The Lonely Ones.

   Silence….

Zayn starred at Ciara who sat on her office chair facing them with the type of determination he has known in her.

Sighs.

This was going to really be a hard decision.

He walked closer, past Alex seat to Ciara's table and leaned down to her.

"And you decided to make a deal with only one man? What does he have to offer apart from suddenly betraying us later on?"

Ciara was quiet for some seconds while Alex finally grabbed unto the meaning of Zayn's sentence. 

"Wait. He has no army?" Her eyes widened as she released a short mocking laugh.

For goodness sake! This was a very bad idea.

"No." Ciara replied with a sigh. 

"We aren't using force for now. We will settle for undercover." 

"And how many people are we talking about here?" Zayn asked as he pushed away from her table.

Lucy stepped forward as if on cue. "The Alpha, you-General and Alex."

Alex stood immediately, "No."

Ciara slowly looked at her, this was the first time she said no to danger.

"You don't want to go?"

Alex squeezed her face in annoyance, "Not me, you."

"What?!" 

Alex rolled her eyes, "Zayn, please explain it to her."

Ciara and Zayn's eyes met, 

"Ciara." He started.

"You're Alpha now. You can't go with us, you need to be here in the capital."

Ciara stood with a frown, "I'm not listening to this rubbish." She fumed. "I can handle the court but I can't go with you guys? That's bullshit."

"This might be dangerous, no. It will be dangerous. You know how witches and demons are in normal situations, only that now things are different. We are talking about rouge demons and witches."

Ciara put her hand through her black silky hair in frustration.

"This isn't it. We have a demon with us too and.. and I will be of great help. C'mon, Alex!"

Alex looked away. Zekeiel wasn't trustworthy, she didn't want Ciara fully mixed with him. What if it's a trap or worse?

"For the record, Ciara. If you have forgotten, we have been on our own for years. The other supernatural beings have always tried to end our race in one way or the other. We can't risk your life, we can't!"

The other two in the room remained quiet while the girls lashed words at each other, they knew that invading into their discussion by siding one person was like jumping into hell fire. And no one wanted to annoy Alex. When in this protective side, she could be very lethal.

"Alex.." Ciara called softly. "It's only undercover. And, you can protect me yourself." She immediately gave Zayn pleading eyes and Lucy a stink eye.

Dont just stand there!!

Alex breathed in and out, "I still don't understand what this demon's plan is-"

"I think he has potential. He seems to know everything about the demons. Although most of what he knows is something his ancestors should know…"Lucy trailed off. 

Alex looked at Ciara and then Zayn who still stared at Ciara.

"Zayn." Alex called with calm. 

"It's only undercover. The court can handle itself for a couple of weeks."

Although Zayn didn't oppose the joining of Ciara, everyone knew the answer rested on him. Especially with the way his eyes remained on Ciara.

Zayn finally broke eye contact with Ciara and shifted his gaze to Alex.

"Alright. She's coming."

Ciara felt relief and couldn't help but scoff, she was Alpha but look at them treat her like some beta or worse still, a child.

"I can't believe you guys are doing this." She murmured.

Alex heard her and looked her way, 

"Once there's danger, I'm sending you back."

"Alex!" Ciara blazed while Alex gave a soft smirk.

"When are we leaving?" Zayn asked ignoring the two others banter.

"After the coronation." Lucy replied.

"Enough time to clear some between the court and yourself, Ciara. The date's okay." Alex admitted before smiling sexily.

"At least I get to flirt enough before leaving."

Ciara rolled her eyes as she murmured, "Whore."

Zayn slightly bowed to Ciara who had started exchanging words with Alex again.

"I have duties to attend to." He said and left.

Ciara let out a breath once the door shut closed.

Alex eyes read her face closely, something was definitely up.

"Lucy, you know what to tell Mr Williams." Alex said dismissing the human. Mrs Cletus bowed and left.

Alex walked to Ciara's alcohol cabinet and poured herself a glass of red wine.

"Isn't it too early for that?" Ciara asked as she walked close to her balcony.

Alex gulped her glass and sighed. "Not at all. I need all the intoxication I can get."

Ciara Ignored her and looked away again.

She noticed that the men were rounding up and Leo seemed to have won. She lost her control of her thoughts as she starred at his antics.

Fine abs.

Strong arms.

Sweat dripping endlessly.

Rough and wet hair.

His smile-

She almost smiled but reconsidered it immediately their gazes met.

Fuck!

She wanted to look away but she couldn't. Her eyes remained on him and his fine sexy body.

This wasn't good…at all.

No. Zayn was hotter.

Her mind screamed for control.

"Damn! He is hot." Alex interrupted the air and Ciara seemed to get her self immediately. She mentally thanked her friend for releasing her from such torment.

She faked a disgusted face.

"He looks pale."

"You mean tanned, purr!" Alex licked her lower lip and sipped her drink.

Ciara forcefully dragged her eyes from the men to her best friend. "When are you going to fall in love?" 

Alex slowly faced her friend with a big smile making Ciara roll her eyes regretting asking the question.

Everything was funny for this girl.

"Jesus, girl. You're talking as if I don't have much time again. Relax, I'm going to be single for a while…a long while."

Ciara sighed. "Aren't you lonely?"

"Fuck I'm not. A different male warms my bed every night…" She paused and looked at her friend again.

"Are you lonely?"

Ciara looked away, that question was hard.

"I don't think so. I have Zayn right?"

Alex nodded and sighed.

"There was a slight question in your answer… are you not sure?"

Ciara remained quiet.

"If you have Zayn why do you look empty?"

Ciara looked at her sharply, 

"You guys slept with each other. Finally! You love each other.. so why Ciara?"

Ciara looked away and sighed. The way her friend actually knew what was going through her mind.

"I love Zayn-"

"Do you?" Alex asked immediately. 

"I know that motherfucker had loved you more than life itself but you on the other hand…" Alex paused.

"But I do, Alex."

Alex gave her a soft smile. 

"If you say so girl. But just know that you don't owe him your heart, it's yours. Your fucking decision and choice."

Ciara breathed out and put her hand through her hair.

"I …I'm confused Alex." She admitted.

Not confused about Zayn but herself. Zayn was perfect, she just had thoughts about her own feelings.

For the longest time she had always loved Zayn so what exactly was wrong?

"Yeah. I could see that." 

Alex clicked her tongue and brought another glass, poured red wine into it and offered it to her friend.

"To the lonely ones."

Ciara accepted the glass and smiled softly. Saying all that was satisfying.

She gulped everything in one go.

"Is it just me or has Leo been staring at you since."

Ciara immediately coughed out the wine, Alex assisted her by tapping her back.

"Fucking grace, girl. Are you alright?"

Ciara looked down the balcony and her eyes met with Leo. 

Her heart jumped and again she coughed.

He gave her a small smile and damn...it was sexy.

Her face paled that instant.