The Rogue Alpha's Second Chance-Chapter 23: Sugar-Coated

As the sky grew cloudier, Violet became aware of the rain that would befall. She hurried outside to carry all the clothes that were hung on the rope before they got wet.

Once she had them, Violet brought them over to her room and separated based on who they belonged to. Seeing how she had nothing to do, Violet decided to iron the clothes before delivering them to their respective owner's room.

Placing the clothes in Lucas's and Lydia's room was easy for her. And then, standing in front of the Alpha's door, holding his clothes made her feel inadvertently nervous.

Violet cleared her throat and made sure she didn't look silly raised her knuckles to knock. The words she would speak repeated in her mouth silently.

"Enter."

Violet turned the knob carefully and peaked inside. Her eyes paused at the mesmerizing man sitting at the desk, going through the papers. A strand of hair fell on his forehead, casting a gentle touch to his image.

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The rest of his hair was pulled into a neat ponytail. His shirt, as always, was buttoned to the top, and the sleeves were rolled up to his arms— teasing his veiny hands— giving him an abstinent yet sensual appearance.

"Is there anything you needed?" Sylas asked, snapping her out of her daze.

Violet's cheeks flushed when she realized she was checking him out in a not so decent manner.

She always believed as Mathew was her mate, he should be her aesthetic standard.

However, a mere glance at Sylas proved her wrong.

She loved the fatally beautiful type— the type that would cause countries to go into war.

If Sylas wasn't an Alpha, maybe he would be in danger with his beauty being coveted.

'Don't get sidetracked, Violet. What did he say?'

"Oh, clothes. I have come to deliver you your clothes. It was raining outside, so I collected them." Violet's voice was shaky, and she avoided looking at Sylas, afraid he would get a glimpse of her feelings.

Sylas nodded.

"Place them on the couch here."

Violet moved forward to do so. She bent down to place the folded clothes on the couch, and the moment she got up, her eyes fell on a photo.

Sylas— the man in the photo— was held by his neck by a bright woman. The emotions between them translated to Violet, and there was a complex mix of feelings within Violet that she couldn't decipher.

Sylas realized that Violet was staring at the photo on his desk.

"You can leave now," he nonchalantly said.

There were many questions Violet wanted to ask. However, she couldn't remain oblivious to the hostility in Sylas's eyes. This was the first time she had seen such raw emotions from him.

He wanted her out of here.

Although this made Violet's heart drop, she hurried out the door before her thoughts went more astray.

°°°

As Lucas peeled the pistachios for her, separating it on another plate, Violet picked them up and ate one by one. Lucas realized that she was distracted.

"What's the matter, Princess?" Lucas asked.

Violet folded her legs on the couch and turned to face Lucas. There was a solemn expression on Violet's face.

"I saw a photograph on the Alpha's table. Is that his mate?" Although Violet knew it wasn't quite polite of her to probe, she couldn't hold in the curiosity.

"You have grown guts," Lucas commented, amused. "You dare to gossip about the Alpha?"

Her voice was soft. "I was a little curious. The Alpha looks so much different than he is now."

He showed more pure, more sincere emotions.

He was full of life.

Unlike now, where he hid under a mask of gentle indifference.

"Yeah, the Alpha used to be like that at one time," Lucas said, "but then he lost his mate. She was his world. Even to this day, he blames himself for it. The only reason he keeps on living is because he made promises to not to do otherwise."

"He loved her a lot," Violet expressed, feeling sad for the Alpha. She wondered what burdens he carried on his shoulders.

"He did. Luna Julia was perfect. There was no one who didn't love her, but fate wasn't on her side." Lucas sighed. His tone held distress.

"However, no matter how bold you get, you can not being this up in front of Alpha," Lucas warned solemnly.

Violet nodded. "I won't."

Did losing his mate make Sylas settle here in the middle of nowhere?

Lucas saw the expression on her face and could figure out what was going through her head. He flicked on her forehead, causing her to let out a wince.

"I have peeled enough pistachios for you. Now, it's your turn to do the same for me."

°°°

"Violet!"

Her sweet dreams were shattered by Lucas's loud call, jolting her awake. Sitting up on the bed— with her head in a daze— she looked towards both sides in order to assess what the emergency was.

When she managed to come to her senses, Violet stepped into the living room and found the beaming Lucas standing there, holding a shopping bag.

"What's the matter?" Her voice was a little hoarse.

"Have you been sleeping? Did you forget that we are about to go to the human land?" Lucas questioned. "Could it be that you are not willing to go?"

Violet's eyes instantly brightened up.

How could she have forgotten about it?

The pregnancy truly made her sleepy and clouded her mind.

When her dad was alive, Violet visited the human land handful number of times, but back then, the strict control her dad kept her under barely allowed her to explore.

However, from everything she knew, Violet was aware of the excitement in the human lands. There was so much for her to do there.

"I will get dressed immediately!" she exclaimed. "Hold up! Don't leave without me!"

Lucas stepped forward and handed her a shopping bag.

"Until now, you have been wearing Lydia's old clothes. You need something better if you are going out. This should be your size. Now, go and make yourself pretty."

The corner of Violet's eyes curved up. She was pleased.

The joy made her rush to her room— jumping all the way inside.

"Be careful. You don't want to trip and dampen all the excitement," Lydia reminded, shaking her head.

"She makes me as though I am raising a child," Lucas commented.

After a while, Sylas came from outside, done with his morning run. As he was about to go upstairs to take shower, Lucas called, "Alpha, stay here for a second."

Sylas raised one of his brows at Lucas.

Lucas held on to Sylas's shoulders and pulled him over to the couch. He then pressed him down, so that he could sit.

"What are you up to now?" Sylas questioned.

Lucas sat down beside him and placed his hand over his shoulder. Sticking his body close to the Alpha's— not minding the sweat— he said, "We will be going out to the human town later. You will be coming along, right?"

Although Lucas didn't care about the sweat, Sylas felt discomfort. He immediately threw off Lucas's hand from his shoulder and created distance between both of them.

"I do not have any reasons to go," Sylas stated.

"Alpha, come on, consider it. You will mold away by staying inside," Lucas insisted.

"I am afraid not. With you all out of my house, I will be having a perfect day in peace. Also, I have a book to catch up on," Sylas expressed smilingly, silently wishing them best of luck for the trip.

Lucas's eyes then fell on Lydia, asking for her help. He knew she would be able to convince the Alpha.

"With so many eyes on Violet, Alpha, it will be dangerous for her to be outside today. Lucas and I are not enough to protect her. Since you have taken responsibility for her, isn't it only fair to carry out until the end?" Lydia stated, raising one of her brows.

Sylas's gaze shifted between Lydia and Lucas.

"Ever since Violet came over, both of you are getting more and more rebellious."

Lucas leaped forward and hugged Sylas. His lips protruded about to kiss the man to express his affections. Disgusted, Sylas raised his leg and kicked the Lucas away.

"Don't make me beat you up," Sylas grumbled.

Then, the door to Violet's room opened, and she stepped out. "How do I look?"

Sylas's gaze shifted towards Violet.

Lucas chose a knee-length, blue and white plaid dress. Shirt collars peeked out from the neck of the dress, and Violet folded the sleeves up to her arms. Her hair was pulled in a half up do, secured with a matching bow. It added on to her youthful image.

Soft pink blush coated both her cheeks, making her appear like a doll when she smiled. Her hazel eyes twinkled as she twirled in the dress.

"As expected of my vision, you're adorable, Violet. Let me snap a few photos of yours," Lucas praised.

Violet enjoyed hearing the sugar coated words. It had been a long time since she heard compliments.

Sylas got up from the couch and head upstairs. Violet's eyes went towards his back, feeling a little lost.