Alpha Sebastian: The indecent proposal.

One:

Lira:

"Smile, Lira. You look miserable, darling."

What I really want is to tell him that I am miserable. But I know better by now — I know what the consequences will be, so instead, I take a slow, deep breath and force a smile onto my face through gritted teeth.

Liam doesn't look pleased with me at all — he takes a furious step toward me and opens his mouth to speak.

An involuntary wince forces me back a step. Luckily, Liam's attention is pulled away from me by a hand on his shoulder. My eyes follow his to one of the Alphas standing behind him; Alpha Theodore from the southern territory.

"'Game's about to start, Liam. Better take our seats."

Liam has no idea, but I noticed Theodore watching us from across the room and I know that he stepped in on purpose; to stop Liam from doing what he was about to do in a crowded room.

Theodore glances at me over Liam's shoulder with a look of guilty understanding and pity in his eyes. I immediately cast my eyes down to avoid looking at him. I feel my cheeks flush and my face burns with such intense embarrassment that I have no choice but to shift my weight uncomfortably and cross my arms protectively in front of me.

Liam lets out a seething breath and gives Theodore a tight nod. However, before he turns to walk away, he gives me a nasty look and mouths the words; "I'll deal with you later."

I swallow hard and let go of the breath that I've been holding onto. My shoulders slump automatically as I begin to follow him and I feel like a mangy mut, obediently following its master.

I feel them all watching me as I take my place behind Liam's chair after he sits down. I know what they all think of me. I know what they all think of him.

But there's nothing that any of them can do — even if they wanted to. There's nothing that I can do, no matter how much I've wanted to.

Liam is my Alpha. He is also my mate. I have to obey him no matter what — no matter how badly he treats me and how much I hate him for it.

Finally, the other five Alphas take their seats around the table and the room begins to settle — the only one still moving about is a young, scarcely dressed, Beta girl serving drinks to the Alphas.

Cards are dealt across the table and the monthly poker game begins.

The Alphas generally use this time to talk about and resolve issues that the packs face; threats, opportunities, allies, enemies, and most importantly, our declining territory.

They also use this time as an opportunity for the mother of all pissing contests. Always trying to see which one of them can come up with the most outrageous and ridiculous wager; all in the name of keeping things interesting.

Like we don't have more important things to concern ourselves with.

The first bet is placed, and I roll my eyes as the Beta girl places another drink next to Liam — he's had far too much already, but I don't dare say anything about it. I don't need to give him any more reasons to take his mood out on me later.

I also pretend not to see the way he looks the Beta up and down, licking his lips like she's some tasty treat he can't wait to try out later — he probably will. And I'll pretend not to know anything about it and keep my mouth shut.

I let out a long, inaudible sigh as my eyes slowly scan the room and I realize, once more, just how unhappy I am and how much I hate my life.

My eyes settle on Liam. His head is slightly turned away from me, so I can only see his profile. He's an arsehole but a damn good-looking one; with his sandy brown hair, sun-kissed skin, pale blue eyes, and sensual lips — no wonder that poor Beta hasn't been able to take her eyes off of him all night.

As I trace the lines of his handsome face, I can't help but remember the way things used to be — the way that he used to be before he became Alpha. Liam was sweet, and kind, and gentle. He used to make me laugh, especially at a time when I felt that I never would again.

But things changed... he changed...

Suddenly, my thoughts are interrupted by a familiar and extremely unsettling pull. Liam immediately notices the shift in me, his head snaps toward me, and he stares at me with wide eyes — wide eyes that are filled with something that I haven't seen in him in a very long time; fear.

My heart begins to pound, and I quickly realize that we aren't the only two to notice a change in the air. When I finally manage to tear my eyes away from Liam's, I notice that everyone else in the room, including every single Alpha seated around the table, has grown uncomfortable as they all stare at the closed door, waiting for it to open.

I silently pray that it doesn't.

I beg the Goddess not to let Him walk right back into my life...