Chapter 7: The Alpha’s Game

Selena's POV 

My trembling hands fell away from my neck, the weight of the collar both grounded me and unsettled me. I felt trapped and not just because I was in a cell, I glanced at my mates hesitantly,

“Now what?” The doors to the cell creaked open and the tension in the atmosphere tightened. 

The light from the candle cast shadows across their profile, highlighting their cheekbones. The shadows did nothing to conceal the darkness in their eyes. The golden light only made them look even more eerie.

Kai stepped into the dungeon first, cloaked in a stylish black ensemble. The power emitting from him made me feel insignificant, like a mouse. He crossed his arms lazily like he just didn't collar me like some pet. His eyes dragged over me, lazily, almost playful like he was deciding whether to eat me or play with me.

“Now, little mouse,” He drawled, “you go upstairs and wait for us there like the good girl you are.”

I shivered involuntarily, being this near to him was affecting me but I hoped he didn't notice although the curl of his lips told me he had 

“Upstairs?” I echoed, my brows knitting in confusion.

Kian spoke up with a smile that was too sweet to be anything but dangerous, “Yes, to our room where you'll be staying.”

My stomach dropped and my heart hammered, “y–your room? as in, with b–both of you?” I stuttered.

Kian's milky eyes glittered with wicked amusement, “Unless you prefer staying here, dungeon or upstairs, those are your choices.” He tapped the bars with a wicked-looking cane, “Personally, I'll go upstairs, our bed is much softer.” He grinned with devilish delight.

Unconsciously, my hands came up to cover my body, “but–”

“Tick tock.” Kian singsonged.

“I…” my voice trailed in indecision. The dungeon was cold, the floor hard and it reeked of blood and other disgusting smells I would rather not know the origin of. Their room would probably be warm and I knew the floor would be much more comfortable to sleep on but it came with two full-blooded wolves who think of me as dessert.

They'd swallow me whole and I'd gladly let them.

“Choose wisely,” Kai stepped closer, his body heat and the smell of the ocean pressing into me, he tilted my chin up so I could meet his gaze, “I'd hate for us to come back here to find you frozen.” He murmured, his striking violet eyes bore into mine, wiping all thoughts from my mind.

Kian leaned in, when did he come in?, his lips brushed my ear, burning a path into it, a moan left my mouth before I could stop it. My body felt hot and my face was probably red by now.

His voice was sinfully soft as he whispered, “besides we could show you how wolves tame their trembling mates when they misbehave.”

My breath came out in pants as heat pooled low in my belly, desire, confusion, and shame all tied up into one knot.

I wet my chapped lips with my tongue, still mesmerised by his eyes, “upstairs.” I could hear myself say.

“Good girl.” Kai purred, my thighs were growing slicker by the moment and I couldn't stop it. His nose flared as he caught the scent of my arousal and his eyes darkened but all he did was straighten up and take a step back.

“Kyle.” He called out, his voice louder than it had been a second ago. A blonde man with a long scar on his cheek came in, green eyes twinkling. He was tall, although not as tall as the twins, and he had broad shoulders.

“Yes, boss?” His voice was unexpectedly light, lessening his intimidating aura.

“Escort the lady upstairs,” Kai said although his eyes never left mine. Kyle's green eyes held curiosity but all he did was nod.

“And Kyle,” Kian added with a sharp grin, “make sure she's in one piece, she belongs to us.”

Heat flushed my cheeks but before I could say anything, they vanished as quickly as they came leaving just Kyle and me. He cleared his throat awkwardly and gestured for me to follow.

“I'm Kyle.” He said as we entered the hall, “I am the personal guard to Alpha Kai and Alpha Kian, and now, it looks like I'm yours too.”

I looked at him, baffled, “personal guard?” I repeated.

He shrugged, “My orders are to be with you at all times except dismissed by the Alphas.”

“That seems excessive,” I muttered.

He gave a small sympathetic smile, “They're alphas, excessive is kind of what they do.”

Kyle pointed out things as we went down the hallway, “This is the east wing, it's restricted to the Alphas and a select few. That staircase leads to the meeting rooms and the Alphas’ offices.”

I nodded but I was barely listening. The assassin's face flashed through my mind, something hot and dark stirred inside me and my heart twisted. The stranger who had killed Ellen and almost ended my life. Grief and guilt welled up inside me until I was almost suffocating with it.

I should never have stayed with Ellen, she's dead because of me.

I had to do something, I couldn't just sit still and let her killer get away with her murder, or worse, come for me again. The Alphas had no reason to protect me. As soon as I had the smallest chance, I had to leave and find the man who killed someone I loved.

Kyle kept talking, oblivious to the direction my thoughts were going, “The dining is that way, the library is directly above it.” I nodded absent-mindedly.

My fingers came up to brush against the collar on my neck. It was soft to the touch, warm but the tag was cold. Property of K & K. I wasn't used to something being around my neck and I felt strange, not bad or good, strange. I didn't know how to process it.

A mixture of humiliation and want rolled in my stomach. I shouldn't like it, I shouldn't want to keep touching it. Leaving this place had never felt more needed, I had to go before the Alphas consumed me.

They're my mates but I'm sure they could find someone better.

Pain made my heart clench, I didn't want them to find someone better.

A warm hand on my arm made me pause, “You okay? You look uncomfortable.” Kyle's eyes were warm with concern.

I flushed but shrugged off his concern, “I'm fine, just thinking.”

“About escape routes?” He asked casually, his voice light.

I gaped at him, “What?” The breathless quality of my voice probably gave me away.

He laughed, “Relax. You're not the first terrified girl that has been brought here.”

That just made me feel more scared of this place but I swallowed my fear and struggled to keep my face calm.

“Speaking of exit routes,” I started, lightly despite the pounding of my heart, “Where are they? Just in case of emergency.” I rushed to add the last part.

He narrowed his eyes at me, “I don't think that's a good idea, besides, I'm not supposed to tell you.”

I nudged him pleadingly, “It's not like I want to use them, it's just for emergencies, this place is huge.”

He hesitated, then he sighed reluctantly, “Fine, the closest exit is through the staircase beside the balcony. It drops off into the training ground, beyond that, is the forest border but it is heavily guarded all the time.” He warned.

My pulse quickened with excitement and I memorised every word. We reached a set of heavy double doors with silver carvings and Kyle pushed them open.

“This is our destination, my room's next door.” He threw a thumb to the side.

My eyes widened as I took in the room. It was huge and in different shades of black and silver. The twins’ scents of lightning and ocean were very prominent and they wrapped around me.

The bed was giant and my feet trembled at the thought of having to sleep in it. In between them.

“Do you need anything else?” He asked after I had gotten my fill of the view.

“Yes,” I said, the plan forming fast, “I need a healer, my body is still sore” It wasn't exactly a lie, my body was sore but I didn't need a healer.

He frowned, “I'm not supposed to leave you.”

“It's only for a short while, please. Kian wouldn't like it if you knew I was hurt and didn't get a healer.” I winced to make my story seem more true.

He bit his lip hesitantly, “Just wait here.” He rushed out of the room.

I waited for a bit and as soon as I knew the coast was clear, I silently crept out of the room. Keeping my steps light and soundless, I made my way to the staircase Kyle mentioned. Every sound made me flinch but I kept going.

Just as I reached the staircase, I heard voices coming towards me and I quickly hid behind a pillar. My heart pounded and I was sure I was going to get caught because of how loud I was breathing but I didn't.

The voices passed and I exhaled shakily, that was close. I made my way silently down the stairs, one at a time. Soon, I could see the door leading to the training grounds, I was almost there, almost free.

I wrapped a trembling hand around the handle.

“Going somewhere?” A deep husky voice said from behind me.  My heart skipped, stopped, and started beating again. This time faster than before, every muscle in my body seized and  I swallowed nervously.

The atmosphere was thick with tension, the scent of ocean and dark fury radiating from its source. Beaded sweat rolled down my spine and the hairs on my arms stood.

The voice sounded again, this time closer, I could feel his warm breath on my neck, “Turn around, little mouse.”