For a minute, no one moved. The words hung in the air, causing both sides to continue to look at each other.
Sehyun's eyes seemed to be asking something from Emelia, but she could not tell what it was. All she knew was that an alpha was trying to dominate her.
However, no matter how sensitive she was, a beta did not have the same reaction another alpha or an omega had to these pheromones, and she eventually broke free of the spell she was under.
To not seem awkward, Emelia just coughed into her fists and looked away.
"Please hand me any instructions that are left for me. I should take my leave now. I still need to settle down in my new room."
Emelia left quickly, not wanting to stay with an unknown alpha in the same kitchen.
Usually, staying with an unknown person was not a problem for her, but there was something weird about the way Sehyun was looking at her.
It was not the kind of look an alpha gave a beta. There was too much darkness and even a hint of mad desire in it.
'This place and the people in here are dangerous. It's a good thing Aunt sent me here and not Sena. An omega would likely not be able to remain sane in such an environment.'
Emelia rushed out of the door, but a voice called out to her before she stepped outside.
Warmth touched her back, and a hand pressed against her waist, almost touching her but not quite there yet.
Sehyun's voice was just as sensual in her ear, making her shiver in anticipation and fright at the same time.
"If you are wondering where the other people are, then don't. You'll meet them during dinner. They're out for work right now. However, I do hope you pay more attention to me, miss. I have taken a liking to you, so I hope you take a liking to me as well."
The voice felt like melted sugar against her ear. Pheromones covered her, causing Emelia to take a deep breath.
And just as easily as they had melted against her skin, they vanished as well.
Sehyun walked past her, and his face was turned away. But somehow, Emelia had a feeling that he could still track every movement she made. It was maddening, and she felt like she was shackled by his gaze.
"What craziness. I felt like my life was in danger back then. I need to keep my guard up."
Somehow, those words did not reassure Emelia. She still felt like she was prey, and everyone else around her was her predator.
"Enough thinking. I need to get back to work now. No matter how clean this place looks, I don't think I should neglect checking this place up."
Emelia quickly went back to her room to open her bag and get settled in.
This mansion was going to be her home for the foreseeable future, so she wanted to make full use of it.
Despite Emelia having only one bag's worth of clothes, somehow she spent two hours unpacking and rearranging her room.
She felt nervous stepping out of her room, but she decided to take a walk outside. As she reached the kitchen once more, she came across a diary kept in plain sight. The subtle scent of familiar pheromones told Emelia who had put it there.
Despite knowing that no one was around, Emelia still took a look around before she opened the book in front of her.
It had detailed notes on what to do and what not to do. It also had timings on when she should be out and when she should be in.
The schedule seemed to be tight, leaving hardly any personal time for herself. It made her wonder if the wardens before her had followed the same schedule as well.
Somehow, it seemed like such a bother to her.
"Well, if someone went through the trouble of providing me with all this, I might as well make use of it now. According to this, I should be getting started on dinner. Now, let's see about the allergies…"
Emelia was not a good cook, but she had some basic training in this field.
Cooking and household work were more of an omega's responsibility, but female betas were often expected to know it as well.
Not that it was the reason Emelia knew how to cook and clean.
She just learned it because her aunt wanted her to learn. These were valuable life skills and would come in handy for anyone.
Once she was done with her preparations, Emelia quickly finished the rest of the cooking. It felt like she had only spent an hour doing that, but when she looked out, the sun seemed to already be setting.
This far out in the forest, there were no city lights or other things to distract her. The room quickly got dark, and Emelia decided to turn on the light.
As she moved toward the door, she felt a presence near her, closing in around her like a predator.
Emelia's breath hitched, and she sped up to press the light switch. But a hand reached out to grab her wrist before she could press the switch.
This small touch caused Emelia's instincts to act, and her training to kick in. Before the other person knew it, Emelia had his wrist in a lock and her eyes locked with glowing silver ones.
Alpha pheromones saturated the air, and for the first time that day, Emelia could no longer hold herself up.
Her body went lax, and she leaned against the person holding her arm. That hold was the only thing keeping her afloat at the moment.
"Who are you and what are you doing here? Are you an omega sent here to get information on me? I won't allow you—"
A pained groan left Emelia's lips as she felt her arm being strained. The longer she stayed like this, the more she felt like she was going to snap.
Finally, she managed to pull herself together, and she used her free arm to grab the alpha and hit him on a sensitive spot on his neck.
Emelia was instantly let go once she did that, and she ran toward the light switch, turning it on before the other person could get close to her.
Her eyes met the silver again, and Emelia finally had a good look at the person who had almost ended her life.
Along with silver eyes, the man had a well-built body and no shirt on. He also looked agitated—almost to the point where he seemed half-feral.
Emelia made a decision not to move, but she did speak calmly.
"I am the new warden. My name is Emelia Hernsberg. If you have any complaints, please speak to the main family. And also, please calm down a bit. You might have an attack if you continue to be this agitated."
Emelia tried to speak calmly, but she had a feeling that only half of what she said was being conveyed to the other person.
The feral alpha growled lowly before he threw himself toward Emelia once more.
Is this how I die? At the hands of a feral alpha? I want to fight back, but my stupid body…
Emelia closed her eyes, bracing herself for the impact.
But that impact never came. Instead, a soft voice reached her ears, and Emelia opened her eyes.
"Are you alright, miss? I'm so sorry you had to face something like this on your first day here. Usually, Liam is not like this, but today is not a good day for him. I hope you won't hold it against him."
Sehyun's smile looked strained but calculated at the same time.
Not only was he asking Emelia to calm down, but it seemed as if his smile hid other meanings as well.
Emelia had a feeling that rejection was not an option for her—especially not when the only thing between her being alright and being bitten by a rampant alpha was Sehyun.
"Don't worry. I'm fine for now. I was told that this was a possibility, and I need to prepare myself for it. I am not hurt."
Emelia spoke confidently, and her voice masked any discomfort she felt.
"I see. That's reassuring to hear. In that case, please continue to do what you were doing. Oh, and also, follow the schedule. It is set for your own safety. I don't want to imagine what could happen to you if you decide to do things on your own."
There was a warning hidden behind those words of care.
Had Emelia not been ready to do whatever it took to repay her aunt, she would have taken those words to heart.
But unfortunately, she was not an innocent maiden, and she knew what could happen to her… or rather, what would happen to her.
Sooner or later, Emelia would have no choice but to help the alphas out with their desires as well.
But that day was not today.
______
Please give feedback. I don't usually write smut, so I want to know if the tension is good or not.