Alpha's Obsession: His caged Luna

Chapter 6: Alpha Matthias Vaughn

Raine's POV

"Open up, Raine," mom said as she knocked softly on my door. I checked my bedside clock to see that it was just a few minutes past 4 A.M and I wasn't too pleased that my sleep was being disturbed. I could pretend that I didn't hear her, but I was a light sleeper and she knew that.

After cussing my entire existence and everyone related to me, I dragged myself out of bed and went to the door. I saw my mother standing there, in her silky robes and plush slippers. She looked like she'd been up for hours.

"Good morning, mom," I greeted her, suppressing a yawn.

"We need to talk."

I dragged a hand through my face. I was still sleepy as hell, and I wasn't in the mood for one of her "talks", but as usual, I had no choice but to oblige.

"What do you want to talk about, Mom?" I asked with as much politeness as I could muster. I'd stepped out of line that night of Alpha Desmond's ball when I spoke back at her. I was deeply upset that I didn't think about the consequences of my words.

"Is Alpha Desmond your mate?"

I blinked. I blinked again. And I stepped back two paces.

Could this be the reason she woke me up at this unholy hour?

It's been two nights since that disaster happened. Two nights since I met the man that lighted up my world for just a few seconds, before he crushed it so mercilessly that nothing was left behind for me. Two nights, and I'd not stopped thinking about it.

How he stopped in front of Davina. How he made it known so loud and clear that she was his, and that she was the only one he's interested in. I was standing right there, but he chose to ignore me. Even if he wanted Davina, he should had at least shown the decency not to do it in my presence.

Then he came later to get my attention and expected me to truly give him a minute? My desperation must had really been so obvious. I couldn't think of another reason why he could be so blatantly disrespectful.

"No." The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, but telling otherwise would make things complicated. She would want me to go after him and accept the bond.

"Hmm," she looked suspicious. "People think that's the case. There are recordings circulating where you stood up and was staring at him. It was as if you expected him to come to you."

"It doesn't mean anything. I was just doing the wrong thing at the wrong time."

An uncomfortable silence passed between us, making me shift my weight from one leg to another. Until she spoke again.

"Do you think he's interested in you?"

I shook my head. "He's interested in Davina."

I only said that because I wanted to kill her hope about me and Desmond, but mentioning his interest for Davina brought an unexpected pinch to my chest. I hated feeling this way for a man that I'd met just once. I knew that he was my mate, and I was only acting under the influence of the mate bond, but I still felt miserable. He shouldn't have such power over me.

"I want you to visit his pack."

My eyes expanded, and my heartbeat seemed to stop for a second. "What?"

"Desmond is rich. Very rich. We need the money and you know that."

Another silence.

For some reason I didn't understand, my parents seemed to be in need of money—something about my father's business that I didn't fully understand—and the only solution they could come up with was me. While I was looking forward to find a rich and powerful mate to buy my freedom, they wanted same for another reason entirely.

"He's not shown any interest in me."

Her face softened deceptively, and dread formed in the pit of my stomach. Usually, when she set her mind to something, she would never give up.

"Yet." She smiled. "You're hot, beautiful, eloquent, well-mannered. You'll make a fine Luna."

I rubbed my hands over my eyes again. "Let's talk about this when there is a bit more sunlight. Please."

She backed away at my plea, but not before giving me a look that I recognized all too well. Then she confirmed by saying; "You don't need to make this hard for yourself."

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I watched her walk away. She was blackmailing me again.

The sun rose faster than I would like it to. I couldn't go back to sleep after that conversation. My brain kept playing her words like a loop. This was the reason I was so open to staying in Lucien's pack before finding out that Davina was his mate. I got them off my back.

Now, she wanted me to throw myself at Alpha Desmond? I could already picture the arrogant smile on his face if I do that. I'd rather chew nails.

I paced around for a while, too restless to go back to bed, before deciding I needed coffee or I might just die.

I slipped out of my room and headed downstairs toward the kitchen. The house was quiet this early, with everyone still in bed. At least, that's what I thought.

I was halfway down the Grand staircase when I heard heavy footsteps echoing from above. My wolf perked up and cold skittered through my bones.

"Lorraine," The voice I hated to hear, even more than my father's, stopped me.

I turned, ignoring the nausea forming in my stomach. Alpha Matthias Vaughn now stood six steps above me, his eyes gleaming in equal parts curiosity and mischief.

"Alpha." I acknowledged him with a small bob of my head.

"Up early, aren't we?" I forced a smile as he descended.

"Couldn't sleep. Was heading to the kitchen."

"Seem to me like you've got something in your mind." He stopped in front of me, and I held my breath, subconsciously recoiling from him. "Care to share?"

I stopped a flinch when his fingers gently brushed a strand of hair out of my face. I then crossed my hands over my chest, suddenly hyper aware of how thin my pyjama top was and how tiny the matching shorts were.

His gaze dipped to my chest, and if he was disappointed in me hiding my boobs from him, he didn't show.

My horror spiked when he leaned in a fraction, his right hand pressing my waist to the wall behind me. "Your parents are pretty tough, you know?" His breath on my skin made my hairs stand on ends. "But you're old enough to fight their control, to make your own... choices."

The only choice I wanted to make right now was to kick him in the balls. But that would only spell trouble for me.

Goddess, I hated myself.

I could just kick him right now. I could shout and make him leave me the f**k alone. I could go to my room, pack my belongings and move out.

But the consequences...

I sucked in a sharp breath that seemed to spike my lungs.

"If you were mine, they would not dare treat you the way they do." He continued, his lips almost grazing my shoulders now.

"You have a mate." I managed weakly, reminding him of the lovely woman upstairs, probably lying on his bed not knowing that she was being betrayed.

"She's not as beautiful as you."

Before I could process the absurdity he just spat out, we both heard some shuffling upstairs and he jumped away from me.

"I can make all your problems disappear, Raine." His lips curled again, but his eyes held no warmth. He took one cautious look around us. "But opportunities do not last forever."

"Excuse me, Alpha."

I swiftly walked away seeing as there was now an opening. I didn't dare to look back as I headed to the kitchen.

I knew he was watching me. I knew he was not thinking something appropriate. He had been doing this for a while now, and I knew it was only a matter of time before he finally crossed the line.

Even through the absolute disgust I was feeling, a delusional part of me wondered what Desmond would have done if he had witnessed the scene.