The Alpha's Mistress

66

Word Count: 1833

~Onyx

I stand with my hands behind me back, surveying the area.

Sienna and Alston are set to arrive at this run down inn shortly, bringing with them the burden of needing to make a decision.

There is no more running from this. Tonight, the decision will be made. Either Sienna marries me, or she marries Alston.

Either way, it will be her decision.

A transport suddenly appears at the end of the long road. This place only has a scattering of patrons, being that it is in the middle of nowhere. It's at the border of Maren and Zion's pack, which is the most neutral place we could find to meet.

I slide my hands in my pockets, trying to calm my anxious fidgeting as the transport pulls to the side of the road. It's adorned with Zion's pack colours, setting my nerves on edge.

Alston steps out first before turning, offering his hand to Sienna who hops down onto the packed dirt driveway.

Seeing her never fails to cause my breath to catch in my throat.

I miss her. My entire body yearns for her, but most of all, I miss her company. I love her with every ounce of my being and I need to work harder to get her back. I don't care if it's running me ragged. I need her.

A flurry of emotions pass over her face before she manages a weak smile.

She's so beautiful it hurts. Her auburn lengths are braided today, the intricate style draping over the shoulder of her dress. Her eyes betray her calm and her fingertips tremble, only increasing the urge to draw her into my arms.

The pair approach, Alston's expression grimly satisfied. He knows he is gaining something from this meeting, while I'm on the verge of losing everything.

"Thank you for meeting us here." He extends his hand but I don't take it, looking instead to my mate. She doesn't reach out to hug me, but her eyes reassure me.

"Where else would I be?" I mutter. "You think this isn't important to me?"

"He knows that—"

"Let's just get inside." Alston gestures tensely at the inn.

Begrudgingly I lead the way inside, ignoring the musty smell and low doorframes that require me to bend my head to get under. I pass through the reception and into the connecting tavern, feeling the pressing stares of the few patrons.

"And you need to stop saying that," I say as we seat ourselves in a booth in a dim corner of the room, Alston sitting opposite to Sienna and I.

Alston's brows press together. "What?"

"Referring to you and Sienna as us. There is no us between you two," I mutter, glaring at him.

Alston may think he has Sienna now, but things will change, and quickly. When our situation turns, he doesn't want to be against me.

"Whatever you say," he mumbles.

I turn my body toward Sienna, who looks silently mortified. Her shoulders relax as she looks up at me, taking my hand under the table.

"I missed you," I murmur softly, offering a tentative smile.

I want to draw her close and embrace her, but with Alston so close and watching, I keep my hands to myself. There will be time for affection and intimacy later tonight when this mess is dealt with.

"You know have no idea how much I—"

"We should get to this," Alston cuts in abruptly. "There's a lot to discuss."

Sienna shrinks back a touch, but doesn't release my hand. "Alright."

"So this is your final chance to make your decision on how we are going to proceed. Zion wants Sienna and I married next week, and he's going to get his wish unless you decide now." Alston leans back against the stained seat, folding his arms over his chest.

"We need time alone to discuss this," I exclaim sternly. "It's ultimately Sienna's decision."

I've already determined that whatever Sienna's decision will be is the one we go with. I trust her judgement, and what she is willing to do to get through this.

Her and I both know the only way out of this is Zion dying, which limits our options severely.

"You'll have only tonight," Alston mutters irritably.

"We'll make our decision. Don't worry," Sienna says decidedly.

She's more determined than I've seen her yet. There's a lot going on behind those beautiful eyes, and I'm anxious to get her alone to talk.

"Is Zion treating you okay? You're well?" I ask her softly, searching any inch of bare skin I can for bruises or scratches or any hint she's being abused.

If I get a single inclination she's not being taken care of, I'll kill Alston right now and damn the consequences.

"It's been fine, for the most part. Aside from him teaching me how to be a good Luna. That's tedious." She rolls her eyes, smiling despite herself.

"No one is better suited for the position as you are now, Sienna," I assure her.

She's doesn't need to be taught how to be a good Luna. I've never met someone so naturally made for the position. I just hope she can be Luna in my pack, and not her fathers or Alston's.

"Very true," Alston adds with a soft smile, gazing at Sienna.

My jaw tightens as I force myself to look away. I can't allow myself to be overcome with anger. Not now, not tonight.

"Let's just hope we can figure out to kill Zion," I comment.

"Which will only happen if you give me an heir, by the way," Alston adds. "Otherwise I wash my hands of this."

"We don't need to discuss that now," Sienna says quickly, glancing up at me.

I scan my face, realising there's something going on that I'm missing. It's just dawning on me, but Sienna has barely looked at Alston since the pair arrived, and every word he says seems to cause her to grimace.

"What happened between you two?" I question suddenly. The two seemed like friends the last time I was near them, and now Sienna can't hold his gaze.

"What do you mean?" She tucks her hair behind her ear, her smile watery and anxious.

"Something has happened." I look between them warily, noting how they wear their guilt. "Your dynamic has changed."

"Don't be silly Onyx. Everything is the same," she stutters.

"You're nervous around him. Uncomfortable." Unease crawls over my skin, alerting my senses. "Before you seemed to have a growing friendship, and now you can't put enough of a gap between you two."

"I just want to be near you—"

"We kissed," Alston admits suddenly.

My blood chills, an unsettling feeling draping over me. Undesired images flash through my mind of Alston forcing himself on my mate, letting his want for her overcome him.

"You what?" Quiet fury builds slowly and methodically beneath my skin.

"We kissed," he reiterates.

"He kissed me," Sienna bites out, her brows furrowing as she glares at Alston.

I blink. "You what?"

"It was barely a kiss...seriously it was nothing," Sienna assures me softly, pulling at my hand to draw my attention back to her.

Her warm eyes and frantic look at enough to dampen the initial explosion of anger that begs to be released. It wants me to reach over this table to wrap my hand around Alston's throat until he apologises for what he's done.

I look back at Alston. "You kissed my mate?"

"Oh please. You're hardly her mate," he mutters dismissively, as if the entire notion disgusts him.

"Alston! What are you doing?" Sienna hisses. "Stop causing problems when we're so close to getting through this."

"There's always going to be something between you." Alston gestures between us. "Whether it be me or Zion, how are you going to truly be there for her?"

I stare at him in an effort to contain my rising anger. I refuse to make the same mistake I did at Imogen's ball, especially when I'm uncertain Sienna fully trusts me after that. He can spew empty words in an attempt to rile me up, but I already know everything...

Alston is in love with my mate. Reacting to that, however, is not going to win me any favours.
 
"Stop—"

"Sienna has her own land now, her own power," he continues. "She was only with you because she needed you. She doesn't anymore."

"He's my mate, Alston. I love him," Sienna insists, her face tinting pink in her desperation.

"My parents were mates, and they hated each other. Totally incompatible," he responds sharply. "Sometimes it can be wrong."

"It's not wrong with Onyx and I. Why are you even saying this?"

I look at my poor make, scrambling to patch this mess together. Alston truly believes Sienna and I's mate bond is a sham.

He's always been a fool, but this is another level...

"You and I make far more sense, Sienna. Things can be easy for us." His voice softens, his eyes desperate. He looks like he wants to reach out to her, but rightly keeps his hands on the table.

"Do you want to die or something?" Sienna nods her head at me, trying to warn him to stop.

"He won't kill me,." Alston finally meets my gaze, a smug smile playing at his mouth. "It will change nothing about his situation."

"You're making this so much harder for me. I just want to be free from this." Sienna's frustration is rising, so I lay my hand on her knee, trying to soothe her.

Unfortunately, all these weeks are compiling and she's about to hit her breaking point too.

"You shouldn't run from your bloodline. You should be grateful for what power you now possess," he insists.

"I possess nothing! If Zion isn't claiming it, you are," she snaps, her voice echoing through the small tavern, drawing curious eyes. "I can't believe you would do this."

I pin everyone who stares with a hard look until they look away sheepishly.

I need to get Sienna out of here before more comes out. Alston is picking at her, looking for a reaction that she' unwittingly give.

"Come Sienna, let's go upstairs and get a room." I take her hand, pulling her from the booth. "We have much to discuss."

"My own guards swarm this place and its surrounding area." Alston snaps. "Try to smuggle her away, they'll stop you."

I don't respond, giving him a lasting look before I guide Sienna from the room.

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