Chapter#58

Chapter#58
Leandro’s POV
The packhouse in Ironfang was a joke: cold stone walls dripping with damp, torches sputtering like they were half-drowned, and a bed that creaked under my weight like it was about to shatter. 
I paced the room as my claws itched for something to tear into. Selene. That name was a fire in my veins, burning hotter with every breath. Thinking about her, thinking she was in Ironfang, so close to me, made me hard. 
My cock twitched at the image of her kneeling with her gray eyes wide with fear, giving me her body to claim her. I could only imagine and wait for her to feel the things I would do to her when I catch her. 
I know you’re here, you bitch. I’ll find you, drag you to Bloodclaw, and make you pay for every damn day you’ve made me wait.
The door creaked open, and Rhea slipped in. Her eyes dropped to the floor as she approached me. The way her hips swayed was a subtle seduction I knew too well. 
She thinks she can tempt me right now, when the one I love is so close to me, waiting for me to grab and claim her.
“What?” I snapped, turning to her.
Her hands reached for my arm as she stepped closer. “Alpha,” she murmured in a low and husky voice. Then her fingers started to trail up my chest. “Let me ease your mind. You’re tense… let me help.”
I grabbed her wrist, twisting it just enough to make her gasp. Her eyes widened with a mix of pain and desire. “You love this, don’t you? You whore. You think you can touch me?” I snarled, pulling her close. Her body pressed against mine. I could feel her soft, round breasts against my chest. “You’re just a wolfless bitch, Rhea. Why would I want you?”
“Because I’m yours,” Her breath touched my face as she seductively whispered the words.
Her free hand slid to my thigh, and her fingers started to slowly brush my cock through my trousers. “I’ve always been yours, Leandro. Look how hard I make you… how good I’ve always made you feel.” She slyly smirked. 
She got her other hand out of my hold and grabbed my hand. She guided it between her legs, where her slicks were soaked. She pressed herself further into me and continued speaking with a husky tone, almost moaning. “This is what you do to me. And you know it’s only you who can do this to me. I know you’re in love with another, and anytime soon, you’ll find her. And I also know that you won’t be able to resist me. Selene or no Selene, we both know you’ll always crave me.”
And she was right. 
My free hand moved to her throat, squeezing just enough to make her gasp. I could feel her pulse racing under my fingers. She stared into my eyes as her face flushed red, and then it started to turn purple, but she didn’t resist. Instead, her moans grew louder as she guided my hand to move faster, circling her clit.
“You’re just desperate. I don’t love you or crave. I never will. You were always a whore who warmed my bed whenever I needed.” I sounded convincing, but I knew better. I was lying. A part of me was desperate for her, and I hated to admit it. As the words came out, my cock hardened even more under her hand. I pushed her away, making her stumble and gasp for air as she coughed a few times. Her eyes met mine, and she bit her lower lip, smirking.
I continued. “We both know that your devotion is why you’re here. You’re like a faithful dog, leashed to me, trying to find ways to get your paws under my clothes.” 
Without a word, she dropped to her knees and crawled her way to my legs. “Then let me prove it to you. If you think I don’t matter, stop me.” Her hands started to fumble with my belt. I wanted to stop her, but my hands hesitated.
God, she’s fucking with my head, my heart for Selene, and my lust for her.
Then a knock at the door stopped her cold. Her body hit the floor with a thud as I shoved her away. “Who’s it?” I roared.
One of my knights entered with his head bowed. “Alpha, we have news on the Silverthorn wolf.”
My blood surged. My cock throbbed with frustration as I yanked my belt tight. “Speak,” I ordered.
“It's Omari. We’ve got some leads on him, and we think he’s hiding her.”
Omari. That name was a curse on my throne. He was the omega leader who’d been freeing my slaves and building a pack of rejects. If he had Selene… 
“What do I always say, huh?” I muttered as I took a few steps closer to him. I could feel his whole body trembling. “Don’t give me unnecessary headlines. If you find her, good. Bring her to me. If not, then don’t bring your ugly face to tell me you can’t find a little wolf who’s got nowhere to go.” My claws scraped the surface of my palms. “If you come back again without her, I’ll make sure my whores spank you till you bleed to death.”
His whole frame shook as he nodded. “I… I got it, Alpha.”
“Get out now, and don’t waste my time!” I snarled. 
He gave a last nod and fled away. 
“Oh, Alpha,” Rhea came running toward me, grabbing me from behind. 
“Fucking leave me alone!” I barked, shoving her away.
“Alpha,” her voice cracked as she whispered, “Let me stay. I can—”
“Not now, Rhea. I need to think.” I cut her off, “Go and check on what these stupid knights are doing.”
She knew better than to argue with me. Without another word, she left the room, closing the door behind her. 
“That bastard!” I growled. The door opened again, snapping me out of my thoughts. I didn’t turn. “Knock before you enter, Rhea!” I hissed. “And I asked you to go check on the knights. Why’re you back so soon?”
“I’m your beta’s doing a good job checking on those lazy ass knights.”
I smirked. “Varian.” I turned around and walked toward him. “You ready for showing off in the battles for your alpha?” I teased as I pulled him into a hug.
“You know me. Been born ready.” 
We pulled apart and settled into the worn-out sofas in front of the bed.
“You look like hell.” I collapsed his shoulder.
“Hell looks back at me every morning.” He chuckled, adjusting himself on the sofa. “But I’m alive.”
I leaned forward and gripped his shoulders. “Every time I look at you, I can see our past.” My voice was low and filled with sorrow. “And no matter how many times I apologize, I can never bring back those times, and I can never fix what he broke.” I softly exhaled before continuing. “For what my father did to you… to your mother. The witchcraft accusations, the burning… it was a monster’s act. He was ruthless, but I should’ve stopped it.”
Varian’s eyes darkened, but he shook his head. “Why do we have to keep talking about this whenever we see each other?” his voice was steady. “I say this every time, and I’ll say this again. That past shaped me. If he hadn’t done it, I wouldn’t be what I am today.”
“If only,” I muttered as my thoughts drifted to my father’s cruelty and his sadistic games. “He was a beast, Varian. But you’re right, he made us strong.”
“You could’ve been a better Alpha, though.” He crossed his arms, leaning back into his seat.
“I don’t know how to be better.” I mockingly smirked. “All these wolves need someone to spank them here and then. Else, this place would become a killing pit.” I poured some wine for us. “My wolves have got a lead on Selene.”
“A lead?”
I nodded and then continued speaking. “That bastard, Omari. He’s been freeing slaves and getting in my way for years. And I’ve been ignoring him. But now, he’s pushing my limits.” I sharply exhaled. “She’s with him. My wolves have got loads on his trail.”
“Why don’t you just find him and get it over with?” Varian took a sip from his glass. “I’ve been trying to catch him since forever. And I got leads on him several times, but they always led nowhere. Back to square one every time. But if he has her, we must act quickly.”
“You’re right,” I said in a low growl. “Find him for me, Varian. And bring Selene’s to me. I know you’re the only person who can do this. You’ve got my knights if you need them.”
“I’ll find him for you, don’t worry.” Varian nodded, taking another long sip. “I came here to tell you the same thing. I’ve got a solid lead on him. Not him, to be specific. It’s one of his wolves. Heard he’s in the city.”
“Well,” My voice rose with excitement. “Do what you have to do. I want his head on my dining table soon.”
“I won’t be able to attend the grand feast tonight. I’ll maybe take two trainees with me and be back by dawn.” He leaned in toward me. “Don’t let the word out. I want this to be between us.”
“You have all the time in the world. I wish you could join me for the grand feast, but, huh, it is what it is.” I clasped his arm. “That bitch will be mine soon. Varian, my brother, trust me, I can’t tell how bad my claws are itching to be inside her, to hear her beg for my mercy and beg me to claim her.”
He met my gaze. “You will soon. She needs to learn a good lesson.” He smirked. “You’re gonna be just the perfect teacher.”
I roared a laughter. 
I’d known Varian since we were kids. We’d been like brothers. We’d trained together, shared secrets, endured my father’s wrath. We’d been inseparable until his mother was burnt alive in front of him.
I could still hear his screams when that happened. What my father did to his family and then to him was unforgivable. And I’d apologize to him every time we met. But I knew nothing could make up for that suffering. My love for him only rose, and I fiercely loved him like he was my younger brother.
There was a knock at the door. A knight entered after I allowed. “Alpha, a Duskrend messenger told us that Alpha Gavric is rallying allies against you. He says you broke his faith and burned his wolves.”
I only laughed. 
“Gavric?” Varian added.
“That filthy chicken.” I gave Varian a side eye as I laughed again. Then my gaze landed on the knight, and my voice turned firm and cold. “That fool dares challenge Bloodclaw?” I got up and paced around the room, collapsing my hands on my back. “Send him a message. Tell him not to waste time plotting against me. He may gather his alliances and stay where he is. I’ll return to Stormhowl after my work here is done. And he better be ready to see his pack turn into a graveyard.”
The knight nodded frantically, and he fled.
“What’s with Gavric?” Varian asked.
“I just taught that son of a bitch a little lesson on my way here,” I smirked, looking out the window. “He’s a fool to think anyone will join his alliance.”
“He'd better be counting his days.” Varian playfully punched my shoulder, and then continued. “I should leave for the city now. And you should run for the council meeting you’re running late for.”
“Those hypocrites can wait.” I hissed under my breath and then turned to Varian. “I wanna see you win those battles, Varian. Don’t ever think about giving someone else a chance when you can top the ladder.”
I gave a final nod and left.
I stormed to the packhouse’s great hall with my knights falling in behind me. The lords and alphas were gathered. Everyone stood as soon as I entered the room. Gavric’s messenger had probably spread the poison, and I saw it in their gazes.
“Sit,” I ordered.
They obeyed. Their chairs scraped as we all took our respective seats. 
“You know why I’m here,” I firmly said as my eyes swept across the room. “A Silverthorn wolf is hiding in Ironfang. Her name is Selene, Alpha Theron’s daughter. She has long silver hair and gray eyes. She is small and wiry. She might have changed her name or her hair. But she’s here among all of us, fooling us and disrespecting our positions.” 
I exhaled and then continued. “If you find her, and deliver her. I’ll make sure Bloodclaw has an alliance with your pack and will guarantee your pack’s safety. But if you defy me…” I paused and scanned everyone’s faces. “I’ll burn your pack to ash, feast on your screams, and claim your women as my whores.”
A lord raised his glass of wine, “Alpha, our wolves will search for her and bring her to you. Bloodclaw has known Ironfang’s loyalty for years, and Ironfang will remain loyal to you.”