Page 66 of Bonds of Pain
She leans in conspiratorially. “I simply must know what it’s like living with that delicious pack of his. Logan has always had excellent taste in men.”
Something in her tone makes my skin crawl. Her expression is practically predatory as she waits for a response.
“They’ve been very…protective,” I offer neutrally.
“Oh, I bet they are.” Her laugh tinkles like crystal glassware shattering on the marble floor. “Especially that dark, brooding Poe. Such a serious man now.” She sighs dramatically. “He wasn’t always so severe, you know?”
I take another sip of tea to hide my interest. “Oh?”
“Mmm. Many of the more experienced women at court took quite a shine to him when he was younger.” Her eyes glaze with memory, and she licks full lips painted a dark red. “Before he joined Logan’s pack, he was quite the favorite among some of us.”
The implication hangs in the air between us. I set my cup down carefully. Is she saying what I think she is? “I didn’t realize Poe had such an extensive social history.”
“Social?” She laughs again, sharper this time. “My dear, there was nothing social about it. The boy had very particular tastes. He liked being told what to do.” Her fingers trace the rim of her teacup with a long nail painted bloody red. “Being put in his place, you might say. Some Alphas are like that. They spend so much time commanding others they crave submission in private.”
My stomach turns as I understand the meaning behind her thinly veiled innuendo. Despite the excellent work she must have had done to smooth her wrinkles and tighten her skin, the countess is clearly significantly older than I am. Just like with Queen Midale, Poe would have been barely more than a teenager when this woman took a shine to him.
The power imbalance might not be obvious, but it definitely exists. These wealthy established Omegas with court connections versus a young, orphaned Alpha without any power to deny them.
“How interesting that he found his way to Logan’s pack then,” I say carefully.
“He was different after coming back from the Outlands. Military service must have changed him.” She waves her hand dismissively. “Shame, really. He was so beautifully obedient. The things I could make him do...oh, but that’s all in the past.” Her gaze is far away as if she is still imagining what it was like to force a teenager to his knees. “I haven’t seen him for some time. Please send my regards.”
I’m sure the lack of interaction isn’t an accident on Poe’s end. “I’ll do my best.”
Saffron leans over to whisper in my ear as the countess flits away to bother someone else. “Kill me if I ever become that disgusting.”
My gaze follows the countess as she joins another group, chattering away despite interrupting their conversation. It’s hard to imagine Poe spending more than a few seconds with her without being forced to do it.
A sick knot of sympathy twists in my stomach as I watch the countess sashay through the crowd. I don’t want to feel sympathy for Poe, but imagining him as a young Alpha, manipulated by these predatory court women, sparks a flare of outrage in me.
I finger the pendant at my throat, reminding myself that feeling sympathy is dangerous. This information could be valuable, a pressure point I could exploit if needed. Another weapon in my arsenal against the pack.
But the thought of using Poe’s trauma against him doesn’t bring the satisfaction it would have days ago. My desire for revenge against him specifically has dulled, like a blade left too long in the rain.
Still, I can’t afford to forget what he is—an assassin, Logan’s enforcer, complicit in my current situation. What happened to him in the past doesn’t excuse what he’s done to others. To me.
For now, this new information will go in my back pocket. Neither utilized, nor discarded.
When the time comes, I’ll do whatever it is I need to do.
Ares is waiting for me just outside the ornate doors when I leave the meeting. He leans against the wall, arms crossed over his massive chest. The bored expression transforms into relief when he sees me.
“Have you been standing in the hallway this entire time?” I ask, surprised.
He pushes off the wall with a snort. “Standing in the hallway was a damn sight better than being inside. I can smell all the perfume in there from out here.”
“Poor baby Alpha,” I tease, falling into step beside him. “I survived two hours of condescension and gossip. I think you could have managed.”
“I’ve seen what those women can do. They’d have eaten me alive.” His grin is quick and dangerous. “And not in the fun way.”
I think of Vivienne and her predatory reminiscing about a young Poe. “You’re probably not wrong.”
As we walk toward the palace’s main corridor, I glance up at Ares. “I haven’t forgotten you promised to take me out of the palace today.”
He sighs dramatically, shoulders slumping in exaggerated resignation. “You sure I can’t offer you something else. Free use of my body, maybe?”
I let the sexual innuendo pass because I’m not sure what to do with it. It still surprises me a bit that Ares hasn’t tried anything with me since my heat ended and Logan finally let me out of my proverbial cage. “I’m sure.”
