Chapter Three - Alina's P.o.V

I stare at Sable, blinking once, twice, trying to figure out if I actually heard her right.

Her lips curve into a mockery of sweetness as she tilts her head, voice dripping with fake concern.

“Did you really think you could steal food without anyone noticing and figuring it out?”

I force my expression flat and try to keep my voice sounding bored.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I bend down, pick up my bucket, and start toward the door. I was so screwed if she had really found out.

Her boot slams into my back so hard that it knocks the air from my lungs and I hit the floor, the bucket toppling and water exploding over the polished wood in a cold wave that soaks my knees.

She stands over me, looking down with disdain like a queen that had just stepped in shit..

“You’re pathetic.” she sneers, her eyes gleaming with triumph. “You should know that Marcus has already sent men to the basement. That intruder of yours won’t be hidden for much longer.”

The words hit me like a sucker punch and I felt the colour drain from my face. Rowe.

I scramble to get up as I can feel the panic start to take over, but her foot hooks my ankle, sending me sprawling again.

“Why?” My voice shakes with fury. “Why are you doing this? After everything I’ve ever done for you?”

I don’t need to go into the details with her…about the times that I had shared food when she had none, the blankets that I gave her in the dead of winter, or the secrets of hers that I kept quiet and close to my heart when she thought she was next on Marcus’s list.

I know that she remembers it all, she just doesn’t care.

She crouches as she’s peers closely at me, her eyes glittering with satisfaction, and pinches my cheek hard enough for her nails to break skin.

“Because I could never be like you.” she smiles.,“I have a wolf. I’m beautiful. I’m everything you’re not.”

I scoff.

“We’re both outsiders, Sable.You’ll never be like them.”

“Not for long.” Her voice is sharp with pride. “Marcus has accepted me. I’ll be Luna soon. And until then, I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that you, the pathetic wolfless little slave, disappears.”

I push at her hand, my breath coming fast as my anger rises.

“Whatever you do with him is none of my business. I’m not standing in your way.”

She snorts.

“You already have gotten in my way whether you know it or not,” she snarled, “Marcus hasn’t completely rejected you. And that’s a problem.”

The realization slams into me.

“You told him,” I whisper.

Her smug hum confirms it.

“For the safety of the pack, of course.” she simpers, “You were careless, Alina. Talking so loudly in the basement… anyone could have overheard. I was just lucky that it was me.”

Rage spikes hot in my chest and I shove her hard, sending her sprawling onto the floor. My hand closes around her throat before she can scramble back up.

“You know exactly what it’s like for outsiders in this pack, and you still do this?!” I hiss, my voice is sharp, jagged, as all my fury comes spilling out at once.

The door to the office slams open and both of us turn our heads at the same time to see Marcus standing in the doorway with his Beta at his side, one eyebrow raised.

My gaze darts past him, searching for any sign of Rowe. Nothing.

Sable clutches her neck and shoves me off her, taking advantage of my distraction, and rushes to Marcus like a child running to her father.

“She hit me,” she sobs, tears streaming down her cheeks. “She insulted you, Alpha. She only cares about protecting the rogue.”

I glare at her, feeling the furious heat burning in my face.

Marcus’s gaze cuts to me.

“Is that true?”

I don’t answer his question as my mind races with panic. Where was Rowe? Why wasn’t he with him?.

“Where did you take him?” I snap, my eyes glaring as I demand the answer.

His head tilts and his eyes narrowing slightly. He was not used to me deflecting and he didn’t seem to like it one bit.

“Mind your tongue, Alina, and remember your fucking place.”

My teeth grind together as he steps closer, his voice dropping low.

“Is that why you hid him? Because you’re frustrated watching me with other she-wolves?”

I turn my head, but his hand shoots out and grabs my jaw, forcing my face toward his.

“I’m not incapable of satisfying you,” he murmurs, lips curving. “I am your Alpha.”

Sable shifts uneasily, opening her mouth, but Marcus silences her with a sharp glare.

Then his hand slides lower and my whole body goes rigid.

“You’re a damn arrogant pervert,” I snap, jerking back.

I didn’t have time for this. I needed to find where he had taken Rowe! If Marcus hadn’t brought him with him to inflict some sort of humiliation on me, then it didn’t bode well. He can’t have sent him for the hunt…surely… 

With that thought, something explodes inside of me and I launch into a furious tirade directed straight towards Marcus. Sable looks like she’s just won the jackpot as I seemingly dig my own grave but the more venom I throw at him, the more amused he looks.

“You’ve forgotten all the rules,” he says softly, almost to himself, before tearing at my clothes.

“The more you hate me,” he murmurs, “the more I’ll make you suffer and take what I want.”

He talks to me like he’s offering me some kind of gift.

“I took you in when no one else would. Even now, when you curse me, I’m willing to give you what you want most. You should thank me.”

I spit on the floor between us as I claw wildly at him. All I want is Rowe…not this poor excuse of a mate.

“You didn’t take me in. Your father, Alpha Garin, did. You’re nothing like him. You don’t deserve to lead this pack.” I half scream, half sob as memories that I don’t want to see flood in anyway.

When Garin was Alpha, the hostility toward me wasn’t anywhere near as bad.  A mated couple, kind souls, had shielded me when they could. They died protecting me after Marcus started his crusade against outsiders. They told me to hold on, to wait for the day things would get better, but I’m still waiting.

Rowe said the same thing. Wait. Have faith. And where has that got him? Captured? Beaten? Chained? Murdered? 

I’m sick of waiting. All I’ve gotten is more chains. More pain. More Marcus.

I’ve endured since I was a child, the beatings, the failed escapes, the mate bond twisting my insides every time he’s with another, and now, somewhere, he has Rowe in his murderous hands.

Was he alone? Was he hurt?

The last thread of restraint that I held snapped at the thought of this and I shoved Marcus back with every bit of strength that I had.

“I will never submit to you!” I roar furiously, “I reject you as my mate!”

He stumbles back and actually falls, shock flashing in his eyes before the unfamiliar feeling of rejection followed by the searing pain hits him. He grits his teeth, a low growl rumbling from his chest as he clutches at his shirt.

The Beta and Sable rush to his side.

“You,” His voice is almost strangled with rage. “A rogue without a wolf dares to reject me?”

He straightens, breathing hard, eyes burning with fury as I turn toward the door. I was done with this. I had to find Rowe before it was too late.

“Are you going to abandon him?” he calls after me and I can hear the deadly smirk in his voice.

I scream in helpless frustration as a warrior bursts through the doorway and grabs my arms, holding me in place and Marcus’s cold laughter rings in my ears..

“You’re so fucking pitiful chasing after a fucking heathen that can offer you nothing.” He sneers as he slaps me hard across the face and my head snaps to the side.

“Your little rogue has already gone. He left you behind without a second thought.” He almost purrs happily as he turns my head to face him.

My heart sinks as he talks, but I keep my face still and unreadable. I would give him nothing to use against me. I know he wanted an apology, for me to beg for forgiveness, but I would never lower myself to that level.

His expression darkens, and his voice turns deadly calm.

“I tire of this game with you, Alina. You’ll be executed at the Moon Goddess Festival.” He pauses as he runs his eyes over my body in disgust, “Tomorrow night.”