Chapter 2 Games

" How much are you willing to stake?"

Ulmea gave him a mean, cold gaze. "This ain't one of your games Artems. I am investing. "

His phone pinged.

It was a text message from Angel.

"Ulmea, here is the list you requested."

Ulmea opened the file, filtering out Artems babbling.

A woman's picture amongst the others caught his attention.

His feature darkened and he texted. "I do not want Raya in here. That's one of the reasons I am in another man's pack, because I do not want her in the list."

He considered as he sent, if there was a way he could shout over text; oh, capitals, he forgot to use that.

He dropped his phone on the table.

"So, how much do you plan on investing, Alpha Ulmea?" Artems asked as he took another swig of his coffee.

He ignored him, as his gaze followed the silver-ash hue of a woman that passed him by, heading towards the restroom.

She piqued his curiosity and made his wolf Steve dance in circles inside him.

Who was she?

Was she here to get some coffee--like the others--before the day's work?

A jar of beer was refilled just at the middle of the other two men Artems came with.

But Ramon's gaze was far from the jar, and instead on the retreating figure of Ester.

It traveled down, before a belge stole it's way out of his throat and the gamma swatted him. "You see a woman and you can't even comport yourself anymore."

Ramon scoffed. " Oh please. Is she a woman? I don't think these humans should be given the same gender titles like the rest of us."

" So what should they be called?"

His head turned again to an empty restroom corridor where she just entered. " They should be playthings for werewolves.. mostly the Alpha and beta. Whenever we want some fun."

" Hmmm. I don't think you want to go there. They have been running a successful business for us werewolves for a while now.. it's enriching the Alpha's pockets; I think it's best we let them be." The gamma poured from the jar into his cup, observing the leafy floral designs.

"Nonsense. I can have her anytime I want and the Alpha wouldn't even spit in my direction. The only reason I haven't considered it is because they are worthless to me. She's always wanted me for the longest time possible but I rejected her. I despise her. Besides, there are already enough females my kind, to fuck. "

The gamma laughed. " Quit dreaming..Ramon. So you think someone you rejected is just going to allow you do whatever? Now, Just like that?

Too much beer and arrogance has gotten into ya head."

Ramon spun to him. " You think that I am joking?"

"Uhh...yes you are, obviously."

" Oh, alright then. Let me show you." Ramon stood.

The gamma's mouth dropped. " Ramon are you mad? What...we are not here for such."

Ramon sneered at him." Relax, you big coward. I'm not going to do anything. I'll Just tell her what I want; you'll see. I'll narrate to you how she quickly bobbed her head in response and opened her legs, desperate for me. I know how badly she wants me to fuck her ..she just has too much pride to say it."

" Oh. If it's consensual then, I guess." The gamma said, having another swig. " Have fun."

Ramon smirked and proceeded away from his beer and gamma.

The silver faucet shaped like goose's neck kept vomiting spasms of water, and Ester made no bid to stop it.

She was thankful she had brought a kerchief, and she used it to wipe herself, cleaning away dirt and stains she couldn't even find.

She stared at her dress over and over in the mirror.

So self-conscious now. Fucking hell.

Those blue eyes---they made her feel like she was--unclean, unjust.

He seemed to have been disappointed in her little skirmish.

Yeah well she couldn't give a damn.

It was these very same people that were the unclean ones.

The unjust ones. The abusive ones.

What was she even doing? Mom had told her to gather information as much as she could, and here she was, fidgeting, her hands shaking.

She took a deep calming breath and stared at her reflection, before putting the tap off.

Coming here had frayed whatever little nerve she had left in her.

"Ester." A voice from behind her startled her.

She turned and saw Ramon, his eyes were near off-focus, he had a fuzzy nervous look about him.

"Beta Ramon, what..what are you doing in the females convenience?" She was surprised to see him here.

" Is this? Oh...I didn't see. I guess fate must have dragged me here." He smiled, or attempted to.

There was a lewd sparkle in his eyes as his gaze roamed up and down her body and he licked his lips.

What felt like worms made of irritation crawled around in her belly. " Okay. Beta. I...i am just going to step aside, and allow you do whatever fate brought you here to do, in the...in the ladies bathroom."

Casting her gaze down, Ester moved past him when he caught her with a hand, stopping her movement.

Her heart leapt in her chest, and began pounding anxiously. "Beta Ramon?"

"Relax. I wanted to talk to you."

She swallowed. " Oh, okay."

Maybe she had miscalculated; she had misread. He just wanted to talk.

" Look, I know I've been a dickhead to you and y'all. Heck to all your people." He moved closer to her and wrapped his arms around her. " But I do like you. And I want to take you here"

Ester's cheeks heated with rage, as she pulled away from his arms "Beta Ramon. Stop this please. It's just the wine talking. You...you are drunk. You have always never liked me, you don't like anything about my existence. You made it clear. " She tried to maintain calm, keeping her gaze on the floor. But she was clearly scared, her heart beating madly in her chest.

Why wouldn't he just keep ignoring her now like the other times? Why was he doing this?

His face squeezed in anger. " Did you just reject me? I told you I like you...are you playing hard to get? You..." He folded his fists, masking his anger. " Hey look, I'm sorry for the way I treated you okay? But I want you. And I want you now. Let's do it here. Before anyone comes"

Oh, so that was what this was all about.

Her eyes flew around calculatedly as she calculated her escape route, her heart messing her chest up.

"I'm sorry, but I am afraid you have got the wrong person." Ester finally voiced when she saw she couldn't get out of this without having to talk her way through.

Not with his bulky body that is.

"I am not that kind of person." She swallowed as her voice shook.

He grabbed her hand, making her jump.

"You know who I am don't you?" He narrowed his eyes."beta of BlueSpark. I can make your life glorious, blissful, enjoyable, you and your family will never have to suffer anymore maltreatment from my people. Anyone who tries to hurt you will have to answer to me. All these privileges and more if you'll stop being stubborn."

" I'm sorry beta Ramon. I cannot do what you want."

Ramon's face dropped. " How dare you!"