Tension Unleased

Bruno's P.O.V

As I wearily entered my room, drained after a demanding day, a heavy weariness settled in my bones. The weight of alpha responsibilities took its toll, leaving me exhausted and on the verge of burnout. Letting out a deep sigh, I shed my clothes, each layer coming off with a sense of fatigue.

Thoughts of the rogue intrusions we discussed during the meeting crossed my mind. "Is strengthening the security at the southern gate enough?" I wondered. There seemed to be an insider granting easy access to the rogues, someone with significant power. I would discuss this with the beta and gamma for a discreet investigation.

Interrupted by soft chuckles from the library, anger flared within me. Who dared invade my private space? The library was off-limits except to me and the maids who occasionally cleaned it.

Ignoring my exhaustion, I pushed open the library door with force. The room greeted me with a dim, hushed ambiance, highlighting the shelves filled with my beloved books, each a testament to my journey. There, in the midst of it all, sat Linda, looking surprised and slightly fearful.

"What do you think you're doing in my library?" I boomed, anger and irritation evident in my voice.

Startled, she scrambled to her feet, trying to explain, "I... I'm sorry, Alpha. I didn't realize... I lost track of time… I was just... immersed in these books."

My anger grew. "Who gave you the audacity to enter my library? Let alone touch my books? How did you even know there was a library here? Who told you?" I demanded, wanting to know who granted her permission.

Confusion flickered in her eyes, and surprisingly, anger too. My library was connected to my bedroom, and the thought of her potentially snooping around my personal belongings made me apprehensive.

"I didn't know it was your private library. I made sure not to enter your room or tamper with your belongings. I simply wanted to read because I was incredibly bored. You don't have to speak to me with such disdain as if I'm beneath you," She replied defiantly.

My anger flared even more. "How dare you? I am still your alpha. Don't think that being my mate grants you special privileges. Leave my library this instant and never set foot in it or near my room again. Is that clear?" I retorted, trying to assert my authority.

Tears welled up in her eyes, but I remained unfazed. "Fine, I'll leave your precious library, Alpha. But remember this, I may be your mate, but I am not your doormat. You can't talk to me anyhow as you please," she said, with defiance.

The air was tense, but I decided to take a hot bath to ease my anger. Hot baths were therapeutic and calming for me.

As I soaked in the tub, the confrontation with Linda continued to weigh heavily on my mind. The audacity she displayed by challenging my authority gnawed at me. Fate had bound us together as mates, and it frustrated me that she had to be so uncouth and disrespectful.

Leaving the bathroom, I found myself still seething. At that moment, I made up my mind to teach Linda a lesson. I couldn't allow her to continue challenging me or talking back.

I decided to summon the maids responsible for maintaining my quarters to find out how Linda managed to get into my library. Two of them appeared, their eyes wide with surprise at the sight of their Alpha standing before them with such intensity.

"Linda had access to my private library," I stated firmly, not mincing my words.

One of the maids spoke up confidently as if she had a personal vendetta against Linda. "Nobody gave her access to the library, Alpha. She went in on her own without asking anyone for permission. She's been snooping around the house since she got here. She--"

Before she could finish her sentence, Camille the head cook, interrupted with so much annoyance. "Enough with the lies, Vera," she scolded. "You shouldn't speak about the Luna in such a manner. Show some respect!"

"I'm sorry for the way the maid spoke, Alpha. It won't happen again," Camille pleaded, bowing her head. "Regarding the library, I told her about it because she was bored and didn't know what to do on her first day here. She left before I could explain that she needed your permission to enter. Please forgive her; she didn't know it was your library, your Highness," Camille explained, pleading with her eyes.

I deliberated for a moment, considering whether to punish Camille or not. I have known her ever since I became alpha, and she has never caused any trouble. Ultimately, I decided to give her a stern warning and let the matter rest.

"Do not try this again," I said sternly, wanting to avoid such issues in the future.

"Go tell Linda to come downstairs now," I ordered another maid, wanting to address the issue immediately.

As Linda stood before me again, I looked at her, trying to quell the anger that threatened to erupt once more. "I have questioned the maids and the head cook, and I have come to know the truth about your invading my personal space," I said firmly, trying to keep the conversation concise.

"I will tolerate this disrespect just this once, but the next time, I'll make sure to punish you and whoever lets you into my personal space," I asserted, making my position clear.

Linda's eyes flashed with irritation, but she held her tongue this time.

I won't tolerate insubordination, especially from my mate. Our pack's security relies on strict adherence to rules and boundaries. If you can't respect that, then we have a serious problem," I added, my alpha instincts urging me to assert my dominance.

Linda's eyes showed a mixture of irritation and defiance, but this time, she refrained from speaking out. She seemed to be holding back her emotions, but I could sense her anger.

"Have I made myself clear?" I said, my alpha instincts pushing me to assert my dominance.

"Yes, Alpha," everyone echoed except Linda.

As I turned to leave, she spoke up again, "I'm sorry about entering your library without your permission, I acknowledge my wrong, but I'm your mate. You should have called me aside and scolded me if you want to not subject me to this. I did not choose to…" I walked out on her before she could finish her sentence.

I wasn't interested in listening to her further; it would only fuel my anger. I wondered why she kept challenging me. She always had to have the last word, never backing down. Why did fate have to bind me to such an uncouth and disrespectful girl as my mate? I knew I had to teach her a lesson sooner or later because I couldn't have her keep challenging my authority or talking back at me.

As I entered my room, I saw a parcel on my bed. Looking around I wondered who dropped it. I asked the maids but none of them saw anyone enter my room. "Who could be playing such sick games with me?"