The Bane And The Alpha Beast
Elira
The horse was brought forward moments after the deal was struck—a towering black stallion, its muscles slick with sweat and moonlight. It tossed its head, snorting like it could smell what I was, like even the beast was smart enough to be afraid.
The Alpha approached me. “Can you ride?”
“Yes,” I said.
He waited. I didn’t move. So he stepped forward, large hands settling on my waist—calloused, hot even through the chill of the air and the layers of my tunic. I didn’t resist, but I didn’t help him, either.