The Alpha's Mistress

64

Word Count: 1840

~Onyx

I release a long, tired breath, rolling my shoulders.

The front of Imogen's house is as austere as the interior. It sweeps upward toward the clear night sky, music and voices singing out into the cool air.

Sienna is still inside, having returned to the dance floor. Maren was successful in distracting Zion, which was a relief since I really needed some time alone with my mate.

Being near her and not being able to touch her, to tell her how I'm feeling brings me back to when we were just friends. That, coupled with Alston's smug face and Zion's triumphant look is too much to bear.

Leaning my head back, I look up toward the sky. The moon is sharp and thin tonight and the air has a pleasant chill that cuts through the fabric of my jacket.

I needed to get away from the swell of people and pressing stares. I'm barely clinging to my sanity.

"You're lucky Zion didn't see you."

I turn toward the door, from where Alston emerges out. His hands are seated in his pockets, and he looks far too pleased with himself.

I turn back around, facing the myriad of transports littering the driveway. "I had it covered."

He comes to stand beside me, stiffening. I watch him from the corner of my eye, sensing a shift in him.

"You slept with her, didn't you?" His voice turns soft, dark.

"She's my mate. I can do whatever I want with her," I mutter, shaking my head. "If we want to fuck, we'll fuck. That's none of your business."

I should kill him just for insinuating he can have any say in this. I've done a lot more for far less.

"You may be her mate, but you don't have the same claim to her as you did." He faces me, a cold sneer twisting at his face. "If you get her pregnant, the deal will be made on your behalf."

I rub my jaw, swallowing my displeasure. He has no idea what he is talking about.

"I'm not going to get her pregnant, and even if I did...things would change, if I did."

Matters are already tense. Any other variable will crumble my plans into nothingness, and I'll step where it may not be smart to do so.

I already need Sienna back. I'm entertaining this agreement will Alston because it would make things smoother...

But the moment anything changes, I'll revert to my original plan.

Alston eyes me warily. "How so?"

"I crush both your packs without mercy." I don't break my gaze from his. "I'll stop at nothing to get her back."

I'm growing tired of Alston and Zion thinking there is a limit to what I'll do for Sienna. If I, even for a second, think any harm will come to her, they will be on their knees before me, begging for their life.

"You may have Lennon's support, but you won't get the others—"

"I wouldn't be so sure," I cut in. "I think with a little persuasion, Maren will side against you. Rhode can be intimidated into working with me, and Imogen will fall into line when she sees how the scales are tipping."

"If you're so confident, why haven't you waged war already?" He questions, his voice quietening a touch.
 
"If I can avoid the deaths of countless people, I will," I muse. "But if this agreement doesn't work, all bets are off."

He stares off into the darkness for a long moment, deep in thought. Somewhere behind us people cheer inside, overcome by mirth and far too much alcohol.

"And how will Sienna fit back into your pack now that she has power to rival your own?" He asks suddenly.

"She'll be my Luna. My equal in every way."

Alston and Zion believe I fear Sienna having power and land of her own. She deserves as much — even more. I know our love has never been contingent on her position in my pack, nor how much power she has access to.

Alston may doubt our mate bond, but there was such deep, world ending love before the bond ever established that would drive me to do anything to protect Sienna.

"And what about her land? Once Zion is dead, she'll have a rightful claim to it." He shrugs loosely, a challenge gleaming in his arctic blue eyes. "Being Luna may not be enough for her."

I almost laugh. "You don't know Sienna at all, clearly."

"I'm learning that this experience is changing her. She's scared, but she's overcoming the obstacles in her path and she's getting stronger." His voice hardens. "She may want to rule over her land, not yours."

I shake my head, a deep irritation starting to rise to the surface, heating my skin.

"And where do you fit into this, Alston?"

He squares his shoulders back. "If we come to an agreement, I'll have nothing to worry about, will I?"

"I can't let you marry her."

"Then she bears my child."

I turn to face him, cracking my knuckles absently. He doesn't step back, but I note the faint grimace between his brows.

"You're brave you know?" I murmur. "Saying it to my face like that."

I've fantasised about beating Alston until he's unrecognisable, and tonight, my thin tether of control is about to snap. Him continuing to speak about Sienna like she's a chattel he owns is going to cost him.

"You don't scare me," he growls, his jaw tightening as he regards me coldly.

It doesn't matter how hard he balls his fingers into fists, how much he puffs his chest out — his voice betrays him. He's scared, and he has every right to be.

I angle my head. "I don't?"

"You are utterly powerless right now," he spits out. "My entire life your pack as dominated others. You've always been the most powerful Alpha, the one who has the most political sway and control. Everyone wants to be your ally, wants even a slice of your power. Now you're nothing."

My army poised and ready to flatten his pack at my command would beg to differ, but he doesn't need to be confronted by that yet.

"You may think you have the upper hand, but how long is that going to last?" I ask.

"As long as I have Sienna, it can last forever."

"What happened to peace?" He's always advertised that as his true intentions, but I know the second he can turn against me without consequence, he will.
 
"I'll get peace when I have my heir." He steps closer. "When I get your mate into my bed, and hear her scream my name—"

That small, weak tether snaps suddenly and violently.

My vision blackens as I crack the side of his face with my fist, sending him stumbling across the gravel, almost falling to the ground.

My knuckles sting momentarily, but the seething anger smothers and numbs the pain.

I want this man dead. I want him begging for his life like Kayn did, pleading for forgiveness. I want to stand over his body while death takes him slowly and painfully.

"Ah fuck." He cradles his face, stretching his jaw. "That fucking hurt."

"Oh I'm not done yet."

I can hardly see, hardly feel anything that isn't violent, relentless fury as I grab him by the collar of his shirt and force him to the ground with another punch.

He doesn't fight back, taking every hit until he's bent over in the gravel, coughing and curling his body away from me.

Slender hands grab at me, yanking at me with strength that can only belong to an Alpha.

"Onyx!" Maren's muffled voice cuts through my haze. "Onyx stop, it's not worth it."

I blink, realising I'm holding Alston down by his throat, his face tinged blue as he claws helplessly at my hand.

There's no regret. I crave inflicting more pain, wanting to see death looming over him.

"I should kill you," I growl.

Alston just stares at me, a sick triumph crawling across his face as he smiles, showing his bloodied teeth.

"Come on, before someone sees," Maren insists desperately, pulling at my arm.

The sound of clapping sounds from a few feet away. Turning my head I see Zion standing there, air spangled gold spilling out from behind him. Sienna is beside him, arms wrapped around herself, looking at me and Alston in mute horror.

"Well, what a show."

His voice cleaves through the shadows, proud and booming. Flanking him are all the other Alpha's, faces stoic.

I drop Alston, stepping back. He coughs, spitting a gruesome splatter of blood onto the stones.

Cold horror seizes me as I look at Maren. A quivering hand covers her mouth as she looks between us. The other Alpha's are wordless, but it's clear what they see in me.

They see my father.

"Look at him, daughter." Zion looks down at Sienna. "Look at the man you claim to love."

She blinks up at me, her lower lip trembling. "What happened?"

I look down at my hands, the lines in my palms licked with blood, bluish bruises already starting to bloom over my knuckles.

I can't gather the words. "He...he—"

"Unfortunately Sienna has chosen to lay her claim to her land, taking Alston as her husband, and Onyx cannot handle it," Zion states to all the onlookers now crowding in a dense huddle. "How pathetic."

"She has not chosen anything!" I snap.

It's too late. This was a picture to be painted and I'm the unwitting artist. Zion orchestrated this, forcing Alston to come out here and instigate a fight so he can paint me as his villain. So he can erode the precious, frail allyship I have garnered here.

"You never could handle your emotions, could you?" Zion's laugh is brittle and cruel. "Unstable. Just like your father."

I feel weak, foolish. Sienna is staring at me with a furrowed brow and cautious apprehension that has my heart aching.

She isn't supposed to this...this side of me.

"Go, Onyx. This can't be salvaged," Maren grits out, her eyes darting between me and Zion.

She's right. Anything I say will only make me seem more delusional and desperate. Alston is the charismatic, harmless Alpha they never took seriously. They can see Sienna falling in love with him over me.

Bowing my head, I turn toward my transport, only to hear Zion's voice floating over to wish me farewell.

"See, Sienna?" He mutters lowly. "All Onyx will ever do is hurt you."

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