“You know you weren’t invited to breakfast. What the fuck are you doing here, Ryder?” Jason asked, his voice steely and filled with hostility. The table knife in his hand was held low but angled toward me.
“How classic,” Ace scoffed.
My eyes narrowed at the knife, a scoffing expression on my face. Tilting my chin slightly, I looked toward Luna Anna, a fellow conspirator. She looked like she could piss herself. Not so bold now, I thought.
“Actually,” I cocked my head proudly at Jason, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips, “she begged me to always join you for breakfast.”
For a moment, Luna’s face paled, and she looked away. But then a spark appeared in her eyes, just as quickly.
“That’s not why you’re here,” Luna said firmly, surprising all of us. Her bright eyes were fixed on me.
“You’re right,” I shrugged. “That’s not what I came for. You see, I have much more important things to attend to.” I could feel several pairs of curious eyes following my movements as I stretched my hand forward, holding a long brown envelope between my fingers. Opening the file, I pulled out a piece of paper-several white sheets clamped together. The contract. This was going to put them in their place.
Jasmine let out a loud gasp. I could hear Ace chuckle. We’re just getting started, little vixen, I thought to myself.
The room fell silent, the only sound being the ticking of the grandfather clock in the hallway. I could feel her eyes on me, watching me a little too closely for my comfort.
“Sign it,” I said in a low growl. It wasn’t an offer; it was more of a command.
Without moving an inch, the Alpha eyed the paper skeptically before shooting me a defiant look.
“Very well.”
“I’ll save you the stress of reading it,” I yawned, already bored. My gaze moved to Jasmine’s face, where fear was clearly visible in her eyes. “I’ve been tasked with handling a situation. One that requires your daughter’s presence. It’s a peace treaty. You give me your daughter, and you get peace,” I said coolly, but with a firm tone.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” the Alpha countered, his voice firm. His opposition didn’t surprise me. It was normal for him to resist at first.
“It’s not up for discussion,” I said. “She’s coming with me,” I stated firmly.
Jason’s face twisted into a deep frown, his eyes bloodshot with anger and blazing with defiance. “You can’t just demand that we hand over my sister!” he growled, slamming his fist against the table. The sound echoed in the room, and his voice was low and challenging.
The nerve of Jason. So many words when he knew there was absolutely nothing he could do to stop me from taking her.
“For someone with insignificant strength, you sure have a lot of nerve,” I spat. “You should be grateful I didn’t do something rash to you. Did you think I’m a fool? That you could play games with me right under my nose? I wasn’t crowned Lycan King for nothing. You don’t know your place, and for that, I swear on my life, you’ll feel my wrath!” My voice thundered, filling the room as I glared at Jason.
“Please,” Luna pleaded, her voice trembling with emotion. But I ignored her. She was no better than her vile son.
“You have no-” the Alpha started, his face contorted in anger, but before he could finish, I lunged at him. My hands flew through the air, grabbing him by the collar. He’d tested my patience enough.
“Sign the fucking contract while you can still breathe,” I whispered hoarsely. “I don’t have all day,” I hissed through gritted teeth.
“I was nice yesterday. Don’t think I’ll be that way today. Scheming under my nose and thinking you could get away so easily,” I snorted.
He quickly scribbled his signature, and then Jasmine followed suit. I could see the hesitation in her, a hint of surprise, but when she saw Jason, she reluctantly conceded.
After all the drama, with her kicking and slapping me in defiance, with a single threat, she had become an obedient vixen. She fell asleep only fifteen minutes into the drive, exhaustion having taken its toll on her.
Watching Jasmine sleep, she appeared so peaceful and innocent, every beautiful feature of hers captivating me. Her dark, thick hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her skin glowed softly in the evening light. The only thing holding me back from claiming her entirely in that moment was the reality that she was still angry with me and hadn’t fully come to terms with her new situation.
A surge of possessiveness washed over me, a deep knowing that she was mine. Mine alone.
The door flung open, and a young woman walked in, her face flushed red as she quickly turned away, apologizing. “I’m sorry, my lord. I didn’t mean to intrude.” She bowed immediately.
Ryder stepped back from me, his eyes still fixed on mine. “No need to apologize, Seraphina. This is Jasmine.” He gestured toward the woman. “This is your maid. She’ll attend to you-whatever you need, she’ll help you with.” His voice was surprisingly calm; I’d expected him to snap at her.
Seraphina curtsied, still looking away. “Welcome, madam. I’ve brought some clothes for you.”
I scoffed, my anger simmering. For all I cared, he could spare me the pretentious gestures. After forcing me down here, he was now trying to play the gracious host? The irony was maddening-royal treatment in a prison. It made me feel like Napoleon, trapped in my own empire.
“Oh, how considerate. A personal maid to cater to me. I thought I’d be collared and leashed, forced to do my own chores, servicing you regularly since I’ll be at your beck and call. Isn’t that what mistresses do?” I snapped, my lips pressed into a thin line. His arrogance made me want to lash out, to do anything to wipe that smug smile off his face.
Ryder’s expression remained calm, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. “You’ve got the wrong impression. Maybe things were done that way in your pack,” he shrugged, “but here, things are more civilized. Mistresses are treated like queens, unless they prefer to be treated like slaves.”
I swallowed hard, my anger rising at the term he used. How dare he mock me in front of a servant? The way he folded his arms and looked at me, those ocean eyes taunting me, only made it worse.
I had to admit, he was undeniably attractive. His features came together perfectly-handsome, yes. Hot? Absolutely. But his attitude? It was unbearable-rude, proud, obsessive, possessive… the list went on. I could write an essay on how irritating he was.
Drinking in his features, my eyes moved over his sturdy chest. They drifted down, narrowing at his crotch. Then, I smirked.
“Well, I don’t need your services,” I said, keeping my gaze on him. “But I think you need them more.”
I returned his mocking grin, meeting his glare with one that matched his intensity. His blue eyes darkened, pupils dilating as he realized what I meant. It was clear he understood exactly what I was implying. Who the hell gets turned on by a conversation?
Ryder’s eyes flashed with anger, his jaw tightening. “You think you’re clever, don’t you?” he growled, his voice low and dangerous.
I shrugged, still smiling. “I’m just stating the obvious.” He stepped closer, his gaze searing into mine. His hands gripped my arms firmly. “You have no idea what you’re dealing with, Jasmine,” he said, his voice sending that familiar shiver through me. Damn it, my toes curled in excitement at how close he was.
Normally, I would’ve fought against his grip, but not now-not when my heart was racing with anticipation. “I’m not playing with anything,” I purred. “I’m just calling it like I see it.”
His next move was quick and commanding as he pulled me closer, his body pressing into mine with force. We were barely an inch apart. I licked my dry lips, feeling the heat from his breath against my skin as he leaned in, his scent-masculine and intoxicating-filling my senses, making my heart pound harder.
Ryder’s gaze dropped to my lips, his lashes fluttering slightly as he studied them. My breath hitched. “Isn’t that what you’re meant for?” he whispered, brushing his thumb over my lips. “What else could these lips-” he paused, his thumb caressing lightly-“have to offer since they never have anything pleasant to say?”
“It’s your job to please me,” he murmured, his voice sending shivers down my spine. The words hit me like a punch in the gut, a brutal reminder of my situation.
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