Chapter Five - Sparring Partners

Kane’s POV

Did she think I was stupid, or something? Well, there was no escaping me now. In her dreams, just as she had been starring in mine.

I stalked towards Amy.

“What delights can I look forward to, girl?”

“I ordered a selection of cold meats, master. Is that okay?”

“No sausage?”

Her dark blue eyes widened slightly. “They’re keeping it back for breakfast, master.”

“Who’s the Alpha?” I demanded.

“Y – you are, m – master.”

I loved it when she stammered.

“Never mind. Are they sending it up pronto?”

“That’s what they s – said, master.”

She was such a little minx. Was she playing me? I had to know.

“Then we’d better wait until they arrive.” I sat back on the bed and patted the place beside me. “Sit.” Amy hesitated. I had her cornered now. “Or would you rather it was on my lap?”

That galvanised her and she parked that delectable rear with a satisfying creak. Some people preferred a silent mattress while I loved the sounds of congress: all of them.

“I am quite hungry, master,” she said.

“If they’re not here in five minutes, I’ll know who to punish,” I said, looking pointedly at my watch.

It was seldom off my wrist and kept me focused.

“Not Chrissy?”

“Is that who you saw? And you forgot to use my title. That deserves a forfeit. Stand up and face me.” She obeyed on shaky legs, though I wasn’t sure how much she was still playacting. Well, it takes two to tango, as they say. “Take off your skirt.”

“Now, master?”

“Now. And make it sexy.”

I wasn’t one for flowery words, though my new slave was not slow to realise I meant enticing. For once I didn’t mind the lack of eye contact as my attention was focused elsewhere. The sound of the zip sliding down made me tense. That shimmy was to die for and my gaze was drawn to the juncture of her thighs. I sucked in my breath. Her thong was as tight at the front as I had anticipated. As she lifted her legs to step out of the skirt I really hoped she would give me another excuse.

Turning without permission was exactly what I had wanted. Her ass cheeks were on display, divided only by a pale blue string.

“Where shall I put this, master? Have you seen my top?”

That bra clasp was tempting me now.

“Throw it down, slave,” I growled. “You’ve earned a punishment. Come here.”

“What did I do wrong, master?” she asked, meeting my eyes at last, her head cocked to one side.

I couldn’t rid myself of the impression that it was all an act.

“You disrespected me and now you’re making eye contact. Lie across my lap.”

“Are you going to spank me, master? What if someone comes?”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“We both know that’s not the case, Amy,” I said. “I’m waiting.”

Having her like this, barely clothed and vulnerable to my every whim, was like the sweetest nectar. In fact, I thought I could smell honey and violets, roses and sweet peonies.

My wolf reacted with his characteristic excitement.

Mate. Mark her, before it’s too late.

Rhett seemed even more enthusiastic than usual. But he had been wrong before. Sorry, I had been wrong before, as he never ceased to remind me. Can I help it if I’m a crimson-blooded Alpha werewolf with a penchant for curves?

I smacked Amy anyway, enjoying the way she squealed; it was just perfection. I did it again, adding a third for good measure. One for the pot, as Grandmother always said.

This close she felt good – right – but I doubted she was my mate, unless the Moon Goddess was playing tricks. That was Selene and a duller, more vain and self-important creature never drew breath.

Was it possible to have more than one mate? I wondered.

“Ooh, Alpha,” Amy cried.

“Master,” I corrected. That slave collar was staying put until I decided otherwise.

“Yes, master.”

Back to the questions.

“While I’ve got you in this position … ” Someone knocked at the door. What the fuck? Did she know something I didn’t? “Enter,” I called, feeling Amy squirm. I really hoped she was embarrassed.

“Kane, I – oh, you’re busy. I’ll come back.”

“What did you want, Selene?” I asked, wondering why she’d had the nerve to come up here to what I always referred to as my pleasure room.

Come to think of it that was a figure-hugging dress and I doubted she was wearing panties.

“It will keep,” she said, eyeing the slave girl across my lap with distaste.

“Surely you’re not jealous?” I taunted.

“No!” she blurted, with so much emphasis I suspected the opposite was true.

I turned the screw, just a little. “How competent are you at taking notes? I’m about to question Jake’s sister here and she rightly pointed out there needs to be a written record.”

Her nostrils widened. “Isn’t your word good enough?”

“That’s what I said, but she’s adamant she won’t talk without a scribe present.” I sighed, as if it pained me. “I even suggested recording it on my phone to no avail.”

How ironic was that, given my hidden cameras? It must have slipped Amy’s mind when she tricked me earlier. Or did she believe I was bluffing given the apparently lax security elsewhere? It was all cunningly designed.

“I’ll send someone more fitting,” Selene spat.

“Preferably a male,” I said, wanting to provoke a reaction.

“Your Beta’s back.”

Amy stiffened.

“Excellent,” I replied. “Send Jarvis. With his eye for detail he’ll do the best job.”

“There’s no need for that, master,” my new slave whispered.

Selene looked like she was about to burst a blood vessel. “Do you allow her to speak up without permission?”

It was true, I had become lax. But I was the Alpha. These were my own rules I was breaking.

“Don’t worry, my love, she will be punished,” I replied, allowing my hand to caress the buttocks so tantalisingly displayed.

As I had hoped, my Luna stormed out, and I doubted my Beta would be joining us anytime soon. Unless I mind linked him, of course.

“Please, master, don’t send for anyone else.”

I spanked her once more, hard, right on her sweet spot.

“Spill,” I said. “Was your role to groom my sister for abduction?”

“Can I sit up, master? I’m feeling a little dizzy.”

I allowed it because it suited me.

“Have a lie down.”

It wasn’t a suggestion.

Once she was on the bed, I whipped out the handcuffs from my bedside table and shackled one of her hands to the headboard.

“Is this really necessary, Alpha?”

Now and then there were little signs I had overlooked before. Amy wasn’t as self-effacing as she seemed. It was a useful skill to have. Had she employed it to lure my sister into Jake’s clutches?

“Watch that pretty mouth, slave. If you’re not respectful, I might fill it with my cock.”

“Sorry, master,” she whispered.

I could have listened to that sultry tone all night.

“Lay on your side, facing away from me.” She shifted with ease and I couldn’t help staring at her body. “Now this is probably the most important question of the lot,” I told her. “And I want an honest answer. Is Jake really your brother?”