CHAPTER 006

—DAPHNE:

When all the alarms began blaring in my head, I expected one of two reactions from Alpha Bellamy. Either he would shove me away or immediately pull back. What I never expected was for him to cup my face gently and blow softly into my eyes.

I sat there frozen, confusion rushing through me so fast it left me breathless. The moment he released me, I quickly scooted away from him. Julian still stood near the doorway with one brow raised slightly, surprise clear across his face.

“She had something in her eyes.” Alpha Bellamy explained calmly. 

The excuse sounded weak even to me. Whether Julian believed him or not, he didn’t show it. His gaze swept slowly across the room before finally settling on me. The instant he noticed the bruises scattered across my skin, his hands clenched tightly at his sides.

“Did Roth do this to you?” he asked as he walked closer, anger darkening his expression.

“Yes,” I answered quietly, unable to hold his gaze for long.

Alpha Bellamy rose from his seat immediately, his jaw tightening with fury. The calm composure he usually carried disappeared so quickly it startled me. “He’ll be punished for this.”

Julian scoffed quietly beneath his breath. “So much for apologizing to her.” Then his attention shifted back to me, concern softening his features almost instantly. He crossed the room and sat carefully beside me before taking my bruised hands into his. “Are you alright?”

His touch was gentle as his fingers brushed over the ugly marks staining my skin. Because my healing was weak without a proper wolf, the bruises still looked dark and fresh. Yet while Julian held my hands, all I could think about was how cold his touch felt compared to the warmth of Alpha Bellamy’s hands only moments ago. The realization made guilt curl uncomfortably inside my stomach.

“I’m fine,” I murmured, tightening the cloak around myself while painfully aware of my naked body hidden beneath it.

“I’ll send the maids to care for you. Just rest,” Alpha Bellamy finally said.

Julian didn’t seem eager to leave. He had always been the type to stay beside the people he cared about no matter what. “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked softly while tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

Alpha Bellamy suddenly cleared his throat, not because he was sick but because he was clearly asserting authority. His expression had turned icy again. “Let her rest, son,” he said firmly while pulling Julian’s hands away from mine.

The word son suddenly felt strangely heavy in the room. Julian looked irritated, but he didn’t argue. Bellamy escorted him out personally, leaving me alone with the storm of emotions twisting painfully inside my chest.

Not long after, the maids arrived to tend to me. Elian wasn’t among them, and the hostile looks the others gave me only made me shrink further into myself. They whispered beneath their breaths while cleaning my wounds, their judgment obvious enough to make my stomach knot painfully. I stayed silent through all of it, pretending not to hear the disgust in their voices. The second they finally left, I released a shaky breath and closed my eyes in relief.

By the next morning, most of the bruises had faded, though the memory of everything still clung to me like a stain I couldn’t wash away. I still hadn’t heard anything about Roth’s punishment. Alpha Bellamy checked on me briefly that morning, but the visit felt rushed. Distant.

Almost like he was avoiding being alone with me. The thought hurt far more than it should have. Maybe I was imagining it. Maybe guilt was simply making me overthink every look he gave me.

Later that morning, Elian entered my room carrying a breakfast tray. Her expression was unusually tense, and the deep frown on her face immediately made me nervous. “How did things go with Roth?” I asked the moment she stepped inside.

She placed the tray gently beside the bed. “He lost his noble privileges." she replied.

Shock hit me immediately. “What? Did the elders agree to this?” I questioned.

“Eliminating his title wasn’t open for discussion,” Elian explained. “Alpha Bellamy wouldn’t allow anyone to object. Roth apparently caused quite a scene about it too. Yelling, throwing things and blaming everyone except himself.” A satisfied look crossed her face. “Living like a commoner for some months should humble him.”

Silence settled heavily around me as my heart began to pound harder against my ribs. Alpha Bellamy had always protected me, but this felt different. More personal and more possessive. As though Roth touching me had awakened something dangerous inside him. And the worst part was how much I liked it. 

A warmth spread through my chest at the thought of him defending me so fiercely. I suddenly needed to see him. Needed him to know how much it meant to me. “Is Alpha Bellamy still in his office?” I asked quickly.

Elian nodded. “He’s working from home today.”

Excitement rushed through me instantly. Perfect. Without thinking, I pushed the blankets aside and hurried toward the door.

“Milady, where are you going?” Elian called after me.

I didn’t stop. I simply kept running.

“Slow down!” she shouted while struggling to keep up behind me.

By the time I reached Bellamy’s office, I was breathless. Elian finally caught up, bending slightly as she tried to recover her breathing. “You were barely able to walk yesterday. What’s gotten into you?”

I smiled nervously and glanced toward the office doors. “Wait here.”

Before she could stop me, I knocked softly and pushed the door open just enough to peek inside. Darkness greeted me.The curtains were drawn shut, blocking out every trace of sunlight. The room smelled faintly of cedarwood, whiskey, and him. Even without seeing him, I felt his presence immediately.

My heartbeat quickened. “Alpha Bellamy?” I called softly.

No answer came. I stepped farther inside, trying to see through the darkness but the office was too unfamiliar to navigate properly. After another moment of silence, disappointment slowly settled inside me. Maybe he wasn’t here after all. I turned to leave.

“Daphne?” 

The sound of his voice sent warmth flooding through my chest. I spun around instantly as lights flickered on one by one, revealing the office around me and him. Alpha Bellamy sat behind his massive desk, partially hidden by stacks of paperwork and an open bottle of whiskey resting near his hand. Had he been drinking?

His dark hair looked messy, strands falling over his forehead like he had been dragging his fingers through it repeatedly. His sleeves were rolled up carelessly, exposing strong forearms lined with veins. He looked exhausted, rough around the edges in a way I had never seen before. And somehow, it only made him more attractive.

“I see you’re feeling better,” he murmured, his deep voice softer than usual. “You’re already running around again.”

His eyes moved slowly over my body, lingering long enough to make heat crawl up my neck. A wave of dread washed over me as I realized I had hurried here clad in a pink satin nightgown, small and slightly sheer.

“I… I wanted to thank you. About Roth." I stammered, avoiding his eyes.

Bellamy leaned back slightly in his chair, though his gaze never left me. “It was necessary,” he said quietly. “I made sure he won’t touch you again.”

The promise in his voice wrapped around me like something dark and protective. My heart stumbled painfully inside my chest. Why did every word from him affect me like this? Why did I suddenly feel so warm standing in front of him?

Before I could stop myself, the truth slipped out. “I don’t regret that night.”

Bellamy went completely still. Every bit of air seemed to leave the room at once and panic gripped me immediately and I looked away, terrified of seeing disgust on his face.

“What?” His voice sounded rough now, strained like he was forcing the word out.

“I should go,” I whispered quickly. “Forget I said anything.”

I turned toward the door but he reached for me before I could escape.The moment his hand wrapped around my arm, goosebumps spread across my skin. My wolf stirred restlessly inside me, aching for him. Wanting to climb into his lap, bury myself against his neck, and beg him to mark me as his.

The confession hung heavily between us, neither of us moved or looked away. Bellamy’s hand slowly slid upward from my arm to my jaw before trailing lower toward my throat. His touch was warm enough to make my knees weaken beneath me. His fingers lingered there for a moment before drifting lower until his palm brushed softly against my hardened nipple through the thin satin.

A soft moan escaped me before I could stop it, that single sound shattered whatever control he had left. Bellamy suddenly pulled me against him and kissed me hard. The force of it stole my breath completely. His lips moved against mine with restrained hunger, like he had been fighting the urge for far too long. Heat exploded through me instantly, sharp and intoxicating enough to make my body melt against his before I could stop myself.

“Alpha—” I gasped when he finally pulled away.

Bellamy stepped back immediately, breathing heavily. His chest rose and fell beneath his shirt while his darkened eyes remained locked on me with open hunger. “I’m sorry,” he said roughly. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

But the way his gaze dropped back to my mouth and then lower toward my chest made my pulse race all over again.

“...But you do need to change into something more appropriate.” His gaze darkened as it slowly roamed over me again. 

The words sent heat rushing straight between my thighs. A reckless part of me wanted to lock the office door, climb into his lap, and let him ruin me against his desk while he forgot every reason we were forbidden. 

The thought alone nearly made me dizzy with desire, terrified of myself and the dangerous craving growing stronger inside me, I turned and walked out of his office wet and trembling.