Page 7 of Knot my Alphas

His expression turns sullen. “Times changed though. The betas demanded equal rights, refusing to obey the rule of their alpha nobles. My family fashioned it into a manor a century ago. It’s a residential place now but you can still hear the battle cries on a quiet night.”

Leaning down, he catches hold of my chin and smirks. “Don’t be scared, Rose. I’ll always be by your side.”

Does he think a haunted manor is enough to scare me? I’d rather camp with a bunch of ghosts than spend a second longer with him.

“Come along,” he says, dragging me alongside him. “You should see your new home.”

I swallow the curse that bubbles on my lips and follow his lead as he heads toward the manor.

My gaze sweeps around the grounds, noting the absence of guards and soldiers. Overgrown grass and vines twist together in patches, forcing us to walk around them. The wind howls and rattles the bare tree branches.

I’m slowly starting to believe Callahan about the place being haunted.

We enter through the front door of the manor and step inside a long corridor. The lighting here is just enough to help us navigate along the narrow passageway.

I look all around me, noticing the thick cobwebs that hang from the ceiling. Dust rises along the floor as we walk forward. The ancient portraits that line the walls are so grimy, I can barely make out the features of their subjects.

The corridor soon opens up into a vast room.

A dusty, cobweb-covered chandelier illuminates the hall but does little to lift the shadows clinging to every corner. The furniture is hidden under layers of dusty cloth.

“No one lives here anymore,” Callahan says, answering the questions swirling in my head. “Once upon a time, I dreamed of raising a family here but circumstances didn’t allow me the opportunity.” He turns toward me and smiles cruelly. “Everything’s going to change now. I’ve found you, my rose. We’ll raise a pack here and make it a home once again.” Moving closer, he drops a kiss on my forehead.

The feel of his cold lips on my skin sends a sickening shiver through me.

“I’ll bury my seeds deep inside you,” he says in a soft voice. “You’ll bear me a litter and fill my family home with joy and prosperity once more.”

I’d rather chop off your balls and feed them to you, I silently reply to him.

I haven’t seen a single guard anywhere. It’s the only glimmer of hope I can find in this dismal place.

As soon as Callahan leaves me, I’ll start finding a way to get the hell out of here. Even if he compels me to stay put, I’ll fucking bang my head against the wall to make myself bleed to throw off his powerful compulsion.

I don’t mind risking serious injury to escape the life he’s forcing on me. There’s no way I’ll ever let this man touch me.

The sound of approaching footsteps rouses me from my thoughts, alerting me to a new presence.

Two women step forward from the shadows.

My gaze sweeps over their stocky physique and closely-shorn hair. They’re both middle-aged and dressed in black combat uniforms. Identical Black Widow tattoos adorn their thick necks. Their features are so alike, they look like twins in their similar outfits.

They both tilt their heads toward Callahan.

“Welcome home, Master,” one of them says in a low, meek voice.

“Is the rose garden ready?” he asks.

“Yes, Master. Everything is ready for the mistress.”

My building frustration makes me want to scream. Why the hell is this asshole obsessed with roses? Is my scent the only reason he’s going to such lengths to own me?

“She’s unclean,” he says, pushing me forward.

I stumble, coming to a halt before the two women who wear disapproving glares on their faces.

“Every inch of her body must be cleansed before she can be allowed to touch her clothes,” he says in a grim tone. “Do you understand?”

“Yes, Master.”

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