Chapter 4 The bait

The thought of Astrid's plants going into the bin was enough to pull her brain out of its aroused stupor.

"No! They're just babies."

The werewolf looked perplexed for a moment, seemingly evaluating whether or not she was nuts. He'd evidently had come to the conclusion that she was because the next moment he was releasing her, moving away from her body. The cool air brought Astrid back further into her own control, it was simultaneously a sweet relief and a bitter realty. She was surprised to realise she was missed the contact. How humiliating.

"Do it now." His voice was final, commanding.

I couldn't stop herself from glaring hatefully, "fine," she spat out, "But you would do well to stay away from me, dog."

Astrid knew she shouldn't be baiting an alpha, but she just didn't give a shit any more. This guy had her dream job, he was a bully and just plain rude. She didn't need this.

"Fine by me," Caius held his hands up, "Just move your damn plants."

Astrid made sure to huff and puff, dragging her feet along - she wanted him to know that while she was obeying him, she didn't like it and wouldn't actually be conceding if he wasn't her boss. She grabbed the little plants and marched out of the kitchen with as much grace as she could muster, leaving the new alpha, Lachlan and her tea behind.

"You're a pig," she threw over her shoulder as she left the room.

She could've sworn he yelled "oink oink" after her, and she had to stop herself from screaming. She don't know what it is about this guy, but he made her want to behave like a child.

Caius had to be the most infuriating werewolf she'd ever met, and clearly stupid because who would dare to challenge a priestess of the Dark Witches Coven? And while not the most powerful witch, she was sister to a high priestess and coven mother.

As she trudge down the hallways, plants in her arms, Astrid swore to herself that she was going to make this man regret his move and regret taking her job. She was a witch, damn it, she didn't need to be taking orders from a lowly Lycan.

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Today had to be the most ridiculous day in existence. Vanessa's mate or not there were no excuses for Caius' domineering behaviour. For one thing, he'd only just met her, for another thing, he was a lowly lycan and she was a Moon Child of the Great Goddess.

Astrid stormed around her room, and found a place for her plants on the dresser. She knew she'd have to find them somewhere nice and sunny to sit tomorrow. Astrid was loath to admit it but Caius may have been right about the plants. They weren't flourishing well underground and would probably be doing better outside in the sunlight and not in the kitchen. But she wasn't about to tell him that.

She could feel her body positively aching with exhaustion, the day had been a nightmare. All she want to do was have a nice relaxing bath, maybe light a candle and go to bed. As if the coven witches weren't annoying enough, now she had to deal with an annoying lycan, Mr-big-boss, whatever.

Of course to make matters worse he had to be utterly gorgeous - it was like the Goddess was punishing her for not staying with the coven above ground. The intensity of being so close to him was just another reminder that she hadn't been touched by man in a good few months. Evidently it was impacting her, because she had felt her panties absolutely soak from the mere touch of him. And the way he'd been rough with her? Perfect - she hadn't even realised she'd liked that tough shit until she felt the persistent ache of her clit thrumming throughout her core, begging for more of his rough touch.

Astrid marched herself right into the bathroom, turning on the tap for the marble bath. The gorgeous tub was one of the reasons she stayed in The Underground. The coven above ground in the city didn't have such nice amenities (Sharing three bathrooms with fifteen girls, urgh, no thank you). Besides, it was easier to get to work this way, and Astrid loved the luxury of sleeping in.

She watched the hot water slowly fill the tub, grabbing some oil and sprinkled it in watching the swirls of oil disappear into the clear liquid. Astrid reached over to light one of her candles on the side - tonight had been tough so she decide to go with her old favourite, the rose and bergamot. It was a glorious heady fragrance that always seems to calm her.

When the tub completely filled, Astrid stripped herself of her clothes and sank into the blissfully hot water. She leaned back and enjoyed the feeling of her muscles releasing under the heat. Astrid knew exactly what she needed tonight and that was to work out some tension - particularly the frustration that seemed to build up in the space between her thighs.

Astrid clenched her legs together, noticing her pussy was still aching, needy with desire. The last time she'd had sex was a few days ago and it was okay. Not earth-shattering or anything, it had been out of need really and had done the job.

But evidently that hadn't been enough to even tide her over for the week, because now she was fuelled with relentless desire, her clit pulsing, begging for attention. A guy holds her a few moments and suddenly she's hornier than a unicorn - what was she turning into?

Astrid slipped a hand down between her thighs and stroked, sliding a finger against the little nub of tender flesh. She leant back agains the rim of the tub and closed her eyes, allowing her imagination to wander, thinking about how it'd feel if someone else was touching her instead. She imagined this lover kissing her tenderly, stroking her breasts, licking her.