Chapter 6 No.6

Alvera POV

"Do you know who his Fated Mate is?"

The question hung in the air, heavy and suffocating, like smoke in a burning room. Kassie's eyes bore into mine, searching for a crack in my armor. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic bird trapped in a cage, but I forced my face to remain a mask of dull, Omega subservience.

"I am just an assistant, Miss Warren," I replied, my voice steady despite the tremors in my hands. "The Alpha's private affairs, especially regarding the Moon Goddess's will, are far above my station."

Kassie straightened, frustration marring her perfect features. "It doesn't make sense. If he rejected her six years ago, why hasn't he filed the Severance Declaration with the Council? It's just paperwork. Unless..." She tapped a manicured fingernail against her chin. "Unless he's hesitating."

"Kassie!"

The boom of Kristopher's voice made us both jump. The Gamma strode out of Brennan's office, the door clicking shut behind him. His scent-sharp, aggressive Fir needle-rolled over us, instantly silencing his sister.

He stopped at my desk, his imposing bulk casting a shadow over me. He didn't look at Kassie; he looked at me, his gaze dissecting.

"You will see a lot more of my sister around here," Kristopher said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Ensure she is accommodated. And ensure you remember your place, Omega. The Warren Pack does not tolerate loose ends."

He turned to Kassie, his eyes flashing with a silent, telepathic command. I saw Kassie flinch, her pupils dilating as she received the *Mind-Link*. She looked down, chastised like a puppy.

"Let's go," Kristopher grunted.

As they left, Kassie shot me one last look-not of suspicion, but of determination. She wasn't done.

*

By five o'clock, my stomach was in knots. Kassie had called me three times, her voice shifting from pleading to threatening. She had set up a "welcome home" surprise at The Silver Moon Lounge and needed Brennan there.

"Help me, Alvera," she had hissed over the phone. "It's the only way he'll see that I'm what's best for him, for the Pack. If you don't get him there, I'll make sure Brennan knows about your little 'chats' with the kitchen staff."

It was a bluff, but I couldn't risk her digging deeper.

I knocked on the Alpha's door. "Enter."

Brennan was reviewing files, his brow furrowed. He looked up, his golden eyes tired.

"Alpha," I lied, the taste of it bitter on my tongue. "We have a situation. Elder Thorne from the Northern Pack requested an urgent meet. He's waiting at The Silver Moon Lounge."

Brennan sighed, rubbing his temples. "Thorne? Now? Fine. Drive me."

The drive was silent. Guilt gnawed at me with every mile. I was leading him into a trap, delivering him to the woman who wanted to replace me, all to protect a secret that was already killing me.

When we arrived at the Lounge, the hostess led us not to a conference room, but to the private "Luna Suite."

I opened the door, and the scent hit us instantly-synthetic *Sakura* and expensive champagne. The room was dim, lit by hundreds of candles. Rose petals covered the floor.

"Surprise!"

Kassie stepped forward, wearing a dress that left nothing to the imagination. Behind her, Desmond, Brennan's Beta, raised a glass, grinning like a fool.

Brennan didn't move. He didn't smile.

The temperature in the room seemed to drop twenty degrees. The scent of Cedar and Blizzard exploded from him, turning sharp and biting. He didn't look at Kassie. He turned slowly, his lethal gaze locking onto me.

"Elder Thorne?" he asked, his voice a low, dangerous rumble.

I lowered my head, unable to meet his eyes. "I... I was instructed to ensure your arrival, Alpha."

"You lied to me." It wasn't a question. It was an indictment.

"Brennan, don't be mad at her!" Kassie chirped, oblivious to the violence radiating off him. She looped her arm through his stiff elbow. "I told her to. I wanted to celebrate us!"

Brennan pulled his arm away, his movements jerky. "There is no 'us' to celebrate yet, Kassie."

The rejection was brutal in its public nature. Kassie's smile faltered. The tension was thick enough to choke on.

Desmond, clearly tipsy and misreading the room entirely, chuckled. He swirled his drink, his eyes drifting over to where I stood by the door, trying to blend into the wallpaper.

"Rough day, Alpha?" Desmond slurred slightly. "Hey, look on the bright side. Now that your chosen Luna is back and eager, you won't be needing your little Omega stress-ball anymore, right?"

He winked at me, a lewd, suggestive gesture. "Mind if I see if her scent is as calming as they say? I could use a little stress relief myself."

The air left the room.

A growl tore through the suite-a sound so primal, so filled with raw, possessive violence that the candles flickered.

Brennan moved. In a blur of speed, he was in Desmond's face, his hand gripping the Beta's shirt, lifting him onto his toes. His eyes were no longer human; they were the glowing, molten gold of his Lycan.

"Touch her," Brennan snarled, his voice vibrating with the power of a Command, "and you will lose the hand."

Desmond paled, instantly sobering up. He raised his hands in surrender. "Alpha... I didn't... I was joking."

Brennan shoved him back, his chest heaving. The silence that followed was deafening. Kassie stood frozen, her face pale as she looked from Brennan to me, her eyes wide with shock. She had wanted a reaction, but not this. Never this.

Brennan turned away from them, his wolf pacing just beneath his skin. He looked at me, his eyes burning with a mixture of fury and a dark, undeniable hunger that terrified me more than his anger.

He couldn't stay here. The *Sakura* scent was making him sick; I could see it in the way his nose wrinkled. He needed to ground himself.

He stalked toward me, grabbing my wrist. His grip was bruising.

"We're leaving," he rasped.

"Back to the penthouse, Alpha?" I whispered, trembling.

He leaned down, his lips brushing my ear, his hot breath sending shivers down my spine.

"No," he commanded, his voice leaving no room for negotiation. "Let's head to your place."