012

Dove pov

I shudder. Matthias was right about this pack - if the Alpha's friend enjoys such rituals in the bedroom, I can only imagine what other members of his pack indulge in.

"That is disturbing. Would I die from this?"

"No." The sternness in his tone makes me jump. "I wouldn't allow anyone in his arms were that the case."

I take another sip. "Why bother being so noble?"

He angles his head, confused. "Why bother?"

"You're an Alpha. You can do whatever you please," I mumble.

Alpha's can lie, they can deceive and they can manipulate. Matthias surely does, expecting adherence to certain values that he doesn't maintain himself.

Varian has no reason to be truthful. He doesn't even know me.

"Morality doesn't play favourites, Dove," he muses. "I may live a life of less moral accountability than most, but I must act in good conscience as anyone else does. To a degree, anyway."

"You're not how I imagined you," I admit before I bring my fingers to my mouth. I shouldn't have let those words slip out.

Curiosity burns hot in his eyes. "How did you imagine me?"

There is so much about him that affirms my assumptions. He is otherworldly beautiful and I see the sin all around him. His long, intent stares and warm voice don't surprise me at all.

"Really, really scary." I stumble stupidly over my words. "I mean, you are...but I don't think you're going to hurt me."

I glance down to his hands, then back up at his eyes.

"I'm presuming that you're from Alpha Matthias's pack, then?"

He's being polite assuming over accusing.

It's fairly obvious just looking at me that come from a pack where stringent values are expected. No other pack represents such an ethos.

"I better go downstairs. I don't wish to bother you a moment longer." If he's asking about my Alpha, I should probably put some space between us.

If I slip up and admit I'm close to him...I don't even want to think about what my fate would ultimately be.

Varian holds his hand out, his look alone halting me before I can set my water down.

"Stay, Dove. Please," he murmurs earnestly. "Converse with me. These events get terribly boring when you're dead sober, and drunk people don't make interesting conversation."

I look down at the dark liquid in his crystal glass. "You're not drinking?"

"For someone like me, it makes no difference. As host, I like to keep a clear mind anyway."

He's saying it without saying it — Alpha's are in a league of their own. They share so little with those who they rule over. They are more powerful in every possible way, so just being in their presence is humbling.

"Fair enough." I run my thumb down the cloudy glass, the dampness wetting my skin.

"How did you get in here?" His eyes travel over my dress.

"Claude found me outside after your guards denied me entry. He gave me a slip," I explain, looking over at the silver haired man who watches us vigilantly.

"This is a dangerous place," he muses. "Have you been to one of my parties before?"

I shake my head. "Never."

I thought that would go without saying considering how out of place I clearly look here.escorted home by a trusted guard." His eyes darken. "The streets at a late hour are dangerous."

That can be expected since he invites people from every pack to visit on this one night. Those belonging to competing packs don't have the same respect for his authority as they do their own Alpha's.

"Oh, thank you," I murmur, although I don't intend to take his offer up.

I don't need to owe favours to powerful people...

Plus, instructing his guards to return me to Matthias's private property wouldn't go down well. It would be the fastest way to end up a captive at Varian's mercy.

"Tell me, Dove. What is it you do as a profession?" He asks, tracking my movements as I take another small sip of water.

"I clean," I say carefully.

Who for, shall remain a close kept secret.

"Respectable." He twists at a simple silver ring on his index finger. "What can I do to convince you to move to my pack?"

A frown flutters over my brow.

Is this the elusive siren call? Is this we're Varian hypnotises his guests into joining his pack as both Matthias and Eden theorised?

I scan the room, searching for the hypnotist Eden talked about.

Maybe it's Varian. He's seems unfairly capable of weaving his words into ambitious instructions to join his wondrously tempting world of sin.

"I...I have family back home," I force, my palms growing clammy. "They take their faith and puritanical ideals seriously. I would never leave without them."

"Do you have doubts about their beliefs?" His docile gaze prowls over my skin.

"Often," I admit sheepishly. "I just want freedom to incorporate what I like about both ideologies. I don't want to have to pick a side when neither feels completely right."

"Move here, and you'll have more freedom then you'll know what to do with," he offers.

"I can't."

I expect him to continue pushing, to prove every rumour I've been fed about him true.

"I understand," he relents. "How much of tonight's offerings were you hoping to divulge in?"

"As many as possible, but not the wine. I want to have a clear head to make good decisions."

The golden liquid passed around and poured frequently does look delicious, but I do intend to make it home tonight in one piece. I don't think my father would take too kindly to his daughter waking against a curb or in a strangers bed...

"Have you danced?" Varian asks, his eyes straying to where a handful of people grind against each other, their outfits sparkling beneath the red light.

"Not yet."

"Have you eaten?"

"Some," I say, even though I don't mean it. I'm anxious to see where his line of questioning it heading.

His eyes darken, voice shadowy. "Have you received enough pleasure?"

"Pleasure?" I sound breathless.

"From this place? From its people."

I swallow thickly, scared any word out of turn will ruin this moment. "No, not yet."

He stands suddenly, the full extent of his height and stature becoming frighteningly clear. He holds a hand out to me, his stare heavy.

"Then dance with me."