his into his pockets. Leaning down her spoke quietly into her ear.

"Can I try something?"

Her eyes slid closed as she nodded and she felt him move closer. She leant forward slightly but he shook his head.

"No, stay still," his accent was more pronounced and she felt a tremble run through her body. Slowly he leant down and brought his lips to hers. She gasped and he groaned low in his throat.

Taking one hand from his pocket he dug his fingers through her long hair and tilted her head back. She rose on tiptoe to press her body against his and felt his hard cock press against her stomach through his jeans. He removed his other hand from his pocket and smoothed his palm down her back to rest of the curve of her ass. He lifted her higher against him, until her feet barely touched the floor and deepened the kiss. Her lips parted beneath his on a moan and his tongue slid inside her mouth.

Her small hands clutched at his arms and she pulled herself higher. His fingers kneaded the soft flesh of her ass, pulling her harder against his erection he heard her moan again. Gently he bit down on her lip and she shivered against him. With a soft growl he pulled away and stared down into her bright eyes. This close he could see their true colour. They were outlined by a black ring but the colour closest to the pupil was nearly white, darkening to a silver as they moved towards the edge.

"I want to take you out tomorrow."

Her incredible eyes widened. "What like a date?"

He laughed softly as his eyes roamed over her, he could count each freckle on her nose and he kissed her softly again. "Yes, like a date."

"Why?" She sounded genuinely confused and he couldn't help but laugh again.

"Because you're beautiful and I want to get to know you better."

"You do?"

He nodded. "I'll pick you up at seven," his eyes roamed over her curved figure and he stroked his thumb over the exposed skin of her waist. "Wear something sexy."

He kissed her lips once more before turning and walking away from her. The haze of lust cleared from her mind and she shouted after him.

"Wait, I don't know your name."

His laugh reached her and he spoke without looking back. "Drago."

*

She woke suddenly. She had dreamt of the first night she had met Drago nearly every night since she had been taken. The memory of his hands on her skin warmed her even as she felt the cold of the stone room seep into her bones.

After her correction, she had been placed in confinement. She found herself spending more and more time here recently. The room was bare, the floor and walls made of a dark stone. One door, metal, broke the monotony and she watched it carefully. In her previous incarcerations, the hatch at the bottom would open with food everyday, the only way she knew how much time had passed. This time it had remained shut.