The Ruthless Beta’s Forbidden Mate

007

RUBY

I took a slow, uneasy step back as Raven glared at me, her chest heaving with every furious breath. "What do you mean?" I asked, keeping my voice as steady as I could manage.

"You could have cleared this whole misunderstanding up hours ago!" Raven snapped, her tone sharp enough to cut through the quiet room. "Instead, you let it get so complicated that we ended up dragged across borders in chains!"

I straightened my back, pulling the remnants of my authority around me like a shield. "Do you even know why they kidnapped us in the first place?" I hissed, stepping closer. "You need to know your place, Raven. You’re my maid—you’re supposed to shield me too."

Raven let out a harsh disbelieving laugh. "Do I look like I have super powers to shield you Ruby?" She stepped right into my space, poking a finger toward my chest. "Let me remind you of something, Ruby—we aren't in our territory anymore. Out here, in this pack, we're the exact same. Prisoners, I hope I’m clear."

My jaw tightened. "Are you out of your mind?"

"I could easily go find that beta right now and tell him this is all a massive mix-up," she threatened, her eyes flashing with a dangerous fire. "I could tell him I'm not the princess and you're the one he actually wants."

Panic flared hot in my throat. I grabbed her by the arms, my fingers digging into the torn fabric of her gown as I practically begged her. "Please, Raven, don't do that. You can't!"

When she didn't answer, I let go of her and grabbed my hair, tugging at the dark strands as a long sigh escaped me. "We just need to escape," I muttered, pacing a quick line across the floor. "Either way, no matter what it takes, we need to get out of this place."

Raven crossed her arms, rolling her eyes. "And how are we supposed to do that when the entire territory is heavily secured?"

"I'm the Alpha's daughter," I said, setting my jaw firmly as I looked her in the eye. "I don't give up."

Before Raven could reply, the iron lock on our door clicked loudly. The wood swung open, and a man stepped into the room.

The air in the chamber instantly turned thick with the suffocating pressure of a commanding Alpha aura that made my chest tighten. It was Alpha Cain. He stood tall, his dark eyes sweeping over the cramped guest room with effortless authority.

Raven immediately dropped into a low, hasty bow, reaching out to nudge my hip hard with her elbow. I caught my breath and bowed right alongside her, keeping my eyes fixed on the cold stone floorboards.

"Rise," Cain ordered smoothly.

We straightened up together. As I raised my chin, Cain’s gaze locked dead onto my face, captivating and unmoving. He stared at me for a long, uncomfortable moment, his dark brows pulling together as if he were staring at an impossible puzzle.

"Why are you..." Cain trailed off, his voice dropping as his eyes raked down my simple servant's dress before snapping back up to my face. "More striking... more..." He stopped completely, lost for words as he studied my features.

He tore his eyes off me for a fraction of a second, looking over at Raven in her rumpled silk gown, before turning right back to me. "Is this your maid?" he asked her, pointing a finger in my direction.

Raven nodded quickly, keeping her head slightly bowed. "Yes, Alpha."

Cain waved a hand dismissively. "Make yourselves comfortable."

I couldn't keep my mouth shut. The burning tension in my chest boiled over, and I stepped forward. "Why did you take us?" I demanded.

Cain’s face darkened instantly, a deep dangerous frown cutting across his features.

Raven gasped softly, stepping between us to try and cover up for my blunder. "She doesn't mean what she's asking, my Lord! Please excuse her—"

"Quiet," Cain barked, shunning Raven with a single sharp look. He stepped past her, closing the distance between us until he was standing directly over me. "For a maid, you seem to be very bold."

Before I could pull away, Cain reached out and grabbed my chin in a tight, bruising grip, forcing my head up so I had no choice but to look into his eyes. "What is your name?"

My pulse hammered wildly against his fingers but I forced my expression to remain blank. I reached for the same lie I had fed Shane back in my father's keep. "Maya," I whispered through my strained jaw.

Cain tilted his head, his dark thumb pressing hard against my cheekbone. "Remember your place, Maya, and mind your business. You might be one of the prettiest things I've ever laid my eyes on, but that won't stop me from snapping your neck if you cross me."

"What the f**k are you doing?"

The rough, furious voice cut through the room. Everyone in the chamber froze.

Shane stood in the doorway, his broad frame blocking out the light from the hallway. His ice-blue eyes were burning with a dark rage as he stared at Cain's hand on my face.

Cain slowly released his grip on my chin, stepping back with a cold, mocking tilt of his head. "Do you not remember your position, Shane?" he asked softly, his tone dripping with rank authority.

Shane took two steps into the room, his jaw clenched so hard the muscles in his cheek twitched. "I remember my position very well," he growled, his voice a low dangerous threat. "But you should keep your hands to yourself."

Cain locked eyes with his Beta, the tension between them stretching so tight it felt like a drawn bowstring ready to snap. Then, slow realization seemed to click behind Cain's eyes. A dark chuckle escaped the Alpha's throat. He stepped right up to Shane, leaning in close to his brother's ear.

"The only reason I let you get away with your running mouth," Cain murmured, loud enough for us to hear every word, "is because we are blood brothers."

Shane didn't say a single word. He stepped right past Cain, his shoulder slamming hard against the Alpha's as he brushed by without an apology.

He marched straight up to me, his thick fingers wrapping around my wrist in an unyielding grip that offered no room for argument.

"Follow me," Shane ordered, pulling me out of the room behind him before I could even draw a breath to protest.