Enslaved by the Alpha

Chapter Eleven: King Cyprian Valentino

Tossing to my side, I opened my eyes and stared at the sliding glass door with the now closed curtains, shielding the moonlight from entering the room. My gaze shifted onto the clock on the nightstand and I released a quiet sigh. It's almost three in the morning.

I glanced over my shoulder at a sleeping Draven. He laid on his side, facing me, and his arm was hooked under his pillow, the other extended beneath mine.

My lips downturned as I remembered telling him to keep his hands off of me so I could sleep, yet it turns out I just can't force myself. It has to be that I'm going to be completely unconscious in the same bed, granting him all the power over me.

I thought I trusted him, now I'm starting to see just how much I don't and it makes me feel so guilty.

Sitting up, I slowly slid out of bed, silently opening the door to the balcony and stepping out. I pulled the door closed lightly and took a seat on the railing, staring off into the trees.

"Guys, look, it's Scarlett!"

"Hey, Scarlett! Psst! Down here!"

I looked down and saw Onalee, Gia, and Liane standing together at the bottom of the stairs by the porch, staring up at me with grins.

"You should come with us for our night run!" Onalee called. I averted my eyes to the black sky and contemplated.

Jumping down, I approached them and searched my surroundings, lingering paranoia washing through me. After confirming we were alone, I looked back at them. "Anywhere in specific?"

"There's a clearing just north of here. It's a beautiful spot during this time of night, we go once a week and have been for years. Their mate's still don't know." Onalee nudged me and wiggled her brows, a playful smirk on her face.

My eyes darted between the three of them as they eagerly waited for an answer, then I glanced toward the trees and a smile broke out on my lips. "By all means, lead the way."

I waved my hand in that direction and they bolted, shifting mid-run which I found quite astonishing. Onalee shot me a wink then ran after them, disappearing into the trees to catch up to her friends.

I stood in my spot, shaking my head in disbelief, then I turned and jumped, grabbing onto the balcony and hoisting myself over the railing to sit in peace.

A gentle breeze blew through and the trees rustled lightly, creating a soothing melody to calm my nerves. My hair twirled in the wind, blowing off to the side, a few rogue strands curling around my face. The song of the night brought a genuine smile to my face and my eyes closed to better bask in the moment.

Just like when I was human.

A distant yelp snapped me out of my relaxed state and I opened my eyes, darting my gaze around in alarm. A whimper pierced the air and I fixated my senses in the direction they ran, jumping down from the balcony and dashing after the scent of dog using my vampire speed.

My bare feet slid to a halt in the mucky grass the second I emerged in the clearing and saw them lying on the cold, wet ground, wearing muzzles over their snouts and visibly constricting leashes around their necks. Three of the King Valentino's guards kept them pinned by pressing one boot into the center of their spines, earning loud whimpers with every slight shift in movement.

"Scarlett, my darling, this all could've been avoided if you had just done what I sent you here to do." Cyprian stepped out from behind his men and approached me, flashing his fangs with one cheeky smile. "I see you need a little push, is all. Don't fret, love, only one has to die."

"Are you out of your mind? You think trespassing and killing them will get you an alliance? The only thing that'll get you is your head on a wooden platter!" I hissed. His smile fell and he cleared his throat calmly, closing the space between us, his shoes squelching with every step.

I stumbled back, instant regret hitting me, and the three sets of wolf eyes watching intently from the ground, expecting me to fight back, made me feel pathetic.

He clicked his tongue and reached for my face, ignoring the snarling wolves, to tenderly cup my jaw, leaning sickeningly close. "You have nothing to fear, darling. I'd never hurt you. I need you."

Behind him, the growling wolves became restless, their pupils constricting as they locked in on the hand he had on my face. All shred of humanity disappeared and their snarls grew louder the longer it lingered. He furrowed his eyebrows and turned his attention on them, glancing back at me with a smile.

"My, my, isn't this staggering?" He chuckled, grabbing a fistful of my hair only for the three wolves to go feral. They snapped their jaws relentlessly, foam forming along their lips from the saliva they didn't make time to swallow, and they thrashed their paws around in a failed attempt to stand.

Cyprian released me and scanned my expression. "You don't see it," he mused, releasing the fistful of my hair. "You're clueless."

Suddenly, the orange wolf broke free and made it to her feet. She charged and shook muzzle off, lunging off of the ground using her hind legs.

Cyprian faced me, his eyes capturing mine. "Bring me a treaty peacefully by tomorrow night," he demanded before swiftly catching her by the throat, never once looking over.

She shifted back in his grasp, her nude body dangling off of the ground, curling up with a face full of pain. I frowned in worry, stepping toward him to help her. "Gia! You shouldn't—"

He silenced me by wrapping his other hand around my throat and the two other's became more aggressive, loudly snarling and thrashing for freedom.

"Let me show you just how serious I am, darling." He pulled her close, turning her back to him and she slammed into his chest. He kept his hand firmly around her throat, hooking it over her body to keep her subdued. She had tears streaming down her face and begged me with her terrified, desperate eyes.

"Please, don't hurt her. Valentino—" I choked as he tightened his grip.

"I am your King!" He hissed, revealing his fangs threateningly and his eyes flashed a bright orange.

Multiple thudding pairs of feet suddenly filled the air, growing louder with every passing second, and he whipped his head to look toward the direction of the pack house. I turned to the best of my ability just as seven wolves appeared at the edge of the treeline,

In the front prowled a massive, pure black wolf with glowing, emerald green eyes—ones I could never forget. His hackles stood straight and drool fell from his bared teeth, making him look like a rabid beast. To his right stood a familiar coconut-brown wolf, and to his left was a grey wolf.

Elliot had his eyes fixated on a grunting, whimpering Gia. His ears laid flat against his head and his eyes widened, a small, worried whine leaving him. Quintin stared at a pinned down Liane, worry of his own morphing his features.

"Alpha Draven!" Cyprian greeted with a crooked grin, clenching Gia's throat to force a choke out of her as if to assert dominance over him. She clawed at his hand and opened her mouth, failing to gasp for air. Seeing this, Elliot bolted for her.

"Don't!" I strained. My words fell upon deaf ears.

He lunged for Cyprian who threw me into him. Elliot landed on me and we hit the ground equally as stunned by the hard, unexpected impact of our bodies clashing.

I lifted my throbbing head to see Cyprian and his men were gone and Elliot rush to Gia's side. She laid on the ground, holding the side of her neck, gurgling weakly, and a strong scent of blood filled my senses.

Liane, Onalee, Draven, and Quintin stood in a circle around them with their heads hanging low, leaving a few feet of space for Elliot and his mate. The warriors kept a lookout in every direction, their heads held high in alert while they remained neutral, almost like they were oblivious to the dying she-wolf several meters away.

This is all my fault.

"No, no, no, baby, please." His broken voice filled the air and I looked back, finding him returned to his human form, caressing her paled, bloody cheeks.

I recollected myself and ran over, taking a spot across from Elliot on the other side of her twitching, quaking body. He noticed my presence when I reached out, moving her hand to reveal the chunk of flesh taken from her neck. He snatched my wrist mercilessly, his eyes flashing black which indicated his wolf was severally unstable.

I widened my eyes in fear from the painful grip until Gia meekly pulled his hand from me and placed hers in his.

"I love you," she wheezed, more blood spewing out of her mouth and her hold on him tightened.

I examined her neck and saw endless blood gushing into the grass, draining her at a rapid rate. My fangs throbbed and the urge to feed was intense, however, I maintained my hunger by averting my eyes to her face. The emotions quickly softened into nothing as her life left her and Elliot's once dead eyes filled with tears. They held so much emotion, it was impossible for me to believe he was the same person I met inside.

"You're too young," I muttered, my thoughts conflicted. Her body began to go limp and I cursed under my breath, biting into my palm until I drew blood.

Elliot's eyes snapped to me in an instant and turned cold once again. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Saving her life." I quickly withdrew my hand and placed it into her mouth. After a moment, I pulled away and took her free hand lightly, staring down at her with a deep, worried frown.

I never turned someone before. I've only ever watched it being done.

"Saving her life? Are you f*****g kidding me?" Elliot snapped, starting to shift due to spiraling rage. "You think this is a joke? If it weren't for you—"

Draven moved next to me, baring his teeth in warning, his curled lips twitching from the tension holding in the muscles. Elliot glared, nevertheless swallowing his words with a sneer.

Suddenly, Gia's hand twitched in mine and I opened my palm, watching it twitch again. I looked up and around to see everyone staring in shock, then I finalized my gaze on Elliot. He stared at her hand with softening features, all anger and sadness leaving him, replacing with disbelief and shock.

He raised his line of sight and met my gaze. "Why?"

"You love her." A sad smile crossed my lips and I was the first to break eye contact, analyzing her newly transitioning figure as her life slowly came back to her, limb-by-limb.

"Love is scarce."

Silence swarmed the air. Moments later, Gia's eyes fluttered open and her wound began healing over. I moved back to give them space and she threw herself at him without wasting a singular second. The couple hugged like their lives depended on it and my smile grew, warmth flurrying in my stomach.

I glanced at Draven through the corner of my eye. He threw his head back and howled, entirely ignorant of my stare, and soon the surrounding wolves joined in. My smile faltered as the seconds passed and I lowered my head to look at the bloody grass.

Love is so much stronger than any one of us could possibly understand, so how do I know when it's love if it's beyond comprehension? Will I? Or could I be in love and never know it?

"I'm taking Gia home. I have to take care of her and make sure she's alright."

Coming back from my thoughts, I caught Elliot finishing his sentence by mouthing the words "Thank you, Luna" and flash me a light, genuine smile over Gia's shoulder.

I gave a subtle nod and the couple released each other, shifting into their beautiful wolves and walking away side-by-side, occasionally nudging each other.

"That snotty vampire isn't getting away with what he did to her without facing repercussions. We're lucky Scarlett could save her. That royal bastard needs humbled big time," Liane seethed.

I turned my head upon hearing her voice, overly startled by the sight of two more naked bodies standing within the comfortable range of distance from me.

Goddess, is being naked in front of a crowd just a daily occurrence for them?

"I'm going to overlook the little stunt you pulled earlier because you were worried about us, and you saved Gia. But so you know, that wasn't cool." Onalee placed her hands on her bare hips.

I grimaced, awkwardly holding my gaze obnoxiously high to make sure they knew I wasn't staring at their bodies.

How exactly do I talk to someone who's naked and not acknowledging it by acting like it's normal?

"I say you earned your place. Welcome to the pack, Luna Scarlett." Liane added with a smile, taking an also naked Quintin by the hand and sashaying off in the direction to the house.

"In other words, we accept you to be our Luna. You've shown us exactly what we needed to see," Onalee said, her face lit with glee.

Warmth filled my chest and I smiled back awkwardly, watching her begin walking after Liane and Quintin just before they disappeared in the trees.

The warriors rounded up and lowered their heads at us as they passed by, trotting toward the house in pairs of two. Draven squinted at them, his expression stern and his ears turned back.

Why doesn't he seem happy?

"Penny for your thoughts?" I broke the silence and his ear flickered in my direction, yet his heavy-lidded eyes remained focused ahead. An awkward heat waved over me at his blatant disregard to my words and I questioned if he was beginning to resent me for turning one of his friends.

"I didn't know Cyprian would do this, he's always been a stickler for order. I don't know why he wants an alliance so bad, maybe you should just give it to him," I admitted. He snapped his head to look at me, his ears perking up attentively and the corners of his lips downturned in a tiny snarl.

"I don't want anyone else getting hurt." I frowned in guilt, staring down at the dried blood on my hands. The thought of it being his burned my throat.

I jumped when he lowered his head to my palms, licking them clean. He ensured there was not a singular trace of blood before raising his head to my level, nudging his cold, wet nose against the tip of mine.

I brought my hands up to the fluffy, thick fur on his face and laid my forehead on his, closing my eyes. His throat vibrated a purring noise under my hands in content.

"I don't want you getting hurt," I whispered.

The fur in my hands suddenly turned to flesh and a gust of wind chilled my skin, immediately followed by a strong radiating heat. I leaned away and opened my eyes, puzzled, and a startled gasp sharply left my lips seeing a man on his knees instead of a sitting wolf.

"Is that your way of saying you have feelings for me?" He asked, hooking his finger beneath my chin to hold my gaze.

A deep redness covered my face and I knew it gave him his answer. I also knew he wanted to hear it based on the look in his eyes, but I couldn't bring myself to say it. Every time I opened my mouth, a sharp lump formed in my throat and the words were stuck.

I moved my hands around his neck and pushed off the ground, pressing my lips to his. He expected it, hooking his arm around my hips and pulling me off the ground onto his lap. My legs spread to straddle his thighs and he shifted his hand up my back, gently guiding me down to the cold, damp grass.

He hovered over me, deepening the kiss with a small groan. His hand slipped out from underneath me and followed the curve in my side, reaching the end of the hoodie where his hot, rough hand met the side of my thigh, forming goosebumps along my body. I quivered at the contact.

"You're not mad at me about Gia?" I muttered, feeling him reel back to look at me.

"You saved her the only way you could—like a true Luna. She's alive because of you. How could I be angry?" He asked. I smiled, slinging my arm around his neck and pulling him back down.

Our lips collided and he slipped his hand underneath the hoodie, tracing up my waist and gliding his palm over my breast, cupping it in his large hand.

I laid my arms on the grass next to my head and looked to the side, panting for air, though he continued to kiss down my jaw. The warmth of his body hovering over mine made me squirm and I longed to be closer, groaning lightly at the ache between my legs that was tailed by fear.

"Someone might see us," I whispered airily in hopes to get him to stop and a coldness formed in my chest. All I could think about were the other Alpha's and the pain they put me through just for their own pleasure.

"Let them."

No, I don't want to do this.

"Please, I'm tired," I blurted in a panic, my tearful voice quavering with forming terror.

In an instant upon hearing it, he ripped away to look at me. "I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking." He moved off of me with guilt stricken features.

Although I didn't express the true reasoning, I had a strong sense he figured it out based on my tone. However, seeing him overcome with guilt only made me feel guilty for reacting that way.

"I am tired though," I said with a small smile.

He looked at me and took a moment to relax, seemingly skeptical of my ability to ignore what just happened. Then when he was sure I was okay, his brows furrowed. "Aren't you mortal enemies with the sun? You should be thriving, not sleepy."

A snicker slipped from my lips. "Correct. But one eventually grows accustomed to a new sleep schedule after being forced to abide by it for a lifetime."

He went silent again and eyed me skeptically again, clearly uncertain how to perceive my way of dealing with the entire situation.

He eventually accepted it silently and stood up with his nude body on full display. I immediately felt embarrassed, darting my eyes onto the ground until his hand extended into my line of sight. I grabbed it and felt my body yank upward, forcing me to my feet in front of him.

"Have you wolves no shame?" I questioned in a squeak, my face burning hotter than it's ever been.

"One thing about us, we're not shy, baby," he joked, wearing a lopsided smile. My heart raced and I inhaled shakily, peering into his eyes, my mouth slightly ajar from the unexpected wave of warmth that filled me.

I once believed I hated being called that, now I... like it.

Perhaps it was just the mouth it came out of.

“Draven…” I trailed off, lying my hands on his chest. His intent gaze choked me and I closed my mouth, shifting my eyes to my hands over his chest then shaking my head. I don’t need to say anything, he already knows how I feel.

His expression morphed into disappointment for a brief second before he smiled, turning his body and raising his hand to signal the way back. “Let’s get some sleep, Red. We can figure everything out in the morning.”

I nodded, starting off in the direction of the house with him following closely behind, resting his hand on my lower back protectively as though someone was going to snatch me at any given moment. My lips tightened with a smile.

I’m sure he knows I’m falling in love with him.