Chapter 16 FOURTEEN
ALORA
The ancient book tumbles from my hands in slow motion. Victoria's satisfied smirk flashes in my peripheral vision as her extended foot retreats. Master Kane's training manuals scatter across the marble floor, their pages fluttering like broken wings.
"Clumsy little slave." Victoria's voice carries through the great hall, drawing attention. She stands straighter, playing her part as head of house management. "Those texts are centuries old. Irreplaceable."
My fingers tremble as I gather the fallen books, fighting the urge to bare my fangs at her. Three weeks I've managed to maintain control in Silver Creek. Three weeks of perfect submission, perfect lies. But with my heat approaching and the full moon only days away, my walls grow weaker.
"Report to Alpha Stone's study." Victoria's command drips with false concern. "I'll have to inform him of this... incident."
I cradle the books against my chest, breathing through my mouth to avoid her triumphant scent. The walk to his study feels like a death march. Each step brings me closer to his overwhelming presence, to the power that makes my wolf scratch and whine.
His scent hits me before I reach his door – pine and smoke and pure dominance. My body responds instantly, heat pooling low despite my terror. Being moved to the quarters beside his has made everything worse. His proximity haunts my days and torments my nights.
"Enter."
I step into his study, keeping my eyes lowered. He sits behind his massive desk, power radiating from his relaxed pose. Victoria follows me in, practically preening.
"What happened?" His voice betrays no emotion, but I feel his attention like a physical touch.
"Our new acquisition dropped Master Kane's private collection." Victoria moves closer to his desk. "Very clumsy for someone who moves so... gracefully most times."
I stand perfectly still as he studies me. "Is this true?"
"Yes, my Lord." The lie tastes bitter. I focus on the intricate carpet pattern, avoiding his penetrating gaze.
He rises slowly, his chair scraping against hardwood. "Victoria, leave us."
Her triumphant smirk falters. "But my Lord, as head of house management, I should witness—"
"Out." The command cracks like a whip.
The door closes behind her with a decisive click. His footsteps circle me slowly, predatory. My wolf strains toward him, recognizing an Alpha's prowl.
"Interesting." He stops directly behind me. "Your scent carries anger, not fear. Most slaves would be trembling by now."
"I apologize for my failure, my Lord." Each word feels like broken glass.
"More lies." His hand grips my chin, forcing my face up. Heat floods my core at his touch. "Tell me what really happened."
My wolf claws at her cage, desperate to submit to his dominance. "I... I was careless."
His other hand slides into my hair, gripping tight enough to sting. "Try again, little liar. What did Victoria do?"
The pain helps me focus past the burning need his proximity triggers. "It doesn't matter. I failed in my duties."
"Protecting her?" His laugh holds no humor. "After what she tried in the baths?" His grip tightens painfully. "Or perhaps you enjoy punishment?"
Yes. No. Both. My wolf howls as his power presses against me. The moon is too close to full, my heat too near. Everything feels heightened, dangerous.
"Present yourself," he orders, releasing me. "Hands on the desk."
I move to obey, and his scent intensifies. Being in his personal space, surrounded by his power, makes maintaining control nearly impossible. I bend forward over his massive desk, the position leaving me vulnerable, exposed.
"Ten strikes," he says softly. "Count them."
The first blow lands harder than ever before. Pain blooms across my flesh, and my wolf surges forward, fighting for control. "One," I manage, voice shaking.
By five, I'm struggling to maintain my walls. Each strike sends shockwaves through my defenses. The beast inside me rages against her cage, demanding release.
"Six." The word comes out more growl than speech.
His hand pauses on my heated skin. "What was that, little wolf?"
"Nothing, my Lord." But it was something. My voice had changed, taking on the dual tones of a shifting wolf.
Strike seven lands with brutal force. Pain and pleasure blur together as my canines lengthen despite my desperate attempt to maintain control.
"Seven," I choke out, tasting blood where my sharpened teeth cut my lip.
He inhales sharply. Before I can process why, strike eight falls. The impact rocks through me, and for one terrifying moment, I feel my eyes flash crimson.
"Eight," I whisper, squeezing my eyes shut. Please don't let him have seen.
His hand traces where he just struck, something different in his touch. Contemplative. Testing.
"Look at me."
Terror freezes my blood. "Please, I—"
"Now."
I turn my head slowly, praying my eyes have returned to normal. His silver gaze burns into mine, searching.
"Fascinating," he murmurs. "For a moment, I could have sworn..."
I force myself to hold his stare, fighting the urge to bare my throat. To submit. To let him see everything.
"Two more," he says finally. "Eyes on me."
Nine and ten land in quick succession. I count them through gritted teeth, every muscle straining to maintain human form. When it's done, he doesn't step back.
"Your skin," his fingers trace the marks he left, "it heals so quickly." His other hand grips my throat, testing. "Almost as if..."
"The curse of being wolfless, my Lord." I force my voice steady. "We bruise easily but heal fast. To compensate."
"Is that what they told you?" His grip tightens. "Is that what you tell yourself?"
Before I can respond, a knock interrupts us. Marcus enters without waiting.
"Border patrol spotted Northern wolves," he reports tersely. "We need you."
Alpha Stone releases me slowly. "We'll finish this discussion later." His voice promises darker things. "Report to my chambers tonight. I have questions that need answers."
I flee on shaking legs, his silver eyes burning into my back. Only when I'm safely in my quarters do I examine my reflection.
My eyes still hold traces of red.
And I know, with sickening certainty, that he saw.
The game has changed. He suspects something now – maybe not what I am, but definitely that I'm more than I claim.
Tonight, in his chambers, he'll demand answers.
I pray I'm strong enough to keep lying.
Because the alternative will destroy us both.