alpha wolf territory

-Be patient, Katie. It was not my fault. - The female voice complained excitedly.

Richard stopped, stunned, leaning against the wall. He was sure the ground had disappeared under his feet. It was like being shot at point ballpoint-blank

He'd spent part of the day just watching. Ah, damn. Wasn't it a frame after all? The grunt work... he watched from afar, stunned and cursing Philip Morgan. The huge pile of cut firewood... Didn't Garro expect the girl to carry it all to the tavern? Did he intend? Had Philip decided to arrange for her death because of her refusal?

He discreetly got some help from a local peasant. All the difficulties… And Cassie hadn't accepted Philip's help?

-No more crossing the line. I just want to make sure the girl... Bring it up and...

-Why, a jealous type husband, no?

He did what, good heavens? Make sure the girl was faithful? Unhappy jealousy. Never before... never...

-Just give a little talk... Maybe a flirtation... And that's all, do you hear me? Nothing else! Did I make myself clear?- he asked miserably.

He watched Cassie pull away at the first gentle attempt at approach and back away in irritation. Didn't the unfortunate man understand a damned order? It wasn't to try to grab the girl by the waist. Any woman could get on an old wagon alone.

-I'm married, monsieur. Thanks for the help, but...

Rick gritted his teeth. Of course, the girl was married. She was going to scream out loud that she was married to him. And then there's the unfortunate peasant. The dress doesn't have to be that low-cut, does it? And the corset? Had all the unfortunate corsets gone on the little island?

- A husband half forgetful of his wife, no? - the peasant joked, laughing.

Cassie put her hands on her hips indignantly.

- It's very busy. The plague... well, it hit everyone. Lost his job. He works on the wagon delivering goods to the villagers in their mansions...He is a hardworking man, sir. if you will excuse me...

He saw the girl stomping away in an irritating gait. The little devil was the angry type. It was starting to sharpen the hunt in him. She belonged to an alpha. She was going to find out soon enough. He had expected a girl who was perhaps helpless and weeping. For God. For a moment he had the impression that she might throw one of the logs at the poor peasant's head. But it was clear! He wasn't the jealous type at all. Soon he?

Imagine! The captain of the Gaia who always had women at his disposal... he continued the rest of the day in watchful vigil. He justified to himself that it was just a precaution. Care was never too much. She could suddenly get into trouble... Get hurt in the heavy chores... When she got her claws into Philip...

-Oh, girl! - another woman showed irritation. - You broke another camphor of wine. The drink is to be served to customers. Don't smash the camphor on their heads. You are not from here. Never before worked in a tavern.

Rick could hear the old cook's complaints from afar. Her behavior was perfectly justified. The damned sailor had tried... He grumbled through gritted teeth in anger.

Again, Richard Morgan had a feeling that no air existed. It wasn't possible. That damn voice... It was the wine. He shook his head in bewilderment. He had most certainly overdone the damn wine. The sound of the melodious voice... had communication with her entire body from the waist down. He had work to do. Orders to be given... Commanding Gaia out of the Armada was going to be a lot of trouble after the confusion. Nothing that wouldn't get in the way of making it clear to an unfortunate sailor that he shouldn't mess with other people's wives.

-Katie, he tried to grab me! - there was outrageous outrage.

Of course, the plague tried to grab you. What did you expect? Do you need to stand around showing off with your hair escaping the goddamn bonnet?

- Cassie! This here is a tavern. What do you think men do? I'll take it back from your paycheck.

He stopped dead. He was beginning to discover the reason for the salary so low that he couldn't afford the room. What a genius. His little devil... was a raging cat. And that gave him immense pleasure. Knowing that she was his and hers alone... stoked the feeling of possession and desire...

- Well, I should have smashed a whole tray of them on that unfortunate Philip Morgan's head. scoundrel! Said the foreman would keep that demon away!

The young woman muttered a row of insulted curses. Deduct from salary? The money was already so little. She wouldn't be able to buy food. She also needed warm clothes. She hated that job. The smell of drink, food, and sweat was sickening. She didn't know how anyone could enjoy themselves here among the drunken sailors.

Rick picked up the thoughts easily and didn't need so much telepathy. He could see it on the face of annoying expressions.

-Please! If I discount, I will receive almost nothing. Cassie sighed, trying to control her temper. She was all too likely to go back to the salon and show the hapless man what she had thought of his rudeness.

Rick also thought that he would enjoy it even more. He could very well settle the matter.

Morgan was convinced that he suffered in hell. Oh, God! Cassie was a pretty common name, wasn't she? That girl...What were the odds...? And it wasn't just a coincidence. His wife was working in a brothel waiting tables. The anger doubled. She wasn't just going to strangle Philip for it, she was… going…

I was able to verify that the girl is innocent.

Garro's comment to the clientele for the auction had him burning with fury.

-Why don't you go back to your family? Must have a family?

That. Return. You want to tell me why the damn, don't come back?

For a brief moment, the silence made Rick contain the urge to rant. It wasn't her. Not. Oh, it was her. How could Garro have proved that the unfortunate woman was innocent?

-I explained it to you, Katie. I got kicked out. I have nowhere to go. - Cassie despaired. -Maybe it was a bit hasty. gave orders... he gave orders for his lackeys to throw me out...

expelled? Rays. And that damn money?

The girls who worked with her didn't usually react that way. It was an ordeal. Rich had made it very clear to the cook that the girl would do no more than that. Or drag her away. And without hearing any complaints. also made it clear that she would only work in the kitchen and wait tables. Just it.

Katie sighed, not knowing what to do.

- So make good use of what you have and be smart. It's young. With that body and your eyes, you can guarantee a selective clientele with Monsieur Garro. He already proposed to you. - The cook's voice was quite persuasive. - You can change here to a tavern. It's bad the first time when you have no experience. You will learn very fast.

Another low curse echoed down the hall as Morgan felt his ears ring. His heart came to his mouth with the insane rage he was experiencing. She was going to return to the hall and challenge Garro...

How did she not have a family? Did she have nowhere to go? He could go back to the salon and face Philip demanding satisfaction very easily. Merciful Lord! Never before had he behaved so jealously with a woman. And with her...

I was able to verify that the girl is innocent.

Garro's words echoed in his ears.

I'm going to kill that bastard!

-Katie, no. They're all the same. I've encountered enough confusion over one man. - Cassie regretted it even more.

Again silence. Rick was leaning against the wall at the end of the dimly lit hallway with his forehead against the tile. He took a deep breath. He banged his head against the wall twice in a daze. It was a curse from the devil! Was her! Mayra had done what with her lies?

What a hell! I kill that damn woman!

Katie laughed in disbelief.

- Well, she should have been smarter. - The cook tried to be kind. -She should have ensured that the handsome suitor was engaged before granting favors. Never trust a man.

I am not any...

-I didn't grant favors! - Cassie shot back outraged. - He was a wretch. I don't need anything from him. He offered me money! Worse than that. She had her minions do it! Do you believe that the unfortunate dared to offer money? And I always liked him.

Rick tightened his mouth to contain an indignant, irritated response. He was ready to step forward and defend himself against the absurd accusations. He hadn't offered any money. And drag Cassie into his arms and carry her away.

He started making an endless list of what he wanted to do. He was going to destroy the Council hall. Maybe he'll strangle Regan with his bare hands. Before he would naturally kill Garro. And after beating up the hapless sailor... ah, Philip would be left for the final reckoning.

How could he prove it? He would practice marksmanship at the tavern before he killed him. A very tempting idea indeed. Or rather he would go back upstairs and challenge the hapless merchants bidding at the auction.

And I always liked him, the words echoed in his ears.

I kill Garro. I swear I kill. Morgan swore at her words.

Curse! Did I like it? Didn't like it anymore?

-This afternoon. Why don't you sleep around here tonight? It's getting cold. Maybe I can get you some of the hottest clothes for you. And maybe you can eat better. He's losing weight in no time. It shouldn't even be eating right. You're very nauseous these days, girl.

Cassie stifled a groan. Unfortunately for her, her stomach growled. The difficulties were so many that she didn't even care about food. She needed to find a way to recoup her earnings and money. Everything she still possessed was aboard the Tomorrow Star. It was all difficult.

-I'm not going to sleep here! - she protested, her even more indignant. - Here is a tavern! No, I'll eat dinner later. I'm sick.

-Again?

Again? But of course, you won't sleep here anyway!

Richard took a deep breath again. Once, twice. Anger was low. He was furious. Was he a wretch? Never before had he taken advantage of a woman! It was absurd! The conversation made him even angrier. Hell Girl! She was there working and struggling. The green eyes! He groaned low, closing his eyes.

How sick?

Wasn't it too early for that kind of confusion? The blood froze. She wasn't... No, of course not. Except that she was there working and... And sick... He groaned softly, closing his eyes in wonder. Was it Cassie whom Garro intended to initiate into tavern activities?

God have mercy on him! The hallway seems to be spinning before his eyes. Wolves didn't breed...

-Are you sure you don't have a full belly? You know how babies are made, don't you?

Prolonged break. Now they were claws of ice that pierced Richard Morgan's bones. Hell! It had been once! Oh, she wasn't at all... Dear God!

Tell her she's not pregnant. Please!

-Of course, I know! - Cassie replied angrily and showed no conviction in words. - Babies are working, we cry all the time and cost a lot of money. I don't want babies.

God, I don't believe it!

Lies! Every woman wants children! The truth was emerging without him expecting it. Had Regan kicked the girl out of the castle? And what about the family story? Compassion. She should have someone to take care of her. The imprudence and temerity were astonishing. It was a feat to be alive! Did she imagine finding what kind of work there with that attractive face and well-built body?

He was going to make sure very quickly that she was indeed carrying her heir to put an end to the unfortunate imprudence.

Curse! She wasn't going to call for the corsairs! It was clear he wasn't. The girl Lili was looking for was Cassie. And probably the Coven Regent. They were making exorbitant bids for money to decide who would have the privilege of taking the girl to bed. Your woman! He growled at the edge of patience, holding back. The urge he repressed was to advance down the hall and carry the girl away, indifferent to screams or protests. He was going to pick her up... and woe to the first one to say anything!

Garro had provided guards to watch over his investment while he decided on the best offer. The night couldn't be better! He wasn't going to get Cassie out of there without trouble. He was beginning to see that she had a natural attraction to trouble. Sir! The girl was reckless. Did she have no sense of danger with her clumsiness?

Another stronger and more surprising feeling welled up in him. It was his wife. It was surprising that she had come to Chabone with all the difficulties. An even more satisfying realization enveloped him. She hadn't accepted money to part with him. Probably the fearful elders had expelled the girl since she had no family. Faith had explained that she was a cousin of hers, perhaps distantly. And finding out she was a sister…she was going to demand satisfaction from Will.

All the frustration and anxiety that consumed him gave way to relief.

What the hell. How am I going to explain to her that I have no part in this?

He needed, first of all, to get her safely out of Monsieur Garro's tavern. And did she do something so reckless with her ways that she put herself in greater danger?

She takes it easy. Take a deep breath and don't be silly, man.

The girl's reaction wouldn't be the least bit pleased when she found out he was there. This time he would do everything as custom demanded. He would naturally look for a priest. His heart pounded in his chest. His life was at stake. His happiness. He wanted that girl. It was simply a necessity. Relief was absorbed by joy.

He didn't even believe it. Build a family maybe. He never thought about the possibility after Katie. Just the thought made him silly. Excitement. Fear. There are so many possibilities... How could everything change like this all of a sudden?

What if she was... Life on the frontier...

He could easily imagine her in his bed and just imagine her body reacting in advance. It was an ordeal. The girl would not be tolerant of any approach from her.

He needed to find a way to reach her without drawing the attention of the guards watching. He should have called some privateers to accompany him, but he wouldn't risk losing the girl or having Garro advance the auction bids that were placed upstairs.

Resigned and cursing women in general, Richard Morgan turned on his heel in search of a table. He pulled the hood of his traveling cloak farther over his face. He would take the first chance to get Cassie out of the tavern.

Meanwhile, he thought up an excellent explanation to convince the girl to trust him and make the place miserable.

He was going to make it very clear that Philip Morgan kept the damn claws off his wife!