The air inside the Alpha's office was suffocating . It wasn't just the heavy scent of dominance that clung to the walls , or the way the sunlight failed to soften the room's severity as it filtered through the tall windows . No - what made it stifling was the presence of the people gathered within . Alpha Efrein sat behind his massive desk , posture rigid , the weight of his authority radiating with every measured breath . Luna Beatrice stood tall beside him , her expression unreadable but her eyes sharp , carrying that same quiet judgment Elaine had grown up under . Her parents were there as well - Beta Richard and Lucille - sitting stiffly , their gazes cast downward as though the polished floor might offer answers they didn't dare look for in their daughter's eyes. Near the window , bathed in the soft glow of morning , stood Kathy . Her hands rested protectively over the gentle swell of her stomach , and though she said nothing , her presence was louder than words . She glowed with pride , secure in her place , carrying the future heir of the pack . And beside her - Michael . Elaine's heart clenched painfully at the sight of him . His jaw was tight , his face locked in a mask of control , but his eyes betrayed him . They flickered toward her with a storm of emotions she couldn't decipher . Anger ? Guilt ? Possession ? Something else buried beneath them all ? She didn't know . She didn't want to know . Elaine's throat tightened . All of them . Of course it had to be all of them . " Sit ," Alpha Efrein commanded , his tone sharp enough to cut through her thoughts . Her legs moved on instinct . She lowered herself into the chair opposite his desk , spine straight but fingers twisting together in her lap , betraying the storm she fought to keep hidden . " You've caused quite the stir this morning ," Luna Beatrice began , her voice calm but edged with ice . " Drawing the attention of Alpha Darius so ... directly . " Elaine blinked . That was what this was about ? Not her future , not her rejection , not the humiliation she lived with every day , but him ? " I didn't- " she began , but Efrein lifted a hand , silencing her instantly . " How did you meet Alpha Darius ? " His voice left no room for anything but truth . 1/3 < Chapter 18 " I met him when he saw me after his run . " She said carefully , steadying her tone . " And what did you tell him ? " Efrein pressed . Elaine shook her head . " Tell him ? Nothing . I didn't tell him anything . " More Rewards Michael stepped forward then , his voice harsh . " If you only met him this morning , why does he act as though he has known you for years ? " Her lips parted , but no words came at first . She could feel their eyes on her - all of them- measuring , judging , dissecting her every breath . " I don't know what to tell you , " she finally whispered . " I don't know why he acts the way he acts . " Michael's voice sharpened . " And what did he mean when he said there was a connection between the two of you ? " Her frustration cracked through . " I don't know ! What is this - this interrogation ? " Her voice trembled , but not with fear - with outrage . Alpha Efrein's gaze bore into her , hard and unyielding . " We have an alliance with his pack , Elaine . I will not see it jeopardized . You will not say or do anything personal that can threaten it . " " Say anything to affect the alliance ? " She stared at him , incredulous . " I don't even know what you're implying , Alpha . As I said , I met him today - this morning . If he feels something , if he believes there is some connection , I cannot control that ." Her words had barely settled when Michael snapped , his voice breaking like a whip . " I don't want to see you with him ! " Elaine's head turned sharply toward him . Her eyes narrowed . " What right do you have to say that to me ? " His chest heaved as he thundered back , " I am your mate ! " The words struck her like a blow , but the fire inside her rose stronger . " You lost that title the moment you rejected me for her . " Her hand shot out , pointing directly at Kathy , who stiffened but did not flinch , her hand instinctively tightening on her belly . The room went still . " What is this ? " Elaine demanded , her voice trembling with fury now . " This - this interrogation ? 2/3 < Chapter 18 More Rewards What exactly do you expect me to say to Alpha Darius that could possibly destroy your alliance ? " Her father's voice finally cut through , rough with unease . " The truth of your mating with Michael . " Her stomach dropped . Slowly , she turned to look at him . " Mating with Michael ? I don't have a mate . " Michael's eyes burned into her as he snarled , " The hell you don't . I am your mate . I will always be your mate . We all have to make sacrifices for the good of the pack . I thought you understood that . " Sacrifices . Always sacrifices . Always her . " Elaine ," Luna Beatrice's voice softened , though it was no less cold , " we understand you are in pain , and disappointed with the ... circumstances . But you must avoid Alpha Darius . Michael is still your mate , whether you accept it or not , and his wolf does not tolerate seeing you with him . " Elaine let out a hollow laugh , one that held no humor . " You understand my pain ? " she repeated , her voice breaking . Her chest heaved as she looked at each of them - the Alpha , the Luna , her parents , Michael , Kathy . " You want me to avoid the first person who has shown me respect in months ? The first person who made me feel safe after you all betrayed me ? You want me to give that up too ? For your alliances ? For your convenience ? " Her words cracked through the air like lightning . And for the first time , silence filled the room . Not because they had nothing to say , but because none of them wanted to admit that she was right . Comments Get Bonus ( Ad ) >