Chapter 13 TWELVE
"The wolfless slave thinks she's special." Victoria's voice drips with venom as she corners me in the bathroom. Steam rises around us, making her expensive perfume cloying. "Just because Alpha Stone keeps you close doesn't mean you belong here."
I keep my eyes lowered, clutching my towels closer. The morning started peacefully enough – Sarah sent me to prepare the females' bathroom before the pack ladies arrived for their weekly spa ritual. I should have known it was a trap.
"Look at me when I'm speaking to you." Victoria's manicured hand grips my chin, forcing my head up. Five other female wolves flank her, all wearing identical smirks. "Or did Master Kane fail to teach you basic manners?"
The heat from the thermal pools makes it harder to maintain my walls, to keep my wolf contained. She wants to snarl, to fight back. Instead, I force myself to assume the proper submissive posture.
"My apologies, Lady Victoria. I meant no disrespect."
"Oh, listen to her perfect little slave responses." A redhead – Keira, circles me predatorily. "So well-trained. Almost like she's done this before."
"Suspicious, isn't it?" Victoria's grip tightens painfully. "A wolfless one with such... control. Such grace. Tell me, slave, what are you hiding behind those pretty eyes?"
My heart pounds. They can't know. They're just fishing, trying to provoke me. I open my mouth to respond, but Victoria's other hand shoots out, shoving me backward.
I stumble, losing my balance on the wet marble. The thermal pool rushes up to meet me, and I plunge into scalding water fully clothed. The heat threatens to trigger my shift – it's too much like the fever that accompanies my true nature.
Laughter echoes off the walls as I surface, gasping. My silk robe clings transparently, and I fight the urge to cover myself.
"Not so composed now, are you?" Victoria smirks. "Maybe we should help you clean up properly."
Strong hands grab my arms, forcing me under again. I struggle to maintain control as panic sets in. If I lose it here, if my wolf emerges...
"Enough games." Victoria's voice carries over the water. "Time to see what you're really made of, little slave."
They drag me to the shallow end, six pairs of hands holding me down. Victoria produces a silver knife – the metal that burns werewolf flesh on contact. My eyes widen in fear.
"Wolfless ones don't react to silver," she purrs. "So this shouldn't hurt, right?"
The blade descends toward my shoulder. I brace for pain, for exposure, for the end of everything –
A roar shakes the entire chamber.
The hands release me instantly. Through my dripping hair, I see Alpha Stone fill the doorway, his massive frame vibrating with rage. His eyes glow silver, fangs fully extended.
"What. Is. This." Each word carries deadly promise.
"My Lord!" Victoria steps back, hiding the knife. "We were just... helping your slave bathe."
"Do not insult my intelligence." His voice drops lower, more dangerous. "Or test my patience."
He stalks forward, power rolling off him in waves that make even Victoria cower. The other females scramble backward, leaving me trembling in the pool.
"The knife, Victoria."
She hesitates only a second before placing it in his outstretched hand. He examines it, nostrils flaring at the silver's scent.
"Interesting choice of bathing equipment." His eyes lock onto Victoria. "Almost as if you were... testing something."
"My Lord, I—"
"Silence." The command cracks like a whip. "You dare to touch what's mine? To threaten my property? To conspire against your Alpha?"
The last question makes Victoria pale. "No! Never, I wouldn't—"
His hand shoots out, grabbing her throat. The other females whimper, pressing themselves against the walls.
"Choose your next words carefully," he growls. "They may be your last."
Through my dripping hair, I watch him exert his dominance over Victoria, and my wolf preens at his protective display. Despite the danger, despite knowing I should stay quiet, my body heats at the sight of his power. My cursed nature betrays me again, craving his dominance even in this moment of terror.
"Please," I whisper before I can stop myself. "My Lord... it was my fault. I fell in the pool. They were only trying to help."
His head turns slowly toward me, those silver eyes burning. For a moment, I think I've made a terrible mistake speaking up.
Then his lips curve into a dark smile. "So loyal, little wolf. Even to those who would harm you." He releases Victoria, who gasps for air. "Perhaps there's a lesson here for all of you."
He strides to the pool, shrugging off his jacket. The motion pulls his shirt tight across broad shoulders, and despite everything, my traitorous body responds. He steps into the water, sending ripples across the surface.
"Come here, little one."
I move without conscious thought, drawn to him like a moth to flame. His arms wrap around me, lifting me easily against his chest. The contact makes my wolf purr despite my fear.
"Look well," he addresses the cowering females. "This slave, who you deem so beneath you, shows more nobility than all of you combined." His hand strokes down my back possessively. "Remember that when you're cleaning the kennels for the next moon cycle."
Gasps of horror meet his punishment, but no one dares protest.
"And Victoria?" His voice turns silky. "Touch what belongs to me again, and I'll let my wolf remind yours why I earned the name Beast." He nuzzles my neck, making me shiver. "Leave. All of you."
They flee, the door slamming behind them. I remain trembling in his arms, caught between relief and fear.
"Brave little liar," he murmurs into my hair. "Defending those who would expose you. Why?"
"I... I don't want anyone hurt because of me."
His laugh rumbles through his chest. "No? Not even those who would happily see you bleed?" His hand tangles in my wet hair, tugging my head back. "Or perhaps you simply fear what they might discover if they drew your blood?"
My breath catches. He's too close, too perceptive. And I'm too vulnerable, my heat rising in response to his dominance.
"You're shaking, little wolf." His other hand slides lower, settling possessively on my hip. "Cold? Or something else?"
"My Lord—"
"Alex," he interrupts. "When we're alone, you'll call me Alex." His lips brush my ear. "And we're going to be alone quite often from now on. Can't trust others to handle my property properly, it seems."
The way he says 'property' makes heat pool in my core. My wolf whines, wanting to submit, to let him claim us properly.
"You should change," he says finally, setting me down. "Report to my study afterward. We need to discuss your new... arrangement."
He exits the pool, water streaming off his clothes, leaving me staring after him. Only when the door closes do I sink back into the water, letting it cool my heated skin.
Because now I have a bigger problem than pack females with silver knives.
Now I have the Beast's undivided attention.
And Goddess help me, part of me wants it.
Even knowing it will destroy us both.