37. Gryphon

Chapter thirty-seven

Gryphon

I step out of the ballroom for some fresh air, rounding a corner with a marbled statue when I come face to face with Governor Lily.

I freeze, my face heating up as I stand straight, showing my superior the respect and reverence that she deserves.

The Alpha doesn't smile at me or acknowledge my show of respect. She just keeps those shrewd, black eyes on me, piercing through my armor and straight into my heart.

Does she see how it beats for Mila?

Fuck, I am in deep, deep shit.

"Hello, Gryphon," she greets, her voice monotonous, devoid of emotion.

She stands with her arms crossed, tapping her long fingernails slowly against her skin.

I still don't meet her eyes; I will only look when she gives me permission.

"Look at me, Gryphon…"

My mouth dry, I slowly lift my head, meeting her jewel-back eyes. My heart thumps twice as fast.

I wouldn't be surprised if she could hear it.

An Alpha like her, she probably could.

Lily narrows her eyes. "Do you know why I have cornered you like this, Gryphon?"

I try to keep my expression neutral as I swallow, conscious of the way her eyes follow the movement of my throat.

This woman can see every nervous tick and every drop of sweat, and I know this is it…

My final warning.

She steps closer, and my back goes ramrod straight of its own accord.

The woman doesn't even have to utter a breath. My Alpha just recognizes her as his dominant.

"Pray tell, Gryphon… why is your Beta walking arm in arm with your Omega, as if she is a part of the pack?"

My face remains a mask of stone as I answer my superior's question. I wet my lips, another nervous trait her cruel eyes pick up on.

"Because…"

My throat closes in fear, and I am left tongue-tied in her mighty presence.

My body doesn't know whether to run or to fight. Considering both options would not end well for me, I decide to stand still.

"Go on," she coaxes gently, her voice like poison honey.

Lulling me into a false sense of security.

I'm pretty sure my balls shrink back into my scrotum as Lily's dominant scent overwhelms me, the scent of rotten flowers.

I am a dead Alpha.

"B-because… Oliver…"

She arches a plucked eyebrow. "Does your Omega make all the rules now, Gryphon?"

When did he never?

I have never exerted that kind of dominance over Oliver. Our relationship was always built on trust.

The only time I ever abused my position was when I used my bark on him, and our bond has never been the same since.

I will never do that to him ever again. I care about Oliver too much, and I respect his autonomy and his right to make his own choices.

Alphas like Lily never would.

They revel in such power.

I'm not sure how to answer her.

It seems my silence isn't enough. In a flash, she swipes out, raking her claws down my left cheek. Then she shoves me hard against the wall, knocking the breath from my lungs.

She holds me in place with just her thigh and her hand alone.

That hand is currently placed on my chest, feeling the frantic organ pounding beneath. I try my damn best to keep my breaths even, but when she curls her fingers around my neck, I can't help it.

I shiver, and I have never been more ashamed to call myself Alpha.

I could fight her back, but I know I would lose.

Lily is just too powerful.

The way she has me on a tight leash. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

"I have warned you several times about that Beta… yet you disobeyed me again and again, letting her walk all over you and your pack. Now because of you, an enemy has infiltrated our defenses… all just because you can't keep your Omega in check!"

Warm blood trickles down my left cheek where she scratched the skin, but I have no time to tend to the wound.

Not when she has her fingers around my neck like the jaws of a viper.

She applies a little more pressure, and the woman delights in the stuttered sounds I make as I struggle for air.

My vision darkens, and I think she is truly going to kill me.

I just hope Oliver will be okay without me. I never got to tell him I was sorry. Not really…

I never should have used my bark on him.

My vision tunnels, zeroing in on the madwoman before me as she prepares to squeeze the life from me.

My heart pounds inside my skull.

Finally, she leans closer, and our lips our mere inches away from a kiss.

A kiss of death.

Lily brushes her cheek softly against mine, marking me with her scent as she goes to whisper in my ear.

My muscles seize up, and I have lost the ability to move my limbs.

"This is your final warning… If you ignore me once again, Gryphon… then you are finished…"

I don't have to ask twice what she means by finished.

She will kill me. Right in front of Oliver.

She removes her hands from me, and I don't move. My back remains plastered to the wall, my heart racing a mile a second.

Lily gives me one last look over, her expression indicating that she finds me extremely wanting.

Every inch of me is covered in sweat, and the more she stares, the hotter I become.

With one final snort, she gives me her back, trusting that a pathetic Alpha like me would never fight her.

I'm nothing but a lowly coward…

And if I don't buck up soon, then I will lose more than my life.

I will lose Oliver.

My perfect, perfect Oliver…

The moment she vanishes down the hall, I release the breath from my lungs and slide down the wall. Then I reach up a trembling hand, and my fingers come away with blood.

Her claws went in deep. Not enough to leave a scar, but enough to leave a message.

Don't disobey me again.

What am I going to do?

It's hopeless.

Truly hopeless.

One thing I know for certain.

Mila has to go. I am finally putting my foot down.

I just hope my pack will forgive me one day.