Page 7 of Not a Tribute

“You’re insane.”

“That might be a valid point. But aren’t you glad I’m on your side, though?” I grin at her.

Her laughter rings through the room, filling my heart—which I could have sworn I didn’t have—to the brim. I want to hear her make that sound every day for the rest of my life.

“You can’t go against him,” she says, sobering after a moment. “He is too powerful.”

This makes me laugh. “There isn’t a single person walking this world that I cannot take down. I am the head of the most powerful clan in the realm. I feel no fear and if I must kill your father to prove that, I will.”

She stares at me, looking to find any hint of deception. She takes so long I fear she won’t tell me. My dragon is impatient, trying to force me to shift. He wants her to see him, his size and ferociousness. He wants her to know that he—we—can protect her against anything and everything.

“Gregor James,” she says on a breath, so soft I would have missed it if not for my supernatural hearing.

I know him. I have always felt a darkness whenever I was forced to be near him. He is one of those Alpha Nobles who believe an accident of birth gives him dominion over everyone else. He wields his Alpha status as a weapon, and I know, without asking, he has hurt Seline more than just physically. And more than once.

“Do you have anything at his house you cannot live without? Not clothes or shit like that, Seline. Something important, irreplaceable.”

“My mother’s locket.”

“Grab a shower while I get you some clothes to wear. I’ve had things bought for you,” I say as I walk to the door. “We are going to see your father.”

Already, my phone is in my hand. I have calls to make before I get to Gregor James’s house. There is no way he is the only Alpha out there abusing females. But he will be the Alpha I will make an example of. Every Alpha—Noble and otherwise—will know there are repercussions for their actions.

Chapter Four

Seline

I feel like my heart is going to beat clear out of my chest as we make our way along the twisted driveway that leads to the palatial monstrosity my father calls a house. I have never liked this place but today feels worse somehow. It looms ahead of us waiting to pull me back inside and keep me there until I die.

“Will you please relax?” Liam asks lowly.

I don’t reply. He doesn’t know what it was like living with my father. After my mother passed there was no buffer between me and him. I was only twelve when the abuse started. Little things at first, mostly verbal, but after a while it was just the norm. Getting pushed around, belittled, broken down.

Liam kills the engine before turning to me. “You’re clearly uncomfortable being here, and we won’t stay here any longer than necessary. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”

I nod. It won’t make any difference what I say. Once an Alpha has made up their mind there isn’t much that can change it.

He gets out and rounds the hood to open my door. I watch his long jean-clad legs carry his large frame and I can’t help but admire him. Broad shoulders, a muscular back, and thick thighs are all part of the package that makes Liam Virago the perfect specimen of male virility. Stepping out of the vehicle I stare up at the front door. Twelve steps between me and the entrance to my own personal hell. A shiver of fear works its way down my spine, and I must fight the compulsion to flee from this place.

“You need to be strong, Seline,” Liam says as he places his hand on the small of my back and leads me to the steps. “We need to show a united front. Your father will be punished for what he has done.”

On the sixth step, the heavy oak door above us swingsopen, revealing my father. He stares at us, a smirk crossing his handsome features.

“Welcome, Alpha Liam,” he greets, gesturing us inside once we reach the top . “I wondered where my daughter had gone.” He chuckles and I want to gag.

“Alpha Gregor,” Liam replies, his voice low and deadly.

For the first time since walking inside, I turn to look at them. My father is standing a few feet away from Liam in shock. Liam is glaring at my father, the magic of his shift already shimmering around him. His dragon is fighting for dominance, his scales visible just beneath his skin. I run my hand down his arm and twine my fingers with his. If I need to stand strong, he needs to stay in control.

His fingers flex around mine before his dragon allows him full control once more.

“Is … is there a problem, Alpha Liam?” my father stammers, staring at us.

“Seline, why don’t you gather your things while I talk with your father?” he asks, placing a kiss against my temple.

My father frowns but I don’t argue with the big Alpha. Instead, I let my feet carry me away as calmly as possible, disappearing up the stairs and into my room before closing the door. I don’t want to be anywhere near either of them. Liam is intent on putting my father in his place and I don’t want to be in the vicinity when my father figures it out.

I saw the way he looked at Liam the moment he saw us. My father thinks Liam is here to discuss claiming me as his female and he thinks this will only strengthen his position as one of the top Alpha Nobles in the realm. Little does he know how wrong he is.

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