Chapter 4 The pinky promise

Nivilia Carson

Nivilia always knew she couldn’t trust those hockey posters. They presented the players as though they were untouchable saints that could do nothing wrong. 

Yeah, right. 

Niv had spent just a few minutes with their beloved Captain, and she had already counted several terrible behaviours. 

But who was she to complain?

The royal lineage had the power to break any type of spell or curse. This he-wolf was her ticket to freedom.

So, despite how it grieved her heart that she had to resort to begging a typical Upper Moongladea brat, Nivilia didn’t back down.

When he agreed to her request she was super excited, but she didn’t stop warning herself that she didn’t matter that much to this he-wolf. That much was clear from the bet he placed. 

But… Niv certainly did not expect what came after he announced the win-lose-game-bet. 

“G-Girlfriend?” She felt her eyes widen.

The green in his eyes glinted as he stepped back and gave her a once-over. “With some thorough makeover, you can manageably compete with the girls in Upper Moongladea. So brace yourself.”

Niv scowled.

“Are you seriously doubting this?” he questioned, his voice deep with anger. 

“No. I mean…” She clenched her fingers around her gown, her heart beating at the thought of being this he-wolf’s pawn. She really hoped that would not be true. “You… You just said you won’t be sharing your body. You…”

“And that still stands,” he answered sharply, disdain in his voice.

She frowned even deeper. “But…”

“Beggar Wolf, if you don’t want to do this, you better go on your knees tonight and beg the goddess to make the Moon Rock lose tomorrow.”

After wincing at that insulting name he kept calling her, she looked at him. 

Nothing was exciting about the expression in his eyes. 

In fact, his gaze reminded her of the gloom that preceded a heavy rainfall. 

“This is just a simple give-and-take, Beggar Wolf,” he continued, flexing his arms as he crossed them, a scoff leaving his lips right after. “Maybe not simple. I’m about to give you the most priceless experience; the least you can do is play along and get marked as you desperately asked.”

“Priceless experience?” Niv instantly felt nauseous. Was this he-wolf actually planning to use her for sexual pleasure? “What experience, Alpha Zay?” she probed, her blood slowly boiling.

That feeling increased when she saw how his full lips formed a grand smile.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Alpha Zay turned away. “Become my fake girlfriend, and you’ll find out.”

“Become your fake girlfriend or pray for your team to win?” She threw that question at him. “Which one?”

He stopped, angled his head to the left, grew a little smile in the corner of his lip and said, “Use your brain, Beggar Wolf. And brace yourself.”

“Can I-”

“I’ll send in my bodyguard.” He resumed walking. “He’ll take you to another room. Don’t even think of playing funny games while you’re there.”

“I won’t run,” she said. “But how do I trust you?”

“How do you-?” His anger was obvious as his broad back tensed. “What more do you want from me?”

She took just two seconds to contemplate. “A p-pinky promise.”

He twirled in her direction without a hitch. 

She held out her pinky. “I’m very desperate, Alpha Zay.” She didn’t care that her fingers were shaking. “I need a little assurance.”

He glanced at her fingers and released an irritated sigh. “Fine.”

Sharply, his lengthy pinky wrapped around hers. 

He was about to pull out when she stuck out her thumb.

“We have to stamp it,” she whispered when she saw the fury in his eyes. 

“This is so fucked,” he grumbled as he pressed his thumb against hers. “Are you happy now?” He jerked his hand away. “Let this be the last time you make up an excuse to touch me.”

She didn’t get to reply. 

After a snicker, he vanished from the room.

Niv then slowly lowered herself to the floor. 

On one hand, she was glad to have found escape. On the other hand, the cryptic bet she had just made frightened her. 

Maybe she should have insisted on more information, she pondered. 

But wouldn’t that have been gutsy given that she was the one seeking a favour from him? And she already pushed her luck with the whole pinky promise thing.

With a shaky breath, Nivilia stared at the hand that made contact with his and concluded that, for now, she had to focus on fully escaping while quietly observing what would happen next. 

If something terrible happens, she’d then have to consider the possibility of running away again. 

Because not again would she fall into the trap of being used for anybody’s pleasure.

~~~

The bodyguard who came over was nicer than Alpha Zay.

He led her to a part of the stadium that nobody else probably knew existed.

And this room was clearly Alpha Zay’s 

A jersey number seven was proudly displayed in a glass hung against one part of the wall, and she noticed that there were some framed pictures on a cabinet carrying trophies and medals. 

As she dropped her gaze to a picture of Alpha Zay pretend-punching another player that was covered in ice frosting, she wondered what the Alpha Captain thought of her when he saw her. 

‘Clearly thinks you’re a beggar,’ an annoying voice reminded. She swatted that voice away. 

“I’ll put out fresh clothes for you.” The guard broke her train of thought, his tender tone still surprising her because she didn’t expect it. “The bathroom’s over there.” 

She followed the hand he pointed at the door at the other end. 

“And you can watch tomorrow’s game on the TV.”

“Thank you.” She wasn’t very loud because of the parched feeling in her throat.

“Check the fridge for anything you’d like to eat.”

“Oh.” She glanced at the metallic object tucked in the left side of the cabinet. “I see.”

“Let me know if you need anything more.”

“Uhm… Why are you…”

“Nice?” He smiled. “It’s my job. So, don’t be frightened.”

She shook her head. “I’m not-”

“I’ve seen enough to know when a wolf’s wary of others. And that’s fine. Just get some rest and see what tomorrow has to offer.”

“Oh…” Perhaps it was because she didn’t expect that type of response; those words roused something, something that led to tears. 

Quickly, she blinked.

“I’ll uh…” She pointed like a confused soul. “Go to the bathroom.”

“Sure.”

Nivilia spent what felt like hours in the bathroom. 

It was just… The moment she felt the soothing of the rushing shower and the shower gel she found, it felt as though washing over and over again would get rid of those dirty secrets she had been carrying for so long. 

All that washing only resulted in smelling overly fruity and wasting the precious shower gel.

But she had no regrets. Yet. 

The only thing that would create regret would be if she either woke up to find out this was all a dream or if those monsters ended up finding her again. 

She really hoped neither would be true.