Chapter Sixteen - The Bitch

The Bitch

Abigail's POV

A soft knock wakes me. I didn't even realize I'd fallen asleep. Glancing at the clock I groan. It's well past seven. I've slept all evening.

My bedroom door opens and my stomach drops at the sight of Liam leaning against the door-frame with arms crossed. His handsome face is an unreadable mask and it sets me on edge.

Clearing my throat, I ask harshly, "What is it?" I'm still pissed over what happened earlier. Really pissed.

Me too.

It pleases me that my wolf has my back.

Always.

His jaw ticks. "It's time for dinner."

"I'm not hungry," I huff. That's a lie. I'm starving. But I feel like being difficult.

He rolls his eyes. "You are and stop acting like a child."

I wince. Low blow, Liam, low blow. "You're an ass."

"And you are pushing it, pet." His eyes flash with anger. A clear warning, he won't allow me to smart mouth him again.

I drop my gaze. Damn it. He intimidates me so easily.

He is alpha.

That's not an excuse to act like a dick.

Getting up I amble towards the vanity, sleepily rubbing my eyes. Liam's watching me, his dark brows furrowed. "You've been sleeping for hours."

"I was tired," I grumble, pulling my hair back into a messy bun.

"Perhaps you shouldn't stay up all night," he accuses.

I scowl at him in the mirror. "How do you know that?" For that matter how did he know I was hungry?

He exhales loudly, obviously irritated with me. "I know everything you do, Abigail."

That's unsettling. "And how's that?"

"I just do."

"These crap half answers are really annoying, Liam," I snap.

"Alpha," he corrects with a growl.

"What?" He's never made me call him that before.

Straightening from the doorway he approaches me slowly. "The rest of the pack is arriving. It's time you learned your place."

I do not like this.

You and me both.

"My place?" I can't keep the bite from my tone. He's standing over me now. Looming. Authoritative.

"From now on you will refer to me as Alpha or Alpha Grey." I open my mouth to argue but a quick flash of his fangs has my jaw clamping shut. "You will not argue with me in front of the pack. You will show respect. And you will know your place."

My hands clench into tight fists. Part of me wants to strike him. "My place as your pet you mean."

"Exactly," he hisses. "Remember it well, Abigail."

"Why don't you just get me a collar, Alpha?" I snarl the last part.

A glint shines in his eyes. "Perhaps I will," he drawls with a smirk.

My mouth gapes. He wouldn't dare!

Turning he motions with his hand for me to follow. "Come, pet." This time the endearment is anything but.

Hate him. Hate him. Hate him. With each passing minute it grows. I let it. Feed off it. Maybe it can fill the emptiness he's left inside my heart.

Despite my anger I still follow him like a damn dog on a leash. As we head downstairs I can hear multiple voices and boisterous laughter. Liam pushes open the door to the dining room, standing aside for me to enter. As soon as I do my heart jumps nervously into my throat.

The room is packed with people. They stop talking immediately, all eyes staring directly at me. It's as if I've just walked into a lavish party. The woman are wearing stylish dresses and expensive jewelry, and the men are dressed in formal wear.

I look over my shoulder at Liam, only now noticing his pristine dark blue trousers, grey vest, and crisp white dress shirt.

Self-conscious I pluck at my baggy sweatshirt, my brain quickly assessing how I must look to these strangers. Black yoga pants, bare feet, hair a messy knot at the top of my head, and a dingy green sweatshirt that's two sizes too big...

Oh, my god. Kill me. Kill me now.

Samuel approaches me with a broad grin. "Stop fidgeting. You look fabulous, little queen."

Liam gives Samuel a cold look. "We've discussed this, Samuel."

Samuel raises a brow. "My mistake, Alpha." There's an edge to his tone that surprises me. Is Samuel angry? Is it because of something Liam did or because of Roland's earlier behavior?

Come to think of it, where is Roland?

I look around the room again. Jin is here, leaning back against the wall with arms crossed. He has his usual look of indifference and thankfully he's dressed in casual black clothes - headphones still on - and not some fancy attire.

But Roland is definitely missing...

"Where's Roland?" I ask.

Samuel shrugs. "No idea. We've been trying to reach him for hours."

That's strange. I feel a tinge of worry. After his weird attitude earlier today I hope he's okay.

Liam's hand presses against the small of my back, drawing my attention. My stomach flutters a bit and I chastise myself for it.

He guides me further into the room, announcing sternly to his pack, "This is Abigail, my wolfs chosen. She is now a member of this pack."

"This half-breed?" a female voice towards the back of the room sneers.

"Yes," Liam replies curtly. "However, she is not your queen for obvious reason. Nonetheless she will remain a part of this pack. My wolf will not allow otherwise. That is the end of the matter."

I glare at him angrily. I don't miss the emphasis he keeps placing on the fact that I'm his wolfs choice, not his. I'm not Liam's mate. I'm not the supposed queen of his pack. I'm just his little pet.

Degrading.

Fuck, yes it is.

My wolf is growling in my mind. She's pissed.

Members of the pack swarm to meet me. Some of them grin and hug me to them happily, other's give me looks of cool indifference. Samuel stays by my side the entire time, but Liam leaves me quickly, socializing with various pack members. It hurts that Liam would abandon me in a time like this, but I force myself to deal with it.

Thankful for Samuel's presence I suffer through the members who look at me as if I'm nothing but a bug under their shoe. And I think I may actually get through this, until the biggest bitch I've ever met in my life approaches me with a look of disgust. Compared to this woman Sarah Young looks like a saint.

What's even worse is she's gorgeous. So much so I feel almost jealous. Tall and slim with the perfect figure. Her blonde hair is shiny and thick, piled at the top of her head in an elegant bun. Her black dress clings to her frame and I swear she's wearing real diamonds around her neck and in her ears.

She stands several feet away from me, crinkling her nose. "My, you even reek of a half-breed. How does Alpha stand it?" I can tell by her voice that she's the one that made the half-breed comment earlier.

Total bitch.

Hiking my chin, I respond snappily, "I'm guessing the same way he deals with your foul stench."

Her bright blue eyes widen. I'm shocked myself. The words were out of my mouth in a flash. Beside me Samuel snorts with laughter, quickly covering his mouth.

The bitch narrows her eyes at me. "What a nasty little girl. It's no wonder Alpha denies you as his queen."

Bitch. Bitch. Bitch.

I can physically feel my wolf prowling in my mind. I've never felt her so heated and aggressive before.

"Who the fuck are you?" I snarl. Again, I don't know where this is coming from. Is it because of my wolf?

Smirking, she straightens her back. "My name is Amelia. I'm surprised Alpha hasn't mentioned me. We are so very close after all."

I don't miss the suggestion in her tone. And I don't like it at all.

I want to kill her.

Amelia's eyes trail coldly down my body. "You even look like a child. How pathetic. Although I suppose I should be pleased. I was worried I would have competition. It looks like I will be the queen of this pack after-all."

Beside me Samuel growls.

She threatens to take our mate!

"The fuck you will!" I cry, taking a menacing step forward.

The entire room goes quiet once more. And once again all eyes are on me.

Amelia grins, her fangs elongating in her mouth. "Are you challenging me? I'll rip you to pieces, little girl."

She's right. She's a full blooded werewolf. I can't even turn. But I don't care. I feel rage. Hot blood boiling rage. She can't take Liam from me. Liam is mine.

Let me rise.

What?

Let me rise. I will destroy her.

I don't know how.

Amelia laughs, noticing the conflict in my eyes. "You can't even turn. Like I said. Pathetic."

My hand flies out fast, faster than I've ever moved in my life, slapping her hard across the face. Amelia's head snaps to the side from the force. Cupping her cheek she gives me a shocked look. For half a second. Then her eyes light on fire and her claws sharpen to black deadly points. She gives me a dark look and I can tell she means to kill me.

She lunges for me. So fast I can't react. Samuel moves to stop her, but before he can even finish his first step - before I can even fathom any of it - Jin is in front of me in a blur of black. His hand snatches Amelia by the throat, lifting her clean off the ground. Squeezing his hand Jin growls deep and loud in his chest. Amelia's anger is replaced by fear, her head dropping, her neck moving to the side in a sign of submission.

"Enough," Liam's voice commands, quiet and calm. Like the time we were confronted by the witches. Even in the short time I've known him I know that tone means serious danger. When Liam is angry, really angry, he doesn't shout or scream, he gets quiet. "Put her down, Jin."

Jin snorts, dropping Amelia to the ground.

She staggers back to her feet, quickly smoothing down her dress. "How dare you!"

Jin takes a step towards her with fangs bared. Amelia immediately backs up. I almost grin with satisfaction over her fear. It seeps from her pores.

Who is the one who reeks now?

"I said enough," Liam orders, standing beside Amelia.

Jin stares at Liam, his dark eyes furious.

"He was protecting her," Samuel states, stepping forward. "And I was about to do that same."

My heart warms over Samuel's words. Samuel and Jin care about me. And I know Roland does too. Screw everyone else.

"And you were both warned about this," Liam growls.

Jin doesn't back down, glaring at Liam with pure fury.

Liam's eyes flash, his stance changing. I can feel the dominance pouring off him in powerful waves. "Jin," he warns softly.

This is bad.

"I will protect my queen, Alpha," Jin snarls. "Even from you."

My jaw nearly hits the floor. All else is forgotten as I stare at Jin in complete shock. Jin spoke. He freaking spoke!

"Holy shit, you can talk!"

*******

AN: Oh, boy! I wonder what will happen next. Jin spoke, can you believe it? I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.