Subdued

Jodie

“Stop! Who’s there?” Beta Carl’s voice echoed through the room as I stepped out from the shadows of the hallway.

It was the dead of night.

I should’ve been asleep.

But my mind was racing.

“You’re threatening your Alpha, Beta? That’s a mistake,” I said, a chuckle escaping my lips.

“My apologies, Alpha,” Beta Carl straightened up. “It’s dark. I didn’t recognize you.”

I moved into the single beam of moonlight that cut through the stone walls of the room.

“You’re doing a good job, Beta Carl. Always on guard. Always ready,” I replied.

“Why are you up so late, Alpha?” he asked.

“Just thinking, Beta. Just thinking,” I said, settling into my throne.

“Alright, Alpha Jodie. I’ll leave you to it.”

He turned to leave, but I stopped him.

“Actually, Carl, stay. I could use someone to talk to.”

He turned back and stood by my side.

“Everything’s in motion, Beta,” I said, a proud smile spreading across my face. “Quinn’s doing great in her studies. She’s strong. Her powers will soon surpass mine. Matheius will be pleased.”

“That’s good, Alpha,” said Carl, standing rigidly.

“Relax, Beta Carl! You’re so stiff.”

“I’m sorry if it bothers you,” he said, his voice serious.

“It doesn’t bother me,” I laughed. “But it does puzzle me. I’ve seen you in battle. I’ve seen you with your enemies. You’re fierce. That’s why you’re my Beta.”

“Yes, Alpha,” he nodded.

“So why are you always so damn cold with me?” I reached over and ran my hand down his arm.

His strong, muscular arm.

Scarred and veiny, it was a testament to his strength.

And the damage he’d done.

I continued, “Sometimes it feels like you treat your prey with more warmth than me. I’m the one who pulled you out of the gutter. Who saw your potential and gave you a place to use it. It’s confusing.”

“I’m sorry if it bothers you, Alpha,” he grunted.

“For fuck’s sake! Can’t you just talk, Beta? I’m not your commander right now! Say something.”

“It’s not my place, Alpha. You’re my leader. I follow. That’s how it should be,” he said, his voice steady.

“God,” I scoffed. “Are you some kind of saint? You destroyed your brother’s pack. Killed hundreds of innocent wolves. And you’re too dutiful to talk to me?”

“Killing is my job, Alpha. Revenge is what I’m good at. Questioning you isn’t.”

I stood up from my throne and walked over to him, standing just inches away.

His eyes were hard and determined in the moonlight.

His tall, muscular body was rigid.

Every muscle tense.

Every fiber tight.

He was uncomfortable.

Me, a forty-five-year-old woman, had this young, strong man frozen in fear.

~What kind of power do I have over him?~

I put my arms around his shoulders and started to massage them.

His muscles moved under my touch.

“You’re so tense, Beta. You should relax. It’s late. We’re alone.”

Beta Carl stood silently.

He didn’t move. He was completely still. Under my control.

Only the sweat dripping from his forehead showed he wasn’t a statue.

I giggled to myself as I continued to touch him.

My hands moved down his chest, over the muscles straining against his tight shirt.

They followed the lines of his abs.

His muscles tightened under my touch.

Beta Carl’s breathing grew heavier.

He was getting nervous.

I was enjoying teasing him.

It had been a while since we’d been alone together, especially when I was in a mood like this.

My hand moved lower until it was resting on his belt.

“What are you going to do now, Beta?” I asked, playing with his buckle, “Any objections?”

His body started to tremble.

~Just how I like him.~

But he didn’t say anything.

“Alright!” I laughed. “You’re really dedicated to your duties. You should be rewarded,” I looked him in the eyes and winked. “And that’s exactly what I plan to do.”

Just as I started to reach into his baggy military pants, he swung his arm and knocked my hand away.

“Oh! Maybe you’re not as obedient as I thought,” I cackled. “Are you going to fight me tonight? I love a challenge.”

Beta Carl glared at me.

There was something about the anger in his eyes that excited me.

Made me want to give in to him.

This was the side of him that really turned me on.

“What are you going to do—“

Before I could finish, Beta Carl had his hand around my throat, cutting off my breath.

“Don’t fucking touch me, you bitch!” he spat in my face.

His words stung.

I could’ve had him killed for what he did.

I could do it in a heartbeat.

And that’s what I loved most.

He could choke me, spit in my face, beat me.

But in the end, I still had control over his life.

His fingers tightened around my throat, and I met his gaze with a sarcastic smile.

But it didn’t take long for that familiar fear to creep back into his eyes.

A reminder that he was mine.

That his fits of anger were only tolerated because I allowed them.

Soon enough, he released me, dropping me to the floor as he grappled with the reality of his actions.

I coughed as I got back on my feet. “Well, thanks, Beta. That was quite the thrill. It'll give me plenty to ponder tonight.”

I gave him a wink.

Without uttering a word, he saluted, turned on his heel, and marched out of the throne room.

~He’s my servant. Completely mine.~

~Just like Quinn will be.~

Harper

~Where on earth could she be?~

I’d been searching for Sky for the past hour.

I’d scoured every corner of Fort Vulpes.

Checked the garden.

Searched the forest surrounding the fortress entrance.

I’d left no stone unturned.

But she was nowhere to be found!

Vanished without a trace!

I was starting to fear the worst.

I knew I shouldn’t have just stood by and watched that damn rogue sweep her off her feet.

Who knows what he might have done to her by now?

My heart pounded. My mind raced.

Sweat trickled down my face.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt like this.

Among the pack, I was known for my cool-headedness. In battle, on the hunt, even in the heat of an argument, I was usually composed.

But this situation had me feeling something I hadn’t felt in a long time.

Fear.

And why?

Sky was my friend, sure.

I had plenty of friends I’d never worried about before.

But there was something about Sky. She was sweet. Innocent. Naive. She needed protection. And something inside me felt compelled to be the one to protect her.

I reached a hill at the edge of the woods and sprinted over it.

This was the last place I hadn’t checked.

I raced to the top.

From the hilltop, I could see two figures wrestling on the hillside below.

A high-pitched scream pierced the night.

I’d recognize that scream anywhere.

It was Sky!

That damn rogue was attacking her!

I let out a roar of rage and charged down the hill towards them.

With a leap, I tackled Sky’s attacker, pinning him to the ground. He was at my mercy.

“You’re going to pay for what you did to her!” I yelled in the rogue’s terrified face.

“Harper! What the hell are you doing?” Sky said, standing up and dusting herself off.

“I’m trying to protect you from this bastard! Get back, Sky!“

“Harper,” she yelled, “this bastard and I were kind of busy.”

I looked back down at the rogue’s face.

It was smeared with lipstick.

She’d been kissing him?

This ugly, brutish rogue?

I couldn’t believe it.

I was furious.

Sleeping with the enemy?

How could she?

I wanted to lash out.

I wanted to scream.

But I had no right to.

As distasteful as it was, I had no say in the matter.

I released the rogue and stood up.

“I came to get you, Sky,” I said, my voice cold. “Zara, Jax, Quinn, and I are heading back to Shadow Moon. Let’s go. We should be meeting them now.”

Sky sighed deeply.

My stomach knotted.

“I'm not going back, Harper. I'm staying here…with Percy.”

“What the fuck did you just say?” I asked, stunned and furious.

“I'm staying here, Harper. With my mate.”