7

Word Count: 2234

~Dove

I think I could throw up if I really put my mind to it.

People are looking at me now, mumbling incoherently between themselves. I'm seated beside the Alpha, having unwittingly received the most coveted invitation of the night.

Even if I'm hoping it is fleeting.

"Every woman Claude has brought up here to seduce has known all about his methods of seduction," Varian tells me. "I get the sense you do not."

My brows crease as I dare glance at him.

I've decided I both like and dislike the way he looks at me. It's so intense, so deliberate. He knows his power, knows the effect he has on people.

He knows that were he to instruct me to get down on my knees before him, to take his cock into my mouth I would probably do it with not much thought at all.

"What do you mean by that?" I ask breathlessly.

"His type rarely deviates." He pauses to sip at his drink.  "Beautiful, experienced women who enjoy a walk on the dark side as he does."

I recoil in my seat, offense blooming through me. Ouch.

"That might be me." I straighten my shoulders back.

"Perhaps. More importantly, however, they walk in his circle. They know a great deal about him, including his tastes in bed," he clarifies. "They go into the experience willing and ready for what he has planned for them."

I shift in the chair, the depth of his tone making me shiver. He's hinting at something I'm not quite grasping.

"Which is?"

He leans his head back, the vivid red light gliding along the sharp expanse of his jawline. The urge to lean over and run my tongue up his neck is overwhelming in this moment.

I quietly shake the thought from my head. It's just the atmosphere tempting me.

"My point is that you clearly do not know what he has in store for you, and that thrills him." He gestures at Claude, drink in hand. The ice clinks tauntingly against the glass. "I won't allow for rape or coercion or anything else of the sort. Not at my parties, not ever."

Claude lingers near the bar, drumming his fingers impatiently against the counter as he waits for the water.

Varian appears entirely unaffected by the anger gathering force in Claude's eyes like an encroaching storm. I, on the other hand, sit stiffly in my chair in hopes of not upsetting anyone.

"That makes sense, I suppose." I hardly know what I'm saying.

Varian pauses, sweeping his gaze back at me. It presses me deep into the seat, my heart getting achingly close to failing.

"So, I'm going to tell you what he will do to you tonight if you desire it," he offers lowly.

"Is it bad?"

"It will start as any common tryst might," he offers with a half shrug. "However, he has a thing for blood. He will cut you, bleed you into a chalice and make you dance for him while he drinks its contents."

My eyes widen.

"You're exaggerating," I say breathlessly, unable to fathom how that could appeal to anyone. I've never even heard of such a notion.

I expect Varian's expression to split into one of amusement, but it remains unflinchingly stoic.

"Not in the slightest." He pauses to take a drink. "That's all I shall share."

I sit up in the seat, gripping the plush arms.

"Why stop there?"

"That look on your face." He points to me, drawing his finger in a circle. "Blood isn't your thing."

I lick my lips subconsciously, enjoying the way his eyes trace the movement. As powerful as this man is, I've commanding his attention, if only for a moment.

"Thing?"

"We all have certain interests in bed. Don't we?"

There's the subtle dig of a challenge in his voice. One that sharply reminds me that I'm seated next to an Alpha in a room where the smell of sex permeates the air.

This man may seem like he's warning me away from a night of pure debauchery, yet is entirely capable of luring me into an even darker one.

"I suppose we do," I murmur distractedly, trying to keep my gaze from straying toward a watchful Claude.

"Why do you appear doubtful?" Varian asks plainly.

"I believe we all need to partake in a great deal of sex before we can know for certain what we desire," I admit, lifting one shoulder obliquely.

I have a vague idea of what pleases me after some minimal exploration with Matthias. More is necessary and I'm more than willing to get into it.

Varian smiles knowingly. "Very wise."

Claude stalks over from the bar, so hurriedly my ice water splashes over his fingers. His body is coiled with unspent energy, consumed by a sense of desperation I don't understand.

"Thank you," I murmur, taking the water from him, trying not let my fingers slip on the slick surface.

He holds his hand out to me, the possibilities dancing on his palm. "Join me in a tour of this palace, my muse."

Knowing now that he would happily lap blood from my skin has unease settling deep in my chest. It makes the arc of his smile so much more sinister.

"Allow her to finish her water." Varian waves him off with the flick of a hand. "Go play elsewhere."

Claude's jaw hardens, the ends of his silver hair brushing against it.

"Varian..."

"Are you challenging me on this?" Varian's voice is so effortlessly soft, yet thick with authority. I shrink just hearing it, urging to fall in line with his commands like I'm biologically inclined to do for an Alpha.

I look between the pair with wide eyes. They stare each other down for a few beats, a silent conversation seeming to pass between them.

Claude smartly steps back, his posture sagging a touch.

"Of course not." His eyes dart to meet mine. "I'll return once you've finished your drink."

I watch him retreat into the shadows, although he doesn't go far. He hangs near the far wall, watching us with bitter eyes.

"Sip slowly if you don't wish to remain his muse," Varian instructs, motioning lazily at the water in my hand.

"Why does he call me his muse?" I ask, raising the glass to my lips. I take the slightest sip, aware of Varian's searching gaze watching my every move.

"Because you will continue to bleed while he takes you," he murmurs. "Once he's finished, he will have the blood collected and he will make a beautiful painting with it. He's quite talented, and he hangs the masterpieces in his own home. You're his muse because you inspire him."

I shudder. Matthias was right about this pack - if the Alpha's friend enjoys such rituals in the bedroom, I can only imagine what other members of his pack indulge in.

"That is disturbing. Would I die from this?"

"No." The sternness in his tone makes me jump. "I wouldn't allow anyone in his arms were that the case."

I take another sip. "Why bother being so noble?"

He angles his head, confused. "Why bother?"

"You're an Alpha. You can do whatever you please," I mumble.

Alpha's can lie, they can deceive and they can manipulate. Matthias surely does, expecting adherence to certain values that he doesn't maintain himself.

Varian has no reason to be truthful. He doesn't even know me.

"Morality doesn't play favourites, Dove," he muses. "I may live a life of less moral accountability than most, but I must act in good conscience as anyone else does. To a degree, anyway."

"You're not how I imagined you," I admit before I bring my fingers to my mouth. I shouldn't have let those words slip out.

Curiosity burns hot in his eyes. "How did you imagine me?"

There is so much about him that affirms my assumptions. He is otherworldly beautiful and I see the sin all around him. His long, intent stares and warm voice don't surprise me at all.

"Really, really scary." I stumble stupidly over my words. "I mean, you are...but I don't think you're going to hurt me."

I glance down to his hands, then back up at his eyes.

"I'm presuming that you're from Alpha Matthias's pack, then?"

He's being polite assuming over accusing. It's fairly obvious just looking at me that come from a pack where stringent values are expected. No other pack represents such an ethos.

"I better go downstairs. I don't wish to bother you a moment longer." If he's asking about my Alpha, I should probably put some space between us.

If I slip up and admit I'm close to him...I don't even want to think about what my fate would ultimately be.

Varian holds his hand out, his look alone halting me before I can set my water down.

"Stay, Dove. Please," he murmurs earnestly. "Converse with me. These events get terribly boring when you're dead sober, and drunk people don't make interesting conversation."

I look down at the dark liquid in his crystal glass. "You're not drinking?"

"For someone like me, it makes no difference. As host, I like to keep a clear mind anyway."

He's saying it without saying it — Alpha's are in a league of their own. They share so little with those who they rule over. They are more powerful in every possible way, so just being in their presence is humbling.

"Fair enough." I run my thumb down the cloudy glass, the dampness wetting my skin.

"How did you get in here?" His eyes travel over my dress.

"Claude found me outside after your guards denied me entry. He gave me a slip," I explain, looking over at the silver haired man who watches us vigilantly.

"This is a dangerous place," he muses. "Have you been to one of my parties before?"

I shake my head. "Never."

I thought that would go without saying considering how out of place I clearly look here.

"When you're ready to leave, I'll have you escorted home by a trusted guard." His eyes darken. "The streets at a late hour are dangerous."

That can be expected since he invites people from every pack to visit on this one night. Those belonging to competing packs don't have the same respect for his authority as they do their own Alpha's.

"Oh, thank you," I murmur, although I don't intend to take his offer up.

I don't need to owe favours to powerful people...

Plus, instructing his guards to return me to Matthias's private property wouldn't go down well. It would be the fastest way to end up a captive at Varian's mercy.

"Tell me, Dove. What is it you do as a profession?" He asks, tracking my movements as I take another small sip of water.

"I clean," I say carefully.

Who for, shall remain a close kept secret.

"Respectable." He twists at a simple silver ring on his index finger. "What can I do to convince you to move to my pack?"

A frown flutters over my brow.

Is this the elusive siren call? Is this we're Varian hypnotises his guests into joining his pack as both Matthias and Eden theorised?

I scan the room, searching for the hypnotist Eden talked about.

Maybe it's Varian. He's seems unfairly capable of weaving his words into ambitious instructions to join his wondrously tempting world of sin.

"I...I have family back home," I force, my palms growing clammy. "They take their faith and puritanical ideals seriously. I would never leave without them."

"Do you have doubts about their beliefs?" His docile gaze prowls over my skin.

"Often," I admit sheepishly. "I just want freedom to incorporate what I like about both ideologies. I don't want to have to pick a side when neither feels completely right."

"Move here, and you'll have more freedom then you'll know what to do with," he offers.

"I can't."

I expect him to continue pushing, to prove every rumour I've been fed about him true.

"I understand," he relents. "How much of tonight's offerings were you hoping to divulge in?"

"As many as possible, but not the wine. I want to have a clear head to make good decisions."

The golden liquid passed around and poured frequently does look delicious, but I do intend to make it home tonight in one piece. I don't think my father would take too kindly to his daughter waking against a curb or in a strangers bed...

"Have you danced?" Varian asks, his eyes straying to where a handful of people grind against each other, their outfits sparkling beneath the red light.

"Not yet."

"Have you eaten?"

"Some," I say, even though I don't mean it. I'm anxious to see where his line of questioning it heading.

His eyes darken, voice shadowy. "Have you received enough pleasure?"

"Pleasure?" I sound breathless.

"From this place? From its people."

I swallow thickly, scared any word out of turn will ruin this moment. "No, not yet."

He stands suddenly, the full extent of his height and stature becoming frighteningly clear. He holds a hand out to me, his stare heavy.

"Then dance with me."

❤️••❤️

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

Your support means a lot to me!

~Midika 🐈‍⬛💜