Alpha's Hidden Mate

~ Sienna

"First, Elora Daniels," I announce, striding back and forth.

Onyx lets out a pained groan, tipping his head back.

"Sienna..."

"She lives on the Western edge of the Pack. Her father owns a vast amount of land on which he harbours numerous successful orchards." I tilt my head to the side.

"Impressive."

Onyx shakes his head, shifting in his seat. He's been condemned to the chair in front of the fire, forced to listen to me read from four individual profiles that detail who his future wife may be.

Alpha's need to marry. It's tradition, and Onyx is failing on that front.

"I'm not interested," he mutters, his obsidian gaze tracking me as I pace in front of him.

My finger trails along the page as I read further down, grimacing at the description.

"These are so detailed. Creepy."

"Then stop looking at them."

"Elora is apparently of medium height." I huff out a breath. "Angel's-forbid they be specific...Has brown hair and brown, almost black eyes." I glance up from the page as Onyx rubs his hand over his face.

Having him sitting here, at my whim will never not be exhilarating. There's so much power in this room, and it all belongs to him. Yet, I have a glorious amount of control over it.

It's the benefit of being the Alpha's best friend. Well, only friend.

"Is all this supposed to mean something to me?" He raises a dark brow until it disappears beneath the length of his ruffled black hair. It's as dark as his name denounces.

"She has a slight limp though..." I rub my chin.

His eyes flare. "They added that?"

I smother my laugh behind my hand. He takes everything too seriously.

"No, but whoever wrote this took liberties describing her. Apparently she has excellent posture." I straighten my own, knowing it probably needs some work.

His mother is trying to cater for his selectiveness, it seems. He insists he isn't picky, he is just not interested in marrying right now.

His gaze tracks my movements as I continue to pace. "This is disturbing, Sienna."

"Most importantly, she has status amongst her peers, is softly spoken and polite," I tell him. Some people find value in such traits, although the way Onyx's face immediately screws up suggests he is not one of them.

"None of that is appealing."

I lower the page, exasperated. "It's not her fault she's been bred to be married off to a wealthy, powerful man like you."

Onyx and I have spent much of our childhoods chastising the customs and traditions that govern his life, and many others of noble birth.

We also spent an equal amount of time not being able to do anything about it.

It's easy for me. I'm no one. My mother came here nine years ago with me in tow, no money to her name, wanting work. Onyx's mother kindly offered her a position as her assistant.

When my mother died, I took over the job.

"This girl doesn't have to worry about marrying me."

I shoot a faux pout in his direction. "But it says here that she has ample birthing hips."

His shakes his head, like he doesn't believe me. "Stop joking around."

"No seriously." I turn the forms around, pointing to where on the page it is printed.

"Whoever wrote this has detailed how likely it is she will provide heirs."

Onyx stretches his long legs out in front of him, massaging his temples.

"This is torture."

"Fine, next then." I tuck Elora's form to the bottom before examining the next one. "Lexa Vale."

"Stop, Sienna. I'm serious." Onyx's tone is firm enough that I actually oblige him. I know when to push him, and when to back off.

It's why our friendship works so well.

"Your mother asked me to show these to you," I remind him, dropping my arms, although I still clutch the papers. He's going to have to give these the time of day eventually.

Even if he is looking at them like he's contemplating how quickly they will burn up the moment they touch the flames in the fireplace behind him.

"I don't want to marry any of these women," he says again. "This entire process is artificial." I take a step toward him. "You're not interested in anyone. Anyone. It's been two years since you became Alpha. Tradition mandates that you marry within one year."

He rolls his eyes.

I could strangle him sometimes, until I remind myself of how miserable it must be to be faced with a union not built on love, but on power.

He hasn't confided in me that he's struggling with that aspect in particular. He doesn't need to. I can tell by how worn down he looks every time it is brought up.

Right now he looks practically ruined as he slumps in his chair, although still can't escape looking like the perfect Alpha.

Over the years, many Alpha's have come and gone through this manor. None of which, in my opinion, compare to Onyx.

His towering height assists with the intimidation factor. That and the fact that he's extremely well-built, with muscles that are unmistakable, even when he is wearing his baggiest clothing.

But it goes further than that...It's his intensity, the quiet threat of danger that even I feel on occasion.

I can't imagine what it feels like to be someone he actually wants dead.

What is most important for me to remember is that I can value him as an Alpha, but Onyx is off limits. Non-negotiable.

There have been more moments than not where I've admired Onyx beyond what makes him a good friend. He's deliriously attractive, and even I'm not immune to it. He exudes raw sex appeal, and has an intensity that would be impossible to escape if he ever became interested in me sexually.

He has never, not once, made an advance on me. We are strictly friends.

I think I've always been in love with him, but I've never considered him sexually until these recent years. Since he became Alpha, he's become jaded, harder to reach, yet simultaneously more fuckable.

What's wrong with me?

I know he doesn't see me that way. It feels wrong to fantasise sometimes, especially when our friendship means so much to me.

I'm assuming my attraction to him is based on nothing more than the fact that I can't have him. He's to be married, and not to someone like me.

"I'm choosing my wife, not my next meal," he exclaims pointedly. "If I decide on anyone, it won't be based on some arbitrary profile flaunting their supposed merits."

I sigh, stepping close enough to flick his nose. He bats my hand away.

"How else will you meet your wife? You turn your nose up at any woman that isn't me." I raise my brows, folding my arms over my chest.

He narrows his eyes slightly. "Mmm."

"Then again, I doubt you see me as much of a woman," I joke, giving him a half smile.

To him, I've always just been his friend, not someone capable of being anything resembling sexual.

He doesn't say a word. He just stares at me.

I surge on, ignoring the heat in his gaze. "You must marry a woman of noble birth. Or she must be so wealthy, or of such high status she will be accepted as Luna."

He tilts his head to the side. "Or she should be my mate."

"Such a finding only comes from actually getting to know someone," I remind him, giving him a saccharine smile that he only shakes his head at.

Generally, the mate bond doesn't settle into place until around the age of eighteen. It can be delayed longer, and is different for everyone. We have both surpassed that, and although there is a chance of a mate bond becoming established between us, I've since given up such a dream.

And admittedly, I have dreamed about it.

He holds his hand out. "Here, give me the papers."

"No." I press them against my chest.

"Oh, so suddenly I can't look for my future wife?"

"You're just going to toss them into the fire!" I prop my hands on my hips, glaring at him.

He dips his head back, groaning. "Great, so now I can't find a wife, and I'm predictable?"

I tuck the forms behind my back, stepping away so I'm not within his reach. He's so tall it would only take a single step for him to reach me, and with his strength, there would be no keeping them from him.

Too bad I outsmart him on every occasion. Well, I like to think I do.

"It's that shining personality of yours that will win a woman's heart." I flutter my eyes, like he's irresistible.

He is, I suppose. To most people. Despite the aura of death that shrouds him, he still has hoards of adoring admirers who leave countless letters with staff in hopes he notices them.

I've read some. To this day I carry scars from the raunchy ones.

He gives me a flat look. "Ha ha."

I examine the form again, clearing my throat. "Like I said, Lexa Vale. On the shorter side, with black hair and green eyes. Nothing about birthing hips though."

"Sienna," he says softly.

I pause, looking up at him. It still shocks me that he can be so gentle, even when he's chastising me. It's at odds with how everyone perceives him.

"Onyx," I challenge.

"I'll look at them tomorrow. Okay?"

I sigh, but nod. It's late, and he's clearly exasperated.

"Alright." I dump the forms on his desk, falling into the other chair.

I study him quietly as he stands, ruffling a hand through his slightly wavy hair. He's only a couple inches shy of having to bend his head to stand straight in here.

He's burdened with something. It can't be this, because he's made greater sacrifices for his Pack than marrying. But I never push him on his feelings, I just let him come to me first.

"Sometimes I forget the whole world is terrified of you," I breathe.

"They aren't terrified. They are misinformed." He chucks another log on the fire, watching the sparks that spit up from the embers.

Not about his grouchiness, I think to myself.

"Are they though?"

He glances back at me. "You tell me."

"You're prickly with even the most important people who walk through the manor doors. You've beaten people within an inch of their life on a stage in front of your people-"

"They deserved it," he cuts in.

A huff out a breath. I'm inclined to agree that there is more to him than people see, but no one can be blamed for finding him to be a cold, calculated leader.

"You've even killed before," I say quietly.

He just stares into the fire, flexing his fingers. "Like I said, they deserved it."

The glow from the fire has tinted his skin and hair in rich, vibrant shades of red and orange. The light flickers across the strong lines of the jaw to the softness of his mouth, making him look more menacing than usual.

I blink, forcing my gaze to my hands.

"You scare people, which is why I hardly have friends and am still a virgin," I note.

He sweeps his scorching hot gaze back at me, like it picked up some heat from staring into the fire. "I have nothing to do with your virginity."

I narrow my eyes upon him. Nothing? He acts as though his mere presence isn't enough to scare off even the bravest men.

"Someone once bumped into me at a public event and you struck him round the head so hard he probably has never recovered," I remind him coolly, folding my arms over my chest.

He rubs his jaw, pretending to think. "I don't remember that."

Yes he does.

"A man once stepped in a muddy puddle, splashing a bit onto my hem and you had him on his knees, begging for mercy," I add.

"Hmm."

"And don't forget the time I tripped over and scuffed my knee. When you found out it was because the gardener didn't properly clean up his tools and left them in the garden path, you fired him and told him he was lucky you didn't follow him home and burn his house down while he slept." I shift over to his large bed, sitting on the edge. "I doubt that poor man has had a good night's sleep since."

Onyx shrugs. "So?"

I shake my head in disbelief. Onyx is morally grey at best. Some days he's rigidly strict with how people act, scolding staff who mistreat each other, keeping the laws tight so no one gets harmed. Other days he's hunting down assassins, conspirators and downright criminals for sport.

"So, men are probably too scared to come close enough to me to risk fucking up and getting in trouble with you," I say, trying to get him to piece it together.

He takes a few steps toward me, hands seated in his pockets which seems too casual for how he's speaking right now.

"If someone hurts you, Sienna, I will chain them up in the centre of the Pack and bleed them out until every last person vows to never bring you harm." There is nothing but uncompromising will in his eyes.

He's not saying that for no reason. He means it.

"You're so dramatic." I roll my eyes, knowing he's not going to be doing anything to anyone if I'm involved. "Although you are my best friend, you are terrifying."

"I want to protect you." His voice softens.

I gesture at the forms splayed out across the desk. "Find a wife, protect her, and let me move on with my life."

He steps forward, ruffling my hair. "Too bad. I'm going to keep pestering you."

I push him off, muttering under my breath. I hate when he does that. It makes me feel like we are fifteen again and he is making fun of me.

"Now, are you done doing my mothers dirty work, or are you going to sit and lose this game of cards." He picks up the stack from his bedside table, flicking through the cards with his thumb.

He's distracting me, but I'll take the bait.

I slide off the bed and onto the floor, sitting cross-legged, waiting for him to join me.

"As if I'm losing to the likes of you."

~Onyx

My footsteps are near silent as I stride through the corridor.

"Where do you think you're going?"

I halt, grimacing before turning. My mother emerges from her office, dark brows raised expectantly.

We are almost the same person, sharing many similar qualities. Unfortunately for the both of us, I'm not just talking about our physical similarities.

"Nowhere mother, I was coming to speak to you," I lie. I had done such a good job avoiding her today.

"Mmm, I thought so." She crosses her arms, tapping her fingers against her biceps. "Did you look over those profiles Sienna was meant to bring you?"

"Strangely enough, Sienna was walking into my room, tripped, and sent every profile into the fire." I smile, patting her shoulder.

She brushes me off, rolling her eyes. "Onyx."

I sigh at her exasperated tone. Her and Sienna act like the Pack is about to dissolve without a meaningless union.

"I read them," I affirm. "And I'm not interested."

Her angular face refuses to shift in expression as she remains unsurprised. "And why not?"

"They aren't what I'm looking for."

"They are women of noble birth. Or they are filthy rich. What more could you want?" She steps forward, the top of her head barely reaching my chin. She brushes at an invisible piece of lint on my shoulder.

"I don't know."

I'm not lying to her for sport. I genuinely do not know what I'm looking for. Just not...them.

Her expression softens as she cups my cheek tenderly.

"I think I do," she murmurs. "You want love, my dear boy."

"I couldn't care less about love." Her hand falls away as I shake my head. The hard, pointed look she gives me tells me she doesn't believe me.

Alpha's don't marry for love. I've been raised to believe that, even though my parents were the exception. My father, before he died, told me never, as an Alpha, to believe love, outside of blood, to be genuine.

I've always believed that. Until I met Sienna.

"This Pack needs a Luna. Other Packs are sensing weakness here," mother insists, worry burying between her furrowed brows.

"I'm the strongest Alpha-"

"Perhaps, but without a Luna, doubts will spread. Your people are anxious for an heir. The last thing you want is for them to think something is wrong with you."

I rub a hand over my eyes, sighing.

I would do anything for my people. I've already sacrificed so much for them. This aspect of the job is the most difficult to perform, I'm finding.

"Maybe there is."

Mother's gaze considers me. "If you don't make an effort to find a wife, I will bring these women here and make you pick. Understand?"

I let my silence and long, cold stare tell her how ridiculous that sounds.

I understand that I have a duty I must adhere to. I have pressing obligations. All I want is more time. Weeks, months, maybe even years.

"You can't bring them here," I tell her calmly.

"Why not?"

"I'm not going to fall in love with one of them just because they are in my proximity," I insist, steadying my breathing.

I never let my mother see me angry. Frustrated, maybe. Sometimes irritated. Mostly, I let her see a sturdy, calm version of myself.

My stomach hollows at her wicked smile. "It worked with Sienna."

"Sienna is different. They aren't...they won't be like her." I ruffle my hand through my hair. "And I'm not in love with Sienna."

She levels a look. "Mmm."

Ever since Sienna and I became friends, I've heard such accusations. It's easy to brush off claims that she's my plaything, my fun in bed after a long day because that's not true.

Being accused of loving her is a much harder accusation to dismiss.

"She's my best friend. That's it," I state firmly. It's true. I'm not lying.

Mother steps forward, buttoning some of the top buttons I usually keep loose, her glossy red nails vivid against the dark of the fabric. I let her.

"Alpha's do not have friends. Everyone in an Alpha's circle must have a title." Her steely grey eyes flicker between my face and the buttons.

I run that over in my head. What is she insinuating?

"Are you saying Sienna is not worthy of being my friend?" A shimmery veil of rage starts to materialise in front of me. "I don't understand, I thought you loved her?"

Mother exhales slowly, smoothing her hands over my shoulders before stepping back. It's right of her to figure some distance between us is for the best with this manner of conversation.

"Sienna has worked diligently for me for many years, and I care about her deeply. This has nothing to do with worth. However, it is evident to everyone looking into this home that Sienna is here due to your generosity, not mine."

"So?"

She tucks her hands behind her back, all poise and elegance. "So, it is time to take Sienna as your mistress."

My heart beat stutters.

Mistress?

Vivid images of Sienna splayed out on my bed, her naked form nestled between my ivory covers, her sweeping curves beneath my palms flashes unbidden across my mind.

I shake the thought from my head. No, Sienna will not exist to serve me in my bed. She is much more than that.

"Mistress? How-"

"She needs a title. She needs a function, or else you must cut ties with her." Mother's tone is sharp, unforgiving.

She doesn't make mindless proposals. I'm the Alpha, but she knows I value her opinion too much to turn her down.

"Why are you doing this?"

"You know why. It is time to step up. Alpha's from Pack's all around us are closing in, waiting for you to slip." She shakes her head, a single black cluster of strands falling from her pinned up-do. "A friend is a weakness. A friend can be exploited."

I swallow thickly. Historically, Alpha's don't keep friends, but I don't mind being the exception. Just this once.

"This is ridiculous," I snap.

"People don't believe Sienna is just an employee here." She lowers her voice a touch. "You've killed men over her, son."

"So?"

"They know you care for her. Take her as a mistress, and you grant her protection, and a proper place here."

I shake my head in bewilderment.

Sienna won't take this well. The implication is that a mistress has a job to be the Alpha's lover and confidante. She is the latter, but not the former.

And such a title would lead the public to make assumptions about her. These will have consequences, impacting her future chances at love.

She doesn't deserve that.

"It won't stop these Alpha's from using her against me," I remind her, my words stiff and bitter.

"Every Alpha has a mistress. They are off limits. It's an unspoken rule." Mother says it so casually, like this isn't a life altering decision for Sienna to make.

"Bullshit."

I only benefit from this. Selfishly, the thought of having Sienna as mine, fully and forever is tantalising. She wouldn't be my lover, but she wouldn't be able to leave here, move on.

I shake the poisonous thoughts from my head. Sienna is not mine. She belongs only to herself, and she deserves a life carved out by her and not me.

"I love Sienna like a daughter. I helped raise her, Onyx," she continues. "I don't want to see her dead because you insist on taking her on every outing with you because you can't stand being away from her."

"I'm not married. I don't need to have a mistress."

"You will be married soon, will you not?" She raises her brows, daring me to say otherwise. "May as well appoint Sienna now, so your wife knows what to expect.

I fold my arms over my chest. "How will I get this elusive wife when I have a mistress?"

"This is the reality for Alpha's wives." She lowers her voice. "And she would have to live with the fact that you are in love with Sienna anyways."

A cold chill crawls over my skin.I don't like when people comment on Sienna and I's friendship. Not even my own mother.

"I'm not-"

"Hush, son." Her smile is all knowing. "Sleep with her, treat her as a true mistress or don't. But she must have this title."

"But-"

"End of discussion."

She turns on her heel, walking off down the hallway.

Ruffling my hands through my hair, I curse under my breath.

How am I supposed to ask Sienna to be my mistress?

***

I stretch out amongst the hay, yawning.

Sienna and I stare out the barn doors in silence, watching the steady fall of rain collect in puddles that crawl slowly toward us. They never seem to reach us, never seen to disturb the peace.

This barn has been our hideout since we were young. Its purpose is to house thick bales of yellow hay for the guards' horses.

Before us is a discarded pile of cards. Sienna won by a single game, but only after I fought her for victory for over an hour.

I conceded eventually.

"This weather is amazing," she murmurs, her head braced against one of the bales, her deep auburn hair splayed out across it.

I watch her from where I sit up, able to see only half her face. "I'll never understand why you like the rain when you hate storms."

She turns to look up at me, her gentle brown eyes burning almost gold under the single barn light.

"Rain is peaceful, storms are the Angel's smiting us," she points out, tapping her temple like this is a grand observation. "Plus, the rain sounds better than your grating voice."

I laugh roughly, shaking my head.

"It storms a lot here."

The amount of nights I've woken to tentative taps on my bedroom door. Half-asleep, Sienna would amble into my room and crawl beneath my covers, seeking refuge from the storm.

I don't mind holding her, soothing her to sleep. It doesn't matter what important occasion awaits me the next morning, I wait until her heartbeat steadies and her breath slows before I finally sleep.

I've never questioned her fear. Her mother uprooted her life and smuggled her away the night of an especially violent storm, apparently.

"Yeah." She sits up, leaning her back against the same bale as me. "That reminds me of something I wanted to talk to you about."

"What's up?" I gently pick a few pieces of lingering straw from her hair.

She chews on her lower lip, falling victim to an ancient habit of hers. That and gnawing her nails down till there's almost nothing left.

"I was thinking of going away for the summer." Her eyes are wide and big as she anticipates my reaction.

"Away?"

"Just for a bit. Not the whole summer, because I still work for your mother, but just a couple of weeks," she says, turning her body to face me.

Admittedly, a cold, dark feeling curls up in the pit of my stomach. She deserves to leave, to have a break.

I can't hold her back. I won't.

"Where would you go?" I ask lightly.

"To see the ocean." She smiles to herself, the light warming her cheeks like the sun would. "I want glorious hot weather. So hot it's almost uncomfortable."

She can find the ocean at the other end of my territory, but not the warm weather. Our best weather is whenever there's a break in the snow or rain, which is a rare occurrence.

"You want to go by yourself?" I would go with her, if I could. I would take her anywhere she wanted to go.

She picks at a piece of straw, running it between her fingers. "I don't know. I know you can't come with me, but it's also dangerous to go alone."

I stare back off into the rain, guilt slowly ratcheting up within me. If she becomes my mistress, she won't be able to leave on spontaneous trips on her own.

I glance back at her face. She's so blissfully unaware.

"Take some time to think about it," I breathe, holding back on what I should be saying...what I should be asking her.

Her lips turn up slightly. "I'll be there for your wedding, don't worry."

I exhale roughly, rubbing my eyes. "Don't remind me."

She smooths her hair back, narrowing her eyes at me. I would be amused if this issue wasn't making me miserable.

"Those women are going to come here, you know."

"I know."

I feel her study me as I stare down at my hands. She has this uncanny ability to find the real influence behind most of my emotions.

This time, I hope she doesn't...

"Are you okay? Something on your mind?"

I avoid her stare, as if the rain I see almost everyday is more interesting than this conversation. "I'm just dreading this whole marriage thing."

"We need to unpack that at some point." She gets up, dusting straw off her backside. "Right now, I need to go to bed before I fall asleep on the hay."

"Alright."

She wanders to the door, pulling the hood of her jacket over her head. "Coming?"

"I just need a few more moments." Stewing in my thoughts for a while longer isn't my smartest move, but it's going to have to do for now.

"Don't forget the unveiling tomorrow," she warns, raising a brow. "I'm really proud of you for funding this hospital. It's going to save a lot of lives."

I smile weakly, nodding.

"I won't forget."

"Goodnight then."

"Night."

She gives me one last look before she darts out into the rain, vanishing amongst the shadows.

I lean my head back, my eyes fluttering closed. I'm fucked.

~Sienna

People surround Onyx, pulling his attention in all different directions.

I stand back a bit, watching. Him and I have both been invested in getting this hospital established here. Initially the proposal was rejected when his father ruled because this is a small village, but the healthcare here before wasn't sufficient.

"Sir, we would love to show you this new piece of technology that has saved many lives already," one of the doctors' claim, pointing back at the single-story building.

Onyx smiles, nodding. "Of course. I'll be there in a moment."

He turns to look at me, rubbing the back of his neck.

"You do that, and I'll go grab what I need from the store." I gesture down the street. I made an order not so long ago and I've been waiting for an opportunity to pick it up.

"Wait a bit and I'll come with you." He says.

"Or I'll send someone to do it."

"I can do it. I'll meet you back here in like ten minutes." I smile, tapping his arm assuredly.

He frowns a little, looking off down the street, then back at me.

"Alright," he mutters begrudgingly.

I press through the crowd that has gathered, heading off down the street. Despite living close by, we don't often come here. It's why so many people have come around to view the spectacle that is their Alpha.

The store is a small one, nestled amongst many others that are vacant due to the town's visitor. I open the glass door, immediately being hit by a wave of incense and clove.

An older woman sits behind the counter, glancing up from her book, her pale eyes narrowing slightly upon me.

"Hello, I had someone come and place and order for me the other day for some material for a bracelet. Is it ready?" I ask, resting my hands on the countertop.

She leans down, pulling up a large book.

"What's your name dear?"

"Sienna."

Her yellowed fingernail traces down the page until she see's my order.

"Are yes, it's out back. Give me a moment."

She slips through the cascade of strung up beads that act as a door and out back, leaving me teetering from the tips of my toes to my heels as I said.

"Hey there."

I yelp, whirling around.

A man sidles up next to me, leaning his arm on the counter. He appeared seemingly out of nowhere. He must have been perusing the shelves piled with a freakish amount of stuff.

"Oh, hey." I swallow uncomfortably.

"I think I know you." He points at me, looking at me like he's trying to figure me out.

I shift, rubbing the back of my neck. "Impossible. I'm not from here."

"You're that pretty little thing the Alpha totes around." He leans a little closer, his smile laden with crooked teeth.

Something about him is making me uneasy.

"I work for the Alpha's mother, Lucia," I concede, tapping my foot impatiently. I'll admit anything to have him stop speaking to me.

How long does it take to find a few pieces of string?

"Not for him?"

"No."

He rubs the bristly skin of his jaw, never once lifting his languid stare from me. Since I rarely visit the village, I'm not used to uncomfortable interactions like this one.

"So you're just fucking him then?" He asks abruptly.

I whip my attention to him, narrowing my eyes. "Excuse me?"

"Sorry, I'm just curious." He shrugs, his grin playful, like he didn't just say something completely uncalled for. "A lot of people are wondering."

I know people wonder, and I equally don't care. Onyx and I's relationship doesn't exist to be dissected by the masses.

"That's none of your business, first of all," I mutter. "Second, Onyx is my friend."

I can feel myself getting angrier at his line of questioning, but I have to remember I can't snap. I'm Lucia's assistant, and that requires a certain level of decorum when seen in public.

The shopkeeper emerges from the back, holding up the blue and black material that will be weaved into Onyx's birthday present.

"Here we go dear, I found them." She lays them on the counter.

"Excellent." I rush to pull out the cash I need plus a little extra, sliding it across the counter.

"Do you want them wrapped?" She asks sweetly.

"No thank you."

I don't have to glance to my left to know the man is still standing right there, staring at me. It takes all my willpower not to snatch up the material as the shopkeeper grabs some tissue paper out from under the counter and starts to wrap it up anyways.

"Did you know this is the Alpha's mistress?" The man asks the shopkeeper, gesturing to me.

Her brows rise as she looks over me. "Oh wow, so you finally received the title then?"

"No, I am not his mistress," I growl.

I wish I could slap sense into some people. They think it's impossible for a powerful Alpha to have a female friend that isn't sleeping with him. Obviously they think lowly of me, but they must think Onyx incapable of having a normal friendship.

"That's a shame dear. Mistresses get many benefits," the shopkeeper says, slowly folding the tissue paper.

I clear my throat. I've never even considered being Onyx's mistress. I doubt he will ever have one. He's far too romantic and committed to his loved ones for that.

"Oh yes they do." The creepy guy winks and I grimace.

"Please take my money," I insist, pushing it closer to her.

She sighs wistfully, placing the money in the register before continuing with her painfully slow wrap of the tissue paper.

"You're much more beautiful in person. I see why he is so enamoured by you." She means it as a compliment, but I'm so irritated I just want it to stop.

By now Onyx will be asking around for me, wondering where I disappeared to.

"Please hurry. I have somewhere to be." I glance back at the door, then at the way she places tape to secure the wrapping.

The man inches closer. "With him?"

"I would love for him to visit my store," the shopkeeper gushes. "I would have the whole town in here tomorrow if they knew he brought even just one of my items."

I shift from foot to foot.

"He has no plans to come here. I'm sorry."

She sighs. "Oh well..."

At this point she's finished wrapping the string up, but she holds it close, like she's waiting for something. Perhaps she is hoping Onyx will stop by looking for me, but she doesn't know how detrimental that will be to her business rather than beneficial.

"Can I please have my purchase," I beg.

"No need to rush," the man drawls, his cloudy eyes focusing strictly on my chest. "I like having you around to look at. You're stunning."

"Look, I've been here far longer than intended. He's....people are going to start wondering where I am." I rub the back of my neck. I feel like I'm being held hostage over a few pieces of string.

If Onyx's birthday wasn't so important to me, I would have left with nothing by now.

Finally the shop keeper hands me the package. "Here you are then. Enjoy."

"Thank you."

I take it, stuffing it under my coat. Whirling around I head for the book, but a strong hand grabs my wrist, pulling me me close.

"Can we talk some more," the man asks, his breath gusting across my face. I takes everything in me not to gag.

"You need to leave me alone." I tug at my arm but his grip is like a vice.

"Really? You can't tell me the Pack's favourite whore only has room for one man in her pussy," he hisses.

I yank back as hard as I can. My palm burns, itching to feel his face against it.

Where I to lay one hand on him, the news would spread like wildfire. The repercussions would be endless, and my reputation would be stained forever.

Onyx would praise me, but Lucia, but boss, would be beyond disappointed.

"Fuck you," I growl, although my voice wavers.

The man's grin is lopsided. "Apparently you won't. What a shock!"

I press out the door, tears burning in my eyes as much as the shame is in the pit of my stomach.

Stumbling out onto the street, I charge off in what could be the wrong direction, but my vision is too blurry to determine anything.

I hear my name being distantly called. Moments later, warm hands seize my shoulders.

"There you are, I was....you're crying." Onyx tilts my chin up with his fingers, examining my face.

I hate crying around him. He gets all in his head, like it's his fault. It never is, but he drowns in unnecessary empathy. It's fascinating, because he's hurt people before, badly. Killed, even.

Yet when I'm hurt, in any capacity, it's like the world is burning.

"Come, we need to get back." I wipe the tears off my cheeks, hating that I let that creep get to me.

"What happened?" He looks over my shoulder, concern bleeding into his features.

I held up the tissue paper. "I got what I wanted. Let's go."

He doesn't move, as hard a rock as I tug on him. "Sienna..."

His jaw his hardened, and the concern has melted away, replaced by a dark storm of quiet anger. He senses my avoidance. He knows something happened.

"Seriously. Let's go." I gesture for him to follow me back down the street.

The wind ruffles his black hair as he considers his next move, ruminating in violent tension.

The door suddenly opens behind Onyx, the creepy man stepping out.

He catches on look at Onyx, a haunting presence in this quiet street. "Oh shit."

He vanishes back inside the store, slamming the door behind him.

Death follows his gaze as he looks between me and the door, something murderous flickering in his eyes.

"Onyx...don't."

It's too late. He's already at the door, stepping inside. I follow behind quickly, ready to clean up whatever mess is going to be left behind.

"Am I going to have to waste my breath, or are you going to tell me what you've done?" Onyx seats his hands in his pants calmly, looking at the man who now cowers back against one of the shelves.

"Nothing...I meant nothing by it." His eyes dart to me then back at the Alpha. "I meant it as a compliment."

"You meant what as a compliment?"

"Ah..."

Onyx looks at me, raising a dark brow.

He's unpredictable at best. This man may as well already be dead, but how my friend goes about killing him is yet to be determined.

"He meant nothing. Seriously, let's go." I don't want the blood of this man on my hands. I've been called worse than a whore.

Onyx looks around the room, observing the shopkeeper who stands behind the counter, gawking at us.

"No one is leaving until someone tells me what was said."

"He called her a whore," the shopkeeper blurts out.

I close my eyes, sighing through my nose. Shit.

"I just meant that it's lucky she is...you know, because she gets to sleep with you." The man swallows audibly, the multiple candles behind his head shrouding him like this is a ritual and he's the sacrificial offering.

Onyx tilts his head to the side, eyes narrowing slightly.

"On your knees," he orders quietly, firmly.

"Sir-"

"On your knees. Now."

The man's entire body is shaking as he obliges his Alpha's raw command.

"I'm sorry Sir. I didn't mean what I said," he excuses, looking at me for help.

I grab my friends arm, shaking him a little. "Onyx. Stop. It's just words."

"Do you have a family?" He asks.

"Onyx!" I growl.

"No..."

His lips tilt up slightly. "So no one will miss you?"

"Please don't do this." The man has shrunk down onto the floor, absolutely terror etched into his expression.

My chest aches just looking at him. I can't bear to stand and watch whatever my friend has planned for him.

"Hurt him, Onyx, and I'll never forgive you," I insist, pulling his attention back to me.

"I'm not hurting him." He shakes his head. "I just want him to know that your name, Sienna, will never be spoken from his mouth again."

He casts his narrow gaze back to the panicked man, who nods eagerly.

"It won't. I swear."

"Then we are done here." Onyx turns, striding for the door.

I follow him out, the traumatised man calling out behind us.

"Thank you for your mercy..."

I don't let my body relax until we are back outside, the cool air brushing against my flushed skin. Onyx rarely shows such restraint, especially when it comes to me.

"That felt too easy for you," I note as we walk back toward the hospital.

He gives me a side long glance, smirking. "I thought I better cut down in the violence if I want to find a wife."

"So you're serious about it now?" Despite his excuse, I get the feeling there's another reason he backed off.

"Undecided..." He sighs.

I don't push the issue. Not today. Not when Onyx showed mercy when that frankly isn't his style.

Not when I'm secretly terrified of losing him to an obligation I know he doesn't want to fulfil.