005

I woke up with my heart hammering against my ribs.

For a second, I thought I was still back in that dark hallway, back against the wall with Alpha Charles's fingers inside me and his low voice in my ear. But the morning light streaming through the curtains proved otherwise.

I was alone in the guest room.

I rolled onto my side and winced. My whole body felt tender and sensitive. Between my legs, there was a lingering tingle that reminded me of how he'd touched me last night.

“If only he'd put his cock,” I thought as I hit my lower lip.

After making me cum with nothing but his fingers, he'd sent me off to bed like I was a little child who'd stayed up too late. It was humiliating especially since I knew the look I had on my face. I practically looked like I was begging for more and yet, he had refused to give me what I wanted.

“How was I supposed to look him in the eye today?” I muttered as I sat up in bed, pulling on my hair. Was I supposed to act like nothing happened between us last night? More importantly, how was I supposed to look Iris in the eye?

Before I could finish that thought, three quick knocks sounded at the door. It burst open, and Iris bounded inside, looking excited. I bet it had something to do with Roman.

She threw herself onto the foot of my bed.

"Tell me you didn't spend the whole night hiding in here," Iris said, kicking off her slippers.

I pushed myself up against the headboard, pulling the duvet over my lap. "I came up early. Had a headache."

Iris rolled her eyes. "You missed everything. Roman and I spent two hours in his truck. My dad would literally murder him if he found out." She paused, narrowing her eyes at me. "Wait, why are you so flushed? Are you sick?"

"Just warm," I said quickly, my throat tight. "And your dad is scary enough without you risking your life over Roman."

"He's not just scary, he's a control freak," Iris sighed, flopping backward onto the mattress. "He’s been in a foul mood all morning too. Walked into the kitchen looking like he wanted to rip someone's throat out. So we need to act extra innocent at breakfast."

My stomach did a violent flip. "Breakfast?"

"Yeah, come on. You know how he is about everyone sitting down for morning meals when guests stay over. Hurry up and get dressed."

Ten minutes later, I was downstairs. I wore high-waisted jeans and an oversized dark purple sweater, doing my best to remain calm for this breakfast. Perhaps, I was even a little over dressed but it was too late to go back in to get dressed.

We walked into the main dining hall. The long wooden table was filled with pack members eating and talking quietly.

And at the very head of the table sat Alpha Charles.

He was fully dressed in a black button-down, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, dark hair neatly styled. He had his usual calm and stern expression on even when his eyes briefly landed on mine like I had imagined whatever happened last night.

“Get a grip, Reina,” I shook my head.

"Morning, Dad," Iris said, sliding into a chair.

"Iris," Charles said, his voice smooth and deep.

Then his gaze shifted to me.

I froze in the doorway for a fraction of a second before forcing my feet to move. I took the seat next to Iris, directly across from his field of vision.

"Good morning, Reina," he said. His tone was casual, polite, and entirely empty of emotion. "I hope you slept well in the guest quarters."

"I did. Thank you, Alpha," I managed to say. My voice barely wobbled, but my hands were shaking under the table. I gripped my knees tight to steady them.

"Help yourself to the food," he said, turning back to the paperwork beside his plate.

I grabbed a slice of toast, but I hardly had appetite to eat. Every time he moved his arm or shifted in his chair, my mind flashed back to those veiny hands gripping my waist, his thumb working my clit while he called me a greedy little cunt.

Iris chattered away beside me, completely oblivious. She talked about the upcoming pack schedule and some minor drama from the party, but her voice sounded like background noise.

I looked up, trying to appear normal, and caught Charles looking at me over the rim of his coffee mug.

It lasted only two seconds, but the shift was instant.

His eyes darkened further, raking over my high-necked sweater before locking onto my lips. There was a promise in that look—a dark, possessive claim that told me last night wasn't a mistake he intended to regret. I thought about all the possible scenarios, maybe I was just jumping to conclusions because of my own tainted desires but no matter how much I looked at it, his eyes were clearly filled with desire.

My pussy clenched hard, a sudden wave of heat poolling between my thighs right there at the breakfast table. I dropped my eyes to my plate instantly, my cheeks burning.

Charles set his mug down with a soft click. The sound cut through the quiet room.

"Iris," Charles spoke up, his tone commanding immediate attention. "Mrs. Helen needs you in the lower office to go over the inventory lists for the seasonal supplies."

Iris groaned softly. "Now? Can't I do it after lunch?"

"Now," Charles repeated, leaving no room for argument. "And Reina."

My head snapped up. "Yes?"

"I need the administrative files from the main archive sorted and updated," he said calmly, clearing his papers from the table. "You'll be assisting me in my study directly after breakfast."

Iris looked at me with a sympathetic grimace. "Bummer. He's making you work on your visit."

"It's fine," I lied, my heart beating frantically against my ribs. "I don't mind."

Charles stood up, towering over the table. He didn't look back at me as he tucked his phone into his pocket and turned toward the hallway leading to his office.

"Ten minutes, Reina," he said over his shoulder. "Don't keep me waiting.”