7

Word Count: 1858

~Sienna

I look over the swarm of girls and their escorts, nerves battling with anticipation in my stomach for what is making me feel worse.

Lucia clasps her hands together from beside me, pulling their attention toward us. "Good morning all, and welcome. My name is Lucia and I am Onyx's mother, and the previous Luna."

Everyone arrived this morning in a flurry of brightly coloured dresses and a ridiculous amount of luggage. In their defense, they have no idea when they'll be leaving, or if they'll be chosen.

"I will leave you in very capable hands here with Sienna. She knows everything about the estate, and my son." Lucia looks at me, raising her brows.

I smile, assuring her I have this covered with a sharp nod. She gives everyone a departing wave before leaving the room.

"Lucia is very busy with other affairs, but she will see you at dinner," I tell everyone.

I've gathered them in the formal sitting room, the light streaming through the floor to ceiling windows, highlighting their hopeful faces.

"Anyways, I recognise you all from your descriptions on your profiles. I am very happy to have you here," I tell them, rubbing my hands together anxiously.

"When do we meet the Alpha?" One girl states.

It's Elora. The profile description was right about her dark hair and even darker eyes. I fight the urge to look down to make confirmation about the mention of birthing hips.

I smile weakly, smoothing my hair back. "Soon. Very soon."

"Am I going to have my own bathroom?" Another girl asks, her arms folded over her chest as she lounges casually on the expense chaise lounge.

If I remember correctly, this is Lexa. Her hair is pulled back, as vibrantly ginger as was described. Her eyes are pale blue, staring at me through thick lashes.

"Ah, yes..." I clear my throat.

"Are you rumours about you fucking the Alpha true?" Lexa asks blatantly, her voice strong and forceful.

"Lexa!" The man beside her scolds. I'm not sure who he is, but I believe he's her brother. They don't look all that related, considering his hair and eyes are many shades darker than hers.

"Everyone knows she is," Elora adds mindlessly, flipping through a book she brought with her.

I straighten, trying not to appear rattled. I've been accused of sleeping with Onyx many times before. I'm tired of being reduced to that.

And that last time someone accused me of being in his bed, I was called a whore.

"I understand the news about me being Onyx's mistress may disconcert you, but know above anything else, I am his friend. His best friend," I explain to them, sharing a tight smile.

Lexa rolls her eyes. "We all know what that means."

Her brother shoots her a cold warning look which she ignores.

"Is he good in bed?" Elora asks, tucking her bookmark into the crease of her books. "He looks good in bed...those hands-"

I clap my own hands together, cutting her off. "Please, can we not speak about the Onyx and I's relationship? It's private."

I'm drawing the line. I understand their curiosity, considering they may have to marry a man whose attraction may be elsewhere, but this is too much for me to handle right now.

"What do you do here?" Lexa pushes.

"I work...worked for Lucia."

"She is the Alpha's mistress so she does nothing but lounge in his bed all day waiting for him to come home." Elora giggles, looking at Lexa who sports her own grin.

This was supposed to be easy. Fun.

"I told you-"

"Why don't you marry him, huh? If you're so close..." Lexa asks. The wicked curve to her lips tells me she knows exactly why I'm not marrying him.

Shame curdles my blood, but I refuse to lower my stare. I'm not ashamed of my background, of how people perceive me. Any fault they find for my immutable traits is one in them.

"I'm not wealthy, nor am I of noble birth."

"Enough, everyone," Lexa's escort growls. "By the sounds of it, Sienna here is close with the Alpha, so if you want a shot at impressing him, you should consider being nice to her."

I let out a slow breath, giving him a grateful smile. He nods once.

"Agreed," another girl pipes in. Alessandra, I recognise, remembering she prefers to be called Alex.

She seems just as irritated with the line of questioning as Lexa's brother. Her striking blue eyes are narrowed, a grouchy look on her face that seems directed at Lexa and Elora.

"Thank you. You will be meeting Onyx shortly. Please know that this isn't a competition, and there are no rules. You are all guests here, although it is Onyx's discretion, or yours, if you are to leave here. Understood?"

They all nod, murmuring in agreement.

I motion towards tables littered about the sitting room. "Now, have something to eat and relax until the Alpha arrives."

Everyone gathers around the small tables, laden with foods fit for every kind of diet.

Alex comes up beside me, nudging my side.

"Are you okay?" She asks lowly.

I feel the urge to vent my frustrations until I remember this is my first time talking to this girl, and I'm supposed to be the picture of control and ease.

"I'm great. You must be Alessandra," I greet.

She's stunning. She's about an inch shorter than me, with fluffy golden hair she has styled beautifully. Thin rimmed glasses are perched on her nose, giving her a refined, regal look.

"Call me Alex. This is my brother, Rowan. He's acting as my chaperone." She gestures to the meek looking man who lingers back.

He shakes my hand. "Nice to meet you."

"You too. I hope you settle in nicely."

Alex glances into the dining room before leaning close.

"Is Onyx kind?" She asks, fidgeting with her gold bracelet. "My father didn't give me much of a choice, he just sent me here and told me to get on with it. I'm open to love, but I'm worried he's a monster."

I draw my lower lip into my mouth, biting down. I knew this would come up, and I understand why she would be wary about meeting him.

"Those rumours exist for a reason, of course." I may as well not lie to her. "Onyx is a dangerous, intimidating man. But he's also kind, loyal and warm. You just have to peel back the layers."

She squares her shoulders back, a smile playing on her lips. She's officially curious, and now she knows her life isn't at risk, she can commit herself to this.

"I can do that."

I pat her shoulder. "Good luck, Alex."

She heads off to the table, picking up a small sandwich. I linger back, unable to stomach anything right now.

The door opens a moment later, Onyx stepping in.

Everyone draws in collective breaths, stiffening as his presence settles over the room. The cold horror of his power and influence becomes painfully apparent as his dark eyes sweep over everyone in turn.

"Welcome all, to my home," he greets stiffly. "These are strange circumstances, although I hope we can make the best of it."

He sounds awfully robotic, forcing out those rehearsed words, although nowhere here seems to notice.

"Continue to talk amongst yourselves. I'll come by and speak to you all individually," he imparts.

Instead of breezing over to one of the girls, who stares him down with wide, terrified eyes, he comes straight to me.

"Hey, you're not supposed to come to me first," I murmur under my breath.

He turns his back on everyone who now talks awkwardly between themselves, leaning his head down to mine. "I can't do this."

"Breathe, Onyx..." I instruct coolly, watching the tension play out on his face.

He studies my face. "This is wrong. This is a sham."

I settle my hands on his shoulders, ignoring the biting looks from the girls who watch on. To them I'm his mistress, and they clearly hate it.

"I've seen you stare down some of the most powerful Alpha's in the world. Finding a wife for your Pack is the smallest sacrifice you've had to make," I say lowly.

He straightens, steeling himself with faux confidence.

"You're right."

"Obviously. Now stop feeding the rumours and introduce yourself to these beautiful ladies." I smile, jerking my head in their direction.

He frowns. "What rumours?"

"Nothing." I turn, pushing my hand against his back. "Off you go."

He gives me a long look, but reluctantly heads off, introducing himself to Elora first. I back off a couple steps until I'm leaning against the far wall, watching the awkward interactions unfolding.

Lexa's brother peels off from the group, strolling over to me.

He's a good looking guy. His eyes are a dark, captivating blue that pulls me in immediately, his smile wide and warm.

I smile tentatively as he presses his back against the wall next to me, sliding his hands into his pockets.

"He seems nervous," he observes, smoothing a hand back over his fluffy brown hair, the ends brushing against his shoulders.

"Oh...he doesn't get nervous, exactly." I twist at the ring around my finger. "He's just-"

"He doesn't want this, does he?" The man observes.

I turn to look at him. It doesn't take the most keen eye to realise Onyx would rather be ten feet under than in this situation, but Lexa's brother is clearly observant.

"He doesn't know what he wants," I say carefully.

"My sister won't love him," he says casually.

"It's not entirely about love." As much as I would like Onyx to fall in love, the realistic part of my brain knows it's unlikely to happen.

"What do you get out of this?" He turns so he's facing me, his shoulder resting against the wall. "If you're his mistress, you have to be involved with him quite intimately."

My breath feels cold as it passes by my lips, unable to shake the frosty feeling constricting around my lungs.

"I want this Pack to flourish," I say steadily. "I need it to."

He holds his hand out for me to shake. "I'm Kayn, by the way."

I take it. It's probably dangerous for me to find him attractive, but I can't help myself. He looks like he doesn't struggle to seduce whoever he pleases.

"We probably shouldn't talk," I murmur under my breath.

"Why not?"

I stare at Onyx's back. I'm probably wrongly assuming he cares about who I flirt with, but his reactions to those unnecessarily in my presence have been explosive in the past.

"Never mind." I nod to the door. "Come with me to get some air?"

He grins. "Absolutely."

💙••💙

Thank you to everyone who has subscribed to this story over on Inkitt! Over there, you can read 15 chapters ahead!

If you would like to read more of The Alpha's Mistress, you can read over 10 chapters ahead on Radish!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thank you for reading (:

~Midika 💜🐼