15. Belle

Chapter fifteen

Belle

T he pack updates Troy, and he doesn't speak for some time after they tell him about the guard at the prison.

I sit on Leo's lap throughout the whole exchange, stealing quick peeks at the silent Alpha now and then.

It hurts to look at him.

Every time I do, I get this sick twisting in my gut, and it takes everything in me to resist running to his side and brushing my Omega scent all over him.

Even when Troy is terrifying, he is beautiful.

Not one muscle moves on his stoic face, and I take that rare opportunity to explore every facet of that gorgeous visage.

Like the pronounced groove beneath his nose.

I want to put my finger on it.

He has a little stubble on his cheeks now, and it appears he hasn't shaved in days.

I always liked the descriptions in my books where the guys give head, and the girl can feel the scruff scraping along her thighs, ruining her soft skin in the process.

My sex pools just at the thought of Troy's face between my legs, teasing my sensitive clitoris with those dimpled lips, and I'm pretty sure my scent blooms.

Troy's eyes drift to me next, and it looks like he caught wind of my arousal.

Leo hugs me tighter to him, purring softly into my ear, and he's possessive whenever we're around Troy.

He doesn't want him anywhere near me.

But in the end, the choice is mine.

If I want to be around Troy, then Leo is just going to have to get used to it.

"What happened to the guard?" Troy whispers, and it takes me by complete surprise.

His face barely moves, and how does he do it?

Rian and Jeremy glance at each other.

Leo's too busy burying his nose into my black hair, and it's as if he's memorizing my scent.

I'm close to heat, so the Alpha can't get enough of me.

He's hard beneath my legs.

Finally, Rian looks at Troy. "He's being questioned."

Troy growls, and I flinch when I spy the spark in his eyes.

My hair rises on end, and my every instinct tells me to run from the apex predator.

Yet I don't.

All I want to do is go to him.

The only thing stopping me is Leo. His arms are still wrapped around me, trapping me in place.

"Why isn't he dead ?"

My heart skips a beat at the sound of Troy's voice.

It conjures images of death and destruction.

Rian answers for him. "Because Gryphon has taken him in for questioning. He was one of his men, Troy. The governor's got this."

Troy trembles, and then he balls his fists, resisting the urge to roar at the top of his lungs.

"That bastard deserves to rot," he growls.

No one answers him right away. It seems we are all in agreement.

I'm just trying my best not to relive that night.

Gazing at Troy and his dimpled face helps.

Finally, Jeremy sighs, rising from his chair. He starts to pace the room.

"Be that as it may, we need to be patient here. The guard could have vital information."

Troy burns two holes into the wall with his glare next, and I'm just grateful that I'm not on the other end of his ire for once.

He never looked that terrifying even when he was threatening me.

I don't understand.

Why is he so angry in the first place?

Is it because the guard tried to kill me and almost succeeded?

Does he really care that much about me?

It doesn't add up to the Alpha I know.

The Alpha I know hated me and snarled whenever I so much as looked at his Omega, but now he is getting murderous on my behalf.

Leo snorts next. "Why do you even care? Are you just mad that he failed to get the job done? It sure would have made your life far easier, hey, Troy, if he'd succeeded."

Troy snaps his head in the Alpha's direction, and then he's on his feet, looming over us both.

My heart thumps, and now I find myself caught in the crossfire between two Alphas.

They're about to lock horns, but all I can do is stare at Troy in horror.

He's almost frothing at the mouth, and is it because of what Leo said?

Leo calmly places me down next to him, and now Rian gathers me up in his arms as the two Alphas have their standoff.

They match in height, and I watch in dread.

This has to stop.

Jeremy steps closer, keeping an eagle eye on the two.

Leo smirks, crossing his arms. "You're not fooling anyone. Don't act as if you suddenly care about her. We all know that this is for Rian's benefit. You're missing your place in the nest."

"Leo!" Rian snaps. "Belle is right here..."

I am.

And it may be time I found my voice.

Troy shudders, and it looks as if he's trying his hardest to keep his Alpha at bay.

Sooner or later, he's going to fail.

Leo chuckles. "Admit it. You can't stand that she's back."

Troy bares his teeth, and before they both do something they regret, I jump to my feet, coming between them.

A bold move for a five-foot Omega, but enough is enough.

It's silly and childish.

"Stop! The pair of you."

Troy snaps out of it when he hears my voice, and then he backs away, returning to his chair.

Leo scoops me up in his arms, and now he places me on his lap again, kissing down my neck.

Troy won't even look at me now, and he reminds me of a dog with its tail between its legs.

But I know the real reason for his outburst.

He wishes he could get his hands on the guard who tried to kill me.

He wants to make him pay for trying to hurt me, and what can I say? I'm touched.

Warmth trickles through me, and his behavior dissipates any doubt I've had about him.

Troy was not in league with Francis after all.

I already told Gryphon and his team about the pencil-necked Beta, but I think it's time I informed my pack, too.

After all, they need to know the real reason why I left that night.

It was not by choice.

So, I begin my tale.