22

**ISBERLT**

"Rio!"

I scream as Rio grabs Peter for the second time, the anger radiating off him too strong, and I'm afraid if he isn't stopped— he will eventually kill the man.

Not that I will not enjoy watching the psychopath suffer, but I'll rather him not be killed.

Rio snaps his head to me, his orbs an unusual colour of bright yellow with his claws digging into the other's skin.

I have never seen him like this before, and the sight frightens me, as much as it enthrals me.

He tosses Peter to the side, and stride towards me with a frantic look on his face, and I moan when he grabs hold of my shoulder; his claws nearly sinking into the skin.

"How long has this been going on? What the fuck did he do?" He jerks me violently, and I wiggle his hand off my shoulders; wincing.

"You're hurting me. " I tell him, and I watch remorse cross over his features, his eyes returning to their usual colour, and his claws disappearing along with his fangs.

"I'm sorry. I'm just fucking angry right now."

He states, and I nod, looking back at a wounded Peter before looking back at Rio. "This is the second time," I whisper under my breath, hands clutching onto the edge of my dress.

"What? He's done this before? And you didn't fucking tell me about it?" He snaps, anger dripping off his voice, and I let out an unsteady breathe.

"I couldn't. He threatened me. "

"Threaten you?"

Rio questions, and I raise my gaze to meet his before saying, "Heather's daughter. He was going to kill her if I mention a word of it to anyone. "

I tell him, and Rio cocks his brows at him, crossing his arms against his chest. "I never saw you as one to be that stupid, Isberlt. I thought you were smarter than that. "

What the fuck is that supposed to mean? I should have placed a life at risk at the cost of my fucking dignity? Who the fuck do that?

"He threatened to kill Heather's daughter, and you believed him. Do you think he could just kill a Pack's member without being punished?"

And there's that. "Peter might be one of the strongest members in the pack, but he's still just that — A pack member— and he wouldn't dare to wage a war against the Alpha King by killing Heather's daughter. You should have known this, Isberlt."

Heat spreads across my cheeks at the thought that I didn't even think of that. I was too enraged by his threat, that I didn't think that it's just a mere menace.

Rio sighs when I give no response, "Are you okay though? Did he succeed in doing anything?" His voice goes low towards the end, and my mind races back to Peter shifting my pant to the side, and trailing his finger over my clit.

Shaking the thought off my mind, I smile at Rio, "No, He didn't do anything. He wasn't able to. " It doesn't matter. I'm safe now.

Rio nods before looking back to a groaning Peter, and I watch as he tails towards him; pulling him up by the shoulder. "You are going to regret this." He snarls, hauling him along with him, while I trail behind them.

***

The Alpha King gaze remains on Peter who looks like he's shitting himself in his position with his head bent, and his arms folded before him; the fear that emits off him too intense.

Of course, he should be afraid. If Rio can do that to him, then I wonder what the Alpha king could do.

"Peter, raise your head. "

The Alpha King orders, and he slowly raises his head— fear written all over his face, and it's such a sensational sight to see the man trembling on his knees.

"Rio said you attempted to rape the slave, is this true?" I gulp at his reference to me as a slave, but say no word, knowing that's exactly what I am.

"Answer me!"

He growls, voice raising when Peter says no words, and I lift my gaze from Peter's to meet Rio who's standing beside the Alpha King; his gaze focused on the man before them.

"I did... Al—Alpha King. "

He responds; voice low, and trembling.

Nodding, the Alpha takes a step towards him, with his hands folded behind him in his usual form.

"And you did this why? Didn't I give an order for her not to be touched against my command? You got tired of fucking your women, and decided she's the next in line? Did you think I wouldn't know of this, or you were daring me?"

He stands before a trembling Peter who immediately shakes his head before saying, "I will never, Alpha. It was a mistake, and I promise that it will never repeat itself. "

"I heard you threatened to kill a member if she dares make a sound against you, is this true?"

He asks, and Peter nods slowly, his head bent in shame, or fear. I'll say it's the latter.

"What made you think you could get away with that?"

He says nothing, and the Alpha bends towards him, lifting his chin with just a finger, and I see the man's life flash before his very eyes.

There he is. The man that's been a fucking thorn in my flesh, afraid of his own life. Why was I so afraid of him again? Right! He got me fooled.

"I will never repeat it, Alpha. Please, just spare me this once." He cries, grabbing hold of the Alpha's right leg. "Spare me this once. " You've got to be fucking kidding me. Is he... Oh my God! Is he crying?

"Remove that hand, Peter. Now!"

The Alpha commands, and he lets go of his leg, scurrying back in fear of his life.

A silence settles in the air as the Alpha watches the trembling man before him. He sighs; turning back to meet my gaze, and I bow my head— avoiding his gaze.

"I should have you killed for going against an order I gave, and for threatening to kill a member of the pack, but since you admit to regretting your action; I will not do that. " Peter lifts his gaze with a gleam shining through his orbs, and I scoff silently. "Instead," Alpha raises a finger in the air, catching our attention. "You'll be punished. You will take Isberlt's place as a slave for two weeks, and you'll be treated just like a slave should be. "

Peter lifts his gaze from the Alpha King to me, and I smirk at him, cocking my brows and daring him to say a word in defiance.

He scowls silently at me, before looking back to the Alpha King, and bowing as he says, "Thank you for sparing my life, Alpha. I promise to serve my punishment as you've ordered. "

The Alpha King nods before walking back towards his seat. "You may go. "

He jerks his head towards Peter, and the man's quick to raise on his feet; making his way out of the room.

"Rio, "Alpha calls as he fixes his gaze on me, and a shiver runs down my spine at the intensity of his gaze.

"Leave us. "

*Thoughts, Sweethearts?! Happy New Month to You All!🤩*