Chapter 9 009
~DERRICK~
I looked down at the girl groaning on the cold stone floor of the dim hallway, her body curled slightly as she struggled to catch her breath. The flickering torchlight cast uneven shadows across her face, and for a brief moment, my eyes twitched with emotions I didn’t care to acknowledge. There was anger....raw and sharp....but tangled with something else I refused to name.
One thing was certain: I was furious.
What I didn’t know was why.
Was I angry because my prisoners had dared to run away under my watch? Or was I angry because my mate....my mate....was thinking of abandoning me without a second glance?
I mulled over the thought, irritation tightening my jaw, when my wolf, Charles, interrupted with a low, angry purr in my head.
What are you saying? he snapped. Aren’t you the one who abandoned her first?
I hissed inwardly, frustration bubbling to the surface. That had been his mood for a long time now....judging me, challenging me, questioning every decision I made concerning her.
“Why are you trying to run away?” I asked coldly, grabbing her arm and dragging her up from the floor. “Is my hospitality not enough for you?”
She winced in pain, a soft, broken sound escaping her lips, and that alone made Charles snarl angrily inside me.
“Hospitality?” she spat, her voice sharp despite her condition. “Is that even a word you can use for that hellhole you call a cell?”
I chuckled dryly, though her words struck deeper than I expected. “Oh, don’t be such an ingrate,” I replied calmly. “I have far more brutal cells than that. Count yourself lucky you were placed there.”
I watched her body jolt in fear at my words, her eyes widening slightly.
“But since you and your friends have decided to be ungrateful,” I continued, my voice lowering dangerously, “I think it’s time I show you exactly what I’m capable of.”
Her eyes widened in shock.
“What....what do you mean by that?” she asked, panic creeping into her voice. “Please… don’t do anything to them.”
She looked toward her friends, who stood with their heads bowed. They knew better than to meet my eyes....anyone who did welcomed death.
“Please?” I scoffed softly. “Why are you begging me?” I tightened my grip on her arms, and she winced again. That was when I noticed it....her arm was swollen, bruised, and clearly injured.
“You’re a tardy little kitten,” I muttered, pushing her away from me. She stumbled and growled weakly in response.
Stop hurting our mate, Charles warned sharply.
I shrugged off his warning without remorse.
“Please, let them go,” she said again, desperation thick in her voice. “I’ll stay. I’ll do whatever you want.”
I sighed deeply. Gods, she was loud.
“Why do you think you have any say in this?” I asked, already turning away. I signaled the guards to take her back.
“We can’t live like this!” she shouted after me. “We can’t live like slaves under you!”
Her voice rang through the hallway....and for a brief, unsettling moment, it sounded almost melodic. Like a tune from the market square during festivals. Soft. Haunting. Beautiful.
I paused.
How can someone so sharp-mouthed have a voice like that? I wondered.
“You have a nice voice,” I said slowly without turning back. “Don’t make me take it.”
Silence followed instantly.
She knew. She knew I didn’t make empty threats.
“My men will escort you back to your room,” I continued. “Your friends will be returned to the quarters I previously prepared for them. I expect complete silence from everyone.”
I walked away, already anticipating the questions she wanted to ask.
Behind me, I heard her scream as she struggled against the guards’ grip, but I smirked faintly. She was wasting her energy.
I entered my study and found my Beta, Scott, already waiting for me. One glance at his expression told me he’d come with news....likely from the council.
“What are those old wolves saying this time?” I asked, pouring myself a drink. I never attended council meetings. Scott did it in my stead. I saw no reason to sit through their endless howling.
“They’ve caught a whiff of you finding your mate,” Scott said. “They’re coming.”
I smiled slowly. I had expected this. They had been waiting for an opening....just like they did years ago.
“She’s the perfect card for them,” I muttered.
“Let them sniff,” I said aloud. “They won’t get anything this time.”
I smirked, but Charles remained disturbingly quiet. I knew why.
“What are you going to do with her?” Scott asked cautiously.
I smirked. “I have to keep her. Rumors of my mate being a rogue won’t do me any favors. But I can’t get rid of her either.”
Charles growled in agreement.
I couldn’t touch her....not if I wanted my wolf to stay. But that didn’t mean I had to tolerate her defiance. She was dangerous. Sharp-tongued. Reckless.
Frankly, I was more afraid I’d kill her than she was of me.
“We could… deal with her quietly,” Scott suggested. “No one would ever....”
“No,” I cut him off. “Not yet.”
I leaned back in my chair. “She has too many tricks hidden up her sleeve. I’d rather be prepared for the show.”
Charles chuckled approvingly in my head, and I rolled my eyes.
“What should I tell the council?” Scott asked. “They already know you’ve found your mate.”
“Tell them she rejected me,” I replied calmly.
My eyes darkened. Someone had already leaked the information....and I still didn’t know who.
“And the rest of her pack members?” Scott asked. “The ones we caught?”
“Leave them,” I said firmly. “Touch them, and she’ll make my life hell.”
She was terrifying in that way.
…Maybe even sexy.
Charles agreed, and I hissed at his stupidity.
“That old fool,” I muttered. “Is he still in the dungeon?”
Scott nodded.
“Good,” I said, a lazy smirk curling my lips. “Then it’s time I paid him a visit. I’m sure he’s missed having a nice, hot bath.”