Chapter 5 #5

DUNCAN 

"Remove the chains," I growled dangerously as I glared at my beta through the dim lighting of the holding room.

My inner beast had almost ripped everyone apart this morning. Michael and a handful of our strongest warriors had been forced to chain me down to the iron chained in the floor. They had even injected me with Wolfsbane, a dose strong enough to drop a standard alpha, but it clearly wasn't enough to entirely subdue the curse pulsing through my veins.

Michael hesitated, "Are you sure you’re calm now, Alpha?"

I locked my eyes onto his. "Do you dare question me?"

Michael didn't answer, but his posture went entirely rigid. 

He quickly darted his eyes toward the other guards stationed near the door, a silent signal for them to stay alert and keep their hands near their weapons. Slowly, he stepped into my space and began to unfasten the iron links binding my wrists.

The moment the metal clattered to the floor, I stared down at my hands, flexing my fingers as the blood rushed back into them. Before Michael could step away, my hand shot out, clamping firmly around the front of his jacket and jerking him forward until we were eye to eye.

"Next time I tell you to do something," I growled into his face, "you do it immediately."

I threw him back, releasing my grip as I stood up to my full height. Michael stumbled, letting out a rough cough as he adjusted his collar, but he recovered his professional composure quickly.

"The female has been brought," Michael said, his breathing still slightly uneven. "She’s waiting in your office right now with Leo and Eran."

I stiffened, a sudden inexplicable jolt striking through my chest. Sweat was glistening across my bare skin, running down the black ink of the tattoos that covered my arms, my neck, and crawled across my back. Michael reached to the side, passing me a clean black shirt from the bench. I pulled it on over my damp shoulders, not bothering to button it fully before I shoved past him, exiting the suffocating confines of the holding room and heading down the corridor toward my office.

The doors swung open on my arrival and three pairs of eyes instantly swung toward my entrance.

Standing in the center of the space was the girl. She was breathtakingly pale, her bright white hair falling over her shoulders, making her look entirely angelic. The moment my presence hit the room, I watched her stiffen, and her breath completely seized in her throat.

I walked slowly, keeping my eyes firmly locked onto her face as I crossed the rug. I didn't stop until I was standing directly in front of her, my massive frame towering completely over her small figure.

"This is the female who had called me a bedamned alpha," I stated out loud.

Eran nodded quickly from the side. "Yes, Alpha. This is the female."

Leo stepped forward slightly, offering a respectful bow. "She is exactly as beautiful as we described to you, Alpha."

I didn't care about their assessments. I snapped my gaze to Leo, my eyes narrowing. "Leave us."

Eran and Leo didn't need to be told twice. They bowed and retreated from the office. Only Michael remained, quietly slipping into the far corner of the room to stand guard.

I looked back down at the girl, taking in the rapid rise and fall of her chest. "What is your name?"

She swallowed hard, as she stammered out her response. "Anna."

My gaze immediately dropped to her lips. They were full, trembling slightly as she stared up at me. A sudden, wave of heat hit my lower stomach, my eyes darkening completely with a  possessive hunger. Yet, beneath that desire, something entirely shocking happened. My inner beast, which had been thrashing against my ribs all morning, suddenly went completely still. For the first time in years, a quiet peace washed through my veins.

"Do you know why you are here?" I asked, my voice dropping low.

She swallowed again, giving a weak nod of her head.

"You dared run your mouth to me," I reminded her, leaning down just an inch into her space.

"I... I didn't mean it," she stammered, her voice cracking as she tried to defend herself.

"Shh," I silenced her sharply. "No one runs their mouth or calls me names and survives,female. No one has ever dared."

She stiffened as if struck, the color draining entirely from her face.

I began to pace a slow around her, I stopped directly at her back, looming over her shoulder. "I could hold you as a prisoner," I murmured, watching the way her shoulders locked up at the word. My hand rose, the tips of my fingers lightly brushing the soft strands of her white hair. "But I wouldn't do that."

I straightened up and turned her around to face me, my hands gripping her shoulders just enough to force her to look at me. Her eyes widened in pure shock.

"I have sent away every single woman who was brought down here yesterday to breed for me," I told her, keeping my gaze anchored to hers. "I sent them all back. Which means I only have one breeder in mind."

I watched as her face paled even more.

"You will breed me an heir," I commanded softly.

Anna let out a sharp gasp, her lips parting as she stammered, trying desperately to find words to fight back. "I... I—"

"What is it you want to say?" I cut through her panic. "Speak now, or forever remain silent."

She sucked in a breath, summoning a reckless wave of courage as she looked me dead in the eye. "I have a mate."

My face didn't show a single ounce of emotion. Though a dark, ugly jealousy flared behind my ribs at the mention of another man. "Who is your mate?"

"He’s the son of my Alpha," she said, her voice trembling.

I slowly dropped my gaze to her collarbone, my eyes scanning the unblemished, pale skin of her neck. "I don't see a mark on you."

"He didn't... we haven't—" she began to stammer, her cheeks flushing with sudden heat.

"Mate or no mate, you would be mine henceforth," I cut her off, my voice dropping very low, leaving no room for argument. "A breeder, and nothing more."

She stiffened completely, her breath hitching at the finality in my tone.

I leaned closer. "Have you been with a man before?"

Her eyes widened, a deep, crimson blush rushing across her face as she realized exactly what I was asking.

"Do not make me repeat myself, female," I growled softly, the beast inside me demanding the truth.

Anna shook her head slowly, her gaze dropping to my chest as she clutched at the fabric of her skirt.

My eyes darkened again, a territorial satisfaction roaring to life through my veins. She was untouched. She belonged entirely to me.

"Come close," I murmured.

She hesitated, her body trembling before she dragged her boots forward, moving only a tiny, careful distance toward me.

I narrowed my eyes. "Closer."