Page 13 of Forced Alpha Bride (Wolfshade Brides-for-Hire #3)

I’m plastered to the wall, my back pressed flat against it as all the strength has gone out of my legs. I know for certain that if I didn’t have something to lean on, I’d be a puddle on the floor.

I can’t stop staring at Winnie, and her little grin, and the way she has her head tilted to the side, only making it worse.

“Come on, Damon,” she says, holding out her hands. “Don’t you want to restrain me?”

I can’t do this. I will tackle her and tear that dress right off again if I get even a little closer.

I manage to straighten myself up a bit, and the chain clinks in my hands. It’s made of slender links and is very light.

I seriously do wonder what the hell the Brents were doing with something like this. It really doesn’t feel like something you’d use to chain up someone you don’t like.

Winnie wiggles her hands, and I push myself off the wall, securing the chain through little hooks on the bracelets. The chain is designed to slide freely between them, so if I lock it tightly, it binds her hands together, but I can also choose to leave it longer to give her more freedom.

I don’t put her wrists together, but leave enough slack so she can comfortably use her hands without being able to do anything complicated. I start to feel somewhat ridiculous because she’s standing in front of me so submissively, it seems impossible to believe she’d try to run again.

Maybe that’s just what she wants me to think. I should stay on guard. That little display earlier might have been designed purely for distraction, and it fucking worked.

“Can you put your boots on?” I ask, hardening my voice.

She nods. “I think so,” she answers, sitting on the edge of the bed as she reaches for her shoes. I watch her carefully, and she has just enough slack in the chain to do the task comfortably. I decide that the length is adequate and I don’t need to adjust it.

Unless she actually does run again, then I’ll chain her foot to her hands!

“Coming?” I ask, turning towards the door.

I hear her step behind me, and I lead the way down the stairs.

“Did you want anything else to eat?” I ask, making myself some coffee. “I could use another cup before we head out.”

Actually, I could use a stiff drink and a cold shower…

“Sure,” she replies. “I don’t like my coffee that strong, by the way. A bit more milk than the last one.”

“No problem,” I say, getting out another cup. “The bag from the bakery is there on the counter.”

I hear her chains rattle as she picks up the bag and goes to sit down. She makes a small sound of pleasure as she looks inside.

“Strawberry iced donut! My favorite!”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I say, putting her coffee down next to her. “I really want you to be happy here, so tell me what you like, and I’ll make sure we have it.”

“I like freedom,” she says somberly, rattling her chains to make the point.

“You like it too much,” I say sternly. “I sent Iris a message, but heard nothing back, so I don’t think you’ll be able to talk to her anytime soon. But there are some serious consequences for breaking the contract, and I paid good money for the service.”

Every last dime of my savings, in fact.

“There are consequences to chaining people up,” she warns.

“We’re in Wolfshade, not the human world. There are different rules here. And if you’d like to talk more about consequences, then consider the impact on our pack and the others nearby if you return home.”

Winnie looks down at her donut, sighing. “I have. I’m still thinking about this, really. I don’t know what I want to do.”

“Then you stay chained,” I say firmly, finishing my coffee. “Come on, let’s get to the meeting. I have a lot of work to do in this town.”

I wait for Winnie to stand up and walk behind her towards the front door. My emotions are raging inside me. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this conflicted.

I don’t like restraining her, but if she disappears and brings back her brother’s pack, I’ll lose. I’ll be killed for sure. Probably my brothers, too. Then I’ll never finish what I’ve set out to do.

Winnie is still finishing her donut when we get to the front door, and a sugary pink dust has fallen on the front of her dress. It makes the vanilla and strawberry scent of her even stronger, and my mouth waters as memories from this morning flood through my mind.

As I turn to lock the door, I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I’m so turned on, I can barely move, but that’s not my real problem.

This morning was perfect… except for the chains.

The only thing hurting more than my cock right now is my heart. I want Winnie in ways I’ve never wanted any woman, but there is a need in me for connection that I thought would go unsatisfied my whole life.

I didn’t know I’d need a luna to rule. I’ve dreamed about having someone to love… I never knew my dad. I didn’t know my mom for very long. Growing up with Uncle Leroy, there wasn’t much affection. I’ve always felt accepted by my brothers, but it’s not the same thing.

When I turn around, Winnie is a few paces ahead of me, her head tilted back to look up at some birds flitting in the branches of a tree. The sunlight is pouring down on her, making her pale skin glow and setting her hair alight like a river of fire.

She’s so beautiful.

“Ready to go?” she asks. I just nod and hurry over to open the car door for her.

The silence is a bit awkward at first, but I’m too curious about Winnie to let it go on for very long.

“What’s your favorite food?” I ask. “I can send someone out for groceries to get things you like, or I can shop with you.”

“Would I have to be chained?” she asks in a slightly mocking tone. “It might make getting through the supermarket awkward.”

“I just want to know what you like,” I reply. “And you can decorate the house as well. I want you to feel at home here.”

“It’s not home,” she mutters.

After that, I keep my questions to myself.

If she can’t stay for me, maybe she’ll stay for the pack. Once I explain what I want to do, surely she’ll be on my side. Maybe even Galen, too.

When we arrive at the manor, the drive is full of cars.

All the elders will be here, gathered down in the official chambers.

I have the right to hold the meeting anywhere I like, but I’ve chosen to go with tradition because I feel like holding our first meeting above the pit where I fought for my bloody victory might have an impact on the council.

I pass the doorman with Winnie ahead of me. Krista comes running out of the parlor to hug her.

Great, just what we need. I'd better not leave them alone together, or I’m sure Krista will help Winnie get into another life-threatening situation.

“Oh, Winnie!” Krista cries. “He’s chained you up!”

“Yeah,” Winnie says casually. “But the manacles are more comfortable than the electrical cord.”

“What?” Krista shouts, her eyes widening.

Winnie chuckles. “Personal joke. Don’t worry, I’ll explain things later. Right now, I think we have a meeting.”

“Yeah,” Krista replies. “They’re waiting, down in the official chamber. It’s one level higher than the dungeon .”

She says the last word with emphasis, glaring at me.

“I hope you enjoyed your stay there,” I say to her, smiling. “I’d be happy to send you back anytime you like.”

“No thanks,” she answers quickly. “I’ll let you two go.”

“Very generous of you,” I quip, putting my hand on Winnie’s arm to steer her to the stone staircase that leads down from the foyer.

Flickering shadows from small torches on the wall confuse my eyes as we make our way down the dark stairs. This part of the manor never got renovated, so there’s no electricity or plumbing past the ground level. At the first landing, I gesture to Winnie, and she turns to go into the sacred chamber.

We walk out into the open space, the flat stone floor stretching out in all directions to disappear into shadows all around us.

To the left, the dais is lit by small, bright torches that burn with white flames and give out almost no smoke.

I’m not sure if the effect is made by herbs or magic, but it illuminates the dais perfectly, leaving the rest of the room dark.

“Alpha Damon,” Regina says, her voice echoing around the room. “Welcome.”

I step up to the dais, holding onto Winnie’s chains as I approach.

“Elders,” I answer, nodding my head in respect. “I’ve completed my trials and brought my mate to our first official meeting. You cannot dispute my position.”

“No, we cannot,” Regina agrees, her frustration evident. “So, by all means, take your seat and declare your intentions for the pack.”

The long stone table is curved to match the dais, and I walk with Winnie to take our seats in the center. The others are arranged on the other side of the table so we can see each other.

Suddenly, I have no idea what to say. When I was a child, my mother schooled me on pack etiquette, but I’ve got no framework for an actual council meeting.

Fuck it. I’m the boss, I can do whatever I want.

“So, Alpha,” Regina begins. “We have matters to discuss regarding town commerce—”

“No,” I cut her off. “I’d like to discuss my first order before you tire me with trivial things. I want to talk about our boundary patrols, enemies, allies, and the pack’s duty towards expansion and taking new territory.”

The silence that falls in the room is the most complete stillness I’ve ever experienced. Being so far underground contributes to it, but it’s also as if the elders have forgotten how to breathe. Even Winnie looks terrified.

“I want all hostile maneuvers between Gryphon Eyrie and Valentine Creek to be terminated right now,” I continue. “Any scouts or warriors we have in the area will be recalled, and members of their pack are not to be attacked, even if they leave the town boundary. Do you understand?”

There is a series of reactions around the table, mostly of surprise, but some of pure rage.

“Who do you think you are—” Regina begins tartly, then stops. I watch her take a deep breath and swallow her words before she talks again.

That’s right. Don’t forget I’m your alpha now.

“Is that wise, Alpha Damon?” she asks, her voice calm but her eyes blazing. “They are our sworn enemies. A very dangerous pack. If we withdraw, they might advance, and it will put all of us at risk.”

“I don’t believe so,” I answer smoothly. “They are much smaller than us, and it’s unlikely they’d mobilize to cross such a wide area, especially in winter. They simply don’t have the resources.”

Regina narrows her eyes, glaring at me. I smile sweetly, daring her to say exactly what’s on her mind.

Valentine Creek is a very small pack northeast of Gryphon Eyrie, nestled under a mountain near a lake. I’ve never been there, but it’s been described to me by Uncle Leroy and some of my misfit brothers.

My mother, Sara, was born into the first families of Gryphon Eyrie. It is her blood that gives me the right to sit in the alpha’s chair right now.

But it is my father’s blood that makes me a bastard. And his home was Valentine Creek.