Chapter 9: Offending Alpha Thor

DEXTERA

Good goddess.

Being around the Alpha is hell.

Every second spent in his mansion was like walking a tightrope over fire. While getting him dressed, my fingers shook terribly, terrified of brushing too much skin, too little fabric, or offending him in any unforgivable way.

Not knowing him well made things more difficult for me. I really don't know if I could keep up with the strict rules or not, or if I could remember them all.

However, nothing terrified me more than his disturbingly close, fresh breath, fanning the back of my ear as I adjusted his collar.

I tried to steel myself, tried to focus on the task. But when he suddenly gripped my wrist, my heart dropped and my knees nearly buckled.

His fingers were firm, but it wasn’t the pressure that got to me, it was the look in his eyes. He gave this cold, probing and dangerous stare

“You reek of blood,” he commented flatly, eyes squinted as he observed my every feature.

I jerked back immediately, lowering my head in shame. I didn't understand what he meant, but his tone of speech was enough to get me scared.

“Did you recently kill someone?” he asked, his voice dark and amused.

“No… no, Alpha Thor,” I said, barely able to breathe. “I didn’t do anything of such, sir.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him exchange a loaded glance with Deucalion. They were communicating through the mind-link.

“Miscarriage, huh?” he muttered, scoffing as he adjusted the sleeve of his regal black suit. “Why not just be honest and say you had an abortion? Poor innocent soul.”

What?! That was it for me.

The insult sliced deeper into my skin than any blade and I didn't hold back. Deucalion must have told him what he heard from Roxanne.

I lifted my head quickly not caring about the tears threatening to spill from my eyes.

“With all due respect, Alpha,” I began, my voice trembling with rage, “you don’t know me. So don’t you dare say things you have no right to.”

Deucalion shifted, alarmed by my outburst. “Dextera...” he warned, stepping forward.

But I cut him off with a hand. “No. I can keep quiet for every other thing, but not this.” I said, my gaze now locked onto Thor’s. “I lost my child. Not because I wanted to. Not because I planned to. But because someone I trusted decided for me. So if you're going to reduce that pain to an abortion, then go ahead. Be the ruthless Alpha everyone says you are.”

Thor raised an eyebrow, amused, but the room grew colder.

“You forget your place,” he said calmly, though there was a steel edge to his voice now.

“I know exactly where I stand, Alpha Thor,” I replied, chin high. “I'm your so-called ‘property,’ remember? Which means you can kill me right now if you want. I’ve got nothing left to lose. So do it, if that’ll make you feel powerful.”

I shook my head, a hand on my waist, the other on my forehead. “How the hell did I even get here?”

The silence that followed was deafening. Even Deucalion was speechless.

But Thor… Thor only stared.

And then, he smiled. Not kindly. Not cruelly. Just curiously, as if something about me had caught his attention for the very first time.

Or so I thought.

With the way he stared at me for the next few seconds, I knew I’d crossed a line I couldn’t uncross.

Thor’s expression didn’t change much. “I can see you weren't well cultured at Bisclaveret. Not to mind, but I'll do the shape-up.”

He turned slightly to Deucalion. “Take her out.”

That was all he said.

Deucalion hesitated, jaw tight. “Alpha, perhaps—”

“I said, take her out.” Thor’s voice now held that unmistakable edge of command that no one could challenge; not even his Beta.

And Deucalion didn’t try to again.

He stepped forward, seizing my arm with a grip as strong as Iron. I didn’t fight as there was no point in doing so. Not with the weight of judgment already upon me.

The guards walked in.

They were two large men who didn’t speak a word and just acted. One yanked me away from Deucalion’s hold, the other grabbed my other arm, and in seconds I was being dragged...no, thrown out of the Alpha’s mansion like some rabid thing.

I hit the ground hard, my knees scraping stone.

I coughed, breath knocked out of me, and before I could even sit up, one of them kicked me square in the stomach.

Pain seared through me right there at the spot that had once housed a life. My lower belly.

A scream tore from my throat as I clutched my belly, curling into myself. And I suddenly felt warm and wet. Blood?

“Stop!” someone yelled faintly in the background. Roxanne?

But everything was fading now. My vision blurred. My breath was shallow and the sound of retreating boots echoed around me, fading like distant thunder.

I was bleeding again.

*

*

I can't tell how long it took for me to respond to treatment… maybe minutes, maybe hours. But when I finally opened my eyes, the soft scent of burning herbs and the luxurious texture beneath me hinted that I was not back in the servant’s wing yet.

I bolted upright, startled by the velvety feel of the sheets, the golden drapes, the polished furniture and thick rug spread on the well polished floor. This room… it was almost identical to Alpha Thor’s.

“Roxanne!” I gasped in panic.

She was already at my side, dabbing my forehead gently with a warm cloth.

“Why… why am I here?” I asked breathlessly. “Will the Alpha even allow someone like me to stay here?”

Roxanne gave a small smile, her eyes calm but cautious. “The Alpha ordered that you be treated here. He’s gone out to handle his affairs.”

I sank back slightly, a bit of relief washing over me. At least he wasn’t here. “What… what happened to me?” I whispered.

“You didn't come for your follow-up treatment,” she replied, sounding a little stern now. “Your body stopped healing naturally after a while. There’s still residual Frux root in your system, and your internal wounds opened again when you were attacked.”

I swallowed hard, feeling guilty. “I wanted to come, Roxanne, but I couldn’t. The rules in the maid’s wing are a bit too cruel. I wasn’t allowed to move freely.”

“I understand,” she said softly, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. “I’ll talk to the Alpha. Try to plead your case. Perhaps he’ll...”

The door opened suddenly, cutting her off.

Deucalion walked in, standing tall with a stern expression that softened only slightly when he looked at Roxanne.

“She doesn’t need to plead,” he said, probably having listened in to our conversation all along. “The Alpha’s already granted her a week’s reprieve. She’s to rest and heal. Nothing more.”

Roxanne blinked in mild surprise before bowing slightly. “Thank you, Deucalion. That means a lot.”

I tensed, observing her gesture and the Beta's. She turned to me, lowering her voice. “Relax, Dextera. You’re safe. You can be at ease here… especially around Deucalion. He’s someone you can trust.”

At that, something in me snapped.

“Trust?” I half-yelled. “Trust isn’t my thing anymore, Roxanne. Not after everything. And certainly not here in Astrald. Not with anyone here.”

Deucalion’s brows furrowed, but he said nothing. Roxanne sighed, placing a hand on my arm.

“I know you’ve been through some terrible stuff, but sometimes, Dextera, the people we least expect might be the ones sent to help us heal.”

I turned my face away, curling my fingers into the soft sheets. Maybe she was right. Maybe not. Either way, I wasn’t about to make the mistake of trusting anyone again.