4

CALIFF

I leisurely watched her eat, get those lips dirty, and lick them off clean. There was nothing attractive in it and talking when her mouth was full, but I couldn’t take my eyes off those lips and her eyes. She was exquisite.

Once she was done, I took her to the room next to mine. I wanted to make sure I had her under closed watch.

I opened the door to the room, but I remained outside. “Your temporary room. There are some clean clothes for you.”

“I can just stay down with other girls. This is a lot.” She looked around. It had a queen-sized bed, vanity mirror, closet, and bedside tables. There was also a bathroom, so she didn’t have to wait and fill in line in the morning.

“You will stay here. No more arguments. Get a shower and meet me in the office.”

“Yes, sir.”

My eyes narrowed.

“Technically, I’m still not a part of the pack or your pack.”

“Don’t make me change my mind.” I locked the door behind me before I could think of something else. “You’ve already done enough damage.”

She quickly opened the door and asked me, “What do you mean?”

“They probably know my men who saved you, and you just brought the enemy right into my territory.”

“Then you should have left me to them than risked your men saving me.”

I turned away before I could say something that would shock her. As far as I knew, she hadn’t figured it out.

Kindra met me downstairs as I headed to my office. “Do you want me to call Mom to get her check-up?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“So, she’s gonna be a part of the pack, right?”

“She needs to gain my trust, and at this time, she’s nowhere close.”

“I like her, though.”

I snorted. “You like everyone, Kindra.”

“She’s different. Did she mention if she has found her mate?”

I looked at her. “What made you say that?”

“She doesn’t wanna be in a pack. That’s obvious. Maybe she has trauma or may be rejected by her mate. I don’t know, but I will find out soon. Trust me. She will spill the tea.”

“I want you to gain her trust. Tell me everything she tells you. Everything. Understood?”

“So you want my mate to spy on your little rogue?” Duke joined us in the office.

“Do you have a problem with that?” I irritably gazed at him.

“Not at all. I just don’t trust rogues. We have had bad experiences with their kind. But a woman tends to open up to another woman. So Kindra might get something from her.” He showed me another picture of Kent still in bed but awake.

“I should go. I have a duty later. Do you need anything, Cal?” Kindra asked.

“I’m good. Thanks.”

Duke called her before she reached the door. “Don’t work hard. I love you.”

I wanted to roll my eyes as they kissed in front of me.

Duke sensed me. “You need to get laid.”

“He’s right,” Kindra agreed with her mate before she walked out the door.

I shook my head to get the words get laid out of my head. I dialed Raiden, who was watching Kent right now.

“Alpha, what can I do for you?”

“Put Kent on the phone.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Hello?” Kent’s voice was still weak, but the doctor said he would pull through. Our business meeting that day was to figure out why he was aiding a rogue while he was a human. Without Shadow knowing, she already put him in danger, and she wasn’t aware other packs were after her.

“I will ask you one more time. How did you find Shadow?”

“I already told you—”

“Not everything. If you want to live, be safe, and still see Shadow, you will tell me what you know.”

“I found her in an orphanage. She didn’t talk. She was shy or still suffering from her trauma. Later on, I sensed something different in her. That was when she told me. Of course, I didn’t believe it until her eyes glowed. She said her whole pack was killed and watched her father shred by a man.”

“A man?”

“She didn’t know him. She was only eight, so I didn’t ask her after that. She had enough pain and suffering for a kid.”

“Why I couldn’t find her birth record?”

“I forged her a new identity to keep her safe. However you find her, I hope you will keep her safe. Tell her I love her, Mr. Stone.”

“What’s her real name?”

“Please?”

“Her real name, Kent. Don’t make me ask you again?”

He drew a shaky breath. He must be in pain. “Promise me—”

“You’re not in a position to make a demand. She is not a member of my pack. So I won’t promise you anything. Her name, Kent.”

“I made a promise to protect her—”

“But you failed on that part. You’re human. You don’t have that strength and power to protect her, Kent. I can, but you have to give me something. If she joins my pack, then she’s under my protection. I protect my people. That’s guaranteed.”

“Raven.”

“Put my man on the phone.”

“Alpha.”

“Tell the nurse to give him pain meds. When he’s allowed to go, send him to California. I will call our allies there that he’s under our protection.”

“I will, Alpha.”

I hung up the call, and Duke’s eyes still focused on me.

“There’s more to that woman than meets the eye. I can feel that she’s hiding something big, and if I don’t get that information from her within a week, she’s giving me no choice but to punish her and lose her chance for Kent’s protection.”

“You don’t keep prisoners. You don’t take rogues in. What’s so special with this woman?”

“I’m about to find out. That’s why I let her stay in the room next to mine.”

“What?” His eyes widened in shock. “I’m not questioning your authority, but maybe your motives. I mean, she is really different. Her eyes are different. I wish I had that ability to see someone’s aura, but—” He paused, and I waited for him to continue, but he kept his mouth shut.

“But what, Duke?”

“How did she survive as a rogue for years? She could be a spy. Aside from her stinks, I sense something in her, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.”

“I know.” I opened the laptop to email the Allies with her picture and Kent’s. While I was typing, I heard a knock. I already knew who was behind the door. She had my senses heightened.

Duke went to open the door. “Alpha, the rogue is here.”

“Send her in.” I continued typing despite her disruption. “You can go, Duke.”

“See you later.” I sensed Duke glaring at Shadow on the door.

“It’s fine.”

Once Duke left the office, I sent my email and closed my laptop. The door shut behind her, and my body and wolf reacted to her presence, unsettling me more.

My fingers itched to touch her, to comb through her bronze brown wavy hair and tug it before I tasted those lips.

My primitive hunger had my inside churning as I met her gaze, and there was throbbing going on between my legs. I was surprised by how much she cleaned up. She was now the same woman I saw days ago. She wore jeans and a T-shirt I bought for her. Nothing was special about it, just simple, but not when on her.

Shadow stood with confidence despite my dominance being heavy in the air. One thing was clear to me. I began to enjoy her scent, but I was not going to tell her or anyone in my pack.

“Nice office.” It was. My father had good taste in decor and furniture. The dark wood paneling and wooden shelves from floor to ceiling filled with hardbound books made this office rich and classy. “You could add a little personal touch, though. It lacks photos. I suggest Alphas from all generations.”

“I talked to Kent. I have one of my enforcers looking after him. Kindra, my Beta’s mate, will be on duty tonight. Our pack doctor is also there to take care of him. Raiden will bring him to California once he can go home.”

“I wanna see him before he goes home.”

“That can be arranged. I also made arrangements with Kent.”

“What kind of arrangement? Shouldn’t I be involved in this decision about him?” She wasn’t impressed. It was evident in her tone.

“The arrangement is done, rogue. And you don’t question it.” I stated firmly. “I emailed my allies that your adopted father is under our alliances’ protection from today. So, now it’s your turn to pay what you owe me.”

She raised her brows skeptically. “And what’s that?”

“You’re joining my pack and doing as I order you to do?”

“And if I refuse?”

“Kent will die, and so will you.”

“What do I exactly do?”

“For now, you will be my assistant. You know the job descriptions, and you will behave and respect me as your Alpha. Do we have an understanding?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Next week, you will do a challenge. If you pass it, you will be a part of the pack, and I will assign you according to your ability.”

“And if I fail?”

“You will be omega for the rest of your life.”