CHAPTER 16: WITCHES AND BRUTES

SELENE

It is a shit hole.

An archaic, misogynistic, rustic, backwater shit hole.

I don’t walk in alone. Of course not. They will never allow an outsider to enter without keeping a close eye on them.

Two men flank me, one slightly ahead, the other behind, like I am some unwanted guest they have to babysit. The one in front doesn’t even look at me properly, which already grates on my nerves. His voice is clipped, dismissive, like he thinks he is better than me. “Wait here,” he mutters, already half-turned as if I don’t deserve his full attention.

I bite back a laugh. Oh, how cute. A man raised under Gaines’s shadow, puffing his chest out like he owns authority. He doesn’t even realize the only reason his heart still beats is because I haven’t gotten bored enough to stop it.

I could snap his spine with a flick of my wrist, but no, I let him walk away, thinking he’s in control.

Besides, I am not here for lackeys.

It is their head brute I am here for.

The air presses down on me, heavy and sharp, like this whole place is gagging on its own silence. Women shuffle past with baskets hooked to their arms, heads bowed, eyes nailed to the ground. Children stick close to their mothers, small shadows moving quickly and quietly. They don’t dare look at me, and I almost smirk at that. Outsider or not, at least they have some sense of danger.

Or maybe it's just the fact that suppression and oppression are a normal part of them

The men, though? Oh, they are different. Straight backs, loud voices, eyes sliding over me without hesitation. Bold little glances, like I’m a passing distraction. One even smirks, and I can’t help but tilt my chin and smile back, all teeth and venom. Let him think I’m harmless. Let him think I’m just standing here waiting like some obedient pet.

Idiots. All of them. The women fear everything, the children fear what they don’t understand, but the men… Ah, the men save their fear for Gaines. Not me. Not yet. And isn’t that precious? They’ll learn soon enough.

They always do.

Eventually.

“What are you doing in my pack, witch?” A voice snarls and I look ahead to see Gaines himself stalking towards me. His whole body was vibrating with presumed offense.

Unbelievable.

This is what Travis has reduced me to. Allowing incompetent and insignificant men to talk to me with audacity.

“I asked you a damn question, witch!”

“And a good evening to you too, Alpha Gaines,” I retort with a sweet saccharine smile. “Question though, do you think calling me a witch is offensive? I mean… You do realize that a witch is who and what I am. Just as you are a… dog.”

“Excuse me?!”

“Sorry, sorry. I meant wolf. You are a wolf. Of course you are. No one would dare to think you are anything else.”

I watch as he literally turns red at those words and it is amusing.

Interesting… if he can understand the barb then he is not as stupid as he looks.

“Why are you here?”

“I got some interesting news,” I say as I walk closer to him and I watch as he sneers at me.

“Really? I don't see how anything of interest to you would interest me.”

“Hmm. I think differently. The news is about you, you see. I heard that you had mustered yourself and your brave little wolves to go challenge Travis in his territory.”

“What?!”

“You look surprised. Surely, you must have known that such an action would attract much interest and it would spread like wildfire. Like, how you had failed in what you went for and how you returned to your pack with your tail tucked between your legs.”

“Who?!” He snarls as he edges closer to me. “Who is saying all this crap?”

“Everyone. But that is besides the point. What I want to know is why you went there in the first place. Travis, has ignored you for most of your antics, so what could he have possibly done to make you step out and make such a bold move.”

“And why do you think I will tell a whore panting after him anything?”

“Watch your tongue, boy,” I whisper deathly calm as I feel the temperature drop and he does too. “Do not mistake my cordiality for weakness.”

“And neither should you presume that I care one bit about who you are,” he retorts, unfazed. “As far as I am concerned, you are just a woman who thinks she is something just because of a little power. Like all women. It is why I believe your gender should be educated on what their roles are. But oh well.”

Little. Power? Oh… this foolish boy.

“All women, you say? We are all the same to you, aren't we? People who do not deserve to be bothered over.”

“Of course.”

“Then why did you go all the way to the Trust pack for a woman?” I ask with a sweet smile, one that grows wider as his eyes flame with anger.

“What?!”

“Louisa… that is her name, no? What would such an esteemed Alpha as yourself, go all the way to the Tryst pack for a woman? Take such an insult for a mere woman? Why do you look so enraged all because of a woman? Tell me, Gaines Bills. Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack. Who exactly is this Lousia and why is Travis keeping her alive when by the law of his own pack, she should be dead? Just what, exactly, is so special about this woman?”

“Get out.”

“Now, now. Let's not be hasty. You might need my help after all. You help me and I help you.”

“You think I don't know what you are really here,” he sneers at me. “The entire world knows that your sole purpose is to have Travis as your man and to your utter disgrace he keeps refusing you. You are not here out of curiosity, you are here to know the secret of the woman who would make him defy his own pack laws. You will find no ally here for your goals, Selene Lance. Now you either walk off my territory on your own or I will have my men help you. You choose.”

AUTHOR NOTES: Hello, my wonderful readers. A huge and gigantic thank you for selecting my book to read. It really warms my werewolf heart. I would love to hear from you all, your thoughts, opinions, feelings. Who pisses you off? Who do you absolutely love? Where do you think this story is going? I want to hear it all. So, please do comment and support my book. Your dear Author, Adeline Valois