Chapter 25 A DANGEROUS WARNING
Ginnie
CRACK!
The sound exploded through the kitchen before the pain did. My head snapped to the side, vision turning white as uncontrollable pain bloomed across my cheek.
For a moment, the only taste that filled my mouth was the sharp taste of blood as I staggered back, my fingers gripping the cold kitchen counter to keep myself upright.
“I’m not going to ask you again,” Lady Ravena hissed, as if she hadn’t just slapped me hard across the face. “Are you crawling into my son’s bed? It’s a simple yes or no.”
Her hands were still raised as she stood before me, the expression on her face dangerous enough to kill. “No,” I whispered, the words forced out of my mouth before I would think twice about it. “I’m not involved with him, my lady.”
Her eyes narrowed as she scanned my face—sharp, predatory, before she opened her mouth to speak, “Do I look stupid to you? How dare you stand there and lie poorly to my face!” She barked.
Then, without warning, she began to step closer, until there was no inch of space left between us. I instinctively retreated the closer she came, until my back hit the counter fully, the edge of the wood biting into my spine.
“I have watched my son for centuries,” she continued, “I have seen him angry, seen him cruel. I’ve watched Varkos tear out throats without blinking.” Her gaze dropped briefly to my cheek, where her handprint was already blooming red, “But I’ve never seen him lose control all because of some…stupid little human.”
My fingers curled into my skirts, nails digging into fabric. What the hell was I supposed to say to save myself? How could I tell her that Varkos and I had been intimate six years ago?
Hell…that her grandchild was on the same roof as her?
“He clawed a high-ranking wolf’s ear off,” Lady Ravena’s voice shattered through my thoughts. “In front of everyone, even his mate,” her lips curled in suspicion. “And you tell me that he did all that for nothing?”
“M…maybe he was angry,” I said quickly. “He must have been in a bad—“
“Enough!” She snapped, the single word cracking like a whip that sent a chill through me. Then she leaned in until the scent of her perfume choked the breath out of me, “Do you think I can’t tell the difference between anger and a man being possessive over what is his?”
“I watched his eyes,” Lady Ravena continued. “The moment those wolves touched you, he forgot who the hell he was,” her voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “That is not how an Alpha reacts to a slave.”
I shook my head in protest, “ I swear to you, nothing is happening between us. I’m the only his personal slave, who cleans his chambers. I do as I’m told.”
She studied me for a long, terrifying moment, her eyes raking over my face as if peeling me open layer by layer. Before I could part my lips to speak again, her hand moved again.
Gripping my chin with iron-hard fingers as she forced my face up, examining me like something rotten she’d found in the trash. “Listen very carefully, you filthy human,” her voice dripped with venom. “Because this is the only warning you will ever receive from me.”
Her thumb pressed painfully into my jaw.
“My son is going to mark Kenna as the future Luna of the Blood Moon Pack. That union is going to happen whether you like it or not, and you dare not interfere.”
“I’m not—” I started, panic flooding my chest.
“Don’t you dare interrupt me when I’m speaking!” Her voice thundered across the kitchen, “You will stay away from Varkos from today onwards…not even a single glance at him.” Her hand slid down from my chin—and gripped my wrist hard.
I gasped as her fingers tightened, every bit of her long, sharp nails digging into my skin like talons. Pain shot up my arm, hot and blinding. I tried to break free, but it only made her grip tighten more.
“If I as little as suspect,” she continued softly, but there was nothing gentle about the tone of her voice. “that you are trying to come in between Varkos and Kenna—“
She stepped closer, close enough that I could feel her breath against my ear as her grip tightened again, deliberately, until I bit back a cry.
“I will kill you.”
The words sliced into me like a blade, white-hot pain pulsed through my hand, down my arm all the way into my chest, pinning my legs to the spot until I couldn't feel them anymore.
“P…please—“
“And I won’t make it quick,” her voice cut in before my pleas would land in her ears, twisting my wrist just enough to force a wince of pain out of me. “I will give a very slow and painful death, then scatter what’s left of you so far from this land that even your bones will never find rest.”
“Do you understand?” She said, releasing her tight and painful grip on my hand without warning.
I stumbled back, clutching my wrist to my chest as I leaned against the counter to recover from the pain, my breath coming in uneven, shaking gasps. “Y—yes, I understand, my lady.”
“Good.”
“I’m sure you’re smart enough to learn the consequences of going against me…because I’ll make sure Varkos will never know where I’ll throw your rotting dead body,” Lady Ravena finished calmly. “He will never even think to ask.”
Her eyes raked me from head to toe in one disgusting look, then she turned towards the kitchen door. Her footsteps echoed across the floor—measured, deliberate, until the door closed behind her with a soft, final click.
I stared at my hand.
The red mark on it was already swelling red as I slid down the counter slowly, my knees giving out as I sank to the floor.