Stolen
1602 Words
Chapter 9: Stolen
Arthur's POV
I woke early, already craving my mate. There was no better way to start my day than with her body—warm, soft, and trembling beneath me.
I could already feel my hardness, pressing insistently against the fabric of my pants.
With a low groan, I reached out, hand patting across the bed to pull her closer.
But I met only empty sheets.
My eyes snapped open, a frown pulling at my brow.
She wasn’t here.
I immediately sat upright, eyes scanning the room.
"Camilla!" I yelled, voice a little groggy.
Anger and irritation slowly rose in my chest, from both the discomfort in my groin and the thought of her defiance.
I had warned her several times never to leave the bed until I was gone each morning. I guess it had been too long since I disciplined her.
I checked the bathroom, hoping she was in the shower. Nothing.
I grabbed my robe, heading for the door. But the moment I touched the handle, something struck me.
I paused, frowning as strange memories began to filter into my mind.
“The woman who served the drink—I'm taking her home tonight. What do you need to let her go? How much?” Malakai’s voice echoed.
“If you want her that badly… five million in cash should do,” I replied.
What the hell!
This had to be some kind of twisted joke. Or maybe I was hallucinating.
I rushed out of the house and straight to my office, nestled in the main hall where I had hosted the alliance gathering last night.
My mother’s voice rang behind me, but I ignored her.
Inside, I found documents carrying my signature, stacks of new bills... everything that confirmed my fear. Cold sweat broke across my skin.
How did this happen? How dare Malakai play such a sick game with me?
I sent a mind-link to Zachary. He came in no time.
"You look disturbed. Any problem?" he asked, brows furrowed, eyes scanning the room.
My eyes darkened with rage. How could my own Beta not know my mate had been stolen?
"Malakai took Camilla," I said, through gritted teeth.
His frown deepened, and my irritation peaked. "You confuse me. What do you mean Malakai took Camilla?"
"What else could I mean?" I growled. "Where were you last night when Malakai f*****g left with my mate?!"
"I took yesterday off to take care of Zoey. I told you she was unwell."
"You abandoned your duty for the whole day, tending to Zoey while Malakai tore through this pack and stole Camilla."
His frown shifted to a glare. "No, don’t do that," he snapped, voice tight with annoyance. "Zoey is my mate, and her well-being supersedes any duty. Also, you permitted me to take the leave. So why are you talking like this now? If anyone is to be scolded, it should be you... for abandoning Camilla and letting another..."
He paused, as if realizing too late that he had crossed a line.
"No, yap on," I challenged with a harder glare. I was used to him challenging me every now and then. I would’ve replaced him long ago if he wasn’t so damn useful.
Maybe it was finally time to get myself a Gamma. Someone who could at least understand me better.
"How could Malakai just successfully take her like that? I doubt the guards would just let him without a fight," he said, returning to the matter at hand.
I couldn't tell him I sold her to him first. He’d go ballistic.
"I don’t care how he did it. I just want Camilla back in this pack."
The door opened and my mother walked in, a look of worry in her eyes.
"Morning luna Caroline," Zach greeted her.
She mumbled a reply, eyes fixed on me. "Are you okay, darling?"
"Mom, how can I be okay when my mate was just kidn*pped under your watches?"
"Why are you talking like that? You stopped me when I wanted to send the guards after them," she said, brows knitting in confusion.
"I stopped you?" I became more confused. "Why would I do that?"
"You explained it was part of some agreement with Malakai, necessary for the alliance."
Zach stared at me like I’d grown nine heads, disappointment and irritation obvious in his face.
Why couldn’t I remember any of this?
Frustrated, I swept some documents off the desk. The alliance paperwork came into view. I had planned to sign it this morning—but now everything was on pause until Camilla was returned.
"If you ask me, you're disturbing yourself over nothing," my mother said. "You should be happy that burden is finally off your neck."
Her tongue clicked in disgust.
"And I advise you be careful with Malakai. He’s… strange. I can’t even explain how they left my sight so quickly."
My mother had never liked Camilla. Neither did most who knew the abomination she was. Or the things she'd done.
And yet, mother was right. I should be relieved. I was beginning to grow tired of her after all.
But I wasn’t.
She was still my mate. My property. Not just handed to me by my father before his death, but chosen by the goddess herself.
Letting another man take her like this... It wasn’t just an insult to me and my pack. It was a challenge. One I couldn’t ignore.
If other Alphas heard of this, I’d be disrespected. Seen as weak.
I didn’t care if Malakai was mysterious, or strange or whatever, I was as much Alpha as he was.
"How much did you have to drink last night?" Zach asked once Mother left.
I didn’t respond. I hadn’t drunk enough to allow Camilla escape my grasp. Something was wrong. I could feel it.
I remembered even leading Malakai to the pack house. Like I had been under a spell.
Then my mom claiming I told her to stand down...
I dragged a hand through my hair.
"What’s with all the money?" Came Zach's interrogatory voice again, eyes fixed on the bundles of cash I thought I’d hidden under the table.
"Instead of standing there bombarding me with stupid questions, you should be more concerned about how to retrieve your future Luna," I spat.
He sighed, rubbing his temple. "I’ll leave with some warriors to Ironclaw right away."
"No. Wait," I stopped him.
What if this was a trap?
I couldn’t afford to jeopardize the alliance just like that. We needed it to expand our trade routes.
"Send an official email first. Their response will determine our next action."
I left to return to the pack house. The six useless guards posted at the entrance bowed their heads as I neared. I walked up to each of them and slapped them hard across the face.
Shock registered in their eyes, but they didn’t dare speak.
"You incompetent fools!" I sneered before storming into the house.
After a shower, I retreated to my study, thoughts in chaos.
Why would Malakai take Camilla? Why pay so much for someone so… irrelevant? Unless she meant something to him. Was he charmed by her beauty?
The thought of another man touching her sent a repulsive chill through me.
I balled my fists, heading toward the wine cabinet with unsteady steps, needing something to dull the fire underneath my skin.
A knock came at the door, but I ignored it. After two taps, it creaked open.
Audrey entered, frowning when she saw the state I was in. I hadn’t even realized she was still around.
"Hey, are you okay?" she asked, approaching.
I paused mid-sip, letting my gaze sweep over her, drinking in the mesmerizing sight. Her short purple skirt revealed most of her long, fresh legs, and her butterfly top teased just enough cleavage to stir my blood.
She came to stand in front of me. "Luna Caroline told me what happened. I'm really sorry."
I pulled her roughly and she sat on the desk, her skirt jumping up to reveal more tempting skin.
"Are you sure you are?" I asked, leaning back in my chair. "How do I know you and Camilla didn’t plan this together?"
A sharp laugh escaped her lips. "You talk like my sister and I are besties."
Her legs rested on the arms of my chair, thighs open like a book. My breath caught when my eyes landed on her glistening pink p***y—completely bare.
What the hell?!
She always knew how to get my attention.
"Audrey," I murmured, voice rough, barely audible.
In response, my c**k twitched in my pants, reminding me I hadn’t had my morning release.
"Do you want to keep moping over Camilla’s disappearance or have a little fun?" She asked, biting her lip in a way that used to undo me.
Then, without asking, she took my glass and drained it, as if what was mine had always been hers.
I inhaled sharply. All I could smell was her arousal. The whole air was polluted by it.
I really preferred having her sister first—but since Camilla wasn’t here, Audrey was a perfect alternative.
They tasted almost alike, after all.
My hands found her hips, dragging her forward until she was at the tip of the desk, to get catch a better view of the heaven between those creamy thighs.
She gasped, leaning back on her elbows, giggling softly.
"You’re too bold for your own good," I said, genuinely amused, pinching her folds just enough to draw out a moan.
My problem was momentarily forgotten.
- Writer
