Hidden Wolf

39 Reparations

"I've come for the Luna," Helena says, her tone guarded.

Chris snarles at her threat, and surprisingly Kane straightens, inching towards him. Everyone watches with interest, frozen in place. I thought my heart might explode at the rate it was beating.

"Stand down Alpha's, I'm not here to take her," she says, softening. "She is owed reparations." At that he moderately relaxed and I slipped to his side. He kept an arm wrapped around me protectively as he stayed on high alert.

"I trust you are aware of the situation?" She asks, raising a brow.

"Yes, I was filled in," he grumbles, still mad.

"Then you are aware that after Jess won, he shifted and attacked her while her back was turned?" She asks and Chris bristles. I wrapped my arms around him trying to calm him.

"I told him all of this, rehashing it isn't necessary," I cut her off from any further upset. I don't know what Chris's blood pressure is but I feel like this isn't helping.

"Very well, I've come to deliver your reparations," she states, matter of factly. I just stood there confused.

"Isn't it customary for Dimitri to do it directly?" Chris asks, annoyed.

"Typically yes, but given the circumstances," she paused looking from me to Chris, "not prudent. At anyrate he is currently unable, and although not happy, has agreed to the fine."

"I don't want his money," I snap without thought. Chris gives me a gentle squeeze and I instantly feel bad for not consulting with him.

"But your challenge wasn't over money, was it?" She asks, the slightest glint of mischief twinkled in her eye.

"No it wasn't, but then what?" I ask.

"For breaking the rules he's forfeited his remaining collared females with him," she replies triumphantly. "Perhaps he will think twice next time."

"And he agreed to this?" I ask, dumbfounded.

"Yes."

"It would have been his only smart move," Chris offered. "He views them as property, valuable at that, but a sacrifice he's willing to make to keep his rank and position."

"Keen observation," she says with a tight smile. "Do you still refuse it?"

"We're talking about people here, this feels wrong," I snap. The very thought of accepting them made my skin crawl.

"What you do with them once they are yours is your own business," her answer was loaded.

"Fine," I conceded with a sigh. Chris gave me a reassuring squeeze, apparently he approved.

The guards parted as twelve women were marched up heads bowed. They were clustered together, clinging to one another. Some were sniffling, others silently defiant and some were flat out sobbing.

"I'll leave you to your BBQ, Alphas, Lunas." She left as quickly as she came along with her guards. A small knot of men remained outside of our gates, but I ignored them instead focusing on the women.

Chris walked up to them with me as everyone else just hung back. I caught Jude out of the corner of my eye standing near with an arm protectively around Chloe.

"Please Alpha, we will serve you well too," the nearest woman said, dropping down and submitting as the rest followed. Anger bloomed in me, I should have killed him.

"Please get up," I asked as gently as I could for how angry I was. They hesitantly got up, nervously looking around in confusion. 

"Do you know why you are here?" Chris asks softly, clearly in better control of his emotions than I was.