The Ruthless Beta’s Forbidden Mate

009

RUBY

My mind reeled as Shane’s grip pulled me through the dim hallway. I couldn't believe he had picked up on every single detail—seeing right through my coarse apron to figure out I wasn't a servant at all. Panic clawed at my chest as I forced my legs to keep up with his long strides. Up close, without the space of the arena between us, he felt far more dangerous than Alpha Cain ever could. Cain was cruel, but Shane was an unpredictable storm, a male who saw straight through every lie I built.

He dragged me all the way back to the wooden door of our assigned quarters. Without knocking, he shoved the door open, the hinges groaning in the quiet room.

Raven flinched where she was pacing near the window, sitting up straight on the edge of the narrow bed. Her hands gripped the torn silk of my gown as her wide eyes darted from my wrist in Shane's hand to the dark, murderous expression on his face.

Shane stepped into the room, bringing the chill of the corridor with him. He turned his blue-eyed gaze directly onto Raven.

"How could you have sat there, acting like you're the Alpha’s daughter?" Shane asked, his deep voice slicing through the small space like a blade.

Raven’s cheeks flushed pale, and she shook her head frantically, pressing her back against the headboard. "It wasn't intentional!" she blurted out, her hands shaking in her lap. "Ruby made me do it!"

"Raven!" I started, stepping forward to defend myself, but Shane held up a single finger, locking his cold gaze onto me.

"Quiet," he commanded softly, the absolute weight in his tone cutting off the words in my throat.

He stepped deeper into the small chamber, his large shadow falling over both of us like a net. "I'll be keeping my eyes on you," he said, looking between us before settling his gaze entirely on my face. "Especially you."

He shifted closer, stepping right into my personal space until I could feel the heat radiating off his broad chest. He leaned down, his lips brushing the shell of my ear as he dropped his voice to a dark rasp. "Stay low. I'll be coming for you soon."

Without another word, he turned on his heel, walked out, and slammed the door shut.

The moment his footsteps faded down the hall, Raven let out a long breath, letting her head fall back against the wall out of pure frustration. "He is so scary!" she gasped, rubbing her trembling arms.

I whirled on her, my fists clenching at my sides as heat rushed to my face. "How could you be so careless?" I demanded, my voice shaking with anger. "You just burst it out right to his face that I made you do it!"

Raven snapped her head up, her eyes wide with shock. "Did you want him to remove my head?" she shot back, pushing herself up from the bed to face me. "Ruby, he's going to report everything to the Alpha! The moment Cain finds out we tricked him, we are doomed!"

I rubbed my forehead, taking a slow, shaky breath. "I don't think so."

Raven frowned, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. "What do you mean, you don't think so?"

"If he wanted to go straight to Cain, he would have done it already," I told her, my voice dropping as I recalled the possessive look in Shane's eyes before he walked out. "Even though he made it very clear that I'm going to pay him back."

Raven stared at me, the color draining from her face all over again. "Are we in more danger now?"

I walked over to the narrow bed and sank onto the edge, letting out a long sigh. The weight of the secret felt like a stone pressing down on my ribs, but the alternative was far worse. "Whatever danger it might be," I said softly, looking up to meet her eyes, "we cannot reveal the secret to the Alpha. Even if the Beta knows."

Raven took a step closer, studying my pale face with deep skepticism. "Do you actually trust the Beta?"

I looked at her like she had lost her mind. "Are you crazy?" I asked, my voice rising slightly. "Everyone knows Shane is ruthless! Him keeping this secret to himself is even worst than him telling Cain. He doesn't do favors out of kindness, Raven. He'll want something in return for his silence."

Raven looked down at me, her expression turning stark and uncomfortably clear as she stated the truth without a single drop of hesitation. "Of course he'll want your body," she said bluntly. "Definitely your body."