3

~Sienna

People surround Onyx, pulling his attention in all different directions.

I stand back a bit, watching. Him and I have both been invested in getting this hospital established here. Initially the proposal was rejected when his father ruled because this is a small village, but the healthcare here before wasn't sufficient.

"Sir, we would love to show you this new piece of technology that has saved many lives already," one of the doctors' claim, pointing back at the single-story building.

Onyx smiles, nodding. "Of course. I'll be there in a moment."

He turns to look at me, rubbing the back of his neck.

"You do that, and I'll go grab what I need from the store." I gesture down the street. I made an order not so long ago and I've been waiting for an opportunity to pick it up.

"Wait a bit and I'll come with you." He says. "Or I'll send someone to do it."

"I can do it. I'll meet you back here in like ten minutes." I smile, tapping his arm assuredly.

He frowns a little, looking off down the street, then back at me.

"Alright," he mutters begrudgingly.

I press through the crowd that has gathered, heading off down the street. Despite living close by, we don't often come here. It's why so many people have come around to view the spectacle that is their Alpha.

The store is a small one, nestled amongst many others that are vacant due to the town's visitor. I open the glass door, immediately being hit by a wave of incense and clove.

An older woman sits behind the counter, glancing up from her book, her pale eyes narrowing slightly upon me.

"Hello, I had someone come and place and order for me the other day for some material for a bracelet. Is it ready?" I ask, resting my hands on the countertop.

She leans down, pulling up a large book.

"What's your name dear?"

"Sienna."

Her yellowed fingernail traces down the page until she see’s my order.

"Are yes, it's out back. Give me a moment."

She slips through the cascade of strung up beads that act as a door and out back, leaving me teetering from the tips of my toes to my heels as I said.

"Hey there."

I yelp, whirling around.

A man sidles up next to me, leaning his arm on the counter. He appeared seemingly out of nowhere. He must have been perusing the shelves piled with a freakish amount of stuff.

"Oh, hey." I swallow uncomfortably.

"I think I know you." He points at me, looking at me like he’s trying to figure me out.

I shift, rubbing the back of my neck. "Impossible. I'm not from here."

"You're that pretty little thing the Alpha totes around." He leans a little closer, his smile laden with crooked teeth.

Something about him is making me uneasy.

"I work for the Alpha's mother, Lucia,” I concede, tapping my foot impatiently. I'll admit anything to have him stop speaking to me.

How long does it take to find a few pieces of string?

"Not for him?"

"No."

He rubs the bristly skin of his jaw, never once lifting his languid stare from me. Since I rarely visit the village, I'm not used to uncomfortable interactions like this one.

"So you're just fucking him then?" He asks abruptly.

I whip my attention to him, narrowing my eyes. "Excuse me?"

"Sorry, I'm just curious." He shrugs, his grin playful, like he didn't just say something completely uncalled for. "A lot of people are wondering."

I know people wonder, and I equally don't care. Onyx and I's relationship doesn't exist to be dissected by the masses.

"That's none of your business, first of all," I mutter. "Second, Onyx is my friend."

I can feel myself getting angrier at his line of questioning, but I have to remember I can't snap. I'm Lucia's assistant, and that requires a certain level of decorum when seen in public.

The shopkeeper emerges from the back, holding up the blue and black material that will be weaved into Onyx's birthday present.

"Here we go dear, I found them." She lays them on the counter.

"Excellent." I rush to pull out the cash I need plus a little extra, sliding it across the counter.

"Do you want them wrapped?" She asks sweetly.

"No thank you."

I don't have to glance to my left to know the man is still standing right there, staring at me. It takes all my willpower not to snatch up the material as the shopkeeper grabs some tissue paper out from under the counter and starts to wrap it up anyways.

"Did you know this is the Alpha's mistress?" The man asks the shopkeeper, gesturing to me.

Her brows rise as she looks over me. "Oh wow, so you finally received the title then?"

"No, I am not his mistress," I growl.

I wish I could slap sense into some people. They think it's impossible for a powerful Alpha to have a female friend that isn't sleeping with him. Obviously they think lowly of me, but they must think Onyx incapable of having a normal friendship.

"That's a shame dear. Mistresses get many benefits,” the shopkeeper says, slowly folding the tissue paper.

I clear my throat. I’ve never even considered being Onyx’s mistress. I doubt he will ever have one. He’s far too romantic and committed to his loved ones for that.

"Oh yes they do." The creepy guy winks and I grimace.

"Please take my money,” I insist, pushing it closer to her.

She sighs wistfully, placing the money in the register before continuing with her painfully slow wrap of the tissue paper.

"You're much more beautiful in person. I see why he is so enamoured by you.” She means it as a compliment, but I’m so irritated I just want it to stop.

By now Onyx will be asking around for me, wondering where I disappeared to.

"Please hurry. I have somewhere to be." I glance back at the door, then at the way she places tape to secure the wrapping.

The man inches closer. "With him?"

"I would love for him to visit my store," the shopkeeper gushes. "I would have the whole town in here tomorrow if they knew he brought even just one of my items."

I shift from foot to foot.

"He has no plans to come here. I'm sorry."

She sighs. "Oh well..."

At this point she’s finished wrapping the string up, but she holds it close, like she’s waiting for something. Perhaps she is hoping Onyx will stop by looking for me, but she doesn’t know how detrimental that will be to her business rather than beneficial.

"Can I please have my purchase,” I beg.

"No need to rush,” the man drawls, his cloudy eyes focusing strictly on my chest. "I like having you around to look at. You're stunning."

"Look, I've been here far longer than intended. He's....people are going to start wondering where I am." I rub the back of my neck. I feel like I’m being held hostage over a few pieces of string.

If Onyx’s birthday wasn’t so important to me, I would have left with nothing by now.

Finally the shop keeper hands me the package. "Here you are then. Enjoy."

"Thank you."

I take it, stuffing it under my coat. Whirling around I head for the book, but a strong hand grabs my wrist, pulling me me close.

"Can we talk some more,” the man asks, his breath gusting across my face. I takes everything in me not to gag.

"You need to leave me alone." I tug at my arm but his grip is like a vice.

"Really? You can't tell me the Pack's favourite whore only has room for one man in her pussy,” he hisses.

I yank back as hard as I can. My palm burns, itching to feel his face against it.

Where I to lay one hand on him, the news would spread like wildfire. The repercussions would be endless, and my reputation would be stained forever.

Onyx would praise me, but Lucia, but boss, would be beyond disappointed.

"Fuck you,” I growl, although my voice wavers.

The man’s grin is lopsided. "Apparently you won't. What a shock!"

I press out the door, tears burning in my eyes as much as the shame is in the pit of my stomach.

Stumbling out onto the street, I charge off in what could be the wrong direction, but my vision is too blurry to determine anything.

I hear my name being distantly called. Moments later, warm hands seize my shoulders.

"There you are, I was....you're crying." Onyx tilts my chin up with his fingers, examining my face.

I hate crying around him. He gets all in his head, like it’s his fault. It never is, but he drowns in unnecessary empathy. It’s fascinating, because he’s hurt people before, badly. Killed, even.

Yet when I’m hurt, in any capacity, it’s like the world is burning.

"Come, we need to get back." I wipe the tears off my cheeks, hating that I let that creep get to me.

"What happened?" He looks over my shoulder, concern bleeding into his features.

I held up the tissue paper. "I got what I wanted. Let's go."

He doesn’t move, as hard a rock as I tug on him. "Sienna..."

His jaw his hardened, and the concern has melted away, replaced by a dark storm of quiet anger. He senses my avoidance. He knows something happened.

"Seriously. Let's go." I gesture for him to follow me back down the street.

The wind ruffles his black hair as he considers his next move, ruminating in violent tension.

The door suddenly opens behind Onyx, the creepy man stepping out.

He catches on look at Onyx, a haunting presence in this quiet street. "Oh shit."

He vanishes back inside the store, slamming the door behind him.

Death follows his gaze as he looks between me and the door, something murderous flickering in his eyes.

"Onyx...don't."

It’s too late. He’s already at the door, stepping inside. I follow behind quickly, ready to clean up whatever mess is going to be left behind.

"Am I going to have to waste my breath, or are you going to tell me what you’ve done?” Onyx seats his hands in his pants calmly, looking at the man who now cowers back against one of the shelves.

"Nothing...I meant nothing by it.” His eyes dart to me then back at the Alpha. "I meant it as a compliment."

"You meant what as a compliment?"

"Ah..."

Onyx looks at me, raising a dark brow.

He’s unpredictable at best. This man may as well already be dead, but how my friend goes about killing him is yet to be determined.

"He meant nothing. Seriously, let's go.” I don’t want the blood of this man on my hands. I’ve been called worse than a whore.

Onyx looks around the room, observing the shopkeeper who stands behind the counter, gawking at us.

"No one is leaving until someone tells me what was said."

"He called her a whore,” the shopkeeper blurts out.

I close my eyes, sighing through my nose. Shit.

"I just meant that it's lucky she is...you know, because she gets to sleep with you." The man swallows audibly, the multiple candles behind his head shrouding him like this is a ritual and he’s the sacrificial offering.

Onyx tilts his head to the side, eyes narrowing slightly.

“On your knees,” he orders quietly, firmly.

“Sir-“

“On your knees. Now.”

The man’s entire body is shaking as he obliges his Alpha’s raw command.

“I’m sorry Sir. I didn’t mean what I said,” he excuses, looking at me for help.

I grab my friends arm, shaking him a little. "Onyx. Stop. It's just words."

"Do you have a family?" He asks.

"Onyx!" I growl.

"No..."

His lips tilt up slightly. "So no one will miss you?"

“Please don’t do this.” The man has shrunk down onto the floor, absolutely terror etched into his expression.

My chest aches just looking at him. I can’t bear to stand and watch whatever my friend has planned for him.

"Hurt him, Onyx, and I'll never forgive you,” I insist, pulling his attention back to me.

"I'm not hurting him.” He shakes his head. "I just want him to know that your name, Sienna, will never be spoken from his mouth again."

He casts his narrow gaze back to the panicked man, who nods eagerly.

"It won't. I swear."

"Then we are done here." Onyx turns, striding for the door.

I follow him out, the traumatised man calling out behind us.

"Thank you for your mercy..."

I don’t let my body relax until we are back outside, the cool air brushing against my flushed skin. Onyx rarely shows such restraint, especially when it comes to me.

"That felt too easy for you,” I note as we walk back toward the hospital.

He gives me a side long glance, smirking. "I thought I better cut down in the violence if I want to find a wife."

"So you're serious about it now?" Despite his excuse, I get the feeling there’s another reason he backed off.

"Undecided..." He sighs.

I don’t push the issue. Not today. Not when Onyx showed mercy when that frankly isn’t his style.

Not when I’m secretly terrified of losing him to an obligation I know he doesn’t want to fulfil.