Chapter fourteen

Alpha Bran's POV 

The elders wouldn't summon me if something wasn't wrong. I knew that before walking into my office to meet them. Fourteen aged men stood up and bowed their heads to me, “Alpha,” they chanted. 

My gaze fell on Aric, and then on my Gammas, who stood beside my desk. I nodded to them. They reciprocated.

“Have a seat, elders,” I said, and sat behind my desk.

“Alpha Bran, you know why we called you.” Elder Larkin began in a calm voice.

I inclined my head. “Yes.”

“So are the rumors true?” he asked. 

“It depends on what you heard,” I answered.

Elder Mark cleared his throat and leaned forward. “We heard you bought a human at a ridiculous price and brought her into the pack house.”

“I did.”

“Who is she to you?” Elder Larkin asked again.

“Nobody.”

“But she fought your fiancée, tried to kill her, and even made Javier appear like a criminal in his own pack. All you did was to punish her.”

“What else do you suggest I do to her?” I asked.

“Send her away,” the elders chorused at once.

“Your house staffs are complaining. The pack house is no place for a fragile human who causes chaos. We do not want her here anymore,” Elder Larkin added.

For some unknown reason, his words struck me harder than a blow.

I laughed. A kind of laugh that didn't come from my mind.

“Elders, are you all saying I cannot handle a girl who's barely eighteen?” I questioned. 

They looked up at me with fearful eyes.

Elder Larkin showed his teeth in a surface laugh. “Not so, Alpha. We are just concerned about the constant rumors from the pack house.”

“Rumors aren't facts. Besides, they are meant to fade with time.” My eyes moved from one to the other, then to the last. “Why do you think I bought her?” I asked no one in particular. 

“We don't know, Alpha. Tell us.” Elder Mark said.

“Good. I bought her for information. She's somewhat connected to the rogues I went to find at the casino. If I can get some good information from her. I can find them and punish them.” I lied.

The elders exchanged looks.

I wouldn't dare say the truth. Wouldn't dare say she was my goddess-given mate. They would kill her. And my end game wouldn't be achieved.

“And keeping her in the pack house?” Larkin pressed. “Not the cells?”

“I needed to observe her. Pressure reveals the truth.” I replied smoothly.

There was a brief moment of awkward silence.

“If she causes another chaos, will you send her away?” Elder Larkin broke the silence.

I nodded. “I will.”

“I'm sure you're familiar with what will happen next if anything happens to Saskia.” Elder Larkin said in a sharp tone as he rose on his feet. His eyes warned me.

“Elder Larkin. Don't worry, I will keep the human in check from now on.” 

I bowed my head. Agreement was the only option.

“And the wedding,” another elder added suddenly. “Why has the marriage date not been fixed?”

I swallowed irritation. “You should ask your grandniece, elder. She's the one delaying our marriage, not me.”

“You're the Alpha. You're her head. Sit her down and sort it out with her. You know how much importance this union means to both us and you,” he said.

I stood up. “I will do as you have said, elder.” 

“Good. We'll be leaving now.” 

“Thank you, elders.” I bowed my head. So did Aric, Lupin and Bane until the elders left. As soon as they shut the door, I sighed and dropped on my chair. 

Aric came to me. “Bran, what do you intend to do with her?” 

I turned to him. “I have no idea, now. You can all leave now.” 

They left and I was alone in my room.

‘Mate. Let's go to her.’ Ryker growled in my mind.

I clenched my fists. “Enough! Don't you see what is happening?” 

Ryker didn't stop. He pushed images of Serafine to the front of my mind. Wanting me to go and check on her.

I refused and buried myself in reports, trade logs, and other important documents. I forced my eyes to skim words without absorbing them. Minutes turned to an hour. I failed. My wolf scratched, restless, and demanding.

Then the door opened.

Saskia cat-walked in, wearing a black short dress that clung to her curves. Her blond hair fell loose over her bare shoulders. Her perfume scent filled my office. My nose wriggled in irritation. Strange.

The long man between my thighs shot up. Wanting her.

My wolf stirred against me. I blocked it, enjoying my longing for Saskia. 

“Bran,” she purred, stepping closer. “You left this morning and didn't return to check on me.”

“I was busy,” I said, my eyes eating her sexy body.

She smiled and sat on my desk, parting her knees, and I saw she wasn't wearing any underwear. Her fingers traced my chest, slow and deliberate.

My body responded.

My wolf snarled, furious at my weakness.

I forced it down again. And allowed desire to take over. 

Saskia kissed me. Teased me. Played a game of denial until my control snapped. I lifted her, cleared the desk with a sweep of my arm, and took her hard and fast in my office. 

My breath was hard as I dropped back on my chair. Saskia rested on my lap. Her fingers tracing idle circles on my chest.

“I’d like you to invite my brother,” she said softly. “You went overboard last time. I want to smooth things over between you and him.”

I nodded, still catching my breath.

The knock came moments later. But before her brother could fully step in, a feminine voice cut through the doorway. It was Ember’s.

“Alpha, Serafine didn’t report to work today.”

Saskia sighed. “Not again.”

I opened my link with Bane to tell him to check on her when Grayson rushed, panting heavily.

“Alpha, she's gone. Serafine. I can't find her anywhere.”

My heart slammed violently against my ribs.

I shoved Saskia off my thighs and stood so fast the chair scraped loudly on the floor.

Gone?