Chapter 33: Lies and Heartbeats
Chapter 33: Lies and Heartbeats
*VENUS's POV*
Something was very weird. Derek wasn't his usual self for the past days, he was taking my jokes too
fondly to the point that he'd respond intimately too. Not that I am complaining, but I can't help but be
suspicious.
"You think i'm acting?" He asks, his eyes squinted. Like a hungry man, he pulls me closer that our lips
almost touched if I hadn't placed my hand on his firm chest of his. He whispers, "Listen, I'm a simple
man. You think I would just be this close to any woman?"
I smirked, "You're no simple man, Alpha. Have you forgotten you're a cold-blooded tyrant that doesn't
trust so easily?"
"Are you saying I don't trust you?"
"No," I replied, I pulled away from his hold and stood up. "I'm saying you're cleverly careful. Must be an
alpha's instinct, don't you think?"
He looks over his hands where I just left, his eyebrow furrowed as if he was bothered by something
before he shrugs it off. His once tender gaze towards me slowly turned into bitterness as his golden
eyes started to darken, his following words laced with venom.
"I'm warning you, Venus. Don't you dare betray me."
I stared at him.
Betrayal is my line of work. But why do I feel something ominous around my stomach whenever I see
him like this? is this because he's my mate? Do mates always feel this sense of responsibility not to
deceive one another?
"I pledged an oath, a blood pact. You think I can betray you?"
"I can tell whether you're lying or not Venus. I hear it, your rapid heartbeat that always goes out of sync
whenever you tell a lie."
What?
I couldn't believe him. My eyes widened in shock. Though I did expect it since he could feel the effects
of us being mates, I was stupid enough to think that I could get away by deceiving him one more time.
Now I get why he often calls me a liar. I have to calm my heart. Taking a huge breath, I chuckled. It
wasn't that hard to remain composure as I was very well versed in handling my void emotions.
"How can you interpret it like that? Do you think I'm made of stone? What if I'm just nervous as I was so
close to you? I also get nervous around your handsome face, Derek."
"I really hope that is the case," He chuckled bitterly. He then reached out his hand, urging me to come
close to him once again. What is he doing now? He wasn't angry anymore- yet he had this look of
impatience.
"You won't bite me?" I teased.
"... If you prove your words are true. Then I won't bite you."
I cursed under my breath. He wants me to be nervous around him. But how can I do that when I do not
even fear or love him? If he realized that I still kept lying to his face, wouldn't I fail my mission? I'm
doomed, I thought.
How do I get my heart to pace without lying? Even I don't know the answer to that!
I should change the subject.
"What will you do if my heart really beats for you alpha? Can you take responsibility?"
"What?" He glares at me.
"... I mean, are you really the type to enjoy leading me around even though you love somebody else?
Who was it again? Cheryl, right?-"
He slams his right fist on the wooden desk all of a sudden, his strength telling that he didn't like what he
was hearing. His eyes returning to his hateful gaze, he snarls at me.
"Cheryl is different! Don't involve her in our affairs!"
See? that Human bitch's name is working. A bit irritated, I couldn't help but frown at his response.
I replied, "Don't involve her in our affairs? How can I not? If you're already acting like this just because I
said her name, then she is very well involved in our relationship, alpha Derek."
"That's... not what I meant!"
"I've heard enough." I gritted my teeth, I felt my anger rising again, and since I didn't want to worsen the
situation, I just decided to escape from it. Barely faking a smile, I looked at him. "Don't worry, I never
asked for your love anyway. I just want you to do your part in our deal. Whom you give your heart or
whatever that is, I don't care."
~*~*~*
As soon as the sun sets, I headed straight to the squad's headquarters. I was done staying beside
Derek as his beta, and he seemed to think the same. After our talk earlier, he just didn't mutter a think
and decided to dissolve the conversation as if it never happened.
It's a good thing though, since he didn't have to suspect me anymore anyway.
When I opened the door, I was surprised to see everyone laid down on their backs. Jojo was already
asleep, while everyone was still fighting the urge to stay awake. There were dark bags under their
eyes.
I crossed my arms, "What the hell is going on? Why do you guys look like you just finished 24h shift?"
Most importantly, even Noah looked defeated. His eyes were opened, but it was clear that his
conscience wasn't.
Since Easton was the closest, I walked up to him and leaned down to see his condition, "You're not
injured at all, so why are you all laying down in such an early hour?"
Easton snaps back, finally realizing that I was in the room. "B-Beta Venus?"
"Yeah, it's me. What's wrong with all of you?"
He yawns, spreading his arms. "Well... we didn't get an ounce of sleep last night.. then we had to finish
our remaining task for the week. Alpha Derek was strict about it, saying that if we don't finish it before
the sun sets, then we'll be put to punishment."
I raised an eyebrow. That damned alpha kept forcing my squad to listen to orders without telling me.
Does he have to make it look so obvious that he doesn't trust me?
"What punishment? He can't punish you unless I agree. Next time, tell me about it first okay? If you
want to lengthen you life, that is."
"Yes..."
Then he proceeded to go back to his slumber. As if everyone was listening to our conversation. It made
me sigh when all of them finally closed their eyes to sleep, like they just wanted that confirmation
before they fall asleep.
Wait a minute, have they packed their things yet? I looked around to see a sign, but the room was a
mess and their bags empty. I sighed. If they come late to tomorrow's morning call, then they'll get an
earful.
"Now let's see... Where're Easton's clothes?"