Chapter 31: A bunch of vultures

Dorian’s inner beast purred in dark satisfaction. He lowered his massive frame back down, his body melting into hers as he cradled her face.

Yet, a part of his memory from that morning remained fuzzy. He couldn’t remember waking up, kissing her, or switching their positions. It was as if something else had seized control of his body while his own consciousness was asleep.

"Dorian?" Alyssa whispered when the silence stretched. "Did you hear me?"

His lips curled into a smile as he leaned down and pressed a deep kiss to her mouth. "I heard you, my little lamb. I’m just being cautious. I don’t want to risk losing control with you like that first night..."

The heavy knocking rattled the door again and Dorian let out a violent curse.

Forcing his mind-link open, he snarled at whoever was on the other side. [WHO IS IT?]

[Alpha, it’s Jake!] The beta’s voice cut through, filled with urgency. [I apologize for the intrusion, but your link was locked down. Something happened!]

[What is it?] Dorian snapped.

Beneath him, Alyssa watched his features shift. His golden eyes went blank and foggy, a sign that he was using the mind-link. Whatever he heard must have infuriated him because a dark scowl twisted his brow.

[It’s the council. They need you at the border connecting the North and the West. There was a bloody massacre last night, and a breach by a pack of soulless rogues. A lot of casualties are on our side, and the people at the borders are asking for the Alpha King. Alpha Gaten is already here.]

Dorian closed his eyes, resisting the urge to roar in pure rage. Reaching blindly to the side, he grabbed his phone from the nightstand. The screen lit up, revealing over thirty missed calls from Kane, Jake, and Alpha Gaten.

He slammed the device face-down.

[I will be downstairs in ten minutes. Assemble Anthony and Alex, and wait for me.]

[Yes, Alpha,] Jake replied, severing the connection.

As Dorian’s eyes snapped back into focus, Alyssa gently touched his jaw. "What’s wrong?"

Dorian didn’t want to burden her with the news of the massacre, so he kissed her hard before pulling away. "I have to leave. I have somewhere to be."

"Again?" Alyssa panicked. The last time Dorian had left, a shadow creature had slipped into the mansion and kidnapped her. She didn’t want to go through that traumatic experience again.

"Pandora will be right here with you," Dorian promised, catching the naked terror in her blue eyes. "I know you’re terrified, Alyssa. But you are safe this time."

He pulled her against his side, stroking her back. "I wouldn’t leave your side if I had an alternative, but this is a matter I cannot ignore."

Alyssa shut her eyes, inhaling his scent of fresh rain. She was gradually getting spoiled by the constant care and affection he showered her, but she needed to remember who he was. He had a pack, a kingdom to rule. Acting like a fragile, coddled girl only made her look weak, and she despised weakness.

"It’s okay," she said, pulling back with a reassuring smile. "I’ll be fine, as long as I’m with Pandora."

Dorian blinked, visibly taken aback by the sudden shift in her expression. "Are you certain? If you need me here, I can cancel..."

"No," she shook her head, letting out a soft giggle. "I can’t let you do that. I know you have important duties."

"None of them are more important than you," he countered.

The gravity of his words warmed her heart. "But they are still important," she said. "I’ll be fine, Dorian. You can go."

A warm smile curved Dorian’s lips. He pulled her in for one final, bruising kiss before reluctantly breaking away. "I will return as quickly as I can. Stay with Pandora, okay? Don’t go wandering off on your own."

She nodded obediently. "I won’t."

After rushing through a quick bath, Dorian paused at the door, sliding a sleek black card into her palm. "I don’t want you cooped up in this room all afternoon. Take Pandora and go shopping. Buy whatever catches your eye."

"Thank you," she smiled as he leaned down and pressed a kiss on her forehead and her lips before hurrying out.

Seconds later, she walked to the window, watching from above as Dorian slid into the sleek black Porsche alongside Alec and Anthony, the tires screeching as Jake violently accelerated out of the private driveway.

She looked down at the card, tracing the elegant gold lettering of his full name: Dorian Valerian Hellborne.

Valerian. She smiled faintly. It felt far too poetic a middle name for a man so thoroughly ruthless.

The bedroom door clicked open, and Pandora walked in, balancing a silver tray laden with breakfast on her palms.

"Good morning, Pandora," Alyssa beamed.

"Well, someone looks exceptionally pleased this morning," Pandora teased, setting the tray down with a smirk. "I decided to dismiss the maids and bring you breakfast myself."

"Oh," Alyssa murmured. "You really didn’t have to."

"It’s okay," Pandora chuckled. "I’m just glad I finally have you to myself. Dorian barely lets me spend time with you."

Suddenly, her eyes dropped to the card in Alyssa’s hand and she gasped loudly. "Is that his black card? He never lets me within a mile of that thing!"

She snatched up the card to inspect it. "You have absolutely no idea what you are holding right now, do you?"

Alyssa chuckled. "Am I supposed to know? He just told me to go shopping. I was actually going to ask if you’d like to come with me."

"Are you kidding? I would absolutely love to," Pandora gushed, her eyes glittering. "By the time we are finished, Dorian’s card is going to be smoking hot. We are going to have so much fun."

Pandora’s vibrant excitement was so infectious that Alyssa found herself laughing out loud. Pandora was a complete force of nature, the exact kind of fiercely loyal sister-figure she had spent her entire childhood praying for.

Pandora suddenly paused, her bright smile faltering slightly as her eyes scanned Alyssa’s distinct features. "Before we leave, we need to get you a disguise. A hoodie, or some sunglasses."

Alyssa blinked, her laughter fading into confusion. "A disguise? Why?"

"Because the people of the North are a bunch of vultures," Pandora scoffed, offering a breezy roll of her eyes. "Dorian has been hiding you all this time, and they must have heard about you. If they spot you carrying his personal black card, the gossip columns will lose their minds. We need to keep you protected until Dorian announces your presence."

Alyssa let out a small breath, nodding in understanding. "Alright. But I don’t have anything to wear."

"Leave it to me. I’ll get you what you need," Pandora beamed, spinning on her heel to hurry out of the room.