Chapter Three - Compliance

Liz’s POV

From the moment I opened my eyes and saw him I was lost. I did my best to hide it, even from myself. Maybe that was why I didn’t fear him at first. Then things became a little heated – Dad always said I’d trip over my own feist – and I was so embarrassed to know he’d seen my panties. Crimson was an unusual choice but they were one of the few clean pairs I had. Other than that I packed thongs.

Answering back only brought me more humiliation and left me without them in front of him and another man.

Shame didn’t show because of my anger and I wasn’t aroused, which didn’t surprise me. Tanya obviously didn’t like his wolf; she was notoriously picky. This was going to be really frustrating in more ways than I had anticipated.

At least he allowed me to contact Beta Ian. It would have been nice to hear a friendly voice but it wasn’t to be. Part of me wondered why.

On hearing that I would be sharing Alpha Byron’s quarters I feared the worst. Whether or not he took me as his slave my reputation was well and truly ruined now as it had been ever since I stepped over the threshold of his mansion.

Had I packed pyjamas? For the life of me I couldn’t remember.

“Will you be putting me to work?” I asked as I followed him up the stairs.

The Alpha stopped abruptly. I nearly cannoned into his back. “Why are you so fucking reasonable?” he snarled.

And when he turned to face me I saw a different, fiercer side of the man I’d only just met - and not for the first time.

“I like to keep busy,” I said with a shrug, wondering if my nervousness was apparent.

“Even if it means helping your enemies?”

“You’re not my enemy. Are you?”

“We’ll see. There’s one thing I can’t stand: bad behaviour.”

“I’m a good girl, Alpha,” I told him, eliciting a growl.

His suite consisted of two bedrooms, each with their own bathroom. It was a relief; even brushing my teeth would be an effort if he were pacing about outside.

The smaller room was decorated in pastel colours and boasted something I’d always wanted: a four poster.

“Do me a favour, if you feel like throwing something in here, don’t.”

“What kind of house guest do you take me for?”

“The unwelcome sort.”

That told me.

“Is this intended for your mate?” I asked.

“Why? Are you getting broody?” he sneered.

I swallowed. Nobody had ever asked me if I wanted pups. I did, I just hadn’t found anyone I trusted enough to father them yet.

“Hardly,” I lied.

“Trust me, when I find her my Luna will spend very little time in here. This room belonged to my mom.”

“Then I’m honoured, Alpha,” I whispered, glad to find he was in control of himself once more.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Lizzy,” he said, before stalking off without so much as bidding me goodnight.

Maybe I was tempting Fate expecting that, because I wasn’t destined to spend any time testing the softness of that bed.

Unpacking didn’t take long. After freshening up in the en suite, with its fancy scalloped edges and images of dolphins on the tiles, I checked the wall clock.

Was it really five a.m.?

I couldn’t find my pyjamas, though I could have sworn I’d taken them out of the drawer. They must be on my bed back home.

Opting for a pale blue nightdress, I was just admiring my look in the cheval mirror when I became aware that I wasn’t alone.

“Alpha?” I gasped, resisting the temptation to tug at my hemline.

“I need your assistance, Lizzy,” he said. “Come with me.”

Was this it? Could he be about to deflower me?

“Now?” I queried.

“There should be a robe on a hook in the bathroom, assuming you didn’t bring your own?”

It was difficult to remember with him standing there like that, still fully dressed though without his jacket. I rushed to the en suite almost tripping over in my ridiculous mules. They were my only pair of slippers and were designed to be seen in my own chamber and nowhere else.

Glancing back I saw he was amused, though when he pointed to his watch I guessed I needed to hurry. Surely any seducer would not have asked me to don a dressing gown.

Conscious I had little experience in such matters, unlike Ricky, I tried not to overthink things.

The bathrobe was made of silk rather than terrycloth. I had never worn anything so fine. It was cream with a crane depicted on the back. Someone had good taste. Fortunately, there was also a belt.

When I emerged a few minutes later, the Alpha closed his eyes briefly, as if he were in pain.

“Was it hers?” I gasped. So why had he directed me to wear it? Had he not expected to react this way?  “Shall I take it off?”

“Yes, and no,” he answered, fixing me with his disconcerting gaze. “Ready?”

I nodded.

“As I’ll ever be.”

I bit my lip. This wasn’t me. I often found conversations awkward, especially with men. Even those I knew well. I was only comfortable issuing instructions for the welfare of our pack members.

Once out in the passageway, I became conscious of the cool night air on my almost bare legs. Were it not for the robe I would probably have shivered or caught a chill. The ridiculous thought of the Alpha nursing me personally back to health steadied my nerves.

We descended the same flight of stairs in silence. I gripped the handrail tightly, doing my best not to trip and make a fool of myself. What he would make of my lacy thong I didn’t want to find out.

“On a scale of one to ten, how scared are you right now?”

He tossed the question back at me as carelessly as if he were asking about the weather. It was raining now, unusually for the time of year.

“Seven,” I replied, making him chuckle.

“Good. It’ll make you more compliant. Are you tired?”

I decided that it was best to be honest with him.

“Yes, Alpha.”

“Don’t worry, this shouldn’t take long.”

When we reached the ground floor I was still no wiser. Alpha Byron led the way to a huge kitchen. I had no time to admire the copper pans and sleek surfaces as he set a fast pace. Opening a door which I assumed led to a larder I was perplexed when I saw yet another set of steps leading down.

This part was extremely narrow with a single handrail.

He stopped, half turned and held out his hand. I took it tentatively, almost crying out at the warmth and strength of his grip.

“Is this really necessary?” I whispered.

“Trust me, I wish there were some other way, Liz.”

Finally, he had used the version of my name I preferred. I didn’t like to examine the reason why.

Summoning my acting Luna persona, nevertheless I stumbled and almost fell, wishing I’d re-thought the mules. Being barefoot might have been rough on my skin but at least I would have had more grip.

It wasn’t long before I heard a heartrending wail followed by a yip.

What was the Alpha dragging me into?