Seven

The night had gone without a hitch and an air of relief sank down over the girls when they were released from their duties without any punishments. 

For Chloe, it had been an unusual evening. After her first encounter with their guests (especially Lucas Wolfe), she was treated as invisible. The experience had left an odd mixture of emotions bubbling within her as she tried to sleep that night. Part of her had been relieved that she had been allowed to disappear into the background as she acted as waitress but it was the other feeling she was experiencing that had Chloe confused the most. Part of her had hoped Lucas would speak to her again. The rich timbre of his voice and the way his hazel eyes had watched her every move had sent a shiver down Chloe's spine. She had caught herself on numerous occasions imagining what it would be like to run her fingers through his black hair or crawling into his lap and burying her face into his neck to breathe in his scent and trace her lips along his jawline. 

She had found herself disappointed when by the end of night, Lucas Wolfe hadn't so much looked her way let alone spoke to her again. 

The notion troubled Chloe and she found herself struggling to sleep as her mind insisted on going over the short interaction again and again.

Lucas Wolfe had become a song stuck on repeat in her head.

The rising of the sun not only brought beautiful golden petals bleeding into the rich blues of dawn, but also the usual routine of working out, breakfast then practising and preparing for work that evening. All of it would be done under the watchful eye of guards, the pack doctor and of course the beta (the Alpha was far too busy to watch over his prized possessions). The girls were used to the many pairs of eyes being on them, watching to make sure no one tried to escape or break any of the rules but they weren't prepared for there to be an audience either. 

"The Alpha is outside." 

"Why is he here? Do you think someone has done something wrong?" 

"He's brought those people with him." 

A lower murmur laced with confusion and suspicion floated up over the group as they were ushered outside, the biting winter wind hitting them like needles. Out in the open on the training field stood Alpha Nathaniel, his chest puffed with arrogance which could be mistaken for pride but Chloe knew better. Behind him stood the guests, their faces giving away nothing. The glacial darkness in their eyes was haunting and intimidating and it was enough to bring silence to the group of girls immediately.

"Girls, how are we today?" Nathaniel spoke up. 

"Fine, thank you Alpha." The group of girls answered in unison.

"Good." Nathaniel smiled. "Our guests here wanted to say thank you for your hospitality last night."

They don't look like they want to say thank you. Katie mind-linked Chloe. 

Up until this point Chloe had been keeping her eyes on the horizon to avoid making eye contact with Nathaniel. Now though she couldn't help but look at the intimidating group of muscles and glacial stares. Her eyes eventually went to one of the group in particular, her heart leaping into her throat when she saw hazel eyes framed by black lashes staring right back at her. There was something in that gaze that pinned her to the spot like a young rabbit hiding in the grass from the ravenous wolf. And indeed those eyes were ravenous… 

"Right girls, enough standing around." Beta Kevin barked. "Time to get to work." 

Everyone moved with wariness and yet no one disobeyed. They wouldn't dare to either. To disobey the Alpha and Beta was to embarrass them in front of their guests and that wouldn't end well. Chloe was honestly grateful for the distraction of training. Even with her back turned she knew those exotic eyes were still on her, caressing her skin with their heat. Eventually though, Chloe no longer felt his presence and forced herself to focus on what she was doing as the frigid winter air nipped at the parts of her flesh that her workout clothes didn't cover. 

"Chloe?" A familiar voice broke into the blonde's concentration about half an hour into their routine. 

Glancing up, Chloe was surprised to find Omar standing a few meters away. He was dressed like the rest of the guards in black combat pants, thick black coat and gloves. However, unlike the other men, he didn't look at any of the girls like he was a hungry dog and they were bits of meat. He almost seemed uncomfortable about being here and his green eyes fluttered away awkwardly when they made eye contact. 

"The Alpha wants to speak with you." Omar finally spoke as a small frown crossed his features for a moment. 

"Wh-why?" Chloe managed to get out as her stomach felt like it dropped. 

"I don't know." Omar replied quietly, eyes shifting to make sure no one was too close to overhear them talking. "But you won't be alone so I don't think he will try anything like the other night." 

Chloe had been doing her best to forget about that evening and yet, the moment it was mentioned she felt like she wanted to be sick. Her skin crawled at the thought of being anywhere near Alpha Nathaniel but it wasn't like she could decline his request. Taking a few calming breaths, she squared her shoulders and nodded for Omar to lead the way. 

The Alpha, his entourage and the guests hadn't gone far. They were now on the large wrap-around porch that cuddled the Alpha's home. Alpha Nathaniel was lounging in one of the teak garden chairs set out around the sturdy wooden table where someone had carefully put together a spread of coffee, juice and pastries. The scent of savoury and sweet wafted on the winter air and Chloe felt her stomach clench at the smell. She had never been allowed to try pastries so had no idea if she would like them but what she did know was that they always smelt amazing and always made her mouth water. Nearly all of the guests were sat around the table with the Alpha, their stoic expressions giving nothing away about what they were thinking. Alpha Nathaniel’s personal guards were dotted around the perimeter as a show of strength but compared to the hulking bodies sat at the table, they looked like pups. Only one guest wasn’t seated and Chloe’s eyes found him like two magnets coming together. 

Lucas Wolfe stood with his back to everyone as he watched over the paddock where guards prowled and the rest of the girls continued to work out under Beta Kevin’s watchful eye. Chloe couldn’t see his expression from where she stood but the spontaneous need to touch him crawled up her spine to the point that her fingers twitched at the urge. 

“Ah here she is!” Nathaniel’s booming voice cut through Chloe’s thoughts like an unwelcome klaxon. “Chloe, sweetheart, come take a seat.”

Chloe had to force her eyes to look away from the mysterious man she had been staring at to meet the expectant gaze of her Alpha. Her stomach sank when she saw him motioning to the chair next to him. He was doing nothing to hide the lewd hunger in his eyes in front of the guests either, which had Chloe doubting just how right Omar’s theory was. She could feel everyone’s gaze on her now as she walked slowly towards the seat she was being forced to sit in, keeping her eyes on the surface of the table and her hands in her lap as Nathaniel pulled her seat closer to his.

“Chloe here is undeniably one of my best girls.” Nathaniel spoke up, his fingertips running over the cool skin of the she-wolf’s arms like spiders. “Obedient, hard working and of course, very pretty.” 

“Are you saying not all of your girls are obedient and hard working?” Someone asked. 

“Sadly, yes that does happen.” Nathaniel frowned as if it broke his heart. “Which is why some of them end up at the ranch.” 

It took everything Chloe had in her not to empty the contents of her stomach over herself when Nathaniel’s hand dropped to her thigh and gave it a squeeze. No one else seemed to notice the move and yet the temperature around them seemed to plummet even further and not because of the weather. 

“I want to see just how good your best girl is.” A familiar voice broke the silence. 

She couldn’t help but look up when she heard that voice and just about stifled the gasp that nearly escaped her when she saw Lucas Wolfe staring right back at her. There was an iciness to his gaze and glacial rage that seemed to pulse around him. His jaw was clenched, a muscle flickering under the smooth golden skin. He looked like he was about to erupt and yet there was a disturbingly intimidating stillness to him that made Chloe’s heart skip a beat. 

“A private show.” Lucas spoke again, his eyes moving to Nathaniel. “Tonight.” 

“Tonight?” Nathaniel sounded caught off guard but quickly tried to recover. “Of course, I will get one of the girls…” 

“No.” Lucas cut in. “I want Chloe.”

Chloe froze, eyes widening as she looked up at the man. Nathaniel was equally shocked by the request; however, the others sat around the table were as expressionless as ever, giving nothing away even when one or two of them smirked. Before anyone could see her being disrespectful, Chloe ducked her head, gnawing on her bottom lip as panic filled her mind. Why did Lucas Wolfe want a private show from her? There were much better dancers and prettier girls. Maybe it was to test Nathaniel. That had to be it…

“Mr Wolfe,” Nathaniel shifted in his chair uncomfortably. “Chloe is good but I would ask that you choose another girl.” 

“I’ve made my choice.” The male spoke up. “Unless of course you would prefer it if this meeting came to an end early?” 

It was a loaded question or rather, more like a threat than a compromise. Much to Chloe’s relief, the Alpha’s hand slipped away from leg as he seemed to grapple with Lucas’s question. Chloe knew full well why Nathaniel didn’t want Chloe to do the request but everyone knew that the Alpha’s greed for money would always win out no matter what the cost. He’d sell his own heir if it meant he’d be a little richer at the end of it. Besides, it was just one night. Chloe knew that once the guests were gone, Nathaniel would just start up his pursuit of her again. 

“Alright,” The Alpha relented as Chloe predicted. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”