Chapter 48

Shemika navigated her way through the community building, heading toward the field where she spent her afternoons with the pack’s she-wolves. They had initially been distant, but she didn’t hold it against them. It was always challenging to welcome a new member into a tight-knit group.

Shemika, however, hadn’t felt that way when she learned about Colette. She was genuinely thrilled to meet her, eager to form a new bond. Her relationship with Ylenia was strained at best, and Selene, who never left her temple, was even more distant. Selene was wholly committed to her role as the temple priestess.

As Shemika lifted her hand to wave at the women relaxing by the river, a man abruptly blocked her path. “Shemika Loren,” he said formally. “Alpha Lyosha has summoned you.”

“What does he want?” she asked, her voice echoing in the open space.

Brogan’s face twisted into a scowl. “Do you dare question your alpha, Shemika Loren?” he demanded.

~Oh, please. What a drama queen.~ “No, I was asking you, tough guy,” she retorted, placing a hand on her hip.

He took a step toward her, as if to attack, but quickly reconsidered. She wasn’t surprised. Both Lyosha and Nikandr saw her as their possession, and Brogan likely did too. ~Don’t harm the merchandise, errand boy.~

“Just follow me, Shemika Loren,” he commanded, moving past her to lead her back to the community building. His movements were rigid, like a toy soldier, which made her chuckle. He was nothing more than a puppet, controlled by his alpha’s commands.

Rolling her eyes and sighing dramatically, she obediently trailed behind him. Brogan guided her into the building and toward Lyosha’s office. He waited outside as she entered, but didn’t follow her in. ~Creepy.~

The door slammed shut behind her, and she heard the lock click into place from the outside. She turned to see Lyosha sitting at his desk, motionless, as if he had been waiting for her. Something felt wrong. His gaze reminded her of Dancescu, and it made her uncomfortable.

“You look well today, Shemika,” he said, his voice strained. It was a simple compliment, but the way he said it sent a chill down her spine.

“Thank you, my alpha,” she replied with a sweet smile, though it didn’t seem to affect him.

“Have a seat.” He gestured toward the plush chair in front of his large oak desk. She complied, moving slowly and keeping her eyes on him.

“Did I ever tell you about the border patrol man I lost?” he asked.

She shook her head, her mouth filling with bile. “I don’t believe so, sir.”

“He was murdered a few weeks ago,” he continued, his gaze piercing. “His throat was slit from ear to ear.”

“That’s unfortunate, sir. I’m sorry for your loss,” she said, wondering where he was going with this.

“It was the same night my punisher went to the human city,” he added.

Shemika swallowed hard, a knot of fear forming in her stomach. “Yeah?”

“Do you understand what I’m saying, Shemika?” he asked.

She shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Nope.”

He sighed and slowly stood up, placing his hands on his desk. “I was giving you a chance to confess, Shemika. I’m very disappointed in you.” He walked around the desk until he was standing next to her. “I had hoped you could be obedient like the other women. They all left him alone, just like I asked.”

~What?~ They had left him alone because Lyosha had asked? But everyone said it was because he was too rough, too animalistic.

Shemika remained silent, knowing that nothing she said would help her now.

“I’ve worked hard to isolate that boy,” he continued, looking down at her. “He was stubborn and willful, and a strong bond with anyone could threaten my influence over him. You understand what I’m saying, don’t you, dear?” He unhooked his belt from his pants.

A shiver ran down her spine.

“You’ve isolated him,” she spat, turning to glare at him. She hadn’t intended to confront him, but she couldn’t hold back. Lyosha had done this intentionally. “Why?”

“I don’t answer to you, Shemika. You answer to me,” he retorted, raising his belt.

“You’re going to beat me, huh? Like you beat him when he was a child?” she sneered. “Go ahead, beat a woman, ~Alpha~.”

He paused, a smile spreading across his face. “We’re a community, Shemika. We all have roles to play, and the only way we can function efficiently is if everyone does their part. I will not hesitate to discipline anyone who steps out of line, regardless of their gender.”

She glared at him, her eyes narrowing at the sight of the belt in his hands. “Well, why don’t you get started then?”

“You don’t really want that boy, you just want to defy me. Trust me, Shemika, obedience to me is the key to the life you truly desire,” he said.

“I doubt it,” she retorted. “I won’t leave Cat alone. He’s mine.”

His glare intensified as he lowered his belt. “That’s where you’re wrong, little wolf. I am the alpha of ~this~ pack, you are just a newcomer. Every wolf in this pack is ~mine~. Caturix is mine. You are mine. I will make sure you understand this before you leave this room, no matter how long it takes. You won’t leave until you can recite it back to me,” he growled, lifting her out of the chair by her neck until they were eye to eye. “You will not undermine all the work I’ve put into Caturix. He answers to no one but me.”

“He’s…not your…pet,” Shemika managed to choke out.

“Oh, but he is. I made him MY PET,” he yelled, spittle flying from his mouth. “Everyone in this pack is my pet. You will be my pet.”

“I…will never…be your…pet,” she gasped.

He grinned at her response. “You’ll change your mind soon enough, little wolf.”