Chapter 77: Bared To You: Part Five

Unfortunately, just as Esme was starting to gain confidence and even working out a way to escape from the hellish town, she was suddenly walking over even more eggshells than before. 

Esme was in the middle of cleaning the kitchen after making lunch for all of the pack leaders after they had their meeting. She wasn't needed in today's meeting, and quite frankly, she was relieved by it. Otherwise, she was once again in the spotlight and agreeing in an overly sweet voice with her Alpha. At least she could breathe a little even as she washed up the dishes, wanting to distract herself more than putting the plates in the dishwasher. It was like some form of therapy, soothing her mind. 

That was until she heard the heavy footsteps stomping towards her; she didn't need to turn around to know who it was. Esme dropped the soapy dishcloth and removed her yellow washing up gloves just in time for her mate to stop behind her. She tensed and inhaled slowly as she turned around and looked back at the sickeningly handsome man whose eyes stared at her with disgust. What did she do now?

Her eyes quickly flickered to the pack leaders scrambling across the hall and escaping from the sudden tense and cold atmosphere. None of them looked in her direction; they made sure to keep their gazes ahead, avoiding the scene about to unfold. The only person who stayed was Beta Callum, but as soon as her eyes landed on him, she looked back at Ethan and gulped. Callum had tried to intervene a few times when he walked into the packhouse and found her gasping for air and Ethan hovering over her with bloodied fists. But it only made things worse for her, and in the end, he followed his Alpha's orders.

Esme knew her situation was shit, and even if people wanted to help, they couldn't. That was why sometimes Alpha's were a 'hit and miss' in packs. If they were cruel or a bad Alpha, they could misuse their powers and control the pack. Usually, another werewolf would challenge the Alpha, but Esme was disappointed when Callum never did. He was second in charge and seemed strong, it wasn't that unusual for a Beta to go up a rank, but even if he did become Alpha, would he kill Ethan and what would happen to her? 

Her heart pinched at the idea of Ethan dying. 

"Esme.." Ethan drawled her name and leaned over her, his hands clasping the counter, his knuckles going white from the pressure. Esme gulped at the tone of his voice and looked back into those eyes she once loved and now feared the most. "What do you know about the rogues living in the forest nearby?" He whispered next to her ear, his breath sent a shiver down her spine, and she felt an overwhelming chill take over her. 

Esme flinched then overly calmly replied, "Not much. Rogues don't really hang out-"

Ethan held her chin, his grip bruising her skin and sending shooting pains down her jawline. "Is that so? The thing is, some of our guards have flagged an increasing amount of rogues coming to this territory.. Is this your pathetic friend's plan to attempt at kidnapping you?" 

"I-I," She winced as his grip tightened further, and she thought he might break her jaw. "I don't know. I'm no longer a rogue; we don't keep in touch. I've been here! Ask Anastasia or Delta Bryant. I don't leave here unless you say so," She pleaded and tried to make her case, hoping if her words were honeyed a little, he might calm down. "Ethan, baby." She raised her hands, one gently caressed Ethan's cheek, and the other grazed over his hand, clasping at her chin. "I don't know what they are doing. I only seek to please you, my mate."

Ethan's grip loosened as he searched her eyes. "You're right," He kissed her roughly on the mouth then sucked on the side of her neck; her hand went into his silky ash brown hair, massaging his scalp as though she was taming a wild beast that might attack her any second. 

Esme's eyes met Callum's briefly, and she bit her tongue, not caring for the metallic taste of blood in her mouth; he couldn't hold her gaze and shifted uncomfortably before looking down. She felt a burning hatred and knew her eyes revealed her true feelings before he blocked himself from seeing more, playing ignorant to what was happening before him. 

Ethan met her lips again, and his arms wrapped around her waist, crushing her uncomfortably into him, squeezing her waist enough that she knew there'd be bruises. All intentional. He deepened the kiss, and she played along with it. He pulled away, and she suddenly felt his sharp claws rip into her skin at her hips; the smell of blood filled the room, and she stared back at her mate. 

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This wasn't totally unexpected. Ethan wouldn't let something huge like that go especially considering Esme used to be a rogue. "As my mate, and this pack's Luna, you will help us kill off every last one of them stupid enough to attack the pack," He said before cutting deeper into her flesh enough to make her hiss in pain; his eyes lit up like that was precisely what he wanted to see on her face. He raised his hand and wiped away a stray tear from her eye with his bloodied claw, smearing blood in its place.

"Of course, I will," She whispered in response before being lifted up, and she wrapped her legs around him. He wanted to go 'make love' now. 

"Beta Callum, make the preparations. Our Luna will also fight," Ethan ordered as he continued to stare into the depths of her dark eyes, his own menacing as he carried her up the stairs. 

When it was just the two of them in the house again, his smile broadened sickeningly, and he ripped the clothes away from her as she dropped to the bed. "Lift your right arm," He commanded, and she obeyed, though she was curious, again forgetting about her tattoo. "You don't know anything about the rogues, you said. You fucking bitch led them here." He smacked her across the face, and her head luckily hit the soft bed sheets. 

Ethan climbed over her and grabbed her face again like he did in the kitchen. Tears pooled in her eyes as she realised Ethan really was going to break her jaw this time. "Did you not think I'd recognise your tattoo? Our history books mentioned some rogue organisation living in the woods. Only Alpha's of the pack know. I remember that symbol, and here you have it on your body like the filthy rogue you are."

Esme gasped, frantically searching his eyes for mercy. He loosened his grip, a smirk forming on his face. She knew he liked her begging; even if she couldn't talk, she could always beg through her eyes. "I never meant to deceive you. As soon as I knew you were my mate, all connection to them went. I'm telling the truth!" She cried and clutched at his shirt, wondering what she should do next. 

Ethan growled and pulled his jeans down, crashing his lips into Esme's before holding her by the hair, almost ripping it from her scalp. "That's right. You are MY mate. And you will fight with me, and if be it, kill your pipsqueak friend." 

Esme sighed and built up her walls over her mind again, pushing Gabriel out of her memory. She glanced at him, and she could tell he knew why she kicked him out; it wasn't something he should see. Gulping, Esme looked up at the sky and inhaled slowly, they'd been walking for some time, but neither of them was tired. Not that she ever expected him to be, but the scenery was a nice distraction. 

"You showed me that for a reason.." Gabriel said quietly; his face was darkening the longer she looked at him. He was finding it difficult to look at her at the moment. She understood that. She wasn't simply speaking her memories out loud; he was watching it with her.

Esme placed her hands behind her and looked along the treeline. "Yes. The Hellhounds attacked the pack the next day. I helped kill them, and.." She glanced in the direction of where the lavender smell was coming from now. The phantom was still not close enough, but they could still clearly hear them. "I watched Ethan kill my mother and help dispose of a dear friend."

Gabriel stopped, and she looked back at him, halting her own steps.

"Your mother?"

"My mother and Marcus."

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