I stood outside a meeting room. Rhydian and some Alpha chiefs were in a meeting behind its doors and I was determined to talk to him.

The guards stationed outside kept giving me dirty looks but I was determined to ignore them. They clearly didn't want me here but for some reason, they hadn't laid a finger on me. Infact, they were standing a good distance away like they were afraid to be near me. I'd been hoping to make a scene and draw Rhydian out while my anger was still fresh but now almost half an hour had passed and I was more irritated than angry.

Finally, the doors were opened and a number of men came out, mumbling and giving me surprised looks. Alpha Chiefs of Aradia, powerful Alphas who governed several districts in Aradia. I ignored them though, looking straight ahead as I waited for them to pass by.

The door closed up and one of them moved towards me. He was a young Alpha. He had three claw like grotesque scars which ran from his left ear to his neck, marring his otherwise angelic features.

I tried not to cringe at his appearance. I gave him a curtsy and he said,

" Lady Devenity is it?".

I nodded. He smiled and I found myself relaxing.

" You're getting yourself into things you cannot handle, witch." He said, still smiling, but it didn't look so friendly anymore.

He leaned close to me and the guards sprang to my side with warning growls. The man ignored them.

" I'd advice you to avert your attention from the throne witch. I'm not the only one warning."

I kept my face expressionless. He was still an Alpha and it would be foolish of me to challenge him.

" If you'll excuse me, my lord." I said, addressing him accordingly. I walked towards the door, feeling his dark brown eyes on me.

I threw the doors open and went into the room. The meeting room was blandly designed. Black brick walls, black long table and chairs. One of the walls was practically non-existent. It was the rooms only source of light and offered a beautiful view of some of the castles gardens.

Rhydian stood by the table, a worried look on his face and I felt my anger dissipating. He looked so stressed out.

His beta, Carrison Grey was the only one with him. He poured some light brown liquid into a cut crystal glass and pushed it towards him.

Rhydian picked the glass, brought it to his lips and then stopped, tensing. He turned and saw me standing by the door. He looked only slightly surprised. My scent had announced my presence. I wondered if he could sense the anger that I was sure was lacing my scent.

Rhydian sighed audibly and said.

" Yes I can actually." He said and downed the content of the glass in one gulp.

He could ...had he just answered my thoughts?

" I didn't realize you were so eager to see me." A pleased smile played on his lips as he regarded me.

" The survivor coven." I said and watched with satisfaction as the smile disappeared from his face. " I want to join them."

Carrison spoke before Rhydian could.

" How do you know about them?" He asked.

I looked at him. He was a big man. Not as big as his Alpha but still big. He had ruffled brown hair and a cocky light in his eyes. I gave him the once over and then turned my attention back to Rhydian.

" Ouch." Carrison said with a smile. He didn't really seem bothered by my snub though.

" You people lied to us. There is a coven outside Aradia and you're keeping us from them."

" With good reason." Rhydian said. He looked really tired. The hint of dark circles around his eyes told me he hadn't been getting much sleep.

" The survivor coven is located very close to the eastern border. They have the highest number of Ogre attacks. Almost on a daily basis. It would be suicidal to send you lot there." Carrison said.

" I'm not afraid of some Ogres." I stated. I'd seen Ogres before. Tall as men but wider with huge tusks jutting out from the sides of their mouths. They came from the east and preyed mainly on witches and humans but they were few in number and not that difficult to kill.

" Deven," Rhydian started. I gave him a look and with a grin, he corrected himself. " Devenity, it's been three years since you've been out of Aradia. Things have changed."

" There are more Ogres now, by our estimates, over two hundred." Carrison said. " Also they're much bigger."

" Two hundred?" I asked, startled. " No. You're messing with me. How can there be two hundred Ogres in the West?"

" You moon people are to blame." Carrison said and I scowled at him. He ignored my scowl and continued. " When your people opened up the barrier letting in the vampires, you damaged it and years later, worse things have come through."

The eastern barrier. A magical force field force field put up by the ancient moon people to protect the West from the horrors of the East. Vampires, Ogres, Orcs, Goblins and much more.

The deep hate between Werewolves and Moon people had led to some covens opening up parts of the barrier to let the vampires in, because as much as Werewolves hated Moon people, they hated vampires more. They were their natural enemies.

The vampires let in had been driven out by Alpha king Eryk Rivinlyte and then, the witch purge had begun as retribution for letting in the vampires.

" Not all moon people were involved in that." I said defensively. I could feel my anger growing and I had two crystals with me. I couldn't kid myself though. Carrison was beta to the Alpha of Aradia. I was no match for him. I took a calming breath.

" So the survivor coven bear the brunt of the Ogre attacks? But, the Ogres are not a problem for Aradia?"

Carrison shrugged with barely concealed pride.

" Of course not." He stated, proudly. " They're no match for we Werewolves."

" Then stage a hunt. Rid the West of the Ogres." I said. It was so obvious.

" We will. For now, they're a means to an end." Rhydian said, moving closer to me.

A means to an end? What was that supposed to mean? That they were using the Ogre attacks to achieve something?

" What do you mean by that?"

Rhydian tucked some hair behind my ear.

" Nothing you should worry your pretty head over."

I slapped his hand away angrily. He seemed to only go for beautiful women ...not that I was beautiful but Juneau, Niylah and Quinn were. Just thinking about them made my gut wrench. Why had he even bothered with me in the first place.

He must have seen the change in my face because his smile disappeared.

" Deven," he said.

" Devenity." I snapped and turned away angrily. He had no idea how much he was hurting me. He hadn't said a word about ignoring me. Raelynn had said he had to have a reason and I was certain he was just over me. Two kisses and a fingering session and he was bored. I blew out my cheeks.

I will not cry

" If you want to see the coven so badly, I can take you there later." He said, his voice soft. " You don't have to cry."

He'd heard my thoughts again but he had no idea why I was tearing up.

" I want to join them." I declared.

" That would defeat the purpose of you being released from the cells. Go there and you'll end up dying anyway." Carrison said.

I turned angrily to him feeling unshed tears sting my eyes.

" Look, I'm not talking to you, beta." I said, like it was the most disgusting word ever. " Are you the Alpha? No. I'm here to talk to the Alpha. That's not you so fuck off." I lashed out.

Carrison only reaction was a raised eyebrow. He was so much like his Alpha. I turned to Rhydian expecting the same reaction from him so, I was surprised to see the worry in his eyes.

" Devenity if you want it so badly," he sighed and turned to Carrison.

Before he could speak though, Carrison said.

" Rhydian you can't. You have a lot to do here and time isn't on our side."

I frowned at that. It seemed Carrison was good at reading his Alphas mind. They were clearly close. He'd called him by his name.

" Just hold the chiefs off for a day." Rhydian said.

" It'll take you two at least three weeks to get that far west."

" Four hours at most." Rhydian said dismissively.

Carrison looked startled.

" You plan to carry her? On your back? Rhydian that's highly degrading. You're the Alpha and she's a measly sla -" he stopped talking at the murderous look on Rhydians face.

" You'd be wise to watch your next words Carrison." Rhydian warned, his voice low.

Carrison dipped his eyes.

" Forgive me, your highness." He said still looking down. Rhydian moved towards him and both Carrison and I tensed, but all Rhydian did was to clap him on the back and say,

" Besides, who's going to know other than the three of us?"

Carrison looked up and I could still see the uneasiness in his eyes.

" Still your highness, I cannot sit well with this. If the girl is so eager to die then we might as well send her on her way. Alpha Chief Klondikes' report on the Red forest has only gotten worse. You're needed there."

" That is all well and true.' Rhydian said and my hopes shattered. " But the girl is important to me, and you know that Carrison."

Important to him? I rolled my eyes at that.

" The girl is standing right here and has a name incase you've forgotten." I said.

Carrison shook his head. Good goddess the man was annoying.

" I've adviced you as your beta. I know you won't take it but I've done my duties. As your friend," he sighed. " Not more than a day Rhydian, please. I doubt I can hold them off for more than that."

Rhydian nodded at him and Carrison nodded back.

Then Rhydian turned to me and said,

" You'll need a cloak Devenity. It's going to get cold."

〰️〰️〰️

Good goddess, stop already!" I screamed as I held on for dear life.

Rhydian and I were on our way to Luna landing, where the survivor coven was situated. There was a road but we had to stay off it and keep to the dense forest because of our traveling style. The way we traveled would save a lot of time but, it wasn't very comfortable.

He had me on his back and had been running for so long. As we ...well he ran, the wind whipped past and the light cloak that I wore did little to shield me from the cold.

Good goddess, he was fast. The tree were all blurred as we ...he ran, all I did was cling to him and scream. I'd seen Werewolves run before but experiencing it, I couldn't understand how they didn't vomit after each run.

" Rhydian, please stop!" I screamed again and he slowed to a stop.

I got down and fell to my knees as nausea threatened.

" Devenity?" He sounded so worried. He could be so fake at times. If he wasn't already an Alpha prince, I'd have adviced him to seek a career in the theatre world. He was good at acting ...faking.

He reached down to touch me and I shrugged him off. I could have sworn I saw hurt cloud his eyes, but it was gone so quickly I couldn't be sure.

" That was so difficult." I groaned. Rhydian gave me a look. I understood it. He was the one doing all the work and I was complaining. It was even more annoying because he hadn't even broken a sweat.

" Are you ready?" He asked.

" No." I said, my voice high. Was he crazy? " I'm not getting on your back ever again. That was horrible."

" You wanted to see the survivor coven."

" I'd rather have walked even if it took me years." I said wrapping my cloak around me. " Where are we?"

" We only just left Aradian lands. We're in Avon now."

I groaned. We were still so far from Luna landing.

" Can't we just walk?" I asked even though I knew what the answer would be.

" Are you prepared to walk for months?"

I sighed heavily and wrapped my cloak around myself tightly.

" Are you cold?"

I scoffed at the worry in his voice.

" Like you care." I murmured.

" Of course I care." He said sounding frustrated. I hadn't meant for him to hear me but his ears picked up sounds better than the average humans ear.

I sat up, incredulous.

" You care? About who? Me? I could never have guessed, what with you ignoring me these past few days."

Rhydian sighed and sat on the ground, his arms resting on his bent knees. His wind blown hair was gorgeously ruffled and his white shirt was unbuttoned to the chest. He looked so ...rugged. I looked away. It was difficult to remain angry at him when he was seated there looking like the human representation of the word 'sexy'.

I was transported back to the pool where he'd been thrusting his fingers into me. I remembered the feel of his erection against my thigh and the way he'd looked at me ...like I meant so much to him. That had clearly been all in my head and did I really have a right to be angry with him? He had never said he wanted more than that with me. I just needed an explanation.

I looked at him expectantly. He sat across from me, watching me with an unreadable expression on his face.

" Well?" I prompted. " Don't you have anything to say?"

" I was busy." He said simply ...and I got my explanation. I was right. He just didn't care. Quinn had said that he'd ignored them too. He was doing the same to me because I meant just as little to him.

I nodded, hating myself for the tears that were beginning to flow from my eyes.

" Deven," he sounded worried again. He got up and moved towards me. I held my hand up, wanting him to stay back but not able to say it because of the lump that had formed in my throat.

" You really believe that?" He asked, grabbing my shoulder and turning me to face him. " You really believe I can stay away from you?"

I was surprised at the anguish in his eyes. He looked genuinely hurt by my ...lack of faith in him but he had stayed away. Ugh, this was ridiculous. I got up.

" You have stayed away." I said.

He gave me a tired laugh, running his hand through his hair.

" Not exactly." His voice was quiet and he didn't look at me. He sighed and said. " I've been with you Deven, every night for the past four days."

" No you haven't."

" Yes I have Deven." He sighed. " You don't lock you balcony doors." He said. " I've been coming in every night when you're asleep."

" To do ...what?" I asked confused.

He sighed again and said.

" Watch you."

He's been watching me sleep? Others would find that very strange and scary but not me. It warmed my heart greatly. He hadn't been able to stay away from me after all!

" Why didn't you wake me?" I asked. I cupped his face and confessed, " I've missed you."

The anguish in his eyes only intensified and my heart wrenched.

He took my hand and said.

" Because of this."

My eyes widened in realization. He was talking about my wrist. He'd held down both my hands at the pool and now my wrist was blackened and bruised, the other side had scratches on it where it'd been pressed against the floor.

" The first night, when I came into your room," he said, his voice completely void of its usual cockiness. " I saw it. I did that to you."

" Not on purpose." I said and pulled my hand away from his view but the pain in his eyes remained.

" Deven, I hurt you." Was all he said. He couldn't even look at me.

" So? I've had bruises before."

" You don't understand Deven." He moved away from me. " I don't even know when I did this. I could have broken your wrist. We haven't even fucked and you're all bruised up. What if I'm on you? I could break you Deven. You're not strong like me, like other Werewolves. You're fragile and ...I will never forgive myself if I hurt you."

I struggled to find the right words to say but all I could think of was that he wasn't tired or bored of me. He was just worried. I sighed with relief and that confused him more.

" Deven?"

" Ok, so you can be a bit rough. I'll just ...stay on top?"

" Till I'm pinning you down." He said, moving closer to me.

I knew he was upset but this argument was becoming increasingly erotic to me.

" Deven I can't help but be rough. I've never not been rough and it's never mattered until now. Being near you, it's ...difficult ...right now, all I want to do is slam you against a tree and just ...just fuck you Deven." Our foreheads were touching and we were both breathing hard. "Shove myself into you and just move, hard till you're screaming my name." It seemed he'd forgotten what we'd been talking about. " And coming over and over again like that night." He smiled at me and I smiled back.

" Do it." I urged eagerly but instead, his smile dissolved into a frown.

" You're not listening Deven." He said angrily, moving away. " I don't want to hurt you."

" You won't Rhydian." I said. " Please." I was practically begging for sex. Was this really where my life was now.

Rhydians frown deepened.

" If I ever do anything even remotely close to this again." He gestured at my wrist. " I'll never forgive myself. As much as I want you, and damn it you know I want you, I just have to stay away."

" But I'm not complaining." I whined. He ignored me and moved away. " I can take a few bruises."

" It won't be a few bruises!" Rhydian roared and I froze. He was getting increasingly angry. " Deven," he lowered his voice. " I've broken beds before. Imagine if you're underneath me when that happens."

I took a few calming breaths that did nothing to calm me.

" With who?" I asked quietly. " Juneau?" He stiffened at the mention of her name." Niylah? Quinn? Or someone I don't know. Tell me, who have you broken beds with, master?"

He looked angrily at me but I stood my ground determined to give him a taste of his own medicine.

" You always rant about my imaginary lovers whereas you have a number of women who you fu -" I rolled my eyes. " Sleep with."

" Since I met you at that ball, I haven't been with anyone." I knew this was true. Quinn had mentioned it back at the Caliber estate but I didn't care. I needed things confirmed.

I opened my mouth to speak but he beat me to it.

" I hate seeing you around men Devenity but it seems they're always around you. I'm willing to believe that Cayden and Czar are nothing more than your friends and Deven I apologize for my accusations ...but you haven't told me what you were doing in that secret passageway alone with Brutus."

" I was pulled in you dim -" I stopped myself from finishing that insult. Rhydian was completely arrogant and I was certain he wouldn't tolerate me insulting him. " I told you that I'd never been touched before. Do you really still believe that I had something with that bastard Brutus?" I couldn't keep the hurt from my eyes and his face softened.

" Deven..." He pulled me into his arms, his eyes communicating his apology.

I bit my lip, thinking hard. It seemed we would never stop arguing. Raelynn had said to be open with him ...I took a deep breath and said in a rushed voice.

" Listen ...I like you. I really like you and it's more than just wanting you sexually. I don't know what it is but you're all I think about and ...I like thinking about you. I really like you."