The Alpha Assassin novel Chapter 22

The next morning, I woke early despite not getting much sleep. I didn’t want to get pulled back into those fitful dreams.

Even after the events of last night, I felt charged. The senses that awoke with me when I gained my wolf when I shifted never dulled. I didn’t realize that I would be this powerful even after we shifted back. I could hear the scuttle of Omega’s waking down the hallway. I could smell the lingering dampness of the bathroom from last night's shower. I could see the dust motes floating through the air. I knew my wolf senses would be heightened, but I felt like I was looking at a whole different world.

I looked in the mirror. I didn’t look different. Possibly, my dark hair was a bit shinier, and my gray eyes flickered with something that wasn’t a fiery hate. But I could have been imagining things. Wishful thinking, maybe.

On the way down to breakfast. I was pulled back against something hard, someone hard. Palms dug into my waist so deep I yelped.

“I didn’t know you had so many curves hidden under your hideous dresses,” Dominick purred into my ear, sending chills down my spine. “So soft, so supple. I’m going to suck on your nipples until they are raw.”

I was terrified. The command was lifted now that I was eighteen. They could touch me, apparently, obviously. But how far would they go? Would they honor the trials? Either way, I wouldn’t let them touch me, but it would put me at a major disadvantage if I showed them how much I could actually hurt them.

“Do you know what I thought of this morning while my hand was wrapped around my dick?” He dropped one hand from my waist and lifted a finger below my nose. I held my breath, not wanting to smell him.

Thankfully, the only scent was of coconut… his lotion, thankfully.

“I thought of you writhing under me, your hands tied to my bedpost. I thought of your pink lips wrapped around my cock and your eyes watering as I slammed into your mouth.” His finger dropped and rested on my shoulder. He moved it slowly down, heading towards the neckline of my dress.

I shut my eyes and took a deep breath. I had mere seconds to decide how to get out of this without showing my hand. I could step on his foot and run. I would try that.

Dominick was pulled away from me. “Argh-” he groaned.

I was hoping it wasn’t one of his brothers. Two of them against me with no weapons, I didn’t think I could do it, even if I called everything from my previous years of training.

I looked back, my feet already moving away from Dominik. Ezra stood, pinning Dominick's hand above him before he slammed him into the stone wall behind him. Dominik let out a wheeze at the impact, and I fought a smile.

“Get off of me,” Dominick gritted out between his teeth.

“Are you going to tell your daddy?” Ezra purred. His face was composed, but a hint of a smile tugged the side of his face I could see.

Dominik looked sour. I knew he was about to threaten to tell his dad, but The Hunter beat him to it. Now, he had nothing to say.

“Get off me,” Dominick repeated. The Hunter looked him over once before dropping his hand and taking a step back. “You’re not here to protect her,” Dominik spat, glaring at me for some reason.

“I’m here to protect justice.”

“Poetic.” Dominik glared at us before turning on his heel. “I’ll see you in my bedroom soon.” Dominik looked back with a sly grin, raking his eyes over my body. I stood still and emotionless.

The Hunter tensed, and I reached out to him without thinking. Only once my fingers brushed against the back of his bare forearm did I retract them, confused.

“I have a feeling you won’t let any of them have you?” The Hunter said it wasn’t really a question.

I shrugged, brushing past him. “I’m just here to carry on the line.” I tried to say with as much innocence as a woman with a kill list could.

He barked a laugh behind me. It was rich and warm and rumbled through the hall and my body. I smiled freely with my back turned to him.

“Simone?” he said more than asked, and I halted, waiting for him to go on. “Can we speak? Later.” He sounded a bit unsure, and I fought the urge to meet his face, staring at the dull patterns on the carpet that I could call from memory.

“You know where to find me.” I toed the carpet and walked away, not entirely sure why a rush went through my body.

_____

I got through a grueling breakfast with everyone's eyes on me. The sneers and looks that went with their silence spoke volumes. I focused on my heightened senses, listening to the chatter of the Omega’s in the kitchen. It was more of a low buzz; I couldn’t pick out much, but I was delighted that I could hear that now. I really was at more of a disadvantage than I thought I was before I got my wolf.

After breakfast, I tried not to rush out and kept my pace steady. I got to the library, and it was eerily quiet, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t here. I waited by the fire, lighting it, and went to stand by the window, glancing at the dull view of the forest beyond.

I felt him before he walked up next to me on silent feet. We stood there in a comfortable quiet for a while, lost in our own thoughts.

“Thank you,” I finally whispered.

“For?”

“The gift. It’s beautiful.”

“Oh.”

“Unless someone else is able to sneak into my room that quietly.” I shrugged. “You’re right; I shouldn’t make assumptions.” I raised a brow, and he tilted his head slightly, hiding the whisper of a smile that graced his lips.

Goddess, he was gorgeous. I didn’t fully notice before, or maybe I didn’t let myself while I was plotting his death.

“You’re welcome,” he said, his voice soft and sincere. He straightened, going back to staring at the window as if he were a statute.

“I know it’s you,” he murmured.

I jumped. Even though his presence felt loud, I was so comfortable I let myself get lost in easy thoughts that I almost forgot he was there. I stilled, trying to swallow as his words sank in.