BENEATH HER DARKNESS: The Alpha's Little Demon by Cassandra M

“It won’t be too long. I just need to see for myself the new prisoner that they took in.”

We were in the kitchen, and she was preparing her breakfast. She had no scheduled work today, but

unfortunately, I had to go back to Kalmerus for a while.

I wet my lips as I walked toward her. She was standing by the counter, preparing coffee, her back

turned toward me. I stopped behind her and moved her hair from one shoulder so I could rest my chin

on it while my arms wrapped around her waist. “Where did they catch him?” she asked.

“Spying around Kalmerus. I need to interrogate him and then see if he is telling the truth.”

“You will dig into his mind?”

“If I need to, and only if I can. Some species have supernatural powers that don’t allow demons to

infiltrate their minds.”

“What species is your new prisoner?” she asked. “Fae.”

“Is it a female?” Her head tilted up, and she stared blankly at the cabinet in front of her.

A smile tugged on my mouth as I watched her expression as if she were already sad. “Male. A male

fae.”

“Oh,” she said softly before tilting her head back to look at the coffee she was stirring.

“I don’t think they’ll be sending a female faerie to the underworld if they want something done or to spy

on demons. Females are not safe in the demon world.”

“I was safe there, except from Lucien.”

I took the cup of coffee away from her and placed it somewhere to the side before I slowly spun her

body around to face me.

“Only because he placed an enchantment around you. No one sees you in that body and face, not any

male demons.” I told her as my hands went to her waist and I lifted her off the floor, setting her on the

counter.

“Only because he was afraid any of his sons would come and kill me.” She said as she coiled her arms

around my neck.

“If I had known you beforehand…”

“I’m glad you didn’t.” She cut me off. “You might be a different demon then. And maybe I would hate

you.”

“So that means you don’t hate me now?” I asked, my brows hiking up.

“Are you asking for a compliment again?” She rolled her eyes at me before she flicked the tip of my

nose. “Go now, so you can come back earlier.”

I nodded my head. “Okay. Are you planning to go somewhere while I’m away?”

“No. I’ll be home, just waiting for you.”

I grabbed her by the jaw as a smug smirk crossed my face. “Good girl. Now, give me a kiss to pump

me up while I’m away here.”

I wasn’t even finished with my words when she pulled my neck closer to hers and crushed her mouth

against mine. Patrea was getting bolder when it came to physical contact, and it made my chest soar

with pride to see that she was slowly getting comfortable in my arms.

“Don’t take too long.” She said as she wiped the wetness from my lips with her thumb.

“I won’t.”

“Maybe we can go out for dinner tonight.” She said so, but her eyes avoided mine.

“Would you like to have a formal dinner with me?” It just slipped out of my mouth, but I didn’t regret it

the moment her face lit up from my words.

“Is that a date? I have never been out on a date for a long, long time. It might be awkward for me, but I

want to try.”

“I have never been out with a female. So we can be awkward together.” I told her.

She chuckled softly at my remarks. “I don’t think you’ve ever been awkward with anything you do.

You seemed to know what to do with everything.”

“And you, my lovely queen, know all the right words to say to boost my ego.”

“Don’t call me that. I might get used to it.”

“I don’t mind. You’re allowed to get used to it,” I said as I let a smile tug onto my mouth while my hand

brushed the hair away from her face.

My queen. One day I would ask her if she was willing to become my queen – permanently.

One step at a time.

A red tint crept onto her face as she bit her bottom lip.

“I should go now. Don’t forget you have the mirror. ” I said.

“And the coin.” She smiled at me and tapped her jeans pocket. “In case I miss you.”

My hand cupped her cheeks as I pressed our noses together, our breath fanning against each other’s

faces. “And if you see me glance up in the mirror, it means the same thing.”

“Say it,” she said in a soft voice.

I rested my forehead against hers before I closed my eyes. I was enjoying the warmth of her breath

and her vanilla scent. “Say what?”

“The exact meaning when you glance at the mirror.

II

“Demons don’t have emotions like that.”

“But you said…” She pulled away from my grip, and it made my eyes snap open and look at her. “So

you just said it to compliment my words?”

“No…” I shook my head. I had no idea what she would get from this.

“So, do you think you will miss me while you’re gone?” she asked again.

I rested my palms on the counter, caging her legs. I bit my bottom lip and stared at her before nodding

my head.

“Then say it. I want to hear it. Or you will not be going anywhere.” she said, smiling mischievously.

Bossy. But I liked it.

“I miss you every time I’m away from you.” I started, and she slowly gasped for air. “And I know I will

miss you today.”

She wrapped her arms around me and gave me a bear hug, her head resting in the crook of my neck. ”

Can I rub the coin one time, from time to time? Like many times today?”

Three times consecutively was to summon me, but I did tell her ages ago that she could rub it once if

she missed me.

“Yes, I would like that.” I smoothed my hand over her back as I hugged her tightly. “But make sure you

leave ample time so I know it’s not an emergency call and it doesn’t make me worry.”

PATREA.

Lucius had left more than three hours ago, but he was just inside Kalmerus, so it was easier for me to

see him. And like he said he would, he threw glances once in a while at where he knew the mirror was

set for me to view him.

His actions gave me butterflies in my stomach.

He missed me.

Although I missed him as well, I refrained from rubbing the coin except twice in the last three hours. But

I was planning to do the third one soon. I let the mirror sit on the shelf where it was easier for me to

check while I cleaned in the living room. The hours were dragging slowly, but I wasn’t complaining

because I was looking forward to tonight.

I had no formal clothes, but maybe I would take advantage of Lucius and ask him to dress me up later.

I smiled at my own thoughts and was about to get the coin in my pocket to let him know that I missed

him when I heard knocking on the front door.

I let out a sigh, as I placed a doorbell by the gate to stop people from going directly to the front door.

But I was assuming this was Bernard, as he was the only one who had the guts to enter the gate and

head for the door.

“I’m coming,” I called out as another set of knocks came in.

I shut the clam-like mirror before I peeked at the door hole, but I couldn’t see who it was. I could only

see the top of her head. It was a female. So definitely not my neighbor.

I opened the door slowly, ready to flash a smile to my uninvited guest when her features reminded me

of someone.

“Hi! Good morning! I’m Shania, and I’m from Delacrox Insurance. I was wondering if you have time so I

can discuss some of our offers.” She spoke in a very calm and professional manner as if she had been

doing this her whole life.

But I knew who she was.

She was more beautiful and stunning face to face.

But what was she doing here?

“So, do you have time for me?” She asked again, smiling and clutching the portfolio in her arms while a

laptop bag was slung over her shoulder.

She came prepared for this.

“I know who you are,” I said in a calm manner, but my heart was beginning to beat harder.

The friendly smile on her face warped into a sarcastic grin as her eyebrow raised. I saw a flare of anger

cross her eyes before she scoffed at me. ” Then I don’t need to pretend anymore.”

Nyneve pressed her hand against the door and pushed it wider before she stepped inside the house,

even before I could react.

I smelled danger.

I knew I should distance myself from her, but if I went and ran away, I was sure she would not hesitate

to make a scene outside, and that’s the last thing I wanted. So instead, I closed the door and locked it

before I turned around and faced her.

“Patrea, right?” She asked. Her facial expression alone told me she didn’t like me.

Well, the feeling was mutual.