Chapter 20: Pleasure

ALEXANDER

My father strode in wearing the Elder’s robes so abruptly that even Christina looked at him in surprise. He paid no attention to her expression. Instead, he fixed his gaze on me and walked straight to the bed.

Stopping in front of me, he lifted his hands as if presenting himself, then turned around with satisfaction. Grinning, he asked, “How do I look, Alex?”

I pressed my lips together and refused to answer.

He must have expected that, because he went on without pause. “The man standing before you is not just your father, but the First Elder of the pack. I preside over the pack council, and apart from the Alpha, no one holds authority above me.”

Lifting his chin arrogantly, he sneered, “I remember how they all said I was worthless, that I would never amount to anything in this pack. But look at me now. The orphan they mocked and ridiculed has become the First Elder of the pack.”

My father laughed heartily, then looked at me again with a satisfied grin. In a serious tone, he said, “My dear Alexander, make a wish, and I will grant it. You have no idea how powerful I am now. I want you to have a taste of the influence and authority I wield.”

I glanced at Christina and saw the shock on her face. She probably had never expected this side of my father, just as many others never had. Then I turned back to him and met the nauseating arrogance on his face.

Very well. Since he wanted me to make a request, I decided not to disappoint him.

“I want you to dissolve my marriage with Alpha Damon.”

My father’s eyes widened in shock, then his face darkened with anger. He had not expected me to use his words against him.

“Are you going to make a proper wish or not?” he snapped.

I mocked him coldly. “Father, you boast that even the wind and rain obey your command, yet you cannot fulfill such a simple request for me.”

His expression grew even darker, and he shot back angrily, “Very well. Since you have chosen to be unreasonable, I will not indulge you any longer.”

He turned and stormed out. After he left, Christina looked at me and let out a heavy sigh.

“My Lady, was it wise to anger your father like that? With him backing you, you would not have to suffer so much injustice.”

“It is enough that he did not sell me off,” I replied. “Depending on my father is nothing but a pipe dream.”

Christina didn’t stay long. She rose and left, returning at dusk with news from the warfront.

“The rebels retreated, but the pack warriors couldn’t claim an absolute victory,” Christina said, shaking her head. “We only managed to drive them back. Everyone has returned to the pack, but the atmosphere is grim. Even with all our strength and the help of our allies, we still couldn’t defeat the rebels.”

But I didn’t care. The pack’s situation might have been bleak, but mine was far worse. Lowering my gaze, I sank into troubled thoughts.

Christina must have sensed my mood and realized I wasn’t concerned about the pack’s troubles. Softly, she said, “I’ll go get you dinner, my lady.”

I watched her retreating figure in silence, my lips pressed into a thin line.

She returned with my meal, and after I finished eating, she left again.

I was asleep when I felt someone on my bed. My eyes flew open, only for a palm to clamp over my mouth. I locked eyes with the stranger looming above me and instantly recognized him.

Alpha Damon.

My gaze turned icy as I glared at him with open resentment. He must have realized I knew who he was. A grin spread across his face, but it did nothing to soften the fact that his hand was already roaming over my dress, sliding lower toward my panties.

I opened my mouth and bit the palm covering me. He chuckled.

“Alex,” he murmured, “why are you acting like you don’t want me? I know you’ve loved me since we were children. Stop pretending.”

Anger surged through me. I tried to kick him off the bed, but he trapped my leg with ease.

“Why are you so angry, hmm?” he said with another laugh.

I was panting hard, struggling for breath. When he noticed, he finally removed his hand from my mouth.

I glared at him and spat through gritted teeth, “Get off me!”

His eyes widened in shock, his face twisting with disbelief. I sneered.

“I don’t want you, Alpha Damon. Sleeping with you would be a waste of time. You couldn’t make me feel like a woman.”

His eyes darkened, but I didn’t stop.

“Send those men to my bed instead. You’re not good enough.”

Furious, he stepped away from the bed. Even in the darkness, I could see his face burning red as he stood only a foot away.

My chest tightened. I must have truly angered him. The temperature in the room seemed to drop as he said, “You really want to know how good I am, huh? I’ll show you I’m better than any of the men you’ve been with.”

Before I knew it, I was lifted from the bed and trapped in his arms. I struggled hard, crying, “Let go of me! Leave me alone!”

But he didn’t listen. Holding me fast, he gripped my chin and forced my face up until our eyes met. His jaw was tense as he spoke each word in a low, threatening voice: “I’m going to make you beg me to stop.”

A cold shiver ran down my spine.