Chapter 17
"What exactly happened at the dungeons last night?"
"We don't know, sire. When we resumed this morning, all we found were the guards sleeping, and one of the cells opened. Inside was the dead body of the prisoner we arrested yesterday, who claimed to be the messenger."
"I see, and what was the cause of his death? How are you sure he wasn't just sleeping like the guards?"
"He wasn't, sire. He was stabbed deeply in the heart. We could tell even without spotting the wound, for his body was white and pale. All forms of life had been drained from him."
"Oh! Who could do such a horrible thing? Yes, he was evil, but no one deserves to die like that!" Samara, who stood beside Walden, wailed openly upon hearing the news.
She appeared to be as shocked as Walden was.
"I don't know," Walden answered. "But whoever it was that did this didn't want me to find out something that messenger probably knew, and I KNOW that the killer isn't far from here."
"Of course! No one would have been able to sneak into the pack-house in the middle of the night, especially outside the border. Oh, Walden! I fear this could only mean one thing."
"Yes," Walden affirmed. It was as if he was reading Samara's thoughts. "It means we have a traitor in our midst."
"This is the last thing I wanted to happen, especially with the signs of war we've seen all around! We have to do something quick to expose this traitor!"
"I'm working on it." Walden began to order the guards, "Bury the body and double our defenses around the pack-house, at the dungeons, the gates, and at the borders. Most importantly, be alert for any suspicious movements, especially those who regularly leave the city. We must not rest until we find this traitor."
The guards bowed and replied, "Yes, Alpha. We will work hard to expose this person."
Alpha Walden then dismissed them and turned to Samara, "When I find this person, I'll make them regret the day I ever became their Alpha."
***
Alpha Damian stared into the full-length mirror in front of him. He was shirtless, observing his features, and the one that stood out the most was the huge battle scars that ran down his chest. It was a part of himself he had always hated for people to see. It was a part of himself he was always disgusted with.
The door of his room suddenly swung open, and Katrina barged in, without manners. She came to the Alpha at the wrong time because he was not in the mood to welcome anyone into his chambers right now.
"What are you doing here?" He scowled at her, quickly grabbing a rumpled shirt nearby to cover his scars.
Katrina looked away, already knowing how much Alpha Damian hated for people to see those parts of his skin. "Oh. Uhm, I'm sorry," she muttered.
"Get out!"
"Alpha Damian―"
"Get out, Katrina! I won't repeat myself!" He turned away from her and began to put on his shirt.
She was about to turn to leave, but something stopped her. 'What if? What if I tried for once to push through those barriers Alpha Damian always placed around himself? What if? Damn the consequences!' She thought to herself.
She then turned around and approached him, trying to engage him in a calm, soothing voice, "Alpha Damian, I'm sorry for barging in, but I only came because you forgot about our dinner plans tonight."
"Katrina―"
"Alpha Damian, please! I'm begging you! Please, don't push me away just this once!" She stopped short upon seeing that he had turned again to glare at her.
He did not know where this sudden boldness from Katrina came from all of a sudden, but then he saw the desperation in her eyes. He realized she was right that he had been treating her badly. He calmed himself, and just once, he decided to tolerate her.
"I'm sorry, Katrina. I've just been carried away by what's happening these past few days."
"It's about the one who claims to be the princess, isn't it? I knew she was a liar the minute I saw her. You don't really believe that piece of crap, do you? I mean, even I can see right through her. She's nothing but a fraud! It's been three days already, but her supposed "lover" hasn't even come. I think it's best if you do what needs to be done."
"Katrina." Only one word and the tone he gave her sent the clear message that he would find a way to mute her by force if she did not stop talking.
Maybe mentioning the princess annoyed him. Well, she would not give up on trying to break through those walls, so she decided to change the topic as she moved closer to him.
"I'm sorry. I just felt bad that you bailed on me. You've been postponing all our dinner plans, and we couldn't have it the other day because you were so busy in court." 'When that girl was brought in!' She thought, but she closed her mouth. Thank goodness she held her tongue at the last minute!
It was silent. Katrina knew it was not because Alpha Damian was ignoring her but because he pondered carefully about what she said. Katrina did not have to worry because she knew she was right. Finally, he spoke the exact same words she had been waiting for.
"Let me make it up to you then. What do you want?"
She grinned. The ball was now in her court, and all that was left to do now was play. She went behind him as she ran her hands up and down his back, massaging him lightly. At first, he flinched but then adjusted to her touch before she whispered solemnly into his ears.
"Of course, the only thing I want, Alpha Damian, is to be closer to you― much closer than you've ever been with anyone before. I want you to fuck me right now."
He had granted her a request, so she had asked for what she wanted. Even though he was not in the mood, he was not one to break promises.
"Take off your clothes, Katrina, and be quick about it."