“How would you know?”
“I’d feel it.”
“Poor orphaned pup. You’ve had no one to teach you our ways, or look after you properly.”
His words make me uncomfortable.
“I’ve done just fine on my own.” I grip the arms of the chair.
“Yes, then. It’s different now. There’s too much at stake to leave anything to chance.”
He eyes me with disdain, a deep frown on his face.
“You’ll have to be looked over.”
“I have a mate that’s a healer.”
“Yes. That’s what made you even more susceptible. Having someone in your clan with such extensive knowledge of herbs can be a blessing or a curse.” I gawk at him. Is he accusing Kirk of wrongdoing? How low is he willing to sink to keep up this charade?
“I’m not sure I follow you.” I feign ignorance, hoping to get a better idea of what we’re dealing with.
“I got rid of Kirk for a reason.” His face flushes and his hand balls into a fist.
“You chose him for me.”
“I took the advice of an older woman on her way out.”
“She’s the Volva.”
“For now.” The two words sound like a threat. “Things are changing and we must adapt.”
Is that fear or regret flickering in his eyes? Walking to the bar, he flips over a tumbler, uncorks a decanter of whiskey, and pours it half full. He reaches into the inner pocket of his suit and reveals a white glimmering substance.
“Just a few sips and the truth will be known.” He unscrews the lid and places a few droplets in the glass.
“Alpha, I don’t feel comfortable taking this without a mate present.”
“Silly girl. Do you think you have a choice? You will drink this.” The Alpha’s command has me on my feet in an instant.
I walk toward him like a zombie, fighting every step I make. Sweat breaks out on my hairline. My heart knocks wildly in my chest.
Vision blurring, I dig my fingers into my palms, drawing blood.
I shuffle to a stop a foot away.
His eyes widen. “Now.” Doubling the power of his command, he reels me like a fish on a hook.
He hands me the drink. I take it, bringing it to my lips.
“Bottoms up.” My lips part, and the brown liquid burns its way down my throat and settles in my belly.
“There’s a good pup. It’s past time you learned your place. I haven’t held this position by ignoring potential threats. People are looking to you as if you’re the messiah. I can’t have that. You act under my commands as an extension of my will.” He smiles. “And nothing more. You’re going to have a front-row seat for the destruction of the mates who forgot their place. Cadoc should’ve known better than to leave my enforcers. I’ll let you keep the two mates loyal to me, so everyone wins.”
How many times has he done this to others? A dark outline stands behind him. I blink, and it disappears. What the hell did he do to me? How can I tell the others I’m not okay?
“Time to return and let the others know about our adjustments.” I follow him out of the room, a passenger in my body under his spell.
Screaming in my head, I fight against the mental lethargy that keeps me complacent.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Alpha raises his hand and the conversations around us come to an end.
“We have a concerning issue to resolve. Our dear Ylva has been taken advantage of.”
“Ylva?” Cadoc steps forward. An enforcer steps between us.
“Magic has been used to gain her favor,” the Alpha announces.
“Princess,” Bo growls.
Shaking, I wrestle against the magic that’s silenced me. The mark on my arm itches. My skin stings.
Energy surges toward me through the link with my mates. My internal temperature spikes and I breathe faster. My sternum itches and heats. Electricity flows between my breasts.
“What’s happening?” Someone cries.
The light flickers and the spell wanes.
“No. That’s not true.” I regain control.
