Chapter 6: Envy and Stolen Moments

Kael’s grip on my arm was unrelenting as he dragged me down the hallway, his fury a palpable force that made my wolf both cower and thrill. Now my mind was a battlefield: Kael’s claim, Zane’s seduction, Rowan’s spark. Each man pulled me in a different direction, and I was losing my grip on the mission. Kill Kael, and I would be reunited with my mother. It should’ve been simple, but nothing about this was simple anymore.

We reached an oak door at the end of the hall, and Kael shoved it open, revealing a spacious office. A mahogany desk dominated the room, flanked by bookshelves and a wide window overlooking the forest. The scent of leather and pine filled the space, unmistakably Kael’s. He released me, slamming the door shut with enough force to rattle the shelves.

“What the hell were you doing with Zane?” Kael demanded, his eyes blazing as he stalked toward me. “And Rowan? You think you can play us all, Gwen?”

I backed up, my hips brushing the edge of the desk. My torn dress exposed every curve of my body to his heated gaze. “Jealousy doesn’t suit you, alpha,” I purred, tilting my chin up to meet his stare. “I was just passing the time.”

His growl vibrated through the room, and in a flash, he was on me, his hands gripping my waist as he lifted me onto the desk. Papers scattered, a pen clattering to the floor, but I barely noticed. His body pressed against mine, hard and unyielding, and the mate bond roared, drowning out everything else. “You’re mine,” he snarled, his lips inches from mine. “Not Zane’s. Not Rowan’s. Mine.”

My wolf howled, desperate to submit, but I fought her, my hands fisting in his shirt. “I don’t belong to anyone,” I shot back breathlessly. “Not you, not your brothers, not this damn pack.”

His eyes darkened, and for the first time, he kissed me, fierce and claiming, his mouth devouring mine with a hunger that set my blood on fire. I kissed him back, matching his intensity, my nails raking down his chest. His hands slid up my thighs, pushing the dress higher, exposing the dagger strapped to my skin.

Kael stopped as his fingers brushed the blade and pulled back, his expression a mix of desire and suspicion. “You’re armed,” he said roughly. “Planning to kill me, Gwen?”

I smirked, leaning back on my hands and letting the dress ride up further. “If I wanted you dead, alpha, you wouldn’t be standing here by now.”

His gaze dropped to my thighs, lingering on the dagger, then flicked back to my face. “You’re a liar,” he murmured, but his hands didn’t move, still resting on my skin, warm and possessive. “But fuck, I want you.”

My body ached for him, the mate bond screaming to give in, but my mind was on the mission. I needed to distract him, keep him off balance, and then strike. I hooked a leg around his waist, pulling him closer, and his breath hitched as our bodies aligned.

“Then take me,” I whispered, my lips brushing his jaw. “Unless you’re scared.”

His growl was primal, and he kissed me again, his hands roaming with a desperation that matched my own. He tugged the straps of my dress down, exposing my shoulders, his lips trailing fire along my collarbone. 

I arched into him, my fingers tangling in his hair, moans escaping as his teeth grazed my bare skin. The desk creaked under our weight, and I wrapped my legs tighter, urging him closer, the heat between us spiraling out of control.

His hands found the zipper of my dress, tugging it down with a roughness that made my pulse race. The fabric pooled at my waist, leaving me in nothing but black lace panties and the dagger. His eyes raked over me, hungry and reverent, and he groaned, his fingers tracing the curve of my breast. “You’re fucking perfect,” he murmured.

I gasped as his lips followed his fingers, kissing and nipping, each touch sending shocks of pleasure through me. My wolf purred, reveling in his dominance, but a flicker of guilt sparked in my chest. The mission I was betraying. I shoved it down, losing myself in Kael’s touch, his hands sliding lower, teasing the edge of my panties.

Just as his fingers dipped beneath the fabric, the door burst open, and a sharp, feminine voice cut through the haze. “Kael, what the fuck is going on here?”

My breath ragged, as Kael pulled back, his body still shielding mine. A lady stood in the doorway, her black hair pulled into a tight ponytail, her emerald eyes blazing with fury. She was stunning, tall, and lean, with a predator’s grace and a lethal aura. Her leather jacket and boots gave her a mercenary vibe.

“Sienna,” Kael growled, his voice laced with irritation. “Get the fuck out.”

Her lips curled into a sneer as she stepped inside, ignoring his order. “So this is the stray you’re risking the pack for? Some cheap bar slut who attacked your brother?” Her gaze raked over me, lingering on my half-undressed state, and she sneered. “Pathetic.”

I slid off the desk, tugging my dress back into place, my smirk masking the storm in my chest. “Are you jealous, sweetheart?” I purred, stepping closer to Kael and letting my hand rest on his chest. “Don’t worry, there’s plenty of him to go around.”

Sienna’s eyes flashed, and she lunged at me, faster than I expected, but Kael caught her wrist mid-air, shoving her back with a growl. “Enough,” he snapped. “This isn’t your business, Sienna.”

“It’s my business when you’re fucking the enemy,” Sienna spat, yanking her wrist free. “Rowan was nearly killed, and you think she’s here by accident? She’s a plant, Kael. And you’re too busy thinking with your dick to see it.”

I kept my face blank. Sienna was too close to the truth. Was she working with Viktor? Or was she a lady with her own agenda? Either way, she was a threat and a complication I didn’t need.

Kael’s jaw tightened, and he glanced at me, doubt flickering in his eyes. “Rowan’s alive,” he said. “And I’m handling her.”

Sienna laughed coldly. “Handling her? You’re fucking her on your desk while the pack’s in danger. Wake up, Kael. She’s using you.”

I stepped forward, my wolf bristling. “Careful, lady,” I said, my voice silky. “If you keep throwing accusations, you might not like what comes back.”

Her eyes narrowed, but before she could respond, Zane sauntered in, his black hair tousled, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. “Well, damn,” he drawled, taking in the scene. “Looks like I’m missing the party.”

Kael growled, his patience fraying. “What do you want, Zane?”

Zane shrugged, leaning against the doorframe. “Thought you’d want to know, Rowan’s talking. Says he is beginning to remember what happened that night.” His wicked gaze slid to me. “Also, there’s a fire in the garage. Someone’s planning to burn this whole place to the ground.”

My stomach dropped. The fire was my doing, and Rowan was recovering his memory. Zane knew I’d escaped, and he was toying with me, dangling my secrets like a cat with a mouse. But his eyes held a spark of desire, or a challenge. The reverse harem dynamic was becoming obvious, each man a thread in a web I couldn’t escape.

Sienna’s gaze snapped to me. “Did you say a fire? Convenient timing, don’t you think?”

Kael’s hand tightened on my arm, his eyes searching mine. “Did you have anything to do with the fire?”

I laughed, tossing my hair. “I’ve been a little occupied, alpha.” I pressed closer, letting my curves brush his side to distract him. “Unless you think I can start fires with my mind.”

Zane chuckled, but Sienna wasn’t amused. “She’s a liar,” she said, stepping closer. “And I’m going to prove it.”

Before anyone could react, a familiar voice cut through the room, a low, raspy growl from the doorway. “What’s all the noise about?”

Rowan stood there, leaning against the frame, his hospital gown was now replaced by jeans and a loose shirt. His golden eyes were clearer now, fixed on me with curiosity and suspicion.

My wolf stirred, drawn to him despite the danger. The reverse harem was complete: Kael’s possessive claim, Zane’s playful danger, and Rowan’s quiet intensity.

“Rowan,” Kael said. “You shouldn’t be up by now.”

“I’m fine,” Rowan said, his gaze never leaving me. “And I remember her at the bar. In the storage room, I think she did something to me, but I don't know what.” He ran his hand through his head.

My blood ran cold, but I forced a smile, stepping away from Kael. “Good to see you’re feeling better, Rowan,” I purred, letting my hips sway as I moved toward him. “Perhaps we can refresh your memory.”

Zane’s grin widened, and Kael’s growl rumbled, but Rowan’s eyes flickered with dark desire, maybe, or recognition. The room was a powder keg, and I was the match.

“Enough of this charade!” Sienna said, pointing at me, her emerald eyes blazing with righteous fury. “This woman is a danger to the pack. Rowan’s memory confirms it, she attacked him, and now there’s a fire? She’s no stray, Kael. She’s a spy, and Crescent pack law demands justice.” Her lips curled into a predatory smirk. “I hereby invoke the Rite of Judgment. Let the elders decide her fate. If she’s innocent as she claims, she walks free. If guilty, she will be hanged as a rogue, her blood staining the gallows as a warning to all our enemies.”

The room fell deathly silent. My wolf snarled, clawing at my insides, but I kept my face a mask of cool defiance. The Rite of Judgment was an ancient pack tradition, a trial by the elders, steeped in ritual, where truth was supposedly laid bare.

Kael’s golden eyes flashed with conflict. “Sienna, it hasn't gotten to that,” he growled.

Rowan interrupted, shifting his gaze between me and Kael. “Sienna is right about the law,” he said. “And if I remember correctly, we can’t ignore it. The pack deserves answers.” He met my eyes, and for a fleeting moment, I saw regret or desire, maybe, guilt. “Let the elders judge her.”

Zane let out a low whistle, pushing off the doorframe. “Well, damn, this just got interesting.” His golden eyes danced with mischief. “You sure you all wanna play this card? Our girl’s got claws.”

“Shut it, Zane,” Sienna snapped. “She’s no one’s girl. She’s a snake, and I’ll see her strung up by dawn.”

Kael stepped forward, his aura flaring, a storm of alpha power that made my wolf whimper. “Enough,” he roared, silencing the room. “The Rite is called. It’s pack law. But I’ll be damned if this turns into a witch hunt.” He turned to Jace, who’d appeared in the doorway, drawn by the commotion. “Take her to the guest room and lock her up. She stays there until the elders convene tomorrow.”

Jace nodded coldly as he stepped toward me. “Let’s go, rogue.”

I tossed my hair, letting my hips sway as I sauntered past Kael, brushing against him just enough to feel his intake of breath. “See you at the trial, alpha,” I murmured, my voice dripping with defiance. I could see the look of pity on Kael’s face; he didn’t want that for me, but he had no choice either.

Jace led me down the hall to the guest room, a cage I’d escaped once, but now a prison until dawn. He shoved me into the room, the lock clicking with finality. “Don’t try anything stupid,” he warned. “The elders don’t take kindly to strangers.”

I flashed him a grin, sinking onto the bed with deliberate grace. “Oh, I’m full of surprises, darling. Better hope your elders can keep up.”

The Rite of Judgment wasn’t just a trial, it was a crucible and If I played it right, I could turn the pack’s suspicions in my favor, maybe even against Sienna. But if Rowan’s memory improves, I’d be swinging from a rope by sundown. Thought of my mother flashed in my mind, a quiet ache that steeled my resolve. I wasn’t here to die. I was here to kill.