“He’s still there. Damien left him behind, saved his own skin and left his father for dead” Cody said disgustedly.
“No surprise there, we know that both men are cowards” I growled.
“This might not have happened if you hadn’t insisted on dragging that poor girl inside the dungeon and forcing her to watch you” Callum snarled “was your pride worth the expense of this? That girl will be scarred for life by what you forced her to watch and endure” he spat out, looking furious with me “and now we have a prisoner on the loose.”
I glared at him “Watch your words” I told him quietly, even as I acknowledged the truth of his words.
I had gone too far and all for the sake of my pride. The look on Riley’s face as she was forced to watch me whip her brother would haunt me. My anger had consumed me and I had become irrational, desperate to make her hate me.
“What was the point?” Callum said a little quieter, cocking his head “because after all that, you put her in a guest room on the ground floor and walked away. Do you intend to put her back down here?” he asked, angry now.
“No” I said sighing “I don’t want her down here with the prisoners. She stays in the guest room, on the ground floor. Far enough away that the mate bond…”
“Will still take affect. You’re fighting a losing battle” Cody argued, looking exasperated “this girl has been through enough Jaxon, you’re just torturing her more. She deserves better than this. It’s not fair.”
“I can’t reject her” I thundered causing both of them to stiffen “she makes my wolf stronger. Without that bond, he’ll weaken and I can’t have that.”
“You’ve survived this long without a mate” Cody countered “and what about what she might want? Have you even bothered to ask her? Or do you think it won’t matter because she can’t speak?”
I shifted uncomfortably on my chair. To be honest I hadn’t considered what Riley’s feelings might be or maybe I was too selfish to care. I wanted the strength I would receive from the mate bond, but none of the obligations that came with it.
“She won’t have much choice” I said, knowing what a bastard I sounded like “she can’t reject me without being able to speak the words or having me accept and I don’t intend on doing either” I growled.
“What if she has hopes of getting married and having children? You’re denying her what most girls want” Callum pointed out.
I looked down at the table. “Eventually I’ll need an heir” I said dismissively as their jaws dropped open “when that time comes Riley will come in useful for that purpose. Until then, I don’t need to be in contact with her.”
“You son of a bitch” breathed Callum indignantly “I never thought I would accuse you of being ruthless, despite the reputation you have, but you’re talking about using the girl primarily as a breeder and nothing more.”
I looked him in the eyes. “Correct.”
Even Cody looked stunned. “Jaxon you should rethink your stance on this” he said quietly.
“I won’t. She’ll birth strong Alpha children when the time is right but she won’t ever be Luna of this pack” I said as they went slack jawed “and while Alpha Rowan went about it the wrong way, maybe I need to rethink my stance about having a luna. I should find one that is of strong lineage and able to help defend this pack as it grows stronger. I don’t need to love them” I mused “they just need to be able to fulfill the role.”
“That sounds lonely” Callum said gravely “and why would any woman agree to that?”
I gave a chuckle “money of course. The thrill of being the Luna of the strongest pack in the country. Why else?” I said blandly.
I stood up “Callum extend invitations to the nearby packs, advising that I’m on the hunt for a future Luna of the pack. Let the Alpha’s know I intend on having a party next month in order to meet eligible single ladies and possibly choose a mate.”
“This is a mistake” warned Callum.
“It is my mistake to make” I snarled “and my decision. You are my Beta and you abide by my rules, whether you like them or not. There is no room for love in my life, and the pack will benefit with the guidance of a Luna by its side. This way everybody wins” I growled.
I wouldn’t need to lose my heart in the process and I wouldn’t have to worry about becoming vulnerable. If I lost my chosen mate, I would not be weakened. Not like if I lost my real mate after marking them.
“Make sure Damien is found” I added, creasing my brow ” I don’t like loose ends. As it is, I want an announcement made. Alpha Maxwell will be executed in front of the pack at sundown tomorrow, with his daughter in attendance.”
Perhaps that might be enough to have Damien come slinking back, although if he had left his father to die, I suspected it would not be.
“You would make her watch this, after what you did to her before?” Cody said, looking sick.
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