What You Moaned in My Bed

ALPHA COLE'S P.O.V

Selena. Selena is in my palace.

My eyes thinned as I looked between the women in the dungeon and the soldier still lying unconscious outside. He had been carefully tucked away, and he had a single hit to the side of his neck. Like the edge of a dagger.

That was Selena's signature. I couldn't count how many times she had done the exact same thing right in front of me.

She is definitely close. Do these people know her? Or, after five years, is she about to show her face to me and make demands?

"Alpha," the woman standing by the cell said, her eyes wide. "Sarah will come with us. Please. We understand that you have been as kind as possible, but please let Sarah come with us too."

"It is absolutely her choice," I said simply, my eyes darting around. No trace of Selena. "By tomorrow morning, you will be released. You can convince her by then. I will have someone bring you the feast from the full moon."

I turned away, then stopped and turned back, my brows furrowed. "What is your name again?"

"Lily," she said, her eyes wide and... guilty. She knew something. Selena knew these people.

Coincidence? I don't care. I can smell her. My wolf can recognize her.

"Lily. I like the new scent. It's... addictive."

Her eyes widened, but she only nodded. I turned away, my jaws clenching as hard as my fists.

"Take him away," I said to Beta Sean, who had been waiting by the soldier, trying to find out what happened. I didn't need to know more. Selena had left her trademark.

I made my way towards my room, my chest heaving. That scent. That fucking scent.

I looked up to the mirror, my lips parting. I needed air. I needed... fuck!

"Damn you!" My voice cracked as I swept the vase sitting on the dresser away. It fell to the floor and shattered, the glass shards spilling around the floor in pathetic little pieces.

I turned to the walk in closet and opened the drawer. The weapons lay open in front of me, and I mrabbed my gold laced gun. I loaded it, the silver bullets glinting against the custom gold design, before I shut it and tucked it into my coat.

"Show yourself to me. Show yourself to me, Selena, God damn you."

I closed my eyes. Calm. She can't get under my skin. This heat, this.... all of this is just anger. That smell does nothing to me. Nothing at all.

I almost believed it.

I turned to the mirror and adjusted my tie, and the suit I was wearing. I pushed my hair back, then smiled. Good. I will wear this smile when I see her again.

"As the full moon has ascended, so had the moon of Blackmoon pack! Please welcome the sovereign ruler of Blackmoon Pack, the owner of the pack's seal and treasury, the guardian of the seven moons and the king of the Alpha council of all twenty eight werewolf counties! Welcome, Alpha Cole Knight and his Luna!"

I conveniently ignored the last part as I stepped onto the spotlight on top of the spiral stairs. My patience was too short tonight to pretend to be able to stand the visceral reaction I felt whenever Sylvia was within ten feet of me.

I made my way down, exchanging polite greetings with the dignitaries. A waiter came to me carrying a glass of wine, and I accepted one even though I knew I wouldn't take it. Not when Isaac and his daughter were in this room.

My eyes met Isaac, who happened to be standing with Sylvia. She was wearing yet another red dress, like the claim she had made on the mate bond five years ago was still somehow relevant enough.

I raised a glass to both of them before turning away and heading towards the slightly elevated podium.

"Good evening to you all."

The room immediately went quiet, and I leaned further into the mic. "Tonight, we celebrate yet another full moon! It is an auspicious occasion, and as someone who has the well-being of my pack members at the very forefront of my mind, I fully intend to ease some of their worries with my announcement tonight."

My eyes darted towards Isaac, who was now surrounded by a few members of the council. All of whom would absolutely hate the things I would say.

"First of all, from tonight itself, the burden of the fifteen per cent tax on income will no longer fall on the pack omegas. Instead, every dignitary, with a net worth of over a million, will be required to pay it. The memorandum will be out pack wide by morning, but briefly, the fifteen per cent will only be on income. There will be taxes on assets, accumulated wealth, and even the number of servants owned by a dignitary."

Murmurs instantly erupted around the banquet hall, and I clinked a spoon against my glass twice.

"Also, omegas will no longer inhabit the omega settlement. They will be free to purchase houses around the pack or live in the pack house. They can also attend the schools, and learn elite sports like archery. From tomorrow itself."

No one said a word. I gave a small smile, my eyes trailing Isaac and Sylvia. "Last but not the least."

Isaac's eyes thinned as he watched me. Sylvia took a step forward, but he held her hand back.

"I intend to take a breeder, as my luna has not been able to conceive. This is to ensure the continuity of my bloodline even if it is not with my luna."

Sylvia let go of the wine glass she was holding, and it shattered to the floor. Even Isaac stood rooted to the floor, as the council men around him started to whisper furiously. I gave a small smile.

"Happy full moon everyone. Let the dances signal new beginnings."

I got down, dropping the glass with the nearest waiter. Sylvia pushed through to where I was standing. She pulled me away from the crowd who were already gossiping about her, and I let her.

"You haven't even touched me!" She hissed, her chest heaving as I yanked my arm away from her. "How the fuck am I supposed to get pregnant if you haven't even fucked me?"

"That isn't what you told them, though. I saw the forums. The omegas you were paying to spread rumors about how weak I am in bed, trying to deflect the blame, instead of just admitting that you are so damn hideous that I couldn't bring myself to do it even with the lights off." I leaned closer. "You will have a lot of explaining to do when I fuck that breeder senseless and she gives me a child. Daddy can't pave the way this time. Enjoy your dance."

I turned away before she could say anything else.

I took my seat, my eyes thin. I could feel a headache coming on, and at this point, I was starting to wonder if I had hallucinated Selena's smell. Maybe it was just a figment of my imagination. Maybe because this was another full moon where I wouldn't be giving her the first dance.

The dance troupe came in and started to dance, and just like that, the smell filled my nostrils again. I straightened, my eyes thin.

The dance troupe. Of course. It would be the perfect disguise.

My mind reeled. How did I smell her at the dungeon? Had she gone there, and now...

I see. I see what's happening.

I watched as they danced, twirling, cheering. My eyes followed each one, that scent fogging my senses with every breath I took.

Sylvia walked up to me just as my eyes came to rest on a particular dancer. Her dress was a little longer, but it took nothing away from the pure sensuality of that lithe body.

She moved a little stiffly, and more than once, her eyes darted to me.

Selena? Could she... really be Selena?

"Cole. We can talk about the breeder later. It will soon be time for the dance. At least, give me the first dance. You haven't had a first dance for years. Make a change this time."

I barely registered what she was saying. When the announcement came for my first dance, and the music shifted to slow chords, I found myself moving without dignifying Sylvia with an answer.

The dance hall was now cleared up, and the dancers lined the edges, waiting for my dance, so they could then be picked for various dances.

I stopped in front of her, and it took everything in me not to lose control. Was I going to lose control and tear her apart? Or was I going to lose control and drag her to my bed? That, I still wasn't sure.

The hall went silent as I gave her my hand. "Dance?"

She looked down at my hand, then back up to my eyes. Those eyes. Those fucking pretty eyes.

"You are to dance with your luna first, Alpha."

"And you are not to teach me tradition, dancer."

She swallowed.

"Take my hand," I said, my tone leaving no room for argument.

She slowly took my hand, and I sucked in a sharp breath as my fingers wrapped around hers.

Fuck, I have missed this.

The lights dimmed as I pulled her to the centre of the dance floor and pulled her close.

My fingers intertwined with hers, and my other hand came to rest on the bare skin of her waist where her dress was cut out.

We started to move. Still in sync. Like she hadn't ruined everything I believed in.

"You dance beautifully," I said, my voice low. "Your scent is exquisite, too."

She avoided my eyes. "Thank you, Alpha."

I gave a small smile as I twirled her, then brought her back to me, her back to my chest.

I leaned close, taking a slow sniff of her. It was like a drug. Like a fucking intoxicant.

She turned, and I put my hand back on her waist, pulling her body closer.

"You don't seem to be from this pack."

"I am," she said. "The omega settlement."

I gave a small laugh, then pulled her even closer. "Tell me what perfume you use."

She turned, her lips parting. My eyes darted involuntarily to her lips, and I gave a small smile.

"Beautiful lips. I could swear I have tasted them before."

Her eyes widened and she attempted to move, but I held her back to me.

"Alpha."

I brought my thumb to gently press down on her lower lip. "That wasn't what you moaned when you were in my bed."

Her body tensed. I looked up to her eyes.

"Caught, huh?"

She tried to wriggle free, but I only held her tighter.

"Let me go."

"Not the nicest greeting for someone you haven't seen in five years, Selena."

Her eyes widened, and she suddenly pushed me back. I let her go and grabbed my gun, turning straight to her.

I broke into a laugh, as my eyes met hers, and she levelled a gun straight to my head. Right in the middle of the entire ball.

I guess I wasn't the only one prepared.