19

Word Count: 1601

~Dove

I step into his personal suite, shivering at the sensation gliding over my skin.

It's bizarre seeing sunlight drenching this room I've seen only once, and in the dark. Everything looks as lavish as I remember, and his scent clings to the air, weakening my legs.

"It looks so different during the day," I note more to myself than to Varian, who steps into the room behind me, closing the door on his way in.

"Why don't you tell your father that?" He taunts, watching me take a few steps away from him.

I shuffle behind his chaise lounge, hoping to keep from both his grasp and his bedroom.

"I hate you. You're a monster-"

"Look, I never thought it would come to this." He sighs tiredly. "What kind of father allows his daughter to be used by his enemy like that?"

My hands clutch the stiff back of the couch. If he so much as thinks about making true on his threats, he has another thing coming. I won't go down without a fight.

And after my fathers betrayal, I'm ready to unleash myself.

"A desperate man would," I bite back.

I'm still reeling from my fathers betrayal. My first instinct if to protect his choice, to understand it...he raised me, and he did a good job.

So why would he sacrifice me now? And for what, more of Matthias' favour? The man who abandoned us three days before a planned invasion by Varian?

"There's no excuse, and he knows it. Either way Matthias ends his relationship with your father once and for all." Varian edges closer, but doesn't make to move around the couch.

I cross my arms. "He won't. I know he won't."

Matthias isn't who Varian thinks he is. However, if Varian does have his way with me, I'll face his wrath on a personal level. My father will likely lose his job, but maybe that would be for the best...especially after what my father felt like he had to do.

"How is that, Dove?" Varian asks.

"He isn't what you think he is," I explain tightly. "If it only came down to his war advisor's daughter being claimed by his enemy, he wouldn't care. He's not as pure as you think."

I'm not sure I believe that, but I'll say anything to get Varian to reconsider.

"Are you implying there is another reason why he may care?" He frowns, drawing even closer.

"He...it doesn't matter." I shake my head, trying not to tumble face first into his trap. "Are you going to fuck me now?"

My diversion works as his eyes darken, his focus shifting. Suddenly the couch being all that is between us isn't enough, his gaze alone eating me alive.

Immediately my mind returns to our nights together, to the world shattering pleasure I experienced at his hand.

"Would you like to be fucked?" His voice is a lethal caress over my skin.

"I'll do it for me and my father's release from your pack," I say decidedly, trying not to avert my eyes to his bedroom door that is ajar.

I can't decide the true motivation behind the terms of my negotiation, and I'm scared if I flesh it out, I'll reveal something about myself I don't want to know.

The thought of offering myself up to this powerful Alpha in order to free my father shouldn't be such an exhilarating proposition. There should be only one reason why I want him to agree, not two...

He angles his head, the edge of his mouth curving. "Is that right?"

"If you could guarantee our release, I would have sex with you." I look away, hoping he can't read my expression, can't see the glimmer of excitement nestled amongst my fear.

It's not as if it's entirely unfamiliar territory...

"When we fuck, Dove, it won't be for some bargain," he says, his lids heavy as his gaze heats. "It will be because you want me."

His words warm in depths of my stomach. He speaks as if he's certain of the future, as if he's convinced our paths are going to cross again.

Little does he know, once I'm freed from his grasp, I'm never returning to it.

"Then I suppose it will never happen, unless you're going to follow through with your threats." I fold my arms, raising a brow.

He takes another step closer, making me grateful for the couch separating us. "I have no intention to. Not unless you believe I should."

"It's a mark of weakness to make false threats. My father won't say a word if you don't."

I'm not sure why I'm goading him, but I'm too curious about his intentions to not. He wants to sully my fathers name as punishment by having his way with his daughter. Matthias will never trust my father again.

So why not make true of his threats now?

"Your father proved to me he is a useless source of information. You can't break that kind of loyalty, as misguided as it is," he admits.

For the first time since he captured us, I feel the slightest glimmer of hope. "So...you're going to let him go?"

He starts to make his way around the couch, sliding his hands into his pockets. "Perhaps. Or I'll kill him."

"You wouldn't," I challenge, matching his steps backward so he gets no closer to me.

"I won't, if you admit you're a spy." His eyes are dark and his smile is haunting. He still believes what happened between us was a ruse to garner information.

As if it got me anything more than an orgasm and troubled memories.

"Varian, I am not a spy. I am a maid, that is all," I remind him again. At least that element of my life isn't a lie.

"Then why could I scent Matthias all over you the moment you walked into my billiard room?" He demands.

There's only a step or two between us, but his words have frozen me to the spot.

"You...you what?"

"At first I didn't understand what it was. I hadn't been around Matthias in so long, so when you came into my billiard room I didn't understand what I was scenting." He folds his arms. "Then downstairs, it dawned on me, confirming my assumption that you're a spy."

Fuck.

It didn't dawn on me that Alpha's are superior in many ways to others, and that Varian's senses are heightened. In some ways, it's a good thing he's only realising now, and not the night of the party...I doubt I would have come out alive.

"It confirms nothing. I'm his maid, I clean his clothing, move through his personal spaces. That's why his scent is on me," I insist, although I can feel my cheeks warming under his scrutiny.

It's like he sees me for what I am, even when it seems impossible.

"No, this is far stronger. You've spent time in his presence." He steps closer again, looking down at me. "He's probably even touched you."

"I'm not his spy!" I snap.

My frustration is building, clawing at my insides. I'm not sure how I can prove to him that I'm not a spy, but if I don't figure it out soon, this interrogation may take a turn.

"Admit it and guarantee you and your fathers freedom," he vows.

"And lie?" I throw my hands up, shaking my head. "I won't risk what you'll do to me if I say I'm a spy, even if it's a lie."

Considering how he chose to get information out of my father, if I admit to being a spy, he won't let me leave here until I have information about Matthias to share with him.

"I should kill you. I should eliminate the risk." His eyes graze over my face, slow and purposeful. The warmth in his eyes is enough of an indication that he isn't going follow through with that threat.

My eyes narrow, hating that my heart is racing. "I'm sure Ciella and Eden will forgive you."

"You underestimate what I will do for my brother, Dove." His voice is suddenly dark and cool, his stare blistering. I knew his brother meant a lot to him, but I'm starting to see that anyone who is in his way will be removed.

"Well if you're not going to fuck me, I would very much like to leave." I push past him, but he grabs my arm, keeping me close.

"Admit you're a spy," he growls, his power seeming to press in around me, reminding me that I can't just escape, that my father is still in his grasp.

"I'm not a spy!"

"Then why is his scent all over your body?"

"Because he's my lover, you idiot!" I admit abruptly, digging my fingers into my hair.

He blinks, taking a step back. I huff out a breath, strangely relieved it's off my chest, and considering his reaction, he believes me.

"What?" he breathes.

"I'm not a spy, I'm just someone who got mixed up in shit I want no part of," I exasperate. "My father mentions work in passing but for the most part I know nothing! Matthias doesn't tell me anything, I'm just sex to him."

Varian just stares at me, his expression unreadable. "What do you mean you're...you're—"

I sigh. "I'm in love with Matthias, okay?"

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As always, you can read this book 16 chapters ahead on Inkitt and 10 chapters ahead on Radish!

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~Midika 🐈‍⬛💜