Chapter 101

Alyson

I have been able to live without the wolfsbane in my bloodstream but that doesn't mean I am allowed to access my wolf. Olivera is oddly protective of me and refuses to let any healer look over me, let alone give me a dose of that poison that prevents me from being able to mind-link my mate. He has grown smarter, using silencing stones in the form of bracelets that line both of my wrists.

I've gotten tired of fighting the bracelets off and instead I have been trying to play docile, not fighting when the rogue Alpha parades me in front of his rogues, forcing me to be present in meetings and war-talks. From what I've heard, Crowalt clan has successfully been pulled from the battle against the elders. Instead, Olivera uses his rogues to fight to board.

My mind spins while trying to keep up with everything, the white and silver bracelets on my arms weighing me down as I sink to the floor, leaned back against the wall in the Alpha's bedroom, imagining another night of shameless kissing and caresses until I beg him to back off.

Eventually he does, but I doubt that kind of bartering will work forever.

I watch him adjust his button-down shirt in the mirror of his washroom. He glances at me sideways, catching my glare, and for once I refuse to bow my eyes to the floor. He is tall, muscular and undeniably strong. He could easily pin me under his husky body, his wolf ruthless when he shifts, as if threatening me to behave. I just hope his wolf stays at bay for tonight.

I can't take much more of this prisoner life. I have grown too accustomed to being used and gawked at by the pleasure of Alphas and I was only truly loved by one and he thinks I have been murdered. Part of me hopes that the elders will do the right thing and confess their mistakes, maybe even hand over whatever captives they have, but I doubt it.

His eyes are trained on me still. I hate the color blue now more than ever before.

"We're going to dinner, sweetheart, whether you are dressed appropriately or not."

"You're horrendous," I mutter, knowing damn well he can hear me from here. "I don't want dinner with you, with the stupid wolves in your rogue pack, or anyone who ever had half a mind to listen to something you'd spew."

He raises a cautious brow at my claims, shaking his head with an obvious sound of tsk tsk until I look aside at last. It's a sign of dominance, staring me down as he does, and it always makes my skin crawl like I am on display. I hate being on display.

"You're still so angry," he says, calm like he is reciting the weather report. "I did what you wanted. Lover boy is safe, no longer fighting your little friends on the board of elders and everyone is happy again. I've killed off a few of Fritz's warriors and I'm making progress on finding my rogue brother and sisters and ending this ordeal once and for all."

I feel the warm tears on my cheek drip slowly off my jaw. "There didn't need to be bloodshed, Olivera. You could have done this without killing anyone at all and instead you've murdered innocent wolves just trying to protect the elders."

"Innocent?" He is sneering at me now, spitting the word while he throws something glass and breakable across the room, shattering at my feet. I hug my legs closer to my chest for protection. His temper is unruly. "Innocent rogues have been subjected to torture and testing from your friends on the board! Don't tell me about innocent!"

I swallow hard, ignoring his small tantrum. "You're never going to make things right again. You've disturbed the balance between Alpha's and rogues. The elders will never fight for your kind, never, and you'll be hunted until there is nothing left, not even a little spec of your existence in this world will be found under Ryan Alexander's boot—"

I'm cut short in my ranting, harsh monologue. Olivera has pounced across the room, his hand sealed over my throat and pulling me right off the floor like a damp feather, shivering and puny in the wind. He pins my back against the wall and I kick at his legs, my fingernails scratching deep crevices into his forearms.

I pant for a breath. "Let—me—go—"

"You will refrain from trying to piss me off, Alyson. I like you a lot, I do, but I will teach you manners if you dare slander my name and status again."

"Filthy—Fucking—Rogue!"

He releases me finally, letting me curl at his feet like a pathetic pup. I suffocate for a moment, finally clearing my airways and breathing in deeply. I find myself curled against Olivera's legs, pathetically so, and holding onto his polished boot nearest to me while his eyes are trained down at the sight of me on the floor.

He finally bends down, his touch more gentle now as he brushes my hair aside, pressing it behind my ear and caressing his knuckles over my flustered pink cheeks. I beg to be pulled from his reach, unable to move as his dark black eyes have finally settled to the hue of the sky on a sunny day.

He offers a slight grin, some kind of remorse, I suppose.

"You're an angry Luna."

"I am a Luna without her Alpha," I choke on my cries. "I have every right to be angry."

He brushes my cheek once more and I jolt backwards, sick and tired of his debasing, kind attempts to sooth me. He grunts a noise and snatches my chin into his fingers, squeezing me tightly while steadying my face to look up toward his glare.

"I am an Alpha without his Luna, so it seems we have something in common."

I hold back a sob. "Ryan is my fated, Olivera. You acted like you trusted me, cared for my wellbeing, so why continue this at my expense?"

He hesitates, his eyes scanning down my face and timid exterior. "I continue because I will never allow the elders to treat any type of wolf like they are lesser. I want my revenge, I want my blood stamp of vengeance, and I will do it with a pretty blood pet at my side. So that means for tonight, you will behave, you will obey and you will be by my side."

If it comes between life or death, I hope this meeting turns sour, and I meet the moon goddess for the very last time. Then maybe I will get the relief I so desperately crave.