Alpha Clayden's Human Mate

CHAPTER 1 Prologue

Kassandra's POV

So you are really playing this with me, huh, Kassandra?

The coldness and danger in his voice sent a shiver down my spine, yet I stood my ground despite the chill on my feet and the trembling of my knees. I stole a glance behind me to ensure I hadn't moved any closer to the railing, but to my dismay, I was only a step away. Though a groan of regret threatened to escape, I kept my composure and refused to show any signs of weakness.

Damn, Kassandra. You could have just run outside the unit instead of gushing out this narrow balcony! I annoyingly blamed myself inside my head.

My gaze returns to the man in the all-black suit standing before me. The light of the almost-full moon reflects off his pallid face, save for his blood-red lips. He looks like death, but he stands here, alive and dangerous. I shake my head to dispel the thought. He's clearly determined to destroy me, and I must remain vigilant.

Summoning my courage, I let out a sarcastic laugh before meeting his gaze. I'm curious, Sir, I said, still holding his stare. Just how far are you willing to go for this?

His jaw is clenched at the moment but then again, I remain standing firm.

He look to his right as he chew the other side of his cheek and later on, he smirk this time from that moment, I gasp loudly and sat down immediately on top of the railings—raising my right hand away from his hold. He walks closer to me and is now leaning both of his arms on both sides, still showing me that nerve-wracking smirk that no one can pull off but only this man.

What far, Kassandra? I could go this close, hmm? He whispered while staring straight into my eyes. I notice how his gaze slowly moves down my neck. His lips are parted apart as he stares down a part of my neck like a hungry predator.

I am shaking, I must admit. What the hell is he thinking?

Move, Clayden, I do not know how it turned out like a moan but I stayed still on my spot. I am scared that I might fall any second but I wanted to confirm something so bad. And the desperation of this man is making me die more in curiosity.

Forget about the railings where I am currently on, curiosity kills more than falling from the 22nd floor.

God, I am crazy.

He raises his gaze back at me, weighing my reaction. He then leans closer so I move farther from him since he is now very close to the flash drive that I am keeping from him.

You really want this hard hu—

If you want this, then get it,

Without any second thoughts, I let myself fall from the balcony. My eyes are fixed on the only person who is looking at me from the same spot. I even saw how his tongue poke the inside of his cheeks while seriously looking at me—falling.

At that point, I closed my eyes and wants to cry already. Am I going to die like thi—

You gutsy little kitten, I heard a whisper so I open my eyes.

I still can feel that we are falling but I felt safe this time in between this man's arms. My eyes are straight looking at his and in a split second, I am sure that his eyes turned blue when he growls a little. I started to panic when the horning cars are very close already—which means that we are near the ground but just like that one night last winter, a swift wind moved after my ears and eyes; and now, I am back in my unit's balcony—alone.

I fall to my knees, still shaking.

So it's true… I whispered to myself, my body slick with sweat.

I'm bound to be his mate.

CHAPTER 2 A Ghost? Beast? 

Kassandra's POV

Ayt, the production function looks like this then, Q equals to 4LK plus L squared where we denote K as a capital of 1 dollar and L for labor for 2 dollars, I mumbled while noting it to my scratch paper where I am currently solving. 

Montgomery, my boyfriend is also on his paper while consecutively pressing on his scientific calculator as we solve our comprehensive quiz together. We are both Economics students, currently in our third year. I stop for a while from what I am doing and watch him crease his forehead while biting his lower lip—annoyed about the contents of this quiz.

I chuckled, making him look up at me before he found his way to pouting his lips. Come on, don't laugh at me.

I laugh louder this time, wanting to nitpick him but I would be so irrelevant that way while he seems to have a crisis at the moment as to why he chose this course more than anything else. He always throws a tantrum about his choices yet still made his way to third year—and a Dean's lister. 

I told you not to always focus on the first few statements. There are the following instructions below, it will make your problem easier. I mumbled, pulling the paper but still enough for him to see what I am about to write on it. It says to find the levels of K and L at which it is achieved when the firm's total cost is fixed at 105$, I said with a tone.

He looks at me, giving me a grin. Oh, my fault, smart ass. He mumbled before leaning in to kiss me on the lips.

I was taken aback, sure. We are inside the classroom and our Professor is just in front and may have seen us. Montgomery moves away while licking his lips, a smile of satisfaction is already painted on his handsome face. 

I need my pill. He mumbled before winking at me.

I sort of blush before looking back at my paper. I have to admit, Montgomery's constant sweetness to me still fascinates me. We have been together for a year and a month ago, and I could not ask for more from him. He is a total green flag—unlike those men I often fell in love with in books. I was praying to God to give me someone green to fall to, and yes, it was granted. And he is true, he is not from a book. He is Montgomery Ty. 

Hey, I think I got this all right, babe. He whispers in my right ear. Are you fine? He asks after checking me on the face. I perhaps look red now. You don't look well suddenly. He added, a hint of worry in his voice.

With a shaking head, I slide his paper to my side. I would not give him the credit that he's the reason why red is all over my face. It'll make him prouder and would tease me forever.

Correct. L equals 30 and K is 45. I said while nodding, ignoring his question.

Wait, I will be solving for its maximum output. He willingly volunteered which causes me to laugh as I began to rewrite the solving he started.

As soon as our Mathematical Economics ended, I excused myself from Monty—my nickname for him—to go to the comfort room. I headed inside one of its cubicles, noticing that the whole comfort room is empty. No one else is inside, except for me. On a normal day, I would not make it a big deal since I am not really a scared baby but not today. 

The atmosphere is heavy. I remain seated while using my senses to check what is going on.

A sound from the knob fills my ear, making me jump a little from my place so I hurriedly fix my skirt and flush the toilet bowl. I bit my lower lip. There is someone inside already, I supposed.

I opened the cubicle's door only to see the other door moves hastily as if it was closed with a heavy force—although it did not make any sound. My eyes immediately found the main door and saw it closed, so I began to panic. 

Was there a person with me here?

I am sure I was the only one here the moment I entered. But what about that sound of the knob being twisted? The blood on my face seem to have drained, and Nanny's voice started to echo inside my head, You are someone else's person, he is not like us.

She has been telling me that ever since I started dating Monty; and every time she says that, I always turned deaf, thinking about the idea as an absurd piece of a weird thing. Who says a such thing? It is close to winter, and all these weird kinds of stuff I have been noticing for the last few days somewhat made sense in accordance with my Nanny's words now. 

He is not like us. What the hell was that? Then what about him? A ghost? Beast? I wanted to laugh despite the heavy feeling of gist inside me. I am not a Disney character for fuck sake.

Despite my shaking knees, I managed to leave the comfort room well and sane. There are only a few students in the hallway since it's close to Christmas vacation. Everyone is celebrating thanksgiving away from home so probably they'd be out of town by now. Our block, of course, is not one of those people. We are still here, loaded with quizzes and exams, damn it.

I check on my wrist watch and it's close to five already. I continue walking to where our room is until I felt a strong gush of wind pass by me. It was a cold, heavy wind, coming like a whisper to my ear; making the hair all over my body stand.

I yelp in horror. What the hell was that?! 

Turning around, I became oblivious. Gone are those students in the hallway. It's only me alone this time. 

Babe?

Hearing that voice comforted me immediately. I shift to my right and found Montgomery who has a worried look on his face. I run towards him, fingers still shaking while trying to reach for his hand.

What happened? You look like you've seen a ghost! He exclaimed, noticing how the blood on my face gets drained.

I compose myself, pushing close to him at the same time. I-I just felt weird, I said as he usher me back to the classroom.

We got seated at our spots. Our block mates are still around probably working on their last activity before going on a vacation. Monty checks on me one more time while cupping me on both sides of my cheeks. His brows are formed into a straight line, obviously worried. You look pale.

I shake my head one more time, trying to smile. I think I have to lay low from drinking coffee. 

He groaned. That is what I am telling you yet you are not listening. My boyfriend pointed out my faulty action. I have no choice but to be cute with a pout on my lips. I know he could not resist it.

He then left a smack on my lips. Well, I spoke too soon. 

Do you have any plans for dinner? He asked, standing up again to fix our things from the table.

I shake my head. I guess none? My boyfriend hasn't invited me yet. I playfully replied which makes him turn to look down at me. 

He grinned.

Silly. I was talking about you, having plans with Mister Lewis?

I shake my head. Dad won't be coming home 'til 23. He's on a trip. I said.

He nods his head, giving me a pile of my things so I grab it to slide it inside my bag myself. Thanks.

Join us then. Tonight.

My head tilted to the right. With whom? 

Mom and Tito Jonas.

CHAPTER 3 Mon Amour

Kassandra's POV

I don't think this one will do… I mumbled to myself while checking myself in front of the mirror. 

I have been rummaging through my closet for maybe half an hour now to pick clothes that I can use to dress later tonight. I never thought that I will be going on a dinner date with my boyfriend's family tonight—unannounced.

A heavy sigh escaped from my mouth before throwing myself on top of the bed.

Don't overdo it, babe. Relax. Montgomery's voice replayed inside my head. 

Groaning, I sat back up, making a face. Don't overdo, don't overdo it, yeah damn it, I mumbled annoyingly before picking my cream-cropped cardigan, white sleeveless top, and creamed trouser. 

This dinner is unannounced, I should not think too much, I mumbled to myself.

While prepping myself, my phone vibrates so I grab it on top of my vanity mirror and saw Monty's message. He just reminded me that the dinner's going to be at 8 PM and he will be fetching me at 7:30 sharp.

Ignoring his text, I curled the tip of my hair and applied some light makeup to at least look decent. As I faced my vanity mirror, I noticed something outside and creased my forehead while examining the spot through the reflection. I stood up to get a better look, and the sound of the busy street below was accompanied by a strange sensation. The white-chiffon curtain separating my balcony and bedroom flapped in the wind.

My heart beats a little faster as I slowly walk toward the balcony. I am sure I have seen it right. There was a black figure standing on the corner of my balcony! I have seen in through the mirror and it did not stay that long, I am certain!

Who's that?! I exclaimed, looking for something I can use for defense. 

The pressure is heavy inside my room and the silence is killing me as well. I could go deaf right now, plus my loud heartbeat. This is making me crazy!

I grab the closest vase on top of my bookshelf before I continue heading closer to the balcony. My hands are shaking while taking a leap of courage that is left inside me.

AH! I screamed when a greyish-black cat jumps from above for I don't know where it came from. It looks up at me, its eyes are blue, and it gives me sharp looks. 

I kind of shiver until it, 'meows'. 

Damn it, whose cat are you?! I exclaimed, taking a foot outside the balcony to check if there is someone on the balcony from the upper floor but there is no one around there even. I check back down on the floor just to see the cat entering my room so I panic once again.

You see, little fur baby, I not into like uhm— My eyes widened when it jumps to my bed, sniffing. I am not into cats, so if you would be so kind… 

Hey, cat! Shush! I exclaimed, waving a piece of clothes to make it leave. The cat looks and stares at me and for I do not know what kind of reason, the hair on my nape stands up.

Meow. It mumbled once again before running outside the balcony. I shriek when it jumps down from the railings so I immediately run to check it down.

Jesus, I whispered once again, still checking down. Where did it go?

My phone rang once again so