Burning the Alpha

CHAPTER SEVEN

TW: Domestic Violence

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River had me pinned to the wall as soon as I walked through the door.

He was veritably dripping with anger. The skin at my wrists hissed, as water met fire.

"Where have you been?" He growled, then, after sniffing me, "why do you smell like wet dog?"

"It's werewolf." I answered, trying to keep my tone even. "I've never been around them before. I'm thinking of taking one as a pet."

"So, this has nothing to do with that Shaun McCallum character you were researching at work the other day...?" He asked.

This was a test. I was sure it was a test. I may not have had much to do with the mortals of the supernatural community...or the supernatural community in general...or, really any community, but I knew River to be very involved. He was always out until 9pm on a Wednesday, attending some sort of council meeting. He had to be aware of local Alphas.

"Well..." I answered, after some consideration. "I was considering making him my pet, but, it turns out he's the Alpha, so they'll probably miss him. Why did you never tell me how fun werewolves are? I might have taken more of an interest in mortal dealings sooner."

His grip loosened on my wrists. I appeared to have passed the test.

"You've gone this long without doing so," he said, slowly letting me go, "there's no need to start now."

"The world is changing faster than it ever has before." I responded. "Maybe I've finally started to change with it."
"I wouldn't recommend a werewolf as a pet." He said. "They smell terrible, and they require far more training than you're capable of giving."

"I have no sense of smell." I answered, side-stepping his obvious barb, "but, I have been thinking about the future."

"What of it?" He asked, a dangerous glint in his eye.

"I've been thinking about our arrangement..." I could have stopped there, I could have changed the topic, instead I told him: "I don't want to procreate with you any more."

His hands wrapped around my throat. "What, you think you can just go back on our agreement?"

I pulled at his hands, choking out, "you're hurting me."

"And I'm only mildly annoyed right now." He smiled, but it wasn't a kind smile. "Imagine how much worse it can get when I'm angry. I don't know where this new-found desire for independance has come from, but here's the thing you don't seem to be understanding, you won't be leaving me. No-one leaves me. When I get bored, I will be leaving you. Before that happens, you will give me my own fire nymph. What's more, if I find out this was because of your new wolf friend, I will kill him, then maybe I'll kill you."

I'll be honest, I hadn't seen this side of River before. He'd been unpleasant. He'd caused me pain, and seemingly enjoyed it. He'd made me do things I didn't want to do. But I'd never heard him threaten anyone's life before. It was time for a distraction.

"Remind me never to joke with you again." I said, moving my hands down his arms to rest them on his chest. "You don't want a pet wolf, we won't get a pet wolf. There's no need to kill anyone, they don't last that long any way. I'd appreciate it if you let me go now."

He smiled again, moving his own hands down to grip my waist. "Seven years of trying and you finally develop a sense of humour...it needs work."

"Noted." Was my answer.

That was the moment I realised that extricating myself from my situation was not going to be as simple as I had been hoping.

I was going to need a much better plan.

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A/N

I've been nervous to share this chapter.

I want to apologise to anyone who is upset or triggered by this content, and encourage you to reach out for help/support if you need it.

You are not alone.