CHAPTER 7

Alexis's breath caught in her throat for a second. 

Her mother? That had to be her mother this man was speaking of. Did she come all the way to the alpha's mansion? Why? She told her to stay put…

Her hands clenched beside her, her throat burning with the lump that refused to go down. 

She heard Keelion say, "I don't have a woman with me." 

"Sir?" 

"There is no woman here. I have a man instead, but since she said she is looking for her daughter, it must not be him. Unless she isn't in her right mind." 

Augustus blinked at Keelion but nodded, though his green eyes flashed into the room for a second towards the bed. He said nothing but instead asked, "What do I do with the woman? Do I invite her in? I think she might want to—" 

"Send her away. I don't have her daughter." 

There was a moment of silence before Augustus nodded, turning around and walking off. As soon as he was gone, Keelion shut the door, and Alexis crawled out from where she was hiding to rise to her feet. 

"That's…that's my mother…" She fidgeted with the hem of her clothing. 

"I know that," Keelion said. 

"Then…why did you send her away? She clearly wanted to—" 

"Are you insane?" His voice was dry with a hint of impatience. "If I asked her in, don't you think my personal guard would have figured out something is wrong? Or do you need me to explain more?" 

Alexis shook her head. "No, of course not. I was just…" She bit down on her lip and took steps closer to him. "I need to go." 

"You can't. I need you here with me." 

"Why?" 

Keelion eyed her with a brow raise. "Didn't you hear what I said before? I marked you, and this is the first time I have ever marked anyone. You can't leave me or stay far from me. I need you here. I'll let you go after the mating mark fades, until then, you're stuck here with me." 

Her lashes fluttered.

"But I need to see my mother." She stepped closer to him, grabbing his hand pleadingly. "I'm not going to run, I swear. Besides, you can always find me so easily even if I do. I just need to see her and talk to her. She came here because she's dead worried. I need her to know that I'm fine." 

Keelion furrowed his brows at her and slipped her hand off. He glanced at the watch around his wrist, saying, "Four hours is all you have to figure things out with your mother. I don't want to look for you after that. Not with your heat all over the place." 

"I've calmed down, so no one can tell for now that I'm in heat except…you…" 

"Don't make me repeat myself, Alexis." There was a growl to his tone.

And she tightened up all over, a flush creeping up all over her face. She was reacting to him even against her will.

Rapidly nodding, a smile crossed her face and the dimples on both sides of her cheek dug deeper.

The man's eyes fell to them, and he averted his gaze, clearing his throat.

He dropped into his love seat, popping open the buttons of his suit jacket, before proceeding to call in Augustus. 

"Sir?" Augustus answered the call. 

"Come up. I need you to escort him out." 

There were no questions asked. Instead, the call ended, and in less than five minutes, Augustus was up and at his master bedroom, knocking on the door. 

"Come in." 

The man stepped into the room, eyes falling on Alexis, who stood with her hands grabbing the sides of her cargo shorts. 

"Him…" he mumbled. 

"Yes, sneak him out. I don't want anyone seeing him," Keelion ordered, throwing his head back, his eyes snapping shut and tousled hair hanging back.

Augustus peered at him and slowly shifted his gaze to Alexis. He was staring so hard at her as if assessing her for something to justify the fact he knew something was off. 

The nervousness caused by his gaze made her shift on her feet, eyes falling to Keelion, knowing she was only ever going to be safe around this man—the one who was somehow her mate. 

"Kee—" 

"What are you still waiting around for, Augustus?" Keelion's eyes crept open, shifting to the man in a very irritated manner.

As if snapped out of a trance, Augustus cleared his throat, apologetically bowing and turning around to leave the room. "Please follow me," he said to Alexis. 

Alexis looked at Keelion first. She didn't trust Augustus at all, and as if the man noticed, he glanced at her. 

"You'll be fine." 

"Are you sure—" 

"Go with him." 

She nodded and left the room, hurrying after Augustus, who was already a few distances ahead. She eventually caught up with him, and for a while, they walked in complete silence before she noticed him eyeing her over and over again as if she had something on her face. 

He was suspicious. 

Alexis quickly shook her head at him. "It's not what you think." 

The man arched a brow at her in silence.

She waved her hands defensively. "It's really nothing. I did something bad, and that's why the alpha spoke to me in private. It's not what you think." 

Augustus came to a sudden halt, and she did as well. He turned to stare at her. "I'm aware." 

"Huh?" She blinked. 

"I know it's not what you think I think. The alpha doesn't swing that way." 

Swing that way? Alexis's mouth slowly fell open, eyes falling to her dressing and recalling the fact that in everyone's eyes except a few people's, she was a beta. Oh… She nodded, widely smiling at him. "Y-yes, exactly. Nothing like that happened." 

For a second, it seemed like the man was agreeing with her, until he asked, "Though, may I ask why you're so flushed? You look like you're in a rut, but that wouldn't make sense, betas don't experience ruts. Only alphas do, and you're not an alpha." 

She gulped. 

"I'm not in a rut." 

"I can tell. But you look like you're in one." 

"That's not it!" she bit out in a pitchy tone. "This isn't that kind of flush. This is a flush of embarrassment, okay?"

Augustus cocked a brow.

"What could have possibly gotten you this embarrassed…sir?" 

Alexis's face screwed into a frown. 

What the heck was his problem? Why was he sounding so invasive and curious about whatever wasn't his business? It was so annoying, her hands fisted by her side, and she basically glared at him.

"What is your problem?" she asked with a bite to her tone. "Why are you asking me so many questions? This is not an interview, so why are you questioning me?"