Chapter 22 Chapter 22

Chapter 22 Chapter 22

Alessio.

Her eyes on me were soft and calm, I knew she wanted this and I wouldn’t waste any time planting my seed inside her.

She was a healer, a rare one. If only she knew how important she was to the whole clan.

I wasn’t going to let her off so easily. The music and faint whispering surrounded us as we both stared into each other’s eyes waiting for who would break the silence.

“You know this can’t happen,” she said, her voice low but sharp. “I’m a lowly omega, Alessio. I can’t… I can’t marry you. Everyone will… Helen is your one true mate. This… whatever this is between us… It’s an abomination if anyone finds out.”

Her words hit me hard in the chest but she was right. If I ever take her in as my second Luna hell will let loose and I might have to step down as the Alpha of the clan.

“I rule this clan,” I said slowly, my tone calm but heavy with authority. “I decide what happens. My power… it isn’t a suggestion. It’s the law and if I want something, I take it. And right now, I want you.”

She stared at me, her eyes wide, lips parting slightly as if she wanted to argue again, but the words caught in her throat. “Your power means nothing,” she spat after a beat. “If your people find out, they’ll see you as weak… a pussy who can’t control his own mate.”

I leaned forward then, elbows on the table, my dark eyes boring into hers. “Do you really think my people would question me?” I asked, my voice low, dangerous, and certain.

“Do you think I’ve ruled this clan this long without them knowing exactly who I am and what I can do?”

Her hands clenched in her lap. “You think rules mean anything when it comes to love? Your own arrogance blinds you. People will laugh at you, they will use this against you and you might lose the throne.”

I let a small, cruel smile tug at my lips. “And yet… here you are. Sitting across from me, daring to challenge me. My arrogance doesn’t scare you, and your words? They amuse me, Katsura.”

She glared, a spark of fire flashing in her dark eyes. “I’m not here to amuse you.”

“No,” I said softly, letting the smile fade. “You’re here because you know… You want me just as much as I want you.”

Her face flushed, but she turned her eyes away, biting her lip. I knew she was caught between fear and the desire to yield to my persuasion, and it made the thrill inside me twist tighter.

I loved how everything was unfolding and I couldn’t wait to make her succumb to my desire.

We sat in silence and I would steal glances at her while she drank from her glass of cocktail.

“Why do you stare at me so much?” She frowned.

“You’re a healer, and I’m confused,” I said, trying to read her expression.

“I’m confused too,” she shrugged.

I wanted to speak but the clicking of shoes against the polished tiles made me hold back my words.

She stiffened beside me, her fingers tightening in her lap. She had seen them before I could and I was sure she recognized them.

“Alessio,” one of the men greeted, his voice formal but not friendly. He was strong, built like a wolf of the clan, but a Beta and he didn’t hide the suspicion in his eyes.

I waved a hand, stopping him before he could say more. “Stay where you are,” I said. My tone was calm yet commanding. “Just tell me why you are here and what you want.”

They nodded, though unease flashed across a couple of their faces. I turned my head slightly to Katsura. “Play along,” I whispered, the heat in my eyes making her shiver. “Keep still.”

Her lips parted, but she didn’t speak. She was tense, but she knew better not to say anything or let her scent waft through the nostrils of these men.

I cleared my throat and straightened my back, my chair scraping lightly against the floor. “Gentlemen,” I said, voice calm but carrying the weight of absolute authority. “Meet my… plaything.”

Katsura's head jerked slightly at my words. Her eyes went wide with shock. I was amused seeing her that way… seeing her discomfort and the anger rising in her chest but she couldn’t say anything.

All she could do was roll her eyes at me and tighten her fists on her thighs.

“Plaything?” one of the men asked as he turned to stare at Katsura who now lowered her eyes to the table.

“Yes,” I said, voice flat, eyes fixed on them. “Just tell me why you men cornered me here, and please don’t tell me it’s about Ethan.”

Katsura’s hand twitched slightly in her lap. I slid mine beneath the table, brushing against hers, holding it firmly.

I wanted her to feel safe, but also remind her that she belonged to me and anything I say is the only thing that stands.

The men exchanged glances but their eyes were still on Katsura. I knew they were only suspicious about her and she wasn’t even helping matters by fidgeting even when I held her hand in mine.

I raised my eyes to look at the men. “Now that you are here, why don’t we talk about the omega or talk about business?”

Their attention snapped to me. I could see the hunger in their eyes to find this omega and kill her. It scared me too, but I really didn’t have the power to save Kastura if they ever found out that she was the one they’ve been searching for.

“I’ve had my men search the clan and the neighbouring clan but the omega is nowhere to be found, yet you claim to perceive her scent amongst us,” I said.

“That’s not what brought us here,” one of them spoke up.

“We heard you were willing to spare the life of this omega… we don’t know how true that is.”

My lips parted but words failed me. I tilted my head to look at Kastura who was staring at me with her eyes wide open.

“Alpha Alessio, I hope you aren’t going to succumb to any pressure from your mafia rivals. This is the clan we are talking about… don't be selfish. That omega must die.” He continued.

Katsura flinched slightly at their words, her hand tightening around mine. I kept my grip firm, squeezing once to reassure her, even though I didn’t know what scared her the most.

Was it the fact that I just revealed that I wanted to spare her life or that my powers would be stripped from me and she would still be killed?

I leaned forward slightly, my eyes darting to the men who stood in front of me. “The omega has to be found and confirmed first. The judgment from the people will make us decide whether she will live or not.”

“As it pleases you, my lord. But it might interest you that our people have decided to stage a protest because of this omega and… we all know what that means.” He turned to look at the others who nodded in confirmation to what he said.

“War… it means war.” I let out a deep sigh.

Was I ready to let my people go to war for an outcast I was hiding with my scent?