Nicholas’s POV
I was on my way back to the Alpha quarters, my mind still lingering on the border inspection I had just completed with my Beta, Doris, when my eyes caught sight of a familiar figure standing in the courtyard.
Danica.
And she wasn’t alone.
Standing beside her was Roland.
I narrowed my eyes, watching them from a distance. Danica was talking to him, her expression lighter than I had ever seen it. A moment later, she touched his arm.
Something sharp twisted in my chest. I clenched my jaw, forcing the feeling down. I shouldn’t care. I had rejected her. I had made my decision. So why the hell was it bothering me?
Doris, walking beside me, followed my gaze but showed no interest. Instead, he brought up something entirely different.
“Why did Celeste storm off last night?”
I barely registered his words. My eyes were still locked on Danica and Roland.
“Hmm?” Doris pressed when I didn’t answer.
“It was nothing,” I muttered, finally tearing my gaze away.
Doris shrugged. “She didn’t look like it was nothing.”
I ignored him, my focus shifting back to the scene before me.
Danica threw her head back in laughter at something Roland said. The sound of it, though distant, felt like a slap to my face. I had never seen her laugh like that before.
Why the hell was she so comfortable with Roland?
Doris sighed and changed the subject. “I heard your friend is coming.”
I turned to him, barely processing his words. “Who?”
“Alpha Kendrick.”
I nodded, my mood sour.
“I hope this time he won’t ask you for all your slaves’ hands in marriage,” Doris said dryly.
That made me smirk.
Kendrick had a reputation. He treated women like trophies, collecting them as if they were prizes. He already had thirteen wives, and I had no doubt he would be looking for more.
“I wonder why you’re still friends with him,” Doris added. “You two are complete opposites.”
I shrugged. “He’s my childhood friend.”
“That’s not a good enough excuse.”
I sighed, rubbing my temple. “I’ve tried to keep my distance, but he always finds a way to show up so I do my best to be hospitable. But in all honestly, I think I'm still keeping him around for the political gains. He helps me during wars.”
Doris shook his head, clearly unimpressed. But I wasn’t paying attention anymore. Danica was still laughing. I didn’t realize how hard I was gripping my fists until my nails bit into my palms.
Doris noticed.
“That is Danica,” he said suddenly, his tone casual. “Danica Williams.”
“I know,” I replied quickly, perhaps too quickly.
Doris turned his head slightly toward me, smirking. “Do you?”
There was sarcasm in his voice. He knew exactly what was running through my head. I forced my body to relax and started to walk away. People might misinterpret things if they saw me watching Danica too closely. But just as I turned, Doris spoke again.
“I saw her sneaking out of your quarters a few nights ago.”
My feet halted.
Slowly, I turned back to him. “And?”
Doris crossed his arms. “I hope you know Danica is a wrong choice.”
A flare of irritation sparked in my chest. My voice came out sharper than intended.
“What the hell do you mean?”
Doris met my glare without flinching.
“She’s Danica Williams, and she was given to you as a tribute when we destroyed her stepfather’s pack years ago.”
I felt my breath still in my chest.
Doris continued, his voice unwavering. “I’m sure she hates you.”
My blood turned cold.
Doris took a step closer, lowering his voice just enough for only me to hear.
“If you want to sleep with someone, it shouldn’t be Danica. She might smile, she might obey, but don’t be fooled.” His next words were slow, deliberate. “She will hate you. For what you did to her father. She just doesn’t know that yet.”