30

30

Bethany's POV

Morning sunlight filtered through the towering windows of Mason's mansion, casting long, cold streaks of light across the marble floor. I hated how beautiful this place was. Everything about it screamed power, money, control. Just like Mason.

I moved through the hallways, my heels clicking softly against the polished floors as I made my way to Mason's office. My chest tightened with every step, knowing what awaited me on the other side of that door.

The day hadn't even started, and I was already exhausted.

I knocked once, the sound sharp and efficient.

"Enter," Mason's cold voice snapped.

I pushed open the door and stepped inside.

He didn't look up from the papers scattered across his massive mahogany desk. His tailored suit was perfectly in place, every line sharp, every detail intentional. He was the embodiment of control, sitting there like a king on his throne.

"Your schedule for today." I placed the folder in front of him, careful not to let my hand linger.

Mason's eyes lifted, cold and assessing.

"Did I ask for this?"

"No, but I thought—"

"That was your first mistake. Thinking." His voice was like a blade, slicing through the air and aimed straight at me.

I swallowed hard, forcing my face to remain blank. Of course everything I did was a mistake to him. I was even starting to believe even my breathing was a mistake to him.

"Noted."

He leaned back in his chair, eyeing me like I was something beneath him.

"You're here to follow orders, Bethany. Not to take initiative."

"Yes, Mason."

He smirked at my tone, like he knew how much I hated saying his name like that. Like I was admitting something.

"Pack meeting in an hour," he said lazily. "You'll be there."

I blinked. "I don't usually attend—"

"You will today."

Of course. He wasn't asking.

"Fine."

His eyes narrowed at my defiance, but he didn't push it. Not yet.

"Wear something presentable. You represent me now."

I bit down on the inside of my cheek. I was already in business attire, but that wasn't the point. Mason wanted control over every inch of my life, down to what I wore.

I left without another word, feeling the weight of his gaze on my back.

***

An hour later, I stood against the wall of the grand meeting room, arms crossed tightly over my chest.

The room was filled with pack members, each one radiating power in their own way. Mason sat at the head of the long table, perfectly at ease, exuding authority.

His eyes flicked to me more than once, a silent reminder of my place.

His possession.

I could feel it in the way he spoke, the subtle inflection in his voice when he mentioned his "household," as if I were part of his property.

"As you all know," Mason said, his tone measured but sharp, "our alliances are shifting. And it's important that everyone understands their role in keeping this pack secure."

His gaze slid to me deliberately.

"Some of us need reminders of where loyalty lies." Heat crawled up my neck. The words were subtle, but I knew exactly who they were aimed at.

The room was quiet and tense. It was almost like everyone was watching me.

And then Adrian spoke.

"Loyalty isn't enforced through humiliation, Mason."

The entire room shifted immediately.

Eyes flicked between the two of them, tension snapping like a wire stretched too thin.

Adrian leaned back in his seat casually, but there was a dangerous edge in his voice.

"Or did you forget that?"

Mason's jaw clenched, but his smile was razor-sharp.

"Careful, Adrian. You're treading on a thin line," Mason warned, his eyes narrowing at his uncle and I shifted on my feet, feeling uncomfortable. It was obvious that they were having a fight about me and everyone knew that.

Adrian's dark eyes didn't waver.

"I'm not the one turning pack meetings into personal vendettas," Adrian shot back.

Silence.

My breath caught in my throat.

Adrian didn't look at me, but his words were enough. A silent shield to protect me. Mason's grip on the arm of his chair tightened.

"Is there something you'd like to say, Adrian?" Mason asks, the smile wiped away from his face and all was left now was a deadly scowl.

Adrian's lips curved in a slow, dangerous smirk.

"Only that leadership is more than dominance. It's respect."

Mason's stare could've burned holes through steel.

But Adrian didn't flinch. Neither did I. For the first time in weeks, I felt like I could breathe. Mason moved on, cold and clipped, but I could feel the fury simmering beneath his skin. The meeting dragged on, but my mind was elsewhere. Adrian had stood up for me. Subtly. Carefully. But it was enough.

Enough to spark something in Mason. Enough to make me wonder just how far this tension would stretch before it snapped.

***

The meeting ended, and people began to file out, murmuring in low voices.

I turned to leave, eager to escape the suffocating weight of the room, but Mason's voice stopped me.

"Bethany. Stay."

My heart sank. Slowly, I turned back. Adrian lingered by the doorway, watching. Mason didn't speak until the room was nearly empty.

When he did, his tone was low, quiet, but laced with venom. "Enjoying Adrian's protection?"

I stared at him, refusing to back down. "Why do you care?"

He moved closer, step by slow step, until he was only inches away. "Because you're mine."

The possessiveness in his voice made my skin crawl.

"I'm not yours."

His hand shot out, gripping my chin, forcing me to look at him.

"Keep testing me."

I didn't blink. "You don't scare me."

His grip tightened for a second, then released.

A slow, cold smile curved his lips. "You will."

I turned and walked out, my hands trembling, but my head held high. Adrian was still standing in the hall.

Our eyes met briefly.

He didn't speak and neither did I.