CHAPTER SIX

Another night, another nightmare. I woke up once again with a start. To be fair, I had no right to call my blissful memories with Magnus a nightmare. But it always ended with him accusing me of betraying him.

Since I was up already, I decided to take a stroll in the garden and hope the scent of fresh leaves would lure out Silver. I was due for a run in the woods, but after yesterday's incident with Magnus, I didn't want to push my luck.

“What's happening?“ I noticed activity in the house. I pulled aside one of the omegas in the pack house.

I could tell she didn't want to talk to me, but I was still their Alpha's mistress.

“Tell me.“ I commanded with a confidence I didn't feel.

“Alpha Magnus wants to see everyone in the square.“ She said curtly before scurrying away.

I could tell Magnus wanted me to be late for the meeting, so he could make a fool of me in public. I was once the only woman in his eyes. Tears welled up in my eyes at the unfortunate change in our relationship.

I could sense the unease in the air. This was the first time Magnus had called a meeting since the beginning of his reign as Alpha of the Brown Pack.

“I wonder what he wants to say.“

“What if he wants to use us to take revenge for his exile?“ One woman panicked.

“He has killed Alpha Lucas and his supporters, hasn't he? I doubt that's the case.“ Her friend shut her train of thought down.

“What if…” Whatever she was going to say remained unsaid because Magnus chose that moment to walk in with Jaxon. A hush descended over the place. As tradition demands, we all bowed before our Alpha.

“Rise,“ he commanded. “I stand here in front of you as your Alpha. I was once exiled by the former Alpha, and I'm back here to take what is rightfully mine and to get justice for my parents.“

He paused and looked around the square. “If anyone feels any type of way about my reign, let him speak now. He or she gets to challenge me.“

Murmurings rose throughout the square.

“Silence.“ Jaxon spoke up from behind him.

“This is the only fair trial you'll get.“ Magnus continued. Everyone looked around to see if anyone was coming out. A tense minute later and no one came out.

Magnus fixed his gaze on the warriors, silently daring anyone of them to challenge him with his blank eyes. None of them did.

He cleared his throat and relaxed his shoulders. “If I hear or sense any form of rebellion against me, I won't hesitate to kill the offender and his immediate family.“ He declared, and I felt a chill settle over me.

I wonder what Magnus had to endure during his forced time away to make him this ruthless. The Magnus I knew was the sweetest man, but this, this Magnus was one I didn't recognize.

Those gray eyes of his used to be full of warmth and tenderness for me.

After the meeting, I headed back to my room. It was either that or roam the grounds aimlessly. I didn't want to risk bumping into Magnus. As my rotten luck would have it, I saw him and his latest toy at the edge of the staircase. I tried to go back, but I guessed he sensed me behind them.

“What have I told you about wandering around?“ His voice was hard, and his gaze was cold.

“I…I'm sorry.“ My cheeks burned in humiliation. I could hear whispers, but I dared not look up.

“Where are you coming from?“

“I was just outside, attending the pack meeting.“ I whispered.

He looked at me hard as if to detect any trace of dishonesty.

“Hmm, scurry along, mistress.“ He said the mistress' words tauntingly. I squeezed myself past them and hurried to my room.

Once I got up the stairs, the tears I've been trying so hard to keep at bay flew down my cheeks.

“Hey, where are you running to?“ I was stopped with a pull of my arm. I looked up to see Jaxon coming out of his room. His cheerful look quickly morphed into something else as he saw the tears.

“What happened? Magnus?“

I couldn't speak so I just nodded.

“Why do you let him treat you like that?“ He pulled me into his arms and I sobbed harder. It was not even the humiliation that hurt, but my stupid heart. My heart still ached for him. I was part of the reason he was like this. It hurts that we might never go back to the way we used to.

“I deserve it.“ I pulled away from Jaxon. I didn't want to risk being caught in a compromising position with another man.

“No, you don't…” he started to assure me, but I cut him off.

“Thank you.“ I proceeded to my room.

JAXON'S POV

I watched the woman I hadn't stopped thinking about since I lay my eyes on her walking away from me. I could still feel the scent and feel of her stunning red hair in my hands. I wanted to hold her in my arms forever.

I wanted to go after her to make sure she was okay, but the best part of me knew it was a bad idea. She was my friend's mistress. That automatically made her off limits to me. I wished it made it easier to stop me from thinking about her.

I was going to make her fall for me, but how? Audrey was clearly in love with Magnus and, surely, Magnus had to feel something for her, because why else would he make her his mistress?

Beneath all the hurtful remarks, I knew Magnus cared about her and if I was not in love with Audrey, I'd help them resolve their issues, but I was a selfish bastard who would rather keep her for himself.

I didn't realize how long I had spent gazing longingly at Audrey's door until a maid called for my attention.

“Alpha Jaxon?“ She tentatively touched my arm to get my attention. Christ, I had it bad for this woman. She made me lose my sense of awareness.

“Hmm. Yes?“

“Alpha Magnus would like to see you in his study.“

“Okay. I'll be there.“ I watched the maid walk away before descending the stairs to see Magnus. I wonder if it was wise to ask him about Audrey.

“Yo! I heard you're looking for me.“ I barged into his study without knocking just to get on his nerves.

He looked up and glared at me.

“Relax.“ I laughed, and he gave me a small smirk. “What do you want to see me for?“

“I want you to look over these security plans.“ He pushed a stack of paper my way.

“Can I ask you something?“ I said nonchalantly.

“Yep.“

“What's the deal with that mistress of yours? Audrey, right?“

He stilled and dropped what he was doing.

“Why do you ask?“