Learning Gavin and Noah were working together made a lot of sense. It explained why Gavin was always several steps ahead of us. Noah was probably feeding him information that whole time and that bitch Qi along with him. I don’t know if I’m more pissed that Qi didn’t tell me what Noah was up to or the fact that she hasn’t returned any of my calls these past few weeks.
I don’t love her, but I’m not a complete jerk, I still want to know if she’s okay. Then there’s Aria. Every time she looks at me with those big puppy dog eyes I want to twist the knife I plunged into her heart even deeper. I don’t hate her…hate is a strong word, but I really…REALLY don’t like her right now. If I didn’t need her I’d have her executed, effective immediately.
No you wouldn’t, because as hurt as you are right now, you’re still in love with her and if anything happened to her you’d never forgive yourself…
Today is the day. Our sparks have been retrieved and she’s been given a clean bill of health so the Republic is sending her back here to join us. I haven’t seen her in close to a month and it’s been even longer than that since I’ve touched her. Not that I want to…or do I? I don’t know anymore. All I know is since I’ve gotten back here, Desiree and I have been screwing like rabbits.
“You ready for this?” Wake asks.
“Nope, but what choice do I have.”
“At least you’re no longer second in command.”
“Yes, but only because they don’t trust her judgment when it comes to Noah.”
“Well, maybe if you do a stellar job, you’ll be our General permanently.”
“That’s what I’m hoping for.”
A bright light erupts in the main room and I tense up. I really don’t want to see her, but she’s a part of this team. I can’t escape her. Taking a deep breath I force myself to walk out into the main room to greet her. She tenses when she sees me and then she bows to me.
“General,” her voice is soft and obedient. This is not at all what I expected from her. She’ll all business and no emotion whatsoever.
“Lieutenant General.”
She rises and stands, waiting for her orders, “As of right now there are no orders to give. Asher is the next room heavily guarded and our only objective is to fend off any attacks. You may do as you wish.”
Again, she nods to me, and heads up to our room. I exchange glances with our team and have half a mind to follow her up to our room, but instead, I wait. After several minutes she comes back down to join the team and greets everyone but me. Me…she ignores. As if I’m not even there.
“What do we know so far?” Aria addresses Willow.
“Isn’t that a question better suited for your General?” I posed the question.
Slowly she turns, cutting her eyes at me. With a lethal smile she squares her shoulders and addresses me, “Fine, General, what do we know so far?”
Venom. Her tone is laced with venom. And that smile, it’s a warning, but I’m not about to back down from this. She’s walked over me enough.
“Noah and Gavin are preparing to strike at any moment, there’s an army stationed nearby of reinforcements in case we need it, and Bleak returns tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” she nods and heads into the kitchen.
Again, she’s all business and no emotion. She still has yet to give me a proper greeting. I’m not buying this act for one second. Not when she spent the last moments we were together begging me for another chance. She begged me to take her back, but I couldn’t. My wounds ran too deep and they were still too fresh.
Just let it go Thien…let it go…what do you want from her anyway? She acknowledged you in her own way when she came in and she’s giving you the space you asked her to give you…what more do you want…? Submission…
I took a step towards the kitchen, and Willow stepped into my path. “She’s been through enough and you’ve made your point. Leave her alone Havoc,” she barked like the protective friend she is.
“Are you really placing yourself between me and my consort?”
“Wife. That’s what the humans call their female mates. She’s not a possession Thien, she’s a living being.”
“Get out of my way,” I demanded, “That’s an order.”
Willow shook her head, but she listened and moved out of my way only to be replaced by Wake. Alpha, I sighed, not him too.
“Seriously?”
“I just want you to think this through Havoc. The two of you created life together and then you abandoned her. I understand your reasons for doing so, but just like the wounds she’s inflicted on you, that wound will run deep. And you know Aria…the moment you inflict pain on her she’s going to come out swinging. If you’re going in there to work things out with her, then by all means, go. But Willow is right…she’s suffered enough, and we need to act as a solid unit. Not divided.”
Ignoring him, I push past and saunter into the kitchen where Aria is making herself something to eat. Our eyes meet and she quickly looks away. She’s avoiding me.
“I’m pretty sure I’m not invisible,” I watched her tense up yet again. Her back is to me but I can still sense her hesitation.
“What would you have me do your highness? Would you like for me to crawl over to you on all fours?” I didn’t need to see her face to see it matched her sarcastic tone. She’s still so willful and defiant. She’s going to pay for that smartass remark.
“As a matter of fact, yes.” I call her bluff. She swings around to face me, eyes as wild as a jungle cat. There’s a silent plea hidden in her eyes, but her mouth refuses to acknowledge the words. I threw my hands up and shrugged. “You said it, not me.”
“I meant it sardonically, I wasn’t serious.”
“Then let this be a lesson in humility for you then. Your temper is a problem for me and I count twice now that I’ve been at the cutting edge of your blades,” I motioned for her to get down on her knees, “Crawl to me. I know you’re used to being an unchecked force around here but that time has ended. You WILL respect me as your consort and future King or get used to being on all fours.”
At last her defenses faltered and that solid wall she put up came crumbling down. “Thien,” she gasped, shaking her head, “It’s degrading. I won’t do it.”
“Are you defying me?”
“No, but-”
“Then knees…now.”
Tears formed in Aria’s eyes as she dropped to her knees. My goal isn’t to degrade her, or exploit my control or position over her. What I want is for her to stop undermining me. I want her to obey my commands as I give them and I want order. I want her to remember this moment every time she even thinks about raising her blade to me or directing her smartass mouth at me. I want her to know I have the control so she can stop fighting me for it. That’s the only way we’re ever going to coexist peacefully. If the wildfire allows herself to be contained.
Each time her knees hit the floor her throat would bob as she swallowed hard. I squatted down to greet her when she finally made it over to me and she pressed her forehead into the floor. Finally…submission.
I lift her head so our eyes can meet and her face is soaked in tears. “I’ve never invoked my right as the ruler of our union over you and I give you my word that I never will again. But in return you have to stop undermining me. Stop directing your sharp tongue at me, and don’t ever raise your blades to me again. Are we clear?” There was recognition and then a nod, “Good, now that we’ve got that out of the way, rise and let’s talk.”
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