The Ruthless Beta’s Forbidden Mate

008

SHANE

I stood frozen in the center of the bedchamber, my mind racing as I hauled the girl through the dimly lit corridors of the pack house. I honestly didn't know why I was dragging this maid along with me, but it was far too late to second-guess my actions now.

I pulled her across the threshold of my private quarters and slammed the door shut behind us, the crack of wood echoing off the high stone walls and dying in the cold quiet of the room.

I whirled around instantly, stepping straight into her space until she was forced to back up against the solid wood of the door. "What is wrong with you?" I growled, my voice dropping into a rough rasp. "Why do you keep asking the Alpha questions?"

The girl stumbled back a half step, her spine hitting the timber paneling, but she didn't drop her gaze. "I need to know," she answered, her jaw set tight, her breath coming in quick hitches. "Because it’s my right."

A suffocating silence settled between us. I stared down at her, momentarily stunned by the sheer insolence spilling out of her small frame.

I reached out, my hand shooting forward to grab her upper arm in a vice like grip that pinned her right where she stood. "Are you out of your mind?" I barked, leaning down until our noses were only inches apart. "A commoner like you doesn't speak out of turn. Especially a maid. If you don't shut that mouth of yours, I will be the one to shut it out for you."

Her frame went rigid against the door, every muscle in her body strung tight as a bowstring. But instead of flinching or shrinking away from my shadow, she lifted her chin higher, meeting my burning gaze head-on without a single drop of fear in her eyes.

"I was never raised with fear," she said quietly, her voice steady despite the rapid pulse fluttering at the base of her throat.

I scowled down at her, the absolute defiance in her posture striking me like a sudden blow. The words hung suspended in the dim room, echoing off the bare stone floorboards.

And then, realization hit me hard, crashing through my head like a lightning strike.

My eyes narrowed as I truly looked at her for the first time—tracking the high, sharp angle of her cheekbones, the flawless texture of her skin, the posture of her spine, and the fierce, noble pride burning behind her eyes. No maid born in our lands or hers carried themselves with that kind of innate arrogance.

"You're not the maid, are you?" I breathed, my voice barely heard.

She steeled her posture instantly, her lush lips pressing into a hard line, refusing to utter a single word in reply. But her complete, stubborn silence was more than enough of an answer.

"Well, I'll be damned," I muttered, a dark mixture of deep irritation and intrigue flaring through my chest.

Before she could move or pull away, my hand shot up, my broad palm wrapping firmly around her throat. I pressed her back hard against the solid wood of the door, holding her right there under my weight. "Why did you deceive me?" I snapped, my thumb digging into the delicate curve of her jawline.

She strained against my grip, her chest heaving as she struggled to draw air past my palm, but her gaze remained fiercely locked onto mine. "How could you know?" she forced out through her tight throat, her fingers clawing at my wrist. "I never acted like it!"

"It's hard to keep up a facade around me," I rumbled, bringing my face down so close she could feel the heat radiating off my skin. "I'm Shane, after all."

My grip tightened just enough to ground her completely against the doorframe. "We are going straight back over to Cain right now," I told her, my tone leaving zero room for argument. "And we are clearing up every single misunderstanding."

Her eyes snapped wide in panic. She reached up with both hands, grabbing at my wrist, her small fingers digging desperately into my skin as she tried with all her strength to pull my hand away.

"Please," she choked out, her voice breaking as she practically begged me, her pride completely shattering in the face of what Cain would do. "Please don't do that. Don't take me to him."

I looked down into her wide, dark eyes, completely unmoved by her pleading. "I am not a merciful man," I told her coldly, letting my voice drop hard, offering no comfort. "So don't expect any mercy from me. Besides, your father owes us plenty."

I leaned in closer, studying the dark rings around her pupils and the rapid uneven rhythm of her breath against my cheek. "Your name isn't Maya, is it?"

She went completely silent under my hand, her lips sealed tight, her chest rising and falling fast.

"Don't lie to me," I warned, my thumb pressing harder against the bone of her chin.

She swallowed hard, a tiny involuntary tremor passing through her lower lip before she finally gave up the fight. "My name is Ruby," she whispered into the small space between us.

I tilted my head, the final pieces of the puzzle falling into place. My mind flashed back to the dusty arena floor, to the high balcony where the Alpha’s daughter sat shrouded in secrecy. "The reason I didn't see your face clearly on the day of the fight," I mused softly, the words coated in smooth realization, "was because you had it covered."

I held her gaze for a long beat, watching the dark flush spread across her neck. Slowly, I loosened my grip on her throat, letting my hand drag down to rest against her collarbone before dropping to my side.

"I don't do things for free, Ruby," I warned, stepping into her personal space until the tips of my boots brushed against her small toes. "And whatever I want from you for keeping your little secret... I'll let you know soon enough."

Before she could process the threat lingering in the air, I reached out and grabbed her roughly by the elbow, spinning her around toward the door. "I'm returning you to your room now," I ordered, my grip firm as I pulled the door open into the dark corridor. "But I need to see that cunning maid of yours, too."