Logan’s POV
I was halfway through my meal in the study when a knock on the door interrupted me. I barely glanced up as one of my guards stepped inside.
“Alpha,” he began, “the slave requests an audience with you.”
I set down my fork, a smirk playing on my lips. So, the dungeons had finally broken Erinne. I had been waiting for this moment, knowing it was only a matter of time.
“Bring her in,” I ordered, leaning back in my chair.
It didn’t take long before Erinne was led into the room. As soon as she stepped through the door, I took in her appearance. She looked like someone who had spent three years in the dungeons instead of two days- not too unkempt, but certainly worn.
Her white-blonde hair, which once gleamed under the sun, now hung limply around her pale face. Dark circles marred the skin beneath her pale gray eyes, and her complexion seemed even more drained than usual, almost as if the life had been sapped out of her.
Her small frame seemed even more fragile now, her posture slouched slightly in a way that suggested exhaustion, though she made an effort to stand straight. The plain dress she wore was wrinkled, the edges slightly soiled, but it wasn’t tattered or filthy. I could tell she had tried to maintain some semblance of dignity despite her circumstances.
She looked at me, and I saw the haughtiness in her eyes was dulled, but not completely gone. That fire, though dimmed, still flickered somewhere in there.
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk as I prepared to hear what she had to say.
“Thank you for giving me an audience,” she muttered.
“Sit,” I ordered.
Erinne didn’t object. Slowly, she eased into the chair in front of me, eyeing me warily.
I pushed my plate of food toward her, with a smirk on my face. “You haven’t eaten in two days,” I said sharply. “You might as well eat something.”
Erinne’s gray eyes met mine with a flash of annoyance. “I’m not hungry,” she shot back.
I shrugged, still smirking. “Suit yourself.” I watched her closely, waiting. It was only a matter of time.
She tried to hold out, but I could see the way her eyes kept drifting back to the plate. Her resolve was breaking, and sure enough, a moment later, she pounced on the food, shoveling it into her mouth with a hunger that betrayed her earlier words.
She ate like a starving animal, her small hands moving quickly, almost desperately. When she finally finished, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, breathing heavily.
I couldn’t help the harsh laugh that escaped me. “Look at you,” I sneered. “You act all high and mighty, but when it comes down to it, you’re just a filthy little rat, aren’t you?”
She glared at me, her pale face flushed with a mixture of shame and anger. “Don’t call me that,” she spat out, her voice stronger now. “I’m not some rat you can just toss crumbs to. I have something you want-information. You need me.”
I raised an eyebrow, leaning forward with interest. “You’re right, I need you. So, are you finally ready to spill this information?” I asked.
She crossed her arms over her chest, lifting her chin defiantly. “Are you ready to listen to my proposal?” she countered.
This was getting interesting. I had broken her enough to make her talk, but it seemed she still had some fight left.
Good. This little game was far from over.
I folded my arms as I eyed Erinne. “What proposal could you possibly have that’s worth my time?” I asked.
Erinne straightened up, a glint of determination in her eyes. “Are you sure you want to hear it?”
My frustration was starting to grow. “Do not waste my time, slave girl!”
“I want to be your new Luna,” she said boldly, “in exchange for information about Aria.”
I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “You? A Luna?” I shook my head, still chuckling. “Why would I ever make a mere slave like you a whole Luna of my pack?”
She rolled her eyes, her sarcasm biting as she replied, “Oh, right. Because you didn’t do exactly that with Aria, who was also a slave once. So, why am I any different?”
The mention of Aria made my smirk falter. “Aria was carrying my child,” I snapped back. “That’s why she became my Luna.”
Erinne’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “And that child wasn’t even yours to begin with.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I felt a sting of anger, mixed with the bitterness of the truth I was still struggling with. How dare she?!
But before I could lash out, Erinne leaned forward. “So, what about my proposal, Alpha? What’s it going to be?”
I narrowed my eyes at her, trying to regain control of the situation. “I can’t make you my Luna,” I said coldly. “You’re not worthy of that title.”
I saw a flash of disappointment in her eyes before I added, “But I can make you my mistress.”
Erinne’s expression didn’t betray much, but I saw the gears turning in her head. Slowly, she stood to her feet, walking over to where I sat behind my desk.
Without thinking, she climbed onto my lap and kissed me. She pressed her lips to mine and tunneled her fingers into my hair. At first, my body tensed, but it didn’t take much cajoling to get me to kiss her back. She parted her lips for me, and I slid my tongue into her mouth.
Roughly, I pushed her away from me, and she staggered on her feet. Then I stood as well, grabbed her hand, and yanked her towards the door. I dragged her outside, ignoring Erinne’s grunts of pain as we marched to my room.
I knew my grip was forceful and painful, and Emma squirmed uncomfortably as I dragged her, but I walked on resolutely. We got to the door of the room and I freed her hand to pull out a key from my pocket. I unlocked the door and pulled her inside without another word.
The room was semi-dark as the curtains had been drawn but I couldn’t care less. All I was focused on was the woman in the room with me.