Sore

Sore
Dante Scout POV

“So, as Beta, are you above my orders?” I looked him over with a lazy gaze.

“We both know why you want to go with her, and that is something I surely won't let happen. She is my sister, at the end of the day. I’ll reprimand her myself,” Finn replied. “Nothing is above you since you're the Alpha, but we're childhood besties, which surely gives me some leverage.”

I sighed, knowing Finn was fully aware of the fact that I could never truly be angry with him. He had always been there for me. He wasn't just my best friend—he was my only friend.

“You really are something. What if I just want to meet your sister? I've never gotten the chance before.”

“You can't play games with me. I know you better than anyone. Still, if you just want to meet her, she's coming with me. You can have your so-called meeting then.”

“Then I am going dateless. Vinorca is not an option, and I don't want to deal with any other woman but her.” I shrugged. It had always been like this. I hated Vin, yet I couldn't even think about any other woman besides her.

Finn's nose scrunched, showing he wanted to say a lot but was deciding whether to be vocal about it or not.

“I've explained this...”

I cut him off. “Doesn't matter. I am the Alpha here. No one can question me.”

“Then I think it's better you get some rest for now, considering you stayed the whole night with Vinorca.” His words were indirect, but I could clearly hear what he meant.

Last night, after the shower, I made sure to put Vinorca in my spare clothes since her heat had stabilized, then took her back to the pack house, making sure she was alright the whole time. I came back to the office early this morning without getting any rest. I was still wearing the same clothes I'd taken last night from the room built into this office.

At least the spare clothes had helped after everything that happened, and I was able to take Vin back home comfortably. She hadn't woken up even once from her deep slumber the entire time. It must have been hard on her since it was her first heat.

Even though I hadn't told him what exactly had happened, Finn was aware of many things, both said and unsaid. So even without being told, he knew about me being with Vinorca and taking her home.

“You want to know the details?” I mockingly narrowed my eyes.

“No. But you clearly don't want anyone to figure out your relationship with her. Then it was dumb to do everything you did, especially the fact that she wasn't conscious and was wearing your clothes. Even if her face was hidden, we have cameras here, which isn't helping your 'wanting to hide' situation.”

He really did lecture like a sore thumb sometimes.

“Only you and I can access them, so it's not rocket science. And even if everyone saw her coming with me, that's really not an important detail. They can think she's someone unimportant. As an Alpha, I can have as many women as I want, or else everyone will think I'm some monk.”

“Any doubt about that? Because you surely behave like one. But then again, you have a mate, so it's justified.”

Why did he keep reminding me that I had a mate, rubbing it in my face?

“Time for work now. You can't just be a loose mouth. I'll rest when I feel like it.” My head fell back against the chair as I closed my eyes.

The sound of the door closing told me he'd left.

Sometimes, when I was alone like I was now, the thought crept back into my mind. Was I punishing Vinorca or myself? The pain of not having her in my arms was so overwhelming that I felt even my parents' deaths couldn't compare.

It disgusted me that I still wanted her, wanted to touch her, breathe her in, breathe with her. Even my heart knew that, whatever had happened, Vin was innocent. She had just been a kid. I still remembered how she'd looked at me with complete trust after she was told I had adopted her. Then I shattered her little heart with my harsh words and actions.

I alone couldn't be blamed for what had happened because pain came with collateral damage, and because of that, we were both suffering.

A dry laugh escaped my lips. It was going to be one hell of a meeting whenever I faced her again, something I would try to avoid like I always did after every encounter we had. Otherwise, both her virginity and mine would have been long gone.

In the evening...

“Sir, we are here,” the driver announced as he parked the car, and someone opened the door for me at that exact moment.

My head was pounding as I stepped out, my eyes momentarily dazzled by the bright lights. Adjusting the cuffs of my coat, I started walking with long strides.

“Welcome, Alpha.”

As soon as I entered the main hall, an old man greeted me, and everyone's eyes turned in my direction, as they should.

Not because I was arrogant. Well, maybe sometimes. But today they were attentive because this was my first appearance as Alpha at any party held in the past ten years since I had become Alpha.

Before that, I used to attend parties with my parents. Since becoming Alpha, I'd avoided these gatherings while trying to manage the pack and the war we had been fighting.

Not that these people cared. They had always wanted to remove me as Alpha so they could take advantage of my pack and my people. This party was full of every kind of snake dressed in expensive clothes: some were scared, some wanted my position, and some simply hated me.

“Thanks for inviting me,” I replied with the authority that only the Alpha of this pack could possess.