A/N: Emma above.
Emma POV
I started walking briskly towards Alice in my airy form leaving Jake to blindly follow me using just his instincts.
"Wait! Please just listen."
Jake pleaded but I ignored him and quickly stepped into the clearing where the wedding reception was still taking place. However what I saw awakened my hunger for a specific blonde's blood on my hands. Alice was now on stage in just her underwear and bra while her back was scattered with the angry red marks of a whip. Her hands were cuffed together with handcuffs dipped in wolfs bane, I knew this because I could smell her flesh burning. The blonde, Britney was in front of her with a black leather whip in hand while Jared stood a bit to the side looking emotionless. The crowd of on lookers were huge it must have been the whole pack and as they felt the presence of their Alpha they turned around and bowed but was unable to see me. Just like before I dropped my spell completely and took my physical form along with my full uniform like before.
A collective gasp was heard as all werewolves hurried to kneel in respect to me, a royal warrior. In the werewolf society there was many different rankings among the warriors with the royals being the highest. The only power above me is the council itself.
I started walking towards the stage without allowing them to stand. They awkwardly cleared a path for me while still on their knees. Even if I didn't try to look at any of them directly I could still smell the fear coming off them, especially the ones I walked closely to.
I locked eyes with Alice as I started climbing the stage with Jake following but at a respectable distance. She looked relieved and slightly nervous but there was also clear pain on her face as well from the beating and the handcuffs. Walking up to her I took off my floor length coat and draped it around her shoulders while helping her stand. I sent another healing spell her way and quickly snapped the cuffs off her with my bare hands throwing them away not caring for where they landed. Not being werewolf meant wolfs bane didn't affect me but the pack didn't know that and looked on in shock and awe at the way I handled the cuffs. I was then helping her shaky arms through the sleeves of my coat and then tying the knot at the waist. She cringed slightly as the coat must have brushed her wounds but looked me straight in the eyes waiting for my next move with relief and a slight worried look in her eyes which must have been for her mate.
"I'm sorry, I understand that you wanted to do this your own way but that is no longer an option." I spoke to her softly, well aware of everyone straining to listen in.
"Yeah I kind of realized that..." She trailed off staring at the still kneeling pack.
"Do you trust me?" I asked for what I'm about to do she must.
"Yes I do. You're the only person who has ever been kind and tried to help me." She said with a small smile.
"Good." I responded then turned to the pack.
"Rise" Everyone stood giving me their undivided attention trying their best to mask their emotions but too bad for them I can smell their fear.
"As everyone should already know I'm a part of the Werewolf Council's royal warriors." As I stated this some eyes quickly flicked to my royal emblem on my uniform indicating that I was not just an average warrior. Locking eyes with the Alpha I continued.
"I was sent here for a very specific reason, Alice."
I decided to come clean about the truth well not all but most of it.
The air was now becoming stagnant with the smell of fear. It is good to know that they knew their actions were wrong but did they really think the council wouldn't notice sooner or later. Taking a deep breath I spoke louder.
"As the runt of the pack it is law that everyone takes an interest in his or her safety more so the Alpha is personally responsible for them and if in the case of said runt being parent-less at an age of under eighteen then he or she is to be taken into the household of the Alpha until adulthood or finding their mate."
I took a few seconds to glare at them all while snarling out, "But that didn't happen did it, or I wouldn't be standing here." At that some visibly flinched.
"Alice Rosemary, 16 years of age, her parents died when she was at the young age of seven. The law you all bluntly disrespected was supposed to take effect in order to protect her. However she was abused by you all and even by the Alpha the one who was supposed to protect her. But that's not all is it?"
My voice took on a more sarcastic tone as I continued.
"Her mate decided that she wasn't hurting enough and rejected her but it still gets better. He then took a substitute mate and like the cherry on top the Alpha commanded her to stay away from her own mate."
Looking Jake directly in the eyes I spoke, "I wonder if another Alpha commanded your mate the same way how you would feel? To be denied the touch of your mate."
At this comment Jake growled lowly but his little display of disrespect didn't faze me as I whispered the last part just loud enough for him alone to hear.
"She wouldn't even need a command, as she wouldn't want such a sad excuse for an Alpha to even come near her." At this Jake let out an full on howl much like the first one in the woods but this one held more anger than pain. Is seems like my comment affected his pride as an Alpha.
As the council had given me full power over this mission, I was the one deciding the punishment this pack would receive, not just that but I had control over everything not even the council could interfere as they had already handed the power to me.
"Now this is what is going to happen, I will be spending the next three days here in your pack house. In those three days I will investigate the pack and its Alpha and decide on whether he is fit to continue leading along with your punishment and any future actions I might subject the pack to. When I ask a question I expect a truthful answer as you know better than to lie to a royal the consequence death, if anyone try to leave the island, consider yourself rogue."
Mummers started rising and I smelt panic mixed with fear. Standing with my hands behind my back I barked at the crowd for their undivided attention before continuing.
"Silence! I demand respect!"
Immediately everyone became quiet again.
"You all should know though that I'm not the average royal warrior. I can tell when someone is lying. I can smell emotions, especially fear. I will know the moment you leave the island even in my sleep. But my favorite I can kill without touching, so please try not to upset me particularly when I have full power over this issue. You wouldn't want your death to be for a trivial matter now would you?"
Just then Jake stepped close to me and whispered harshly but for my ears only, "You might be my mate and a royal but I can't allow you to treat my pack like this. Please stop, if you want to punish them go ahead but don't keep them prisoners and threaten to kill them."
"Oh, so you do know how to protect your pack, I almost thought you were incapable when I saw your runt." I spoke loudly as I took a few steps away from him.
"She is weak!"
"Hence the reason for having special laws to protect her and all runts from idiots like you."
"Her parents died because of her!" he yelled getting miffed at being called an idiot.
"Oh really now, let me guess. Did they die protecting her?"
"Yes she disobeyed them and went to the front of the island where there were rouges."
Turning to the pack I questioned.
"How many of you have children?"
Most of the adults raised their hands and Jake looked at me confused as to where I was going with that question.
"So that is a lot of you. Now tell me if your pup was in danger of dying would you save him or her at the cost of your life? Now think carefully before you answer."
Stepping down from the stage I approached a small family, the she wolf who looked to be in her mid twenties was holding her toddler tighter at my every step. I came uncomfortably close to her and her mate but my gaze remained on the child.
"Are you saying dear Alpha that I can kill this child and the parents shouldn't bat an eyelid because the child couldn't protect himself?"
Then looking both parents in their eyes I asked,
"Would you do nothing while your child is in such danger? Wouldn't you do anything to save your son even if it means dying?"
"Yes I would die to save him or my mate." The father answered looking worried and scared for their safety.
"Me too, I would die to save them." The mother also answered looking down at her feet afraid to make eye contact.
In a softer tone I continued, "That my dear Alpha is what one would call the love of a parent. It is unconditional and selfless something you and most of this pack seem to be lacking."
Coming back on stage I again looked Jake in the eyes and asked, "What about your mate or your children? Would you let them die for being weak?" walking up to him I grabbed his collar and dragged his tall muscular frame down to my height roughly and whispered into his right ear away from the pack, "What about our children? What about me? Would you let us die or would you die to save us?" at the end I let my lips feather touch the shell of his ear before letting go. I didn't miss the surprise and excitement in his eyes when I grabbed him and pulled him towards me or the shiver when I started whispering or the light moan when my lips lightly touched him. Goal reached, this wasn't just torture it was punishment and a taste of what he could have if he changed his idiotic ways. Satisfied I turned and walked away but not before hearing a soft strangled 'never' so soft I was thankful for my mixed blood or I wouldn't have heard it, surely none of the pack did. I wanted to continue battering him but decided against it he was stubborn and will take time to change. Alice looks in need of food and rest, time to wrap things up.
After dismissing everyone I put my hands around Alice's shoulder to help her walk as I soon realized she was stumbling. The Alpha and another shy she wolf were leading the way. I had ordered Jared and the blonde away, their presence was only causing her pain. The timid she wolf who I learnt to be Maria kept trying to assist me with Alice but I refused. She doesn't need any fake concern as Maria is only trying to help since Alpha Jake asked her too.
"Thank you for stopping them Em-"
"Alex, my name is Alex." I cut her off before she should use my first name.
I could see Jake's back stiffed at that he was listening and surly registering that my name is Alex. I could smell his emotions regret was one along with a strong sense of longing, confusion and worry. He wanted me and he didn't know how to get me. I'm sure he is trying to figure out what would appease me. Being a warrior and no less a royal warrior meant that I was stronger than him and with him being an Alpha he is accustomed to being the strongest and no one opposing him. Something that never happens within the werewolf society as normally warriors are those surviving wolves who have already lost their mate as it comes with being warriors of the council our lives are expendable. Then add to the fact that Alphas are normally stronger and more dominant than their mates, but then again nothing about me is normal.
"Alex, thank you but what are you going to do? I don't know how you can really help because... the plan failed." Alice continued and whispered the last part into my ears so that I alone would hear it. At this Jake turns around to stare at me with a curious look but I let on nothing with a blank stare. By now we had reached the pack house and were ushered into a guest room that they tried to pass off as Alice's, I mean really how dumb do they think I am. However I still walked in and helped her into the bed and under the covers. She had a worried look on her face because she knew what they're trying to do but not sure how to tell me in front of Jake.
"Everything is fine, just go to sleep."
She relaxed at my words and quickly fell asleep after I did a little sleeping spell on her. Stepping out of the room I closed the door and put up a barrier spell, apart from her only I will be able to come in or out and with the sleeping spell no one can bother her till morning. Turing around I realized Jake had already dismissed Maria and he was just silently staring at me with no clue of the spell I just placed, to anyone it would seem like I was just closing the door.
"We need to talk."
"Okay talk but while we do that show me to her room."
I didn't miss the shock in his eyes before he quickly hid it.
"Uh..."
He must be the first Alpha to make a sound like that and not say anything meaningful, I didn't let my amusement of his squirming show as I continued to give him an leveled stare daring him to lie to me.
"Basement, her room is in the basement." He finally said after a few more seconds while gulping.
"Okay, take me there." This didn't surprise me with all I've already seen.
"Are you sure you don't want to stop by your guest room instead, it's late and you can see it tomorrow." He was trying to buy time so that he can clean her room up and make it look like she was being treated equally.
A plan to tease him came to mind and I gave him a little smile which he didn't really see as I was still wearing my mask.
"Okay let's go to my room first and then I can go there tomorrow."
"Great" he said sounding suspiciously relived.
Walking down the hallway the place was empty. It would seem no one wanted to cross my path in case they somehow manage to piss me off. I also noticed Jake giving me slide glances as if wanting to say something but not quite sure how to. After a few more I grew curious, what is my mate thinking.
"What is it? Just say it." At my words his head jerked forward with his eyes straight ahead probably not realizing what he was doing until I spoke up.
"Your mask. I was just wondering what you looked like without it." He stopped walking and I realized we must have reached my room as we were almost to the end of the hallway.
"Well I was going to show you before but we all know how that turned out."
A regretful look crossed his face but he dropped the topic probably not sure how to continue.
"This is your room" he then turned and faced the last door which was right next to mine, "and that is mine."
Bingo I was right, he would put me very close to him, now I can carry out my plan to both tease him and get a little payback for Alice.
"Can I see it?"
"Of course" he went to open to guest room door but I placed my hand on top of his stopping him. Even through my gloves I can feel the tingles and his excited but confused eyes told me he could to.
"I meant your room." His confusion cleared leaving only excitement as a grin lit up his face and his eyes swirled a slight gold.
"Of course you can."
Opening his door I stepped in first, I gave an approving nod. It was what I was expecting the typical Alpha room, there was nothing lacking. A king sized bed, a huge flat screen, walk in closet, balcony and it goes on. Turning to face him I realized that all along he was staring at me trying to gauge my liking to the room and I had no doubt he was also plotting to get rid of the things I showed dislike for.
"It is nice." And it was, to know that this is your room your home, that it has been for all your life. I have spent my life living in fancy hotels or in the council's mansion I have never had a place to call my home.
"I'm glad you like it."
Taking a deep breath he continued.
"Look I know how bad I must seem to you right now but I swear I'm not. I really just want to see what you look like you can just show me and continue to keep on the mask after. I know all royal guards are supposed to remain faceless but you're my mate so that's an exception right?"
I know why he wanted to see me, despite learning my smell he still needs to see my face so he can identify me and then he will be able to find me and right now he has no way of finding me if I disappeared. However I didn't want him seeing my face just yet so I raised my hand over my face and transformed my full mask into a simple black eye mask so that my whole face wouldn't be on display but enough to tease him.
"That's all you're getting for now." With my every word his eyes stayed glued to my lips with clear desire. Great it's working but of course it should I'm his mate.
I walked up to his bed running my hand along the comforter until I was standing at his bedside.
"It's just my type."
"I am- I mean it is." He quickly corrected himself with a slight blush.
I gave a nod and he continued, "You can have it for your stay here if you want."
"Can I now?" I responded pretending to be doubtful trying to hide the amusement from my eyes.
"Yes anything for my mate, plus it smells like me so you would sleep better." He says this with pride and a wide grin.
"Really... you would give me anything?"
"Yes I would." He says with assurance as if trying to convince me he would.
"Great then for as long as I'm staying here I want to stay in this room."
He was about to say something else but stopped at my words and started making soft choking noises. His blush increased but I wasn't sure if it was from his lack of words or his wild imagination, however as his eyes took on a golden glint I realized where his perverted mind was going.
"Of course you can." He said slightly out of breathe while staring at my lips again.
He must think I want to stay together with him, this Alpha sure can dream. I decided to continue teasing him, I did plan to but not as much as I'm going to now.
Looking over at him, he is still standing there observing me with those golden eyes. He was giving me control, he understood I was the dominant one in this mating and was silently letting me make the first step and establish a limit. That is a sight, an Alpha being submissive. He is not the first as Alpha mates are only submissive when they are seeking forgiveness from a mate which is rare but considering our power imbalance this might be a normal occurrence.
Stifling a fake yawn I slowly approached him forging tiredness. He eyes remain attentive to my every step but he didn't move. Finally I came to a stop right in front of him. Looking up at him through my eyelashes I asked.
"Can we go to sleep now? I'm tired."
With a sharp intake of breathe and a jerky nod he stood stock still but his eyes were now a liquid gold. His hands made fists at his side, no doubt to stop himself from grabbing me.
"Can you get me a shirt to sleep in? I left all my stuff on the cruise ship."
Quickly turning on his heels he slipped into his walk in closet and came back out with a t shirt that reeked of vanilla comfort and his woods smell. He handed it over to me with anticipation and excitement in his eyes, typical men he couldn't wait to see me wearing his clothes. I gave it all but two seconds of appreciation before I dropped it on the bed dismissing it. His eyes glinted a slight black showing me his anger but it quickly disappeared with my next move.
Lifting my right hand I very lightly trailed my fingertips over his abs then I fist the white button up shirt he was wearing from the party.
"I want this one."
He breathed out a whispered okay as he started opening button by button all the while his face inching closer to mine. While I wanted to tease him it was becoming harder and harder to hold back. I wanted him and the mate bond wasn't helping. Giving up I leaned forward to close the two inches of space still existing between our lips but just as I felt his warm breath and feather touch on my parted lips there was an interference warning in my mind. Someone was on the border of one of my spells.
It was my wake-up call and I quickly stepped back and out of his arms as I regained composure. I was really affected by this bond I didn't even know when he wrapped his arms around my waist. Focusing on my spell I knew what it was, the entry spell I placed on Alice's room someone was trying to get in and it seems that they now gave up, it was good thinking to place it. Finally looking up I realized Jake now had a frustrated look. Right I was teasing him before I got carried away.
Bending down I took up his shirt from the floor and went to the bathroom to change, this seemed to quell his frustration and excitement was back in his eyes. Walking out in just my underwear and his shirt caused his eyes to stay trained on my legs. Looking up into his eyes I spoke in a low suggestive voice, "Let's go to bed." His eyes gleamed with joy at this, boy is this going to be sweet. Slowly I walked to the door, he seemed confused but followed when I beckoned him with my index finger.
I opened it and then without warning gave him a push to send him outside but not too hard to hurt him. He looked up confused and was about to speak but I beat him to it.
"Thanks for letting me stay in your room, you can use my guest room, goodnight."
I said overly sweet and closed the door on his shocked face, and that's how it's done. Little by little I was going to break him and rebuild him into the man that is worthy of being an Alpha... of being my mate. I finally had the one thing I have always wanted and I wasn't about to let it go because of some rough edges. He might be bad but I'll not give up because after all, he is mine.
....