Chapter 10 Get out!
Rue tried not to panic as two hefty guards dragged her towards the council temple.
She had tried to explain to Yolanda that she did nothing, but the woman had silenced her and dragged her out of the harem.
Now as the guards pulled her along, she couldn't help but remember Aurora's warning about Katherine. She concluded that Katherine must have indeed run off to Alpha Thane to tell lies.
The interior of the temple smelled of incense and wood, and the air felt extremely cool.
A round table sat in the middle, with several chairs around it. Rue recognized the council instantly, forming a semicircle on one side.
On the other side, there were several fearsome looking men dressed like warriors. One in particular was staring at her intently, almost like he recognized her.
Scared, she looked away and focused on the throne. Thane sat relaxed, one hand beneath his chin, the other one clenched on his thigh.
His eyes were as she remembered. Cold, brutal, with an underlying tone that caused her to shiver. Those red eyes always managed to unnerve her.
Beside him, Katherine gloated like a fool. Rue frowned at her, instantly understanding the situation.
The guards stopped before the throne and shoved her roughly. She fell on her side, wincing from the pain and keeping her head lowered.
"There she is, Alpha." Katherine began. "You have to punish her. Have her killed!"
"Silence, Katherine! Or I'll cut out your tongue." Thane snapped coldly. He had had enough of her tantrums.
Katherine stepped back in shock. Thane had never spoken to her that way. He had never raised his voice on her. This was all because of that blonde brat named Rue.
Unaware of Katherine's thoughts, Rue was trying her best to hold back her laughter. She couldn't explain the satisfaction she felt when Thane yelled at the spoiled brat.
But when he turned his attention to her, she grew serious.
"On your feet, she-wolf." The command was spoken lightly, but the coldness behind it was enough to freeze the room.
Rue smartly refrained from rebelling. She stood up, keeping her eyes lowered.
"Katherine, repeat what you told me." Thane murmured.
While Katherine recounted her lies, he couldn't take his eyes off Rue. The white dress clung to her curves perfectly, outlining her curvy figure.
His fingers itched to feel the strands of her hair, to know if it felt like melted gold. She looked up for a split second, and he caught a glimpse of her eyes.
Those same eyes he had dreamed about the night before while she lay unconscious beside him, those same eyes that threatened to set his beast loose.
Why the fuck did he feel so drawn to her?
Katherine finished and waited, hoping Thane would sentence Rue to death.
But to her surprise, he sat up further and gestured to Rue.
"Is this true?"
"She's lying." Rue replied. "That wasn't what happened."
"You called me a whore!" Katherine's voice rang out in a sharp retort. "You said I was the Alpha's whore!"
"Katherine!" Thane snapped warningly. His eyes were furious as he glared at her.
"Alpha, forgive me, but I think this is just a misunderstanding." Orion ventured out. "It's not enough to interrupt such an important meeting..."
Thane got up suddenly, and Orion quickly backed away, terrified. The council members and Elite Knights rose up too, waiting for what would happen next.
"Get out! All of you." Thane muttered.
When no one moved a muscle, his eyes flashed bright gold.
"GET OUT!" He roared.
Everyone made a mad dash for the door, not wanting to anger Thane any second longer.
When Rue tried to exit with them, Thane's voice stopped her.
"You, she-wolf. Stay!"
She stopped, shutting her eyes and muttering a curse. She slowly turned around and caught him staring at her.
Thane was about to move towards her when he noticed Katherine still standing beside him. His brows furrowed into a deep scowl as he turned on her.
"Why are you still here?"
Shocked, Katherine started to stutter. "B–but Alpha, you never..."
"Get out of here!"
The command made her flinch. Glaring hatefully at Rue, she lifted her gown and hurried out of the temple.
Left alone with Thane, Rue suddenly felt nervous. Her boldness deserted her when he started to walk towards her.
Now that she took her time to scrutinize him, she realized how terrifying he was. Those eyes alone were enough to make the bravest man fall.
Thane walked up to her until he towered over her, his gait smooth like a predator stalking his prey.
He expected her to back away, and even though she was clearly terrified of him, she didn't move. Her show of bravery amused him.
"What did I tell you about your defiance and disrespect?" He asked.
Rue gulped and finally looked away, unable to keep eye contact.
"I didn't disrespect you, and I certainly didn't show defiance. Whatever Katherine told you was a lie."
"What happened?"
Rue looked at him sharply. Was he really asking that?
"What?"
"Explain to me what really happened." Thane calmly repeated.
In one breath, Rue began. "She came to my room and called me the stray dog you brought in. She called me a worthless omega, and when I talked back to her, she tried to hit me. I stopped her, she left, and the next thing I know, I'm being dragged out."
When she finished, Thane remained silent for a moment, his eyes intent on her face. Then his gaze softened a bit. She was telling the truth.
"Stay away from Katherine." He said and finally turned away.
Suddenly angry, Rue called after him. "I never planned to stay with her. You brought me here and sealed my fate, which is not fair. I had a life."
Thane turned around suddenly, startling her. "What life?" He asked.
She caught the mocking tone in his voice and frowned. If only she could tell him the entire truth. But she had to keep up with this pretense if she valued her life.
So she looked away and remained silent.
Thane suddenly felt the urge to be close to her again. He walked back until he was standing before her, then he grasped her chin and lifted her face.
Rue found herself gazing into the ruby depths of his eyes. As much as she hated to admit it, she couldn't deny it. Alpha Thane was a god. He was breathtaking, and the sudden attraction she felt for him annoyed her.
"There's something about you, Rue." He murmured, using her name for the first time since she came. "Something I can't quite put my finger on."
He leaned down and sniffed the side of her cheek, his grip around her chin tightening just a tad.
Rue stood frozen, her eyes opened wide. She couldn't understand how easily her body betrayed her and responded to his touch.
She started to lift her face, like she was in a trance, until her lips were mere inches away from Thane's.
Just as he started to lower his head, the door to the temple slammed open.