The Alpha Assassin novel Chapter 8

I made a detour through the kitchen, the best source of news. The omegas rarely noticed me anymore. I busied myself, getting a glass of water and fanning my face in case anyone looked my way.

“There are some cute ones out there.”

“None that are my taste; when it comes to warriors, they’re all the same,”

“Why are they all still outside? It seems so dumb to keep them in that tent instead of going to their rooms.”

“I heard it was so the sons could inspect them.”

“Like cattle.”

“I guess warriors are no better than omegas,” A few of them laughed.

“Not tonight, they aren’t.”

I slipped out, no one noticing. I grabbed a cloth and scissors. I went into the hall and almost bumped into him.

“There you are.” He tilted his head, crooning.

I looked down and shifted from foot to foot. I couldn’t decide if this was a good or bad development.

“Look at me when I’m talking to you, bitch,” he spat, and I looked up, blinking a few times. “You turned out to be quite pretty, you know?” he said, and the compliment from him felt sour. “Still mute?” He barked a laugh.

“Shouldn’t you be getting back to your mate?” I asked him, fishing for information, “Tending to her bruises?”

His face twitched into a wide smile. “She doesn’t obey,” He tutted, reaching out his hand toward my face.

I swatted it away before I could think he would be gone soon, and he didn’t seem like the type to mention anything I might have said or done. If everything went to my makeshift plan, he wouldn’t have much time to tell them anyway. I smiled at that thought.

“Finally got a backbone, I see.” He reached out to me again.

I grabbed his hand, squeezing it in a way I knew would hurt. Confusion flashed across his face before he narrowed his eyes and pulled his hand from mine.

“Don’t touch me,” I said every word slowly.

“I will.” He smiled, and it turned my stomach. “It seems they have been too soft on you. I’m going to take pleasure in breaking you. It’s not fun when they’re already broken.” He frowned, seeming genuinely sad.

Sadistic fuck.

I tried to brush past him, I had a lot to do and couldn’t let my mask slip as much as I wanted to. Not yet.

He grabbed my arm, squeezing hard. “I know where you stay, bitch.” He threatened.

“I’ll be waiting.” I gave him a sweet smile pulling myself from him.

Every step away from him felt heavy. I wanted to turn around, tell him how much of a piece of shit he was, break his finger, something.

I hated what I was forced to become, but I would have my conversation with him later, and if I didn’t, if he was gone before then, well, I would have to come to terms with that.

I slipped out a back door. Booming laughter and chatter filled the air. It was stifling; it permeated the air in a way only men that were overconfident in their positions could.

I hated it.

I slipped into the shadows, giving the bright tent a wide berth. It was only covered on top, and I couldn’t be seen out here; I had no plausible alibi.

It took me almost twice as long to get there since I had to stick to the shadows. I hated every extra step.

Finally, I was on my way back. I needed to trim the fireheart anyways; it was growing so fast someone would surely notice it, and I had a feeling I would need it again soon.

“You bitch,” I froze when I heard Dalton’s voice.

How did he spot me so far away? Even with his wolf, I thought I was well hidden. I turned around, letting out a sigh of relief, seeing he wasn’t talking to me, wasn’t even looking in my direction.

Dalton sat at the edge of the illuminated tent; the soft glow illuminated him and a sopping-wet blonde omega. Dalton laughed as Tia wiped away the wine he threw on her with her sleeve. Dalton’s mate looked down at her feet, but I couldn’t fault her for her reaction.

A new plan formed, I didn’t know if it would work, but it was worth the experiment. I slipped through the door of the winding staircase to my room. I had about twenty minutes before it would be ruined.

I took a studying breath to calm my shaking hands. The adrenaline coursed through me again as I took out my supplies and the jar of sad, wilted leafs.

On the skin, it would be fine for a few minutes -I hoped. I would risk the reaction on my skin; I just didn’t know how I could hide the rash or welts that would surly form.

That was a problem for tomorrow, even though I knew I should plan for that, I didn’t have the time. I would figure it out later.

I slung on a shawl and hid the jar, taking the stairs closer to the kitchen this time and waiting. I hoped I wasn’t too late, but there would be other chances.

I waited for a few long minutes. I would have to move eventually; someone might notice me missing. I sighed and started to head to my room, calculating a new plan.

Soft feet shuffled behind me, and I turned slowly.

“Oh,” Tia said as rounded the corner and saw me. Her eyes were red and puffy; she reeked of wine.

“Tia.” I took a step back. “Are you okay?” I asked.

“A warrior didn’t like his wine, or it was too warm, I’m not sure.” She shook her head, frowning. “He threw it on me; you know it's fine-” She looked away.

“No, it's not.” I took a step towards her. “Do you want me to bring that out for you?” I motioned to the bottle of wine and glass she was holding, praying she would say no.

“No.” She shook her head. “He said I had to do it myself.”

That was exactly what I wanted to hear. I dipped my finger in the hidden jar and closed the space between us, squeezing her wrist as gently as I could without spilling anything under my shawl. I hoped it came off as an affectionate gesture.

“It will be okay,” I said gently.

She looked up at me with wide eyes but set her jaw in determination.

“You’re right. The night is almost over.” She said with something that might have been resolve in her usually shy voice. “I better get going,”

Thankfully, his mate declined on his behalf and asked that he be brought in here, claiming that she didn’t want his body experimented on right after his death.

I think she didn’t want them to figure out how to save him because if I did it right. He still should technically be alive.

Alpha Raymond stormed in; he looked a mix of angry and helpless. It was a good look on him, the helplessness at least.

“Who can give me answers?” he demanded, scanning the eyes of the omegas submitting to his orders. No one responded, no one knew what happened, and Tia was already back in her room.

“Simone, what in The Goddess's name are you doing down here?” He barked at me, re-directing his anger.

I opened my mouth and shut it a few times.

Please, someone else, say it for me.

“She was here all night,” Amelia said, motioning to me, “I think the activity was a lot for her.”

Thank. The. Goddess.

“I wanted some water, and I got comfortable. I’m sorry I didn’t return, Alpha.” One fact and a smile lie he wouldn’t check. Couldn’t check, really.

“Get away from the omegas,” Alpha Raymond ordered, “You might not be ranked anymore, but you’re better than that.”

“Yes, Alpha.” I hung my head and walked towards him, standing silently by his side.

Thankfully, he didn’t say anything else, and I tugged my shawl tight, following him into the hallway.

Omegas and warriors lined the hallway. Alpha Raymond groaned in annoyance as he tried to get past them. I glanced around and made note of where the body would be moved to based on the varying level of activity and where a flustered nurse came from.

Alpha Raymond met up with his mate and two of their three odious children out back.

“Why are you still here?” He looked back at me.

“Oh,” I gasped, “I was following you.”

He shook his head as if I were some stray he couldn’t get rid of. “Go to sleep,” He sounded annoyed, and I swallowed, turning my back on him, dropping my shoulders.

I got away before one of his sons could stop me and slipped back to my room to clean any lingering remnants of tonight's experiment.

I tugged on pants and a loose shirt I had to make from a nightgown. Not for the first time, I missed jeans and sweaters. Why did they insist I dressed like some damn princess? Well, not princess but Alpha breeder; I guess the dresses were easier access. I dismissed the thought - that would never happen.

I braided my hair tightly and wrapped my burning finger. No welts, just a dull pain accompanied the redness. I could live with it as long as it didn’t spread, and it didn’t look like it would.

Slipping a billowing nightgown over my outfit, I crawled into bed and waited.

Sleep found me eventually, and I opened my eyes to soft flames lapping at the last of the wood. Unless Alice came and put on fresh logs when I was sleeping, I was probably only asleep for about two hours, judging by the fire.

It was too soon, and I drifted back to sleep, waking again to a cold, still room.