Bath

SHE WALKED CLOSER TO ME and with her head low as she explained. "I'm sorry Lydia but I'm afraid that when it comes to the alpha I can not give you any valuable assistance. There's only so much I can talk him into agreeing to. But you're alive and that's what matters to you, right? And just know that around here, there are rules and certain routines we follow, that of course may not be to your liking." She said, awaiting my reaction but I only listened.

The woman continued with furrowed brows, a crease forming at the center 

 as she tried to sort out her thoughts, "I can only warn you to watch your words when it comes to Lucian. Lucian is a rather hard person to read but he values honesty. And I'll warn you again, the girls may see you as a threat as it means a lot around here once there are newcomers and it will be worse if they find out that the new girl isn't a wolf. It'll be even worse if it gets out of the house." 

She looked up at me to see if I understood anything she just said and I nodded as I attempted to keep my emotions under chains, "I understand." My voice cracked just a little.

"Alright then, I'll escort you." The girl pulled open the door and waited at the side for me. I lifted the clothes against my chest, feeling my throat tighten. 

"Thank you…" I started but realized that I didn't recall getting her name.

"I am called Hannah." She told me with her hands folded behind her back when she walked out into the corridor. The place was in darkness except for the natural lighting peeking out from the large window at the end of the hall. 

My eyes darted around my surroundings, analyzing everything that I could see, something that was very crucial in my training. I swiped my knuckle across my nose and stared down at my shoes when Hannah glanced over her shoulder. 

"Up those stairs." She stopped and pointed at the wooden staircase. I straightened out the raised hairs on my arms when I hugged myself and slowly walked in front of her. I placed my palm against the handrail and went one step up, looking down at her.

"Remember, do not upset him." 

I took slow steps and Hannah looked at me for a second time before she left. I entered another hallway once I pushed open the door and as I passed the multiple others my eyes fell  onto one of them ahead that was left slightly opened.

I pressed the clothes tighter against my chest when I heard the running of water.

 I held my breath as I stood in front of the door and went on my toes as I leaned forward to spy through the crack. My breath caught in my throat when I saw him. 

A group of women poured steaming water down their bodies, all of them lined to the liking of the Alpha who sat in the bathtub. 

"Alpha Lucian." They smiled and did not mind that their bodies were exposed to him. Some had their hands in his hair massaging his scalp while the others ran their nails down his chest. Some of the women put on a show for him, pouring the water down their bodies and showcasing themselves. 

There was no way I was going in there. 

But when his eyes locked onto mine through the door a large ball formed in  my throat. He removed one of the women that was in front of him  and tilted his head to the side, "I can see you." He called after me and his eyes were still trained on mine though I had taken a couple steps back, "Are you going to spy or are you going to join us?" He didn't spare a second for my answer, he only growled out, "Get in, girl."

He didn't leave any room for an argument and the power behind his words made me push the door open. I stood in front of him and he stared at me. He folded his hands behind his neck and his eyes slowly flicked up and down on my body.

 "Strip."

My eyes widened and I felt another ball go up my chest. However, I didn't let him read me. I absentmindedly let my eyes fall to his chest. His muscles flexed from the position he was in and under the water I could see the reflection of his tanned abs. His tan skin glistened from the soap and my eyes didn't seem to retaliate.

I didn't surrender to him. I held my chin high when I said, "No."

"I said strip." He didn't take his eyes off of me, "You smell of blood."

"I—" I stammered when his eyes darkened but then I thought of something and abandoned my sentence that would have most likely landed me in trouble. I turned into a slightly dark corner and looked back at his reaction when I started to remove my clothes. 

I could've told his teeth were gritted from the way his jaw ticked.

I dragged my pants down my ankle, before I looked over my shoulder at him again. A knot built in my stomach when I saw his teeth between his lips. I ignored him and pulled my shirt over my head before I proceeded to lift a bucket of warm water. I groaned when the warmth hit my scalp and I massaged it against my body with my other hand as I poured. 

I felt his hot stare on my back and to confirm I glanced over my shoulder again and saw him remove one of the women's hands from his chest as he stared at me. His eyebrows were furrowed and I knew that he was upset but I was enjoying the warm bath too much to pay attention.  I arched my back when the water tickled my back and I heard a low growl behind me. 

I pressed my thighs together and continued to wash the stickiness out of my hair, the water that ran down my body red.

"I'm done." I whispered and wrapped my hands over my breasts as I awaited his answer but instead I felt his warm breath against my neck. Chills ran up my spine and I almost leaped. 

He brushed my hair over my shoulder, his fingers dragging across my skin when he did and I felt my breathing spike up, "Don't you ever disagree with me again. You won't like the punishments.' He snarled and I almost flinched when his teeth neared the skin of my neck. I glanced back at him. The droplets from his hair fell onto my shoulder due to how close he was. He dropped a towel in my hands, "Believe me you won't."