Chapter 6 - Crista

‘Okay, you have to admit that’s hot. You can’t lie to me. I’m in your head and know you are turned on by what he just said.’ Emilia unhelpfully commented. I gulped, back wholly rigid. As much as I want to deny her words. She's right. I don’t know how much I’d care to be suspended from this thing. But the rest of what he offered. Teased every inch of my body till I was so overwhelmed by the pleasure I begged him to fuck me… that is hot.

I shouldn’t find it hot. This man is old enough to be my father. I mean, I’m relatively sure André and Katrina are older than me. It should be gross and creepy to be mated to a mate so much older. ‘Older, wiser, and skilled.’ Emilia purred, getting off on his proximity. ‘Oh my god, you are so gross. Can we not go down this path? He’s holding us hostage, remember.’ I pointed out.

‘He’s our mate. Why leave?’ Emilia rolled her eyes. ‘Because everything we know about him says he’s dangerous. They say he killed his own parents. Who’s to say he won’t hurt his mate?’ I pointed out. Emilia had no come-back to that.

“Let’s go, kitten.” my mate’s voice growled near my ear. “Unless you want to stay and play?” I could hear the smile on his lips. I forced myself to not turn my head to try and glimpse it. To glimpse any emotion on his handsome face. It was easier to shut him out if I only pictured him as the stone-faced man who didn’t even claim me as his. “My name is Crista, not kitten. And where am I going? An actual dungeon?” I questioned without turning to look at him.

“Do you want to be in the dungeon, kitten?” he asked, putting emphasis on that stupid pet name that even Emilia didn’t like. ‘We aren’t a fucking cat.’ she growled. “I want to be with my sisters. Preferably away from your territory and as far from Ignazio’s pack as possible.” I stated tersely. “Well, neither of those last two are going to happen. You aren’t leaving my territory, kitten. And Ignazio… well, if he steps a toe into mine, let alone to pursue you… I’ll have a head to mount on my wall.” he growled, gripping my biceps.

His grip was painful, yet the sparks from the bond seemed to counter that. Stupid bond making me want his touch. “Why do you care where I go? Or that Ignazio seems to want to kill me or worse?” I questioned. His claws obligated digging just slightly into the skin drops of my blood dripping down my arms to the floor. “Because you are mine.” he practically snarled in my ear. 

“Oh shit. Our mate called us his.’ Emilia yipped happily. I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to whimper both from the pain his grip was causing but also the pleasure of hearing his claim sent through me. “And if I refuse?” I asked, taking the chance to turn my head to look him in his eyes. 

Looking an Alpha in the eyes was generally frowned upon. It was considered rude and a challenge to their authority. Well, maybe I am challenging him. André wanted me to try and reach the human buried within the beast, to make Alec come forth. I don’t know if this is the way, but it’s the only path I have at the moment. His yellows were narrowed as he glared at me. 

“What happens if I reject you? I do have a choice, lest you forget.” I stated, keeping my head held high. And there it was, the flicker of blue. “Don’t.” That’s it. That one pain-filled word and his eyes were yellow and hard again. “Let’s go.” he said, tugging my arm trying to force me to follow him. “Let me go!” I demanded, trying to tug my arm away. 

It was in vain as instead, he just threw me over his shoulder. “Stop fighting me, kitten.” He growled and slapped my ass hard. I grew up in a household where spanking was a thing, though only in serious situations. I was never spanked, but I always behaved and followed my parents' rules. Persephone, however, got a few spankings. I let out a yell as my ass throbbed where his hand hit. It’s a damn good thing I’m a werewolf and can heal, or that would leave a mark.

“You bastard!” I shouted, hitting at his back, trying to claw him, and even bit him. “I like it rough. So unless you’re goal is to turn me on and make me about-face and fuck you senseless in that swing or on that bed, knock it.” he threatened… No, that wasn’t a threat. That was a promise. I gulped as his promise sunk in. ‘We should keep hitting him.’ Emilia encouraged. ‘Like hell!’ I scoffed and went dead weight.

He sighed and shifted his grip on me, yanking the shorts I was wearing down, and slapped my bare ass. “YOU BASTARD!” I shrieked as the sting of his hand coursed through me. The sound of his hand hitting my ass and my shriek echoed in the open foyer. “What in the name of the Goddess?” Katrina’s voice drifted down to my ears. “What the?” Persephone’s voice chimed. “Is… he allowed to do that?” Delilah softly questioned.

I blushed brightly as I looked up and realized the foyer opened up to the second floor, and his daughter and my sisters were looking down at us. “I hate you so fucking much.” I growled, reaching behind me, trying to pull the shorts back up. “Keep testing my patience, kitten. I’ll do more than smack your ass.” he growled. “Your daughter and my sisters are watching.” I hissed. “I do not care. So unless you want them to get a show, behave.” he commanded.

“Crista? Are you okay?” Delilah questioned. I looked up at her worried face and sighed as my beast of a mate carried me up the stairs. At least my sisters were being taken care of. Both had obviously taken showers and were given nightclothes. Delilah was wearing a nightshirt that went past her knees, while Persephone was wearing shorts and a tank top. Obviously, they were borrowed from Katrina, given how loose the tank top was on Persephone in the chest.

“She’s fine. Go to bed.” Chesed commanded as he answered for me. “You aren’t our Alpha. And we’re going nowhere till our sister says she’s okay.” Persephone crossed her arms, that stubborn streak coming out. Her bravado died as my mate reached the top of the stairs and turned to growl at her. “Get in bed now!” he commanded, his alpha aura filling the space. 

My sisters both whimpered. Our Alpha never used his command and aura in such a manner. “Okay, little ones. Let’s go back to the room before papa Chesed blows his top.” Katrina sighed. “Asshole, don’t be mean to my sisters.” I growled, hitting him in his stomach with my foot. “Then tell them you’re fine, so they go to bed.” He grunted and growled, giving my ass another slap. 

I heard Katrina snicker. I’m sure this must be very comical to her. To me, it’s just embarrassing. I sighed. “I’m fine. Delilah and Persephone go to bed. I can handle this asshole.” I assured my sisters. Of course, calling him an asshole earned me another smack, this time harder across my ass. I winced, growling at him.

“You keep this up, and I’m going to think you like getting spanked, kitten.” he teased, pushing open a set of double doors. ‘That shut you up.’ Emilia chuckled. My sisters sent me worried looks as Katrina led them back to a room. At least they are safe. That’s all that matters. I furrowed my brow wondering where he was carrying me as he turned right.

Looking at the space behind us, I saw a small kitchenette, and beyond that, I could just make out the shape of a king-size bed. This is the Alpha suite!? Where is he carrying me? I got my answer as he sat me down, turning me to face out. “Whoa…” I softly gasped as I looked around at the luxurious bathroom. 

On either side of me were long antique walnut vanities with sodalite blue marble countertops and circular curved rim Carrara marble vessel sinks positioned at the midway point of each vanity paired with bronze fixtures. Etched glass mirrors spanned the space above the vanity. 

But the vanities weren’t where my eyes went. No, my eyes were on the jacuzzi soaking tub, a focal point of the room in a sodalite blue marble surround. I realized the tub was filled with water that still had steam hovering above the surface and the jets of the tub roaring. It looked so inviting. On the edge of the tub sat everything one would need for a relaxing bath.