THE ALPHA'S DESIRE

CHAPTER EIGHT

Kale

By midnight, everyone had gone to their various houses. I was tired from the drinks and dance and especially a stubborn mule who kept going against my order. The halls of the packhouse were silent except for the echo of my steps, heavy, slow and soft. I didn’t need Logan or Gamma Riel’s reminders tonight. I knew exactly where I was going. And why.

I should’ve been in my chambers. With Phoebe. With the woman the world thought I’d chosen. I should have been wrapped up under the sheet with her, claiming her as mine and planning to have cubs together.

But no, I had another purpose tonight. One of which included punishing someone. My hands clenched tightly as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My shirt was unbuttoned at the top, my tie hanging loosely around my neck. My hair was a mess from running through them with my fingers since I found out what she had done.

My blood boiled, my wolf snarled. She had disobeyed me. Leanna Schuler. My mate. My weakness. The only one who could make my wolf stir.

She was meant to wear what I gave her. A simple test. One meant to remind her who she belonged to and who had the power. I'd mean to see her in that sexy dress, see what belonged to me walk around in a beautiful attire, different from the other maids. I'd wanted to get a certain pleasure from watching her hips sway with the tray in hand as she moved through the crowds. I wanted my eyes on her cleavage at all times.

But instead, she’d hidden behind long sleeves and lowered eyes like she was still some broken girl waiting for scraps.

And I had burned watching her from across that room.

My wolf was restless the entire ceremony, clawing at the inside of my chest every time her scent drifted past the others. I couldn’t focus. Not on the political alliances. Not on Phoebe’s perfectly painted smile. Not on anything except the aching tension in my blood that screamed: Take her. Mark her. Make her yours.

But I didn’t, I waited.

Because obedience matters. Because control matters to me. Because she needed to understand what happens when you deny an Alpha.

I stopped at her door. There was no sound inside.

For a moment, I questioned myself. Was this too far? But then I opened the door. And forgot how to breathe.

She was kneeling. Exactly where I told her to be.

The uniform clung to her soft curves like it was sewn into her skin. Her thighs were bare, tucked neatly under her. Her chest rose and fell too fast for sleep. She was wide awake. Waiting.

For me.

A single candle burned on her bedside table, casting a flickering glow across her skin. Her hands trembled slightly where they were folded on her lap.

She didn’t look at me.

Good girl.

I stepped in, shutting the door behind me with a soft click. The sound still made her flinch.

She’s afraid. I didn’t like that.

But I needed her to feel everything right now. The fear. The helplessness. The desire.

"Do you know why I’m here?" I asked, voice low, dragging the words out like smoke.

She nodded.

"I gave you a gift," I continued, crossing the room slowly. "And you spat on it. Humiliated me."

"I...I was afraid," she whispered, voice shaky.

"Of me?" I stopped in front of her and felt my heart stop beating for a second.

On the floor, kneeling like an obedient dog, she was breathtaking. Her hair fell over her exposed cleavage, brushing them like I'd want my hands to be over them. I yearned to feel the texture of her skin. To dig my fangs into her and draw blood till they were spilling out of her fair skin.

I swallowed.

"I asked you a question."

She hesitated, and that hesitation tasted like a challenge. I crouched low, bringing my face inches from hers. Her breath hitched.

"No," she said, barely audible. "Not of you. Of what people would say. Or what the Luna would think."

A low growl rumbled in my chest.

"That’s the smartest thing you’ve said since arriving here," I murmured.

My fingers caught her chin, tilting it up. Her lips were trembling. I wanted to ravage those lips with kisses till they were swollen and bleeding.

"Do you not feel it?" I whispered, brushing my thumb over her bottom lip. "The bond pulling us closer… tightening around your throat like a leash?"

Her eyes fluttered shut.

"Say it, Leanna."

"I feel it."

I leaned in, my lips ghosting hers. "And do you want it?"

Her silence was loud. So I pressed my mouth just beside her ear, letting my breath tease her skin.

"You have no idea how badly I want to ruin you," I growled. "Making me repeat myself will surely get you in trouble, little fox."

I stood, turning from her. Letting her sit in the ache. In the heat. In the need.

I grabbed a chair that was in front of the dresser, turned it around and sat, legs spread wide as I leaned against the chair.

"You obeyed tonight," I said, glancing at her. Her eyes were glassy with unshed emotion. Her lips parted. Her chest heaving.

"It doesn't mean I won't punish you."

For a while, I watched the soft rise and fall of her chest, allowing the moment to simmer before speaking again.

"Come to me, little fox." She hesitated, lids fluttering so hard I could almost hear her lashes rubbing against her face.

Then she went on all fours and began crawling to me. I let out an exhale, trying to calm both my wolf and my member from acting out. She soon got closer and knelt between my legs, eyes still focused on the floor.

"Look at me." She did as I asked and I let my lips curl into a sinister smile.

I had nasty ideas of what to do to her but I knew she wasn't ready. But when she was, I promised I'd give her my all.

"Now, take off the dress." I commanded, focusing on the punishment I already said I was going to give her.

No matter how beautiful or breathtaking she was, I never went back on my words. And I wasn't going to do that because it had to do with her.

I raised my hips slightly to draw out my belt, the metal clanging as I watched the way her breath came out in quick succession through her lips.

"Easy, little fox. It's only going to hurt a little. Trust me."

I pulled her hair off her face, caressing her cheeks and running my thumb over her lips. I felt her quiver under my touch, her eyes slowly turning dreamy.

"Please, Alpha."

Oh, for f**k's sake! Those goddamn eyes, pleading. How was I not pants down, burying my d**k deep into her mouth? Just when I was thinking about it, the door flung open.