Chapter 113: I have questions for you

Alyssa’s mind was still reeling as Alec drove them back to the estate. Every word Dorian had just revealed about Reynold’s sinister plot to expose her to the Elders echoed loudly in her ears.

She knew she ought to be relieved knowing that Reynold was dead and could no longer threaten her. Yet, the news of his death only caused her anxiety to spiral out of control.

Dorian noticed how restless she looked and pulled her close. He lifted his hand and cupped her cheek. "Don’t let it bother you, my love. Let me handle everything."

"I’m scared," she whispered, leaning into his warmth. "Everything is changing so fast. I thought my life was miserable enough back when I believed I was wolfless. But now, not only do I have a wolf, but I possess powers that I don’t even understand. It’s terrifying."

"You don’t have to be scared," Dorian murmured gently, leaning down to press a soft kiss against her hair. "I promise you, we will figure everything out together. The pack does not need to know what you are. We’ll find a way to keep these strange powers completely under control, okay?"

Alyssa closed her eyes. She let out a long, trembling sigh and nodded against his chest. He was the only person she trusted, so she chose to believe him.

Nearly an hour later, Alec brought the Rolls Royce to a stop in the driveway.

Dorian stepped out, but before helping Alyssa out, he dropped to one knee and carefully removed the diamond-studded heels from her feet.

"These ridiculous heels are hurting your toes," he murmured softly. "Why on earth did you agree to wear them?"

Alyssa chuckled softly, watching him. "Pandora insisted. Just like she insisted I buy them in the first place. She said they were pretty."

"Yeah, they’re pretty, but they cause you pain," Dorian chided gently, massaging her sore toes with expert care. "I don’t want you wearing them again. Wear something comfortable from now on."

A radiant smile spread across Alyssa’s face, her heart swelling at the fierce concern burning in his eyes. She reached out slowly, running her fingers through his soft, silky hair.

When Dorian raised his head and flashed a charming smile up at her, her breath hitched. He was so impossibly handsome it set off a wild flurry of butterflies in her stomach.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Dorian asked softly, lowering her foot back down before handing the heels to Alec who stood waiting nearby.

Alyssa laughed and gave a tiny shrug. "I love staring at you. You’re far too good-looking."

"Am I now?" he teased, arching a perfect brow.

"Of course you are," she smiled. "You know you are."

His smile widened. "I suppose you’re right. Your husband is indeed a very good-looking man."

Without warning, he reached into the open door of the car and scooped her into his arms. Alyssa squealed in surprise, her bare feet dangling in the air as her arms instinctively locked around his neck.

"I can walk, you know," she giggled, though she secretly wanted nothing more than to stay wrapped in his arms.

"I know you can," Dorian replied smoothly, carrying her up the steps. "I simply refuse to let your bare feet touch the floor."

Alec strode ahead of them, pushing the doors open and stepping aside to grant them entry.

The cool air of the mansion washed over Alyssa’s face. She held on tightly to Dorian’s broad shoulders as he crossed into the living room.

Henna was curled up in the far corner of the couch, watching television. She looked up at the sound of footsteps, her eyes brightening instantly when she spotted Dorian carrying Alyssa inside.

"Hi, Henna," Alyssa called out warmly as Dorian gently lowered her.

"Alyssa!" Henna beamed, sitting up straight. "You’re back!"

"Where is Jake?" Dorian demanded, his tone shifting back to business.

Right on cue, Jake stepped out from the hallway holding a cup of water.

"Welcome back, Alpha," he said, handing the cup to Henna before turning his full attention to Dorian. "Did you receive my text message?"

"I got it," Dorian nodded sharply. "Everything else has been sorted out."

"André and Cade have returned from the south," Jake informed him abruptly, his voice dropping low. "Luna Alyssa’s stepsister is inside the Conclave, along with her mate."

Dorian’s eyes darkened. "Didn’t I tell you not to let Fabian accompany her?"

"André said they tried," Jake explained. "But he adamantly refused to let her travel alone. He forced his way along with them."

Dorian glanced across the room toward Alyssa who had wandered over to sit beside Henna. He watched the two girls chatting quietly, deeply reluctant to disrupt her moment of peace.

"Where are Pandora and Anthony?" he demanded, redirecting his focus to Jake.

"They left for the Academy," Jake replied. "Concerning the text you sent about Luna Alyssa’s schooling."

Dorian exhaled and gave a single nod. "I will handle the stepsister now." He turned to Alec, lowering his voice into a whisper so Alyssa wouldn’t hear. "Remain here in the living room with them. If Alyssa asks for my whereabouts, bring her down to the Conclave."

"Got it, Alpha," Alec bowed.

Just then, Samantha emerged from the hallway, carrying a basket filled with fabrics. Her features were pale and hollow, her eyes red-rimmed and swollen as if she had been weeping for hours.

The moment her eyes landed on Dorian, the fragile thread holding her composure together snapped completely. She marched straight up to him, her eyes flashing with pure venom.

"My father and brother are dead because of you, Dorian," she hissed, her voice shaking with rage. "I hope you’re thrilled with yourself."

She attempted to brush past him, but Dorian’s hand shot out, clamping onto her upper arm and yanking her against his side.

"Do not dare test my limits, Samantha!" he snarled. "Your father died as a result of his own selfishness. As for you, watch your mouth very carefully! I might just find myself tempted to put an end to the entire Bennington line once and for all."

He shoved her backward with utter contempt before storming down the corridor toward the Conclave, Jake trailing closely behind him.

Samantha’s entire form trembled as she stared after his retreating back. Swallowing her humiliation, she turned around, only to find Alec standing a few paces away, his cold eyes fixed squarely on her.

Her expression hardened into a defensive scowl. "Go ahead then!" she snapped at him, her voice breaking. "Mock me. Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted? To see me broken and defeated? Well, congratulations, Alec. You won!"

She turned on her heel and stormed off in the opposite direction. Alec simply stood there, watching her vanish down the hall.

The smug satisfaction he had always assumed he would feel at her downfall was completely absent. Instead, what he felt was a strange, uncomfortable tightness in his chest, a feeling that felt unsettlingly close to pity.

Shaking the feeling off, he turned around and took a seat on the couch beside Alyssa.

...

Dorian stepped into the Conclave in a murderous mood.

He shed his leather jacket, tossing it onto a nearby chair, his icy eyes locking instantly onto the frail figure of Melinda. Her wrists were cuffed securely to the window railings.

Sprawled across the couch beside her was Fabian. The moment he saw Dorian, he bolted upright, instantly adjusting his posture and collecting himself under the suffocating aura flooding the room.

Dorian paused at the center of the room, completely ignoring his cousin. He stared down at Melinda whose eyes widened in terror as she shrank backward.

"You’re terrified of me?" he muttered, his voice icy cold. "Good. You should be, because I have questions for you. And you are going to answer every single one of them."