Yvonne smiled. And smiled. And smiled. All the while itching at the boring conversations going on around her as the wolves mingled. She knew it was important to be keeping up appearances, but she ached to be training. She couldn't, wouldn't, lose to him. With that thought in mind, she sought out the waitstaff.
Finishing her mission with surprising ease, as Alpha Scott wasn't popular with his subordinates, she had got them to agree to keeping him mellow as it made sense to them. She turned, satisfied, only to bump into her younger, taller brother.
"What are you up to?" He asked with narrowed blue-eyed amusement.
"Strategic maneuvers."
His laugh boomed out. Drawing attention. Unwanted attention. Yvonne grasped his arm as Alpha Scott sauntered over to them.
"You two are having too much fun over here." He said with a smile.
She looked at him, again amazed that anyone could be so handsome. Yet so awful. He was golden. Golden hair, golden skin, golden eyes. Tall with lean muscles. He was every young girl's foolish dream come true.
She could still remember her father's confusion at her turning down his claim two years ago. She should have been over the moon. But she had seen him 'bump' into a waitress and laugh when she fell. She had seen a malicious enjoyment when he told his 'war stories'. And a coldness behind the warmth of his eyes. His touch was the truly deciding factor though. She actually felt as if she had a hundred spiders crawling away from wherever him fingertips met her skin.
Sometimes she wondered if it was her sixteen-year-old self's repulsion that had made her so attractive to him in the first place.
"Well, you're the perfect person to make sure we stop." Luc responded coolly.
Alpha Scott's smile turned threatening. "Don't test me, pup. You're not in my class. And your brother, I'm sorry to hear, isn't yet recovered from a rogue attack. So mind your manners." With that he turned to her. "Hello, Love, you outshine the moon itself. I really can't wait to claim you. Now that you're out of protectors to interfere." He stepped close and, placing his face against her neck, breathed her in.
Luc growled and started to move. She tightened her hold on his arm until her nails pierced skin. He stopped. Keeping her face calm, she took a step back. "We have to go. Excuse us, please." And turning at his amused nod, she hurried back to their tent, dragging a fuming Luc the whole way.
She sighed, knowing this week was going to be hell.
***
"He said what?" Phoenix shot up from where she lay panting to stare at Yvonne.
Yvonne, out of breath and red faced from the intensive training they'd just finished, sighed, "He threatened my baby brother, said I outshone the..."
"No, between those two thing. Did he really mention that your Alpha was recovering from an attack?" Phoenix asked, glaring.
"Yes. Why's that important?"
"Because in your pack, Yvonne, there are no leaks. I don't know when babies are born, mates are found, or deaths happens. Not until they're announced publicly. Gossip isn't something that leaves your lands. I didn't know your brother was attacked. There are still no rumors that he was. And trust me, as a matter of survival, I know all the rumors. So, if there are no rumors... How did Alpha Scott know?"
Phoenix watched as Yvonne's blue eyes grew wide. And while the red burning in her cheeks stayed, the rest of her face lost all color. "Are you saying that André was attacked and almost died because of me?"
"I'm just saying, since you told me of the attack, I can't find that any rogues have gone missing, without explanation. And yet according to you five should be gone. There was no bragging about a daring plan before either. Which again is odd. And as I've already said. 'No. Rumor.' Not of him being hurt. I find it odd that Alpha Scott should have heard one."
"So, it's my fault." Yvonne began to shake, staring out at the water. "If I'd just said 'yes'."
"Stop!" Phoenix growled with surprising force.
"What?" Yvonne snapped her head sideways to look at her.
"He is a psychopath. Nothing you have done is wrong. You have the right to say 'no'. Don't take the blame for someone else's misdeeds, even if they are doing them in your name. And don't go giving into him. The only choice is to fight. And afterwards maybe someone will put him in the ground."
Phoenix jumped up. "Let's go over everything one more time. Then you go get some much needed sleep." She offered Yvonne her hand and pulled her back to her feet. "Tell your Alpha tomorrow that Scott knows he's been hurt and let's see if he finds it as odd as I do. Ready?" She swung a fist, watching Yvonne dodge it with approval.
***
André's head snapped up from his breakfast to stare at her in shock. "He said what?" he growled. Yvonne bit back a smile at his echo of Phoenix's question.
Luc yawned, smearing cream cheese on a bagel. "That you were recovering? I don't see the big deal. You are."
André narrowed his blue eyes. "Yes, I am. But he shouldn't know that. Theo, has it gotten out yet?"
Theo, grey eyes widening before narrowing as his jaw muscle ticked. "No. Not until you are at top shape again. Can't risk it. That bastard. I'll kill him."
André shook his head. "No aggressions are allowed on these lands right now. Plus, I want Yvonne to humiliate him first. We'll deal with his dirty trick after. When I can have the pleasure of killing him myself, for my baby sister and these new scars." He smiled with a chilling intent as Luc choked on his bagel.
"Wait. Do you think Alpha Scott set those dogs on you?"
"That puzzle piece fits too well with the others. He's playing with the wrong family."
Luc nodded. "You don't mess with a Belcourt."