IN BED WITH THE WRONG ALPHA

15

ROBYN

My eyes swept across the hall, looking for Leon, heart pounding too hard for the calm face I was fighting to keep. I didn't know how to stand because all eyes were on me, and I didn't want to ruin anything for Kane tonight.

He leaned in close, his voice low against my ear. "Is there something wrong, love?"

I shook my head.

"If there's something you need to tell me," he went on, "you know I'll—"

"You might have to stop calling me love." I cut him off before he could finish, forcing my voice light. Hearing him call me pet names usually sent heat straight up my neck. Now it barely registered — which said more than I wanted it to. "You can't fall in love, remember?"

He rolled his eyes, opening his mouth to say something back, but I didn't give him the chance.

"I'm pressed," I said, already rising. "I need to pee."

His brows furrowed instantly.

"Unless you want to come with me?" I joked, but my heart skipped a beat when he glared at me like he might actually want to leave with me.

"Be back before it starts," he murmured. "My coronation won't wait, even for you. And I need everyone to see my Luna in this hall when the ceremony is ongoing."

I nodded, forcing a smile, and slipped away through the side doors before he could look at me too closely.

The moment I stepped into the hall, the sound system crackled to life behind me.

"Alpha Kane Thorne, please rise for the Rite of Ascension."

I quickened my pace toward the left wing, Leon's text burning in my mind with every step.

The room he'd named was small, tucked away from the main hall — a private lounge meant for dignitaries between events. I pushed the door open and found him already there, seated on the edge of a table, a half-empty glass of wine dangling from his fingers.

"What do you want?" I demanded, staying by the door. The entire place reeked of alcohol, and it made me wonder how he had gotten so wasted in such a short time.

He looked up slowly, a lazy, drunken smile spreading across his face. "Feisty as ever."

He drained the glass and let it drop from his fingers. It shattered against the floor, and I flinched at the sound.

"Hmm. My bad." He gave it a carefree look as he pushed off the table.

I held my ground, trying not to look terrified, but deep down I wanted to make a run for it. But he had something I wanted.

He circled me slowly, his eyes boring into me. I folded my hands into fists, my fingers biting into my palms.

"I want every copy of the video deleted." I tried to sound brave as he continued to size me up.

Then he stopped with a chuckle and shook his head.

"You know, you're such a gold digger, Robyn." His voice was almost admiring. "I like you for it, actually. No one would believe that the daughter of the late Ford would be this desperate."

"What?" I raised a brow, and he inched closer, reaching for my jaw.

"He put a nice touch on you, and I barely recognized you tonight. The glow from f*****g him and draining his money is visible." I slapped his hand away, and he shook his head. "Women. I gave you my money, but it wasn't enough. You wanted more, and—"

"You cheated on me, Leon." I cut him off in a high-pitched voice. I scoffed. "You're not even straight—"

"There's a word for that, sweetheart. Bisexual." He said it like he was teaching me something. "I only just figured it out myself. I guess you just didn't love me enough to give yourself to me. You waited so long I started looking elsewhere."

What? This man was insane.

"You are crazy, Leon, and I do not want to have this conversation with—"

"No... no..." He raised a hand, cutting me off in a low tone.

"I used to be with women, before you. Then you wouldn't give yourself to me, and I found men instead. Shouldn't you be happy I wasn't with a woman? Now you're gone, and here I am, circling back." He shrugged, like it was the most reasonable thing in the world. "I suppose that makes me bi."

"You're sick, Leon." My voice shook, but I held his gaze. "Stupidly so, for blaming me for whatever mess you've made of your own life. I want nothing to do with you. I'm leaving."

I turned for the door, but he grabbed my hand roughly, yanking me back against his chest, wrapping his arm around my waist.

"Let go of me." I wrenched against his grip. "I haven't told anyone about your secret. I'll get you the money somehow before today ends—"

"How?" He laughed, low and cruel. "Your mother cut you off. You're nothing without one of us, Robyn. And I am not about to have the Alpha Supreme find out about this arrangement."

"So what do you want?"

His smile turned razor-thin as his eyes raked down my body. "A taste of what was supposed to be mine."

My hand shot out, landing a hard slap across his face. For a second he let up, and I saw a chance to escape. But before I could get far, he spun me around and slammed me face-first into the wall.

His hands trailed up my thighs.

"It will be swift, sweetie, and I'll make sure you enjoy every bit of it." His voice rumbled against my skin as he planted forceful kisses down my neck.

My life flashed before my eyes, bumps sprouting across my skin as a scream tore from my throat...