Chapter 25 Lucien

Rosa dipped her chin and eyes at the same time as she rose from her chair.

“Sit,” I commanded, tossing out a little bit of energy.

Rosa sat.

I looked Vanessa straight in the eye. She met my glare head on.

Without saying a word, I arched an eyebrow and jutted my chin toward an empty chair.

Vanessa sat.

It wasn’t without a huff and puff and a roll of her eyeballs though. It was one thing to play and get a spanking later, but this was overt and putting on a show in front of my Beta, the Council, and her fucking besties.

Tonight, it wouldn’t be a funnishment, that’s for damned sure.

Everyone else around the table looked really uncomfortable, real fast.

“Everyone else,” I said in a deep, don’t fuck with me tone. My eyes never leaving Vanessa’s. “Out. Now. Kane take the simpering females with you.”

Vanessa made like she was going to protest my command, but closed her mouth.

“Yes, Alpha.” Kane replied, hustling everyone out.

The women whined and protested. I think I even heard a heel stomp on the floor.

Soon the room was quiet.

I let the quiet sit, still watching my mate. Who, suddenly, didn’t appear to be as desirable as she was when she first walked in.

“Explain that rude outburst.”

“What is there to explain?” she shot back. “I asked what she was doing in here, eating with you, your Second, and the Council. She has no business in here any longer.”

My eyes shot to Rosa, who thought she’d escape. “My apologies for my rude mate, Rosa. You will always be welcome at my table.”

My eyes shot back to Vanessa. “Always.”

“I am the Luna,” she protested, puffing out her massive chest.

“And?”

“And what?” she replied.

“What do you think that means exactly?”

“I sit in that seat.”

“You weren’t here.”

“Then it shall remain empty in my absence.”

Her eyes bore into mine with indignance, but I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“You think I’m going to keep a chair empty at my table,” I chuckled, watching her rage grow.

Fuck it. I was the Alpha here. Not her. I used my fingers miming air quotes, “For you?”

“Yes. Damn it. I’m the Luna, that’s my seat at my table.”

My fist pounded the table, causing the two women to jump. “It’s MY fucking table, and I fucking decide who will sit where.”

Vanessa finally diverted her eyes. Maybe she figured she finally went too far challenging me.

“At this rate your ass is going to be too sore to sit anywhere.” I flung out, not caring who heard me. “Remember that as the clock ticks closer to bed time.”

“B-b-but,” she stammered.

Rosa finally rose from her seat, her chin to her chest and her eyes staring at the floor, “I meant no disrespect, Luna.”

Before Vanessa could stick her foot any deeper in her mouth, I interjected. “Rosa, there was no disrespect. You sat exactly where you belonged. You earned that spot a long time ago. Other than some people, who obviously need to be taught respect is earned not expected.”

I could feel the daggers from her eyes, but I didn’t care. Rosa was the closest thing I had to a mother, and no one, not even my mate was doing to disrespect her. Ever.

“May I go, Alpha.”

“Yes, Rosa. Thank you for lunch. It was spectacular, as always.” I smiled. “Give us a few more minutes, then you can send the girls in to clean up.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

Once she disappeared through the side door, I changed the angle of my chair. “Come here.”

No answer.

No movement.

“Now.”

Her chair scraped back, and with another roll of her eyeballs, she strode over to stand in front of me.

I pulled her closer so she had to straddle my legs to be as close as I wanted her.

Her stomach pressed against my chin as I breathed her in.

Her scent was intoxicating, flowery and sweet, almost making me forget her transgression.

Almost.

My hands snaked up the backs of her legs until I had her ass cheeks gripped in each hand. I saw her try not to wince, but it was there. Just a flicker of one before her mask of indifference came back.

In addition to her natural aroma, I smelled frostberries. “Are you drunk?”

She stomped one foot and played with the bangles on her wrist. “No. Of course not.”

“Why do I smell frostberries?”

“We had just a glass or two in the limo,” she pouted. “Promise.”

I leaned in and inhaled deeply. “Hmmm. I’m sure.”

“No, really,” she said, trying to hide her smile. “That’s all the limo driver had.”

Then she burst into a fit of giggles.

“Yeah, speaking about the limo. Why did Daddy give us a limo?” My hands went from her butt to the buttons on her blouse.

“He thought it might make a better impression when we go to Coralridge for their Bonding Feast.”

I nuzzled her bare stomach, “And why would we be going to that? Alphas only attend if they have daughters to pair with the Alpha or his heirs.”

“But we’re newly bonded and mated,” she cooed, her fingers now brushing through my hair. “Daddy thought…”

I stood, picking her up. She squealed and wrapped those slender legs around my waist.

“I don’t think we want to be thinking about Daddy right now,” I growled.

“No?” she feigned innocently. “What should we be thinking about.”

My teeth bit down on the swell of her breast. “How red your ass is going to be in a few minutes.”

“Mmm,” she purred. “And?”

“And how many times you’re gonna explode.”

She crossed her ankles behind my back and twisted her arms around my neck, smashing her body against mine.

She nibbled my ear as I walked up the grand staircase toward our wing of the house.

I pushed the bedroom door open, and kicked it shut behind us.

Our lips mashed together, frenzied, and hot.

I let her go, and she slid down to the floor, stepping away from me to light the incense that Selwyn told us to burn during our lovemaking to keep strengthening the bond.

Then she turned to me and finished unbuttoning her blouse, letting it fall from her shoulders, a sly grin on her face.

I know she needed discipline, needed to know her place. I was Alpha, not her.

That would be a conversation for later.

Right now, I had other things that needed doing.