The Alpha's Mistress

8

Word Count: 1613

~Sienna

The grass is damp as we tread around the manor.

"I have wanted to meet you for some time," Kayn tells me, sweeping his hand through his hair.

"Really?" I tuck my hands into my coat pockets, shivering against the cold. "How do you know about me?"

"Everyone does. There have been stories about the Luna's orphan long before Onyx became Alpha," he explains.

I sigh, my breath clouding in front of me. I'm not sure how I feel about being a curiosity. I've always tried to avoid reading the papers for this exact reason.

"I have no idea why," I mutter.

"I do." I can feel him looking at me with those stark, pale eyes. "It's a story unlike any other. Most noble families, especially an Alpha and Luna, wouldn't dream of taking in a commoner to raise like their own."

Despite it being the dream of the average commoner, I would have done anything for a normal childhood.

The only benefit of the arrangement was meeting Onyx and becoming his friend.

"Lucia didn't raise me, exactly. I can tell she loved me, but my mother raised me until I was around fifteen. Then some kind staff here took over most of the hard work," I tell him.

Kayn gives me a long look, his brow raised curiously.

"So you don't see Onyx like a brother?" He tests.

"No! Of course not." My cheeks flush. "Onyx is what I would call a chronic only child."

I've had too many impure thoughts about Onyx to see him as a brother. I know he's my best friend, but I can only do so much when I see him shirtless.

And those new tattoos on his chest, stomach and arms...I shake the thoughts from my head.

"What does that mean?" Kayn pushes.

"He's just...it's hard to explain." I rub the back of my neck. "But we have never really felt like siblings. Best friends, absolutely, but not siblings."

I can feel Kayn's sidelong glance. "That makes sense since you're his mistress."

He's testing the grounds, wondering what the reality is behind the arrangement.

The truth is, I think Kayn is attractive. This process isn't about me, but the chance to draw my attention away from Onyx and his pursuit of love to find my own is awfully tempting.

"I know I shouldn't be telling you this, but I don't exactly have a normal relationship with Onyx. Like we aren't in love, nor do we have sex," I say tentatively.

I'm probably going to regret being so honest, but I don't stand a chance with Kayn if he thinks I'm tied up with Onyx. I know he's not my mate, but there's no harm and looking for fun.

"Oh?" He sounds intrigued.

"Don't tell anyone. This title is just so I can remain here, protected," I explain.

"Why do you want to stay?"

"There's a tutor here I really love. She's teaching me botany, so I can study plants," I admit. I've been slacking on my studies recently, but usually, it's all I think about. "It's my passion."

Kayn smiles, looking down at the dewy grass our feet stride through.

"Interesting," he muses. "What happens once you finish?"

I blow out a long breath, thinking. This is the fastest a conversation with a stranger has led anywhere vaguely interesting. I didn't expect to be bearing my soul to this man so quickly, however.