Chapter 169

Chapter 169
Arabella's POV

I woke with a jolt. The room felt different—lighter, quieter.

My last memory was arguing with Alexander, then Asher explaining his plan while Alexander massaged my back. His strong fingers had worked the knots from my muscles, and I must have drifted off without realizing it.

When I noticed Asher was gone, my stomach clenched immediately. My heart rate spiked as I scanned the room. Alice was sitting on Lucas's lap, happily banging two wooden spoons together.

"Sleep well, Puppy?" Alexander's voice rumbled beside me.

I turned to find him watching me, his eyes gleaming with amusement. I sat up straighter, giving him an accusatory look.

"Did you do that on purpose?" I asked.

His expression was infuriatingly innocent. I reminded myself not to get distracted—there were more important things to worry about, like where my brother had disappeared to.

"When did Asher leave?" My voice came out raspy from sleep.

"Not long ago," Lucas answered, not taking his eyes off the TV. "He tried to say goodbye, but you just mumbled something and went back to sleep. You also mentioned something about Alexander's leg making a comfortable pillow."

I felt my cheeks warm. If I'd fallen asleep, that meant Alexander would have had plenty of time to interrogate Asher for answers. My stomach twisted again.

"What did Asher tell you?" I asked Alexander, searching his face for any sign of deception. I didn't think he would lie to me—probably—but I needed to be sure.

His amused expression faded, replaced by something harder to read.

"Don't worry, Puppy. Only Lucas and Tristan know where he is right now."

I exhaled in relief, glad that Alexander had kept his word. He wouldn't go after Wesley himself.

Alexander let out a low, dangerous chuckle. "That doesn't mean we're done with him, though." His voice was steady, unhurried—carrying a dangerous certainty. "Two days from now, we're going to pay him a visit. I need you to be ready."

I froze, wondering if I'd heard him correctly. I looked at Lucas for confirmation.

Lucas had an evil gleam in his eyes.

"Don't worry, sweetheart," Lucas said, his attention finally shifting from the TV. "What we're going to do doesn't involve blood or violence."

"He's right, Puppy. No blood. No violence," Alexander agreed. "Just a final lesson he'll never forget."

My heart hammered against my ribs as my eyes widened with realization.

"Yes, Puppy," Alexander whispered, his voice turning husky. "Just like I promised, all of us are going to take turns fucking you in front of him. I'll make sure every fucking second is burned into his memory until he takes his last goddamn breath."

A wave of heat surged through me, as a dark, twisted feeling simmered like a slow burn in my belly.

"You still want that, don't you, baby?" Alexander asked.

I swallowed hard and nodded.

This was taking something from Wesley. Making him understand, once and for all, that he had lost.

"Uh, who's going to watch Alice while we do this?" I asked, my voice tight.

"We'll have Esme come over to watch her," Alexander replied, his tone steady as if he'd already planned everything.

It hit me then—they were really going to see Wesley. This wasn't just talk anymore. It was a plan that was about to be executed. I wondered if I should prepare some "final words" for him.

Alice babbled happily in Lucas's lap, hitting him with the spoons.

Lucas let out a dramatic grunt, clutching his chest like she actually hurt him. "Ouch, baby girl. You trying to take Daddy out?"

Alice giggled, eyes lighting up as she parroted, "Lulu. Lulu."

Lucas pressed a kiss to the top of her head, murmuring, "It's okay. You must get your violent streak from your Papa."

"That's my little pup," Alexander said with a low chuckle.

I couldn't help but smile. In a few days, Alice's biological father would be dead, and we would finally be free. But I also knew Frank remained a threat—one more cunning and dangerous than Wesley.

"Where's Tristan?" I asked, a hint of worry in my voice.

"He left with Asher," Lucas said, his tone lighter than Alexander's but still serious. "He's handling the video release. Anonymous. Untraceable. Before midnight, it'll be everywhere."

I was shocked. "Tonight?" My stomach dropped to my ass. "Oh. My. God."

By tomorrow, everyone in the werewolf community would know my mate was gay and had been lying to me. I would be humiliated, seen as the stupid, naive girl who couldn't tell she was being deceived for four years.

Alexander immediately sensed my distress and pulled me closer. His hand moved in slow, steady circles on my stomach, calming and possessive at the same time.

"Stop. Everything will be fine," he said, his voice deep and certain. "No one will dare say a word about you. If they do, they'll have to go through us first."

We just had our first big argument earlier—one where I made him feel betrayed once again. Yet here he is still fiercely defending me.

Wesley would have beaten me for raising my voice to him, but Alexander had never once shouted at me or raised a hand in anger, even at his angriest. I felt overwhelmed by the love I felt from him—from all of them. My chest tightened, and my eyes stung.

Before Alexander could ask what was wrong, I grabbed his face and kissed him desperately, messily, pouring all my frustration and relief and the fact that he'd chosen me still into it. His lips were firm, possessive, demanding my submission even as he let me lead.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you earlier," I whispered against his mouth, my breathing uneven. "Even though you were being a stubborn asshole."

"Watching you get angry was hot as fuck," Lucas chimed in. "And seeing Alexander put in his place? Priceless."

Alexander's eyes darkened as he shot Lucas a warning look. "Be careful, Lucas. You're already on thin ice."

"Worth it," Lucas shrugged, completely unfazed.

Alexander turned his attention back to me, agreeing with Lucas. "But he's right," he murmured, nipping at my bottom lip. "You're sexy as hell when you're angry."

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a low, controlled growl that promised both punishment and pleasure. "But don't think you're getting away without punishment tonight." His fingers tightened slightly on my chin. "You were a bad Puppy today."

Heat pooled in my lower belly. "How bad?" I asked, my voice wavering between hesitation and desire.

Alexander's slow, wicked smile spread across his face as his fingers tightened slightly on my chin. "Bad enough that you'll be crying and begging by the end of the night."

I wasn't entirely opposed to that idea, curious about what kind of punishment he had in mind.

He leaned in and stole a quick, teasing kiss. "You'll see, Puppy."