Chapter 11 CHAPTER 011
Stone POV:
Getting out of the water felt like sticking a thousand needles in my skin. I didn't want to feel like I wanted to stay with her but parting felt like an even worse decision. Yet, I went with it.
"What's going to happen now?" She asked and I paused as I grabbed my towel.
That was a question I had no answer to yet. So I moved towards the door, with no intention of giving her an answer.
Moments later, I was dressed in my jet black waist-length coat, black gloves and a hat and walked towards the hall, guards and maids trotting behind me. Much as I would hate to admit, addressing the council was always a scary feat. Not because I was afraid of them but everything about it bores me to death.
The paperwork, the constant bickering among elders, the push to make a certain decision or pass a judgement and so many more. Even the title of Alpha wasn't something I initially wanted but that was a story for another day.
The iron wrought gate swung open and the array of men in red gowns on one side, blue on the other, rose as if they were controlled robots.
I walked in between them, chest out and wanting to get this over with quickly.
"So, let us begin." I said as I took my seat on the podium throne, about three feet taller than my subjects and ten feet away from them.
I nodded towards the secretary who gathered some papers and brought them to me, bowed and walked away.
"Those are charts discussing the state of our economy and security..." Elder Bellum trailed as soon as his gaze met with my cocked brow. "But I guess that can wait till the end of the meeting."
I sighed and dropped the bunch of papers on the table beside me.
"Today, we are going to decide. I am going to decide what to do with the young lady that my wolf dragged in," my eyes roved over the heads of men sitting before me expectantly.
"And we all know that my wolf doesn't just drag someone in on a random Tuesday."
Harry spoke up before I could continue. "Where is she?"
I tilted my head in confusion. "Who?"
"The said woman. The one your wolf dragged in. It will only be fair that she be present in today's hearing, isn't it?"
A cold sensation travelled up the back of my neck as I leaned back and curled my lips in mockery at my Beta. He knew better than to cross me but he was right. Deciding whatever behind Ari would only any of this unfair to her. Not that I cared.
"You're right, Beta Harry. I'll have someone fetch her." I raised my right hand and a guard scurried out of the hall. "While we wait, let us continue."
Elder Kannelle stood. "I only hope that by the end of this meeting, Alpha Stone, you will realize that we are doing everything to ensure no one tries to wage war against us."
"And who will dare?"
Silence held the room hostage like a mousetrap until a feminine voice cut through it. A harmonious sound that I wanted very hard to get out of mind and sight.
"Some arrogant Alpha who doesn't know how territories work."
It was Ari and she looked so breathtaking I was sure everyone in the room heard me inhale a sharp breath.
I hadn't expected to be stunned, but when she stepped into the room, time tripped. The gown was a soft, ethereal green clinging to her like it had been sewn from mist and moonlight, making her green eyes pop.
Its off-shoulder sleeves draped loosely around her arms, trailing in delicate lace that reminded me of vines curling through ancient ruins. The bodice dipped in a V, tastefully daring, softened by the sheer fabric that hinted rather than revealed. Lace crept over her waist like ivy, narrowing to the elegant fall of tulle that brushed the floor like a whisper.
As she climbed the podium and turned to face the audience, I saw that the dress laced up in a crisscross, revealing a teasing glimpse of skin that made my chest tighten. Her hair worn up in a messy bun so that her neck was bare for me to see. That delicate, soft neck that I wanted to sink my teeth into.
Fucking hell!
"Your Highness?" Linus snapped me back to reality and I sat up straighter, ensuring my face was void of all expressions.
"She will stay until I'm ready to decide what to do with her." Murmurings arose throughout the hall but none of the voices could drown the way her tiny voice cut through the roof.
"You must be joking!"
To say I was shocked would be an understatement but then I waved my hand and the guards dragged her kicking self out. There was something about seeing the way she struggled that I enjoyed.
Maybe I felt the raging need to explain or I wanted to just see her, I don't know. But about an hour after the meeting, I found myself opening the door to her room.
She was still in the dress, thankfully. But her hair was worn down now in lovely curls. She didn't turn, but she knew I was in her room.
"It would be great if you learned to adapt to the park right now."
Ari scoffed, her back still turned to me. "That's funny because the last time we spoke, you were so sure about sending me off or killing me."
"I never said I would kill you." That I was certain about, but Ari had rose from the bed and lunged at me.
She was so fast I didn't realize she had grabbed a metal comb that had a sharp tip at the end. The metal had dug through my chest before I knew what was going on.
A snort escaped me as I watched her heavy breaths, her flared nostrils, her red face, trembling lips begging to be kissed and her eyes vomiting fire. Then a smile lifted the corner of my lips as I stepped in closer so the that weapon dug deeper.
The pain was burning and searing through my muscles but I knew it was child's play compared to what I had in mind to do to her.
I watched the fire in her eyes dim when she realized that I'd done. She now had guilt mixed with fear in them now.
That's right. I wanted to see only fear in those beautiful eyes for me and for me only.