Alpha’s Betrayal
Chapter 20

Remus Claw Mansion Woodward County, Oklahoma

Marnet's cook was human. It wasn't an inherent problem, and I assumed the man couldn't be totally incompetent if he had survived Marnet's employment this long. It also meant that he (as well as the rest of the kitchen staff) was not present on the night of the attack, as he'd hired a catering company alongside what looked to be half a bar. He had been rather surprised to show up to work the next day and find a different family residing in the Claw Mansion, but once I'd casually explained that Silverstreak Motors was expanding its portfolio to include Claw & Co. Construction, he didn't seem too bothered.

That I offered the man a 25 percent raise - and a 10 percent raise for each member of staff - probably didn't hurt. Sure, it would have been cheaper to find a new cook, but I'd been told Woodward County was tight-knit. Rumors spread fast. The last thing I needed was for humans to start poking their noses into werewolf country because some cook was sour because he'd lost his job.

It was a price well paid, when you considered that. Plus, the man was actually quite skilled.

I frowned as Luna rolled a potato scale around her plate. (Dinner was the most exquisite dorade fillet covered in potato scales, thinly sliced and perfectly crisp. Each one was almost the exact same size and shape - and never mind the sauce. The chef had seemed elated to cook something besides steak and mashed potatoes, and I was pleased to see what he could do. A werewolf couldn't live off red meat alone, no matter what the paperback novels tell you.)

"Not to your liking?" I asked. Luna hadn't done much more than nibble on the first course, either; I had been willing to believe she was saving her appetite for the main course, but here we were, and she still hadn't taken more than a few bites.

She glanced up suddenly, as if I had interrupted her from some deep reverie. The last rays of the summer sun's light caught her silver eyes in the most striking way, and my breath caught somewhere in my ch3st. She paused, watching me steadily. If I didn't know better, I'd have said her eyes were twinkling. "Sorry," she said, looking back down at her plate. There was a beat of silence before she lifted her chin again, silver eyes meeting mine. "Why are you being so nice to me, Remus?"

I could feel my wolf bristle, fur already beginning to stand on end at the perceived challenge. He wasn't used to being questioned. I exhaled and I tried to find a sense of calm. Or something resembling calm. Or an inkling of patience. Not that you have much to spare, I thought wryly, but there had to be something in there. I was fairly certain that patience was the only way I was going to get anywhere with Luna, and it would be stupid to waste that with a momentary snap. When I didn't answer, Luna cleared her throat softly. "You didn't have to let me stay here, much less have your cousin take care of me. You could have left me in the barn. You could have broken the chains and kicked me to the curb." She paused for a moment, and I knew we were both thinking the same thing. I could have killed her. And I could have. It would have been within my right, as the alpha who'd taken over the Lupus Claw territory. Luna continued. "And now...all of this." She gestured to the table. "I thought Tala was asking me to come down to some, I don't know - informal...meal...thing..."

She trailed off, but her gaze didn't waver. "So, what is it, Remus?"

What is it, indeed?I picked up my glass, taking a sip of the wine the cook had pulled from Marnet's cellar. Even I could see Luna was being treated differently; Lupus Claw wolves that held out some faith Marnet would rise from the ashes and return to power (however misguided they were) were rounded up whenever we found them. I had a few holding areas; they would stay there until they pledged themselves to me, or until Marnet Claw was killed. If the latter happened first, well...they would have one final moment to see the error in their ways, really.

Why are you keeping her close?

It was a damn good question, and I didn't like having an immediate answer for it. She hadn't led me to Marnet and had given me no indication she was planning on it. I could simply cast my alpha on her and command her to find him, if she knew where he was, but the idea left a bad taste in my mouth. It would be efficient, though, and inefficiency was something I strove to eliminate from my pack and my business both. I didn't waste my precious time or energy - not in my business, not in pack matters, and certainly not in my personal life.

At first, I had told myself it was Marnet. Once Luna woke up, she would be able to take me to whatever hole Marnet was hiding in. I had even entertained the notion he might have several different shelters (he had the potential to be paranoid, in my opinion, and even if he wasn't, Noah Claw certainly was) and that it might take a few days for Luna to lead me to all of them. But this?

I frowned to myself, aware I still hadn't answered Luna's question. I stood abruptly, the chair rocking as it caught on the stone floor. Turning, I strode towards the railing and the view I'd rapidly become fond of, drink still in hand. "Come here." I rested one arm against the edge as I stared out over the hills. The sun was just beginning to sink below the horizon, casting shades of pinks, reds, and violets into the sky above. If I hadn't been so preoccupied by the nagging query, I might have been able to appreciate it better. After a moment's hesitation, Luna joined me quietly, but not without keeping a few fragile inches between us. I eyed the space between our arms as if I had been personally betrayed. But why do you care? Why does it matter if she finds you suspicious? I buried my frown with another sip of my drink.

The she-wolf said nothing, both of her arms folded over the railing as she leaned forward, surveying the landscape. A gentle fragrance drifted up from her pale skin, comforting and familiar. Lavender? Yes, that was it. Like the garden. Earthy and natural - like she was already a part of this place.

The thought made me smile. I allowed myself a sideways glance, appreciating the way her arms pillowed her breasts, framed so nicely by the subtle navy dress she wore. Remus, get ahold of yourself. Now's not the time to get distracted by a nice set of tits. As pretty as Luna was, Oklahoma was not stable territory. Marnet was on the run, but he wasn't dead, and he hadn't submitted to me - until that situation was solved, I could not lose focus. I could not afford to lose focus, not when I'd already lost wolves to this cause. Losing focus could cost me so much more than that.

At my side, Luna sighed, the corner of her full lips tipping upwards. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" she murmured, tipping her head to gaze up at me with those magical silver eyes. They were like the sky promising the first snow; something that filled you with both anticipation and joy, hope and just a little dread. Powerful things, those eyes.

"Yes," I said, unable to tear my gaze away. You are. "It is."

Sh!t.

She simply smiled at me and glanced back out over the farm's reach. I downed the rest of my wine and set the glass on the ledge, ignoring how precarious that position might be. Fvck it, I thought. If I'm going to do it, I might as well stop pvssyfooting around and just do it.

I inched half a step closer and when Luna didn't so much as shift her weight, I trailed my fingers lightly up her side. The motion was so controlled, I barely felt the fabric of her dress beneath my fingertips, even as I traced the curve of her ribs, her side, found the bare skin of her shoulder. Her breath caught, and I bent my head to hide my pleased smile, dropping a chaste k!ss against her shoulder instead.

I want to taste her again, I realized suddenly, a tendril of heat unspooling in my stomach. My plan had disappeared to the back of my mind again as Luna's earthy scent filled my nostrils. Thoughts of the pool came flooding back, the way her calf brushed against mine, the way she arched her spine as my hand inched steadily lower. The smoothness of her skin; the taste of her lips. Yes.I need to taste her again. Perhaps if I just tasted her one more time, I could stop this before it became an obsession.

When Luna didn't move away, I tugged slightly on the shoulder strap nearest me, encouraging it to slip down her arm. I traced my fingers across her shoulder blades and then placed another tender k!ss against her skin, edging towards her neck. I kissed her throat, wishing I could take the bruises away. I followed the ugly trail up her jaw, k!ssing her there. Before I could lean any closer and taste those sweet l!ps again, she inhaled sharply and took a step away.

I made no effort to hold her in place, pulling my hands back as quickly as if I had been burned.

"I can't," Luna whispered breathlessly, pupils blown wide as she studied my face. Her ch3st rose and fell visibly with each cycle of breath. "Remus- Remus, I'm sorry. I can't. This can't happen again."

I tipped my head to one side, some silent acknowledgment (even if it wasn't agreement). She finally looked away, tugging at the wayward shoulder strap. "I... I need to go."

Luna said nothing else and neither did I. She hurried away. The sound of her heels faded, and I pulled away from the edge of the balcony, walking back over to the table to pick up her abandoned glass of wine. She'd barely touched it. I sighed and took a sip. That's it, Remus, I told myself. This has got to stop.

I swallowed another mouthful of wine and snorted. Who was I kidding, really? It's definitely going to happen again. I usually didn't go in for repeats, but those sparks between us? I'd never felt anything like that before, and I didn't think I could combat them. It was unfortunate that we'd met this way, almost as enemies. But you don't have to be my enemy, Luna. Not at all.

Looking back down at her empty seat, I leaned against the stone railing and sighed. I knew the answer to the she-wolf's question now. I've been so nice to you, Luna Highborn, because I think you are the prettiest thing about this whole damn state. I drifted back to my room once I had finished what was left of the wine. It certainly hadn't been enough to get me drunk, but there was a slight current of electricity that hadn't been there before - or maybe that was just the company I'd shared the meal with. The corner of my lips curled wryly as I thought of Luna in her deep navy cocktail dress, the way it clung to her h!ps and settled gracefully just above her knees. The way the neckline didn't reveal much, but absolutely accentuated the woman's ch3st. Had Tala picked that for her?

I paused in front of my room for a moment, but then I snorted and shook my head. Even if Tala knew I found the Lupus Claw she-wolf attractive, she certainly wouldn't have done anything as reckless as encouraging it. She'd probably just gathered up some dresses from the closet in what looked like Luna's size. At the very least, I knew my cousin had a good eye.

Pulling my phone from one pocket, I checked the time. Almost 10:00. Still early, by my standards. All the same, I reached behind me to lock the door before slipping out of my jacket, then tossed it onto one of the armchairs in one corner of the master suite. I left my phone on the sturdy oak table; no one would be stupid enough to interrupt me after dinner. If someone did, it would be Bane, and it would because something had gone terribly wrong one of the borders. Anyone else could wait until morning.

Well. Maybe not anyone, I thought with a wry smile. Does Luna have my number? A second thought soon followed. Did anyone even give Luna her stuff back? Tomorrow, I'd have to ask Tala if any if her personal belongings had been recovered from the barn. I doubted Luna would be fool enough to attempt to contact Marnet now, but if she did... If she did...

I struggled to follow along with the thought, even if it would get me closer to my goal. Tala's right. You work too damn hard, Remus. I moved from the desk towards the bed, slowly unbuttoning my cuffs, then the row of buttons down my ch3st. Briefly, I considered the bathroom, but I had showered after I had returned from meeting with the other alphas. Nah. Tossing my shirt onto the floor, I toed off my shoes before undoing my dark slacks, slowly removing articles of clothing until I was wearing nothing but my boxer briefs. Everything was left on a pile in the floor.

That was a problem for tomorrow - and for someone else.

I pulled back the comforter and slid into the dark linen sheets. Grabbing the slim remote, I flicked on the large television and surfed a few channels, but nothing caught my attention. I made it maybe ten minutes before flicking it back off, banishing the remote to live with my clothing on the hardwood floor. Trying to sleep seemed pointless, but I closed my eyes anyways.

Almost immediately, I was greeted with a vision from earlier in the day. Luna, slipping out of her clothing and stepping delicately into the pool. Her slender legs, her cute as*s - she played coy so perfectly, but she still stepped in carefully. She had been graceful despite everything. There was more in that woman than whatever anyone had said. There was something else beneath the surface. Maybe they just hadn't been looking closely enough.

My cock stirred, inclined to agree with my assessment.

I snorted. How long has it been since you've gotten laid, Remy? More than a few weeks, certainly. The plan had taken up a lot of my attention recently, but it was hardly anything I'd term dire. So, what's got you so tied up about a cute girl? I asked myself, trying to ignore the way my cock continued to thicken. Clearly, it was more than 'a cute girl.' It was Luna. I was tied up about Luna.

Hell, she had been absolutely gorgeous this morning, the water droplets clinging to her like she'd been borne of the earth itself. A verifiable Venus rising from the sea. You should purchase that painting, I thought idly, palming myself through the clingy black fabric. I had never been much one for art, but now that my mind had made the association between Luna and the Birth of Venus, I'm not sure I had much choice. I'd never be able to look at it the same way again.

Luna hadn't even been shy when I kissed her, had she? Fvck, the way she'd arched against me when I'd grabbed her h!p. That moment echoed deep in my gut, threatening to drive me wild.

I dragged my teeth over my lower l!p, a gran rumbling low in my ch3st as I pushed the elastic of my boxer briefs further down, freeing my throbbing cock from its cotton prison. Spitting in my palm, I wrapped my sure fingers around my shaft, h!ps tensing as I resisted the urge to rut up. I had been hard as a rock then, despite the water's chill. Had she known she made me so fvcking stiff? In that moment, I had wanted nothing more than to pull her against my body and slide my p***s into her, to burrow in the warmth of her tight pvssy and make her forget there'd ever been anyone before me.

My wolf rumbled a throaty agreement. Yeah, if she were ours, she'd forget about anyone else. She wouldn't even have a frame of reference for the way I could make her feel. I groaned as I remembered the feel of her skin beneath my lips and wondered if she'd have let me worry a dark bruise into the meat of her shoulder. Possession. Another feral growl rumbled up from my ch3st, then I hissed through my clenched teeth, my h!ps j3rking again.

I squeezed the head of my cock, twisting my wrist slightly as precvm began to leak from the slit. I smeared the moisture back against my skin, leaning further into the pillows. I imagined Luna's delicate hands instead of my own, her slender fingers tracing the length of my dick as she learned each inch. I could imagine her sinking down between my thighs as she palmed my sac before wrapping those pretty pink l!ps around my p***s, slowly swirling her tongue around the sensitive head. Even when I opened my eyes, I could still see that striking silver gaze.

My movements became quicker and I shifted my h!ps again, becoming more restless. Maybe she'd have ridden me, if I had pulled her back to shore instead of letting her swim away, that silky dark hair falling over her shoulders as she ground her cl!t against me. A quiet groan fell from my lips and I shuddered. I wonder what she sounds like when she moans. When she moans my name. The delicious thought made the heat in my gut roar higher. Damn, what I wouldn't give to hear that. What I wouldn't do. Anything this woman wanted from me, I would give her. I could make her feel like a fvcking queen.

Fu=vck.

I throbbed for her. I was so fvcking hard, and all for her. O0gasm hit me like a left hook, leaving me breathless and bent over as I stripped my cock. My spend splashed against my palm as my stomach clenched and my thighs tensed; white-hot pleasure zipped up my spine and left my mind blissfully blank.

Panting slightly, I flopped back against the pillows. I wiped my hand off with the sheet, wrinkling my nose before rolling to the other side. Washing the bedsheets would just have to be another thing added to the list of things to do. I stared at the wall, brow furrowing a bit. When was the last time an Orgasm felt this good? Sure, it had been a while since I'd hooked up with someone, but getting myself off had never been...that intense. Not really. Why her? Why now?

The vision of Luna returned to me, the way she glanced over her shoulder at me in the pool. The way those silver eyes studied me, like she could see right through my facades and my questions. I thought of Luna stepping into the pool of water and sucked in a sharp breath. I was ensnared.