Page 39

"I Am Not Going."

Brianna crosses her arms, giving me that look-the one that says she’s already won. But not on this. I don't want to go and I won't. Especially not with that overgrown Ape.

"Sit down Aegis", she noted. She took a sip of the tea in front of her slowly peering at me over the rim of the cup. Soon enough, she was smiling presumably at the stubbornness in my eyes and putting the cup back down on the brown oak table of her office.

She watched me seat before she continued, "Now let's seal this. You will go with the king to that pack and do fantastic job."

" Hell no."

" You're being unreasonable Aegis and also when did you start cussing."

"See, it's not even being a day with him and I'm already cussing. Who knows what'll happen after a month."

" It's not going to be a month, Aegis. It's just a week. A week Aegis."

" You can't leave me alone with him. He's insane and therefore he'll drive me insane." I reasoned petulantly.

"Perfect.The two of you have something in common then."

"Why me?" I asked, in one last attempt to escape going.

" Because he wants you to", she states plainly before continuing, "And let's be honest, you're the only one who can do this perfectly."

Well if she's going to put it that way, I can't protest anymore. Besides there's no point arguing with Brianna when she's decided on something.

"Aegis," she says patiently. "You have no choice."

I glare. "Like hell, I don’t. I refuse to spend another second with that arrogant, insufferable..."

"You’re going." I groan. "Bri..."

"Enough." She sighs, rubbing her temples. "Look, I get it. He’s annoying. But this isn’t about him. It’s about finding out what happened to those kids."

My jaw clenches. She softens. "If you don’t go, the King investigates on his own. And you know how that goes....he makes decisions without us, and we lose control of the situation. You lose control of that situation." I hate when she’s right. I fold my arms.

"Fine. But I’m getting something out of this." Brianna smirks. "Of course, you are."

I march straight to his room, fists clenched, still fuming. I don’t bother knocking. The door swings open, and,

Oh.

The King stands there, wet. Fresh from the bath. Towel slung low on his hips. Water drips down his chest, trailing over his defined muscles like the universe decided to personally sculpt him to be beautifully the most infuriating man alive. Something in me sings far away and I wanted to join it. I want to burst into a song. He's that fine.

He smirks. "Enjoying the view?"

And he ruined it. I changed my mind, he's only fine with his mouth closed.

I snap my gaze up. "Get dressed."

He takes a slow step closer. "You came to my room, little Alpha. If you don’t like what you see, that’s on you." I take a breath, forcing myself to stay focused.

" We need a deal." He tilts his head. "A deal?"

"If I go with you, I want something in return." His lips curl. "Name your price." I hesitate. What do I want? Information? Resources? A way to keep him far away from me? He steps closer. "Anything."

That word makes my stomach twist. I don’t trust him. But I need control over this trip. "Fine," I say. "I’ll think about it."

I turn to leave, but before I can take another step, his hand catches mine. His touch is warm. Firm. I freeze. Then I react, in a completely stupid way. My fingers each for the knife in my hair and I drove it into his thighs. Staring at me with a newly awakened anger in his eyes, he swiftly turns me by the hand and grabbed my arms behind me with a hand.He forced the knife away from my hand with his other hand.

He leans in to voice a whisper against my ear.

"Poisons aren’t good for you, little rose." My breath hitches." There's no Poison in the knife."

" I'm not talking about the knife."

" What are you..?"

"I can smell the Wolf's haven in your blood. So your pack members know that their perfect Alpha is slowly killing herself?"

"What..."

"Let’s make another deal." His thumb brushes over my wrist. "Don’t hurt yourself anymore, you hear?"

Before I can react, warmth spreads from his touch_a strange, glowing heat. My skin tingles and I felt the drug leave my system. I yank my hand back, heart racing.

"What the hell was that?" No wolf has powers like this. None. He just smirks, watching me with something unreadable in his gaze. I should leave. I should run. But somehow, in some stupid, reckless way, I allow him turn me over into his bed.

His weight presses me down, his fingers locking my wrists over my head. My breath stutters. His face is too close. His scent too sharp, wraps around me. His eyes drag over my face.

"So beautiful," he murmurs. My stomach flips. And then... He just turns away from me to lie down beside me. He just lets me go. The illusion snaps like a rubber band, and I bolt upright, stumbling away from the bed. "Y-you—" I don’t even know what to say. His smirk returns.

"What’s wrong, little Alpha? Didn’t like our deal?" I throw the another knife at him. "Stay away from me." I storm out, heart pounding in my ears.

I got to my room in a jam and slam the door shut. Noah is sitting on my bed, completely at ease.

"Where the hell have you been?" he asks, brows raised. I whirl on him. "Why didn’t you tell me the King was trained and skilled with a knife?"

He blinks. " Of course he's trained. He's the king." He deadpans.

" Well you still should have told me." I muttered angrily.

"Uh—i didn’t think you’d fight him?"

I cross my arms. "You knew I'd try." Noah stares, then sniffs the air. His eyes widen. Then he smirks. And finally lets out a loud guffaw.

"Oh." He leans back. "Did he win against the legendary Poison Rose? " I grab a pillow and chuck it at his head. Noah laughs. "Oh, this is priceless. Wait until Zack and Emery hear of this."

"I hate you," I growl. "Admit it, Aegis," he teases. "You’re mad because he pinned you." I grab another pillow. "Get. Out."

He raises his hands in surrender, still grinning. "Alright, alright. I’m leaving." He stands and heads for the door, but before he leaves, he turns back, smirking. "You smell like him," he says. I lunge at him but he’s already gone.

Exhausted and Angry, I forced myself to sleep. I switch off the light and collapse onto my bed. The exhaustion creeps in, but my mind refuses to settle. Too much happened today. I have too many questions. I sigh, rubbing my temples. Then my fingers brush against something cold. I open my palm. A ring. His ring. My breath catches.

"When did I..." I don’t know why, but I pull it closer. My fingers curl around it. And as sleep finally pulls me under, I don’t let go.