Chapter 94: No Feelings

The meeting came to an end, and the council members stood up to stretch their legs. One of the younger council members, a handsome wolf named Silas, stepped toward Sofia. He had been watching her all night, his eyes lingering on the way the blue silk moved whenever she adjusted her posture.

​”You’ve been working hard tonight, Sofia,” Silas said smoothly, ignoring the sudden chill radiating from the head of the table. “The meeting’s over. Surely the Alpha can spare his assistant for one dance?”

​Sofia felt Alaric’s gaze burn into the side of her face. She didn’t have to look at him to know his jaw was locked tight. She could feel his silent command through the air: Say no. Stay in your place.

​Her wolf let out a defiant huff.

​”I’d be delighted, Silas,” Sofia said, her voice clear and loud enough for Alaric to hear.

​She stood up, placing her iPad neatly on the table. As she took Silas’s hand, she finally allowed her eyes to flick toward Alaric. He was staring at her with an expression that would have terrified any other wolf—his green eyes were dark, glowing with possessive fury. His hand was gripped so tightly around his wine glass that she expected the crystal to shatter at any moment.

​She gave him a tiny, cold smile—the kind of professional smile an assistant gives a boss—and let Silas lead her to the center of the marble floor.

​Silas placed a hand on her waist, pulling her a little closer than was strictly necessary. “You’re the talk of the evening, you know,” he whispered as they began to move. “The Alpha is usually so careful about who he brings into his inner circle. I can see why he chose you.”

​”I’m just an employee, Silas,” Sofia replied, her tone light but sharp.

​Over Silas’s shoulder, she saw Alaric stand up. He didn’t join the other council members in their laughter. He stood like a statue, watching Silas’s hand on her back. The scent of his cedar and rain spiked, becoming heavy and aggressive, filling the hall until even the other wolves started looking around nervously.

​Suddenly, the song hadn’t even reached its midpoint when the crowd parted.

​Alaric didn’t ask. He didn’t say “excuse me.” He simply marched onto the floor, his presence so overbearing that Silas instinctively stepped back, his inner wolf submissively tucking its tail. Alaric’s large hand clamped onto Sofia’s arm, his touch hot and possessive.

​”The dance is over,” Alaric growled, his voice a low vibration that rumbled in Sofia’s chest.

​”I wasn’t finished, Alpha,” Sofia said, tilting her head back to look him in the eye, refusing to flinch.

​”I said,” Alaric stepped into her space, his chest brushing against hers, effectively hiding her from Silas’s view, “it is over.”

​He turned his head slightly to glare at Silas. “Leave us.”

​Silas didn’t need to be told twice. He nodded quickly and disappeared into the crowd. Alaric didn’t let go of Sofia; instead, he slid his hand down to her waist and yanked her flush against his hard frame.

​”You are pushing me, Sofia,” he whispered into her ear, his breath hot against her skin. “Do not use other men to test my patience.”

​”I do not belong to you, Alpha Alaric,” Sofia whispered, her voice trembling with defiance despite the way her heart thundered. “I don’t belong to anyone.”

​People were starting to whisper, the music fading into the background as the Council watched the Alpha and his assistant in the middle of the floor. Alaric’s jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with annoyance.

​He didn’t say another word. He gripped her wrist and dragged her through the crowd, his stride so long and fast she nearly tripped over her silver heels. He pushed through the glass doors leading to a private terrace, the cold night air hitting them instantly.

​He spun her around, pinning her against the stone railing. The moonlight caught the tears in her eyes, but Alaric was too far gone in his own rage and desire to play nice.

​”You know what? Let’s stop this charade. Let’s stop pretending there’s some grand romance here when you’re busy using me for revenge and I’m busy losing my mind over your body.”

​He leaned down, his face inches from hers, his scent overwhelming her.

​”No feelings attached,” he said, his heart sinking. “I want you as my mistress. My fucking mate. I want to be able to call you into my office and have you on that desk whenever I please. I want to mark you so deep that no other wolf—especially not Damien—dares to look at you.”

​Sofia’s breath hitched. “A mistress? That’s all I am to you?”

​”That’s what you offered, isn’t it?” Alaric sneered, his pride finally lashing out. “You didn’t want a partner; you wanted a weapon. So be it. I’ll be your weapon, and you’ll be my pleasure. No more of this stupid romance or love. You use me for revenge on Damien while I fuck you as I please. No feelings attached.”

​The insult felt like a punch to the guts. Sofia looked at him but couldn’t see the hurt in his eyes, which he was perfectly hiding behind the cold mask he wore.

​SLAP.

​The sound was sharp, echoing off the stone walls of the terrace. Alaric’s head snapped to the side. Silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating. Sofia’s hand stung, her eyes wide with shock at her own actions. She had just slapped the Alpha of the most powerful pack in the region.

​”Go to hell, Alaric,” she choked out.

​She turned and bolted, running away from the terrace and into the dark gardens. She didn’t even know where she was going; she just needed to get away from the man who made her feel like the world’s greatest prize one minute and a piece of trash the next.

​”Sofia! Get back here!” Alaric’s roar followed her, and she heard the heavy thud of his boots as he gave chase.

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