I take Tonic into the castle and bring him into the dining hall to get to work on his injuries. My magic is limited, but simple healing is something I'm quite capable of. I'm thankful that when wolves return to their human forms, they're naked. Spying Gena, I flag her down to assist me in cleaning this battered male. 

She flushes, averting her eyes at his naked form.

Tonic and I are too shy around each other to have ever gotten to the part where he needed to take off his clothes, should he have had another option. I sit him on one of the tables and start at his head, his black eye, his busted lip, and his swollen jaw. Gena scrubs him, refusing to look at either of us.

"How many are dead?" she whispers. Her voice carried a different tone, relief. 

She wants them to be dead, much as I should.

I decided just to heal the jaw but leave the superficial stuff. He needs to look beaten up to prevent reoccurrence. 

"I'm not sure. I think I counted six."

Gena frowns. "I'd hoped for more. I feel like this nightmare will never end."

I run my hands down his neck and over his shoulders, cataloging every flinch and cringe. His blackened ribs worry me with the massive bruising on his side. Tonic resembles a scolded child, ashamed and possibly upset by Gena's words. Sighing, I mutter quietly as I heal his ribs. They don't seem broken, but I decide I have a new agenda that he can help me accomplish if he wishes to repay me for healing him.

"Gena.." I scold, tilting my head towards Tonic before clearing my throat. "Don't beat yourself up. You were doing it for a good cause." I offer. 

Even if I think his cause is insane, I must be a supportive friend. He is one of the only friends I have right now. 

Shrugging one shoulder, his lower lip threatens to protrude as he glowers at the table's aged wood. "Alpha is very upset with me. Sota wants me to be punished.. or banished. I'm not really worried about my injuries, Nicolas." 

Gena steals a glance in my direction. "Shall I get some herbal painkiller, M'lord?"

I shake my head. "Perhaps just some water, Gena. Thank you."

I stare at the male as she quickly skirts out of the room. "Tonic, Alpha is not upset with you."

 At least I don't think he is.

"He's upset at what could have happened to you. You scared him; you scared us all." 

His nose wrinkles, rejecting my kindness. "I'm not a child, Nicolas. I don't need you worrying over me. I want to help; I want to be a part of this but... I'm not a skilled fighter. I suppose it would help if I ever went to training, but I figured if Delta could do it, so could I." 

A good person would comfort their friend, not see this as an opportunity to gain leverage. Unfortunately for Tonic, I couldn't even be sure if I was one of the good people anymore. "Well, do you want to help me?" 

Reluctant, he shuffles uncomfortably, and I frown at the lack of commitment.

"Do you want to help or not?"

Rolling his eyes, he slowly nods. 

"Good! Meet me by the statue we found when everyone goes to sleep. We'd do it now, but I worry what would happen if we got caught. Nobody is in their right mind. Besides, I'd like to check on Alpha." I prod his ribs, ensuring I was satisfied with where I left his healing when I noticed he'd grown quiet.

Straightening, I note that his expression has changed, and I purse my lips uncomfortably, "What?"

"When they were trying to kill me, I thought they were going to eat him alive with how many it felt like there were. He never moved. Victor told him to leave me, but he wouldn't. Thank you for taking care of him. I don't think anyone thinks about how hard this is on him, and as much as he's a complete asshole, I think he does appreciate you checking on him."

I didn't deserve his tone, kindness, or how he looked at me as if I was a hero in this story. I was using Alpha for sex, as a way to stay alive, and I would continue to do so until he stopped being helpful to me. I was no hero, but I needed Tonic to like me. 

Touching his hand, I force a smile. "Of course...Hey, please be kind to Gena and stay with her for a while. She might like the company."

Gena flushes, wide-eyed, as she stares at me. I twiddle my fingers at the maid as I leave her to tend and dress his wounds. Her reddened cheeks satisfied me that I had thought correctly about her timid glances. Perhaps this would change her affections to someone else, as they would never work for me, and, much as I could be cruel, I didn't like hurting her.

Looking out my bedroom window, I see that the last of the logs is burning; I go to my father's cabinet and pull out a bottle of whiskey. Pouring myself a shallow glass, I take a swallow as the crowds begin to separate into their dwellings for the night. 

Pulling out my spellbook, leaning against the stone wall as I witness the dispersal of the murderous horde, I scan through revealing spells; the room would be riddled with traps to prevent the reveal of my father's book. 

I would have to be ready for the worst: this book was meant to destroy me and never be read by anyone else.

My fingers trail absently over my scrawled writing, wrought with stress and stained, smudged, with tears. When I had learned the revealing spell, I was sure it would cost me my life.

We were locked in a maze, told by our instructor that a revealing spell was unique to each Solomanari and that some of us wouldn't have one. It would come to you when you most needed it, and with that, they released a starved dragon at one end and told us to find our way out. 

It hunted us by our magic, hungry to get back to its realm and out of control. We all would have died if it hadn't been for me. I think of the desperation as we ran as a unit in our stark white outfits. There was nowhere to hide where we wouldn't be spotted, and there was no room for errors.

 Thinking back, I could still hear the ragged breath and smell the sulfur haze that followed the creature as it sought us out. We had rounded our final corner only to discover it was a dead-end; our navigator had lost track of the turns.

We were hopelessly lost and losing precious daylight, not that the crazed beast cared for the cover of darkness. Without fire, it was known we would not have survived a night in the maze. When all plans of escape failed, they had turned to me, the son of Lord Darrius, and I had little to answer for them. 

I was the banished prince, the one deemed not to return. My instructor had been tutoring my lust, not my mind.

We were leading the dragon to us with all our clambering around. A particularly hot-blooded female in our group melted down. I remember seeing that she had ripped her fingernails off, trying to claw a hole in the stone walls strangled by brush. As the dragon rounded the corner, we all made our peace with our gods; only mine spoke back. 

I pressed my hands through the wall and created a door just big enough for us to squeeze through. It couldn't have come a moment sooner, for the dragon was upon us. It didn't stop it from flying, coming over the wall, and trying to kill us from the other side. We fought our way through to the end of the maze with minimal casualties, thanks to my revealing spell. 

Thinking back to that day, I relive how afraid I was, reminding myself that my father had only sent me there to kill me. I would be better than him. I had to be; just as I was in the maze, I was my people's only hope.

"I'm glad you're dead, you sick bastard," I grumble, swallowing the rest of my drink as I walk back toward the bottle of whiskey.

As my resolve grew, my mind began to darken. It was a good thing that Alpha ended him. 

A shudder rolls through my body, disgusted by my dismissive thoughts.

I come out of my daydream with a start when Alpha pushes the door open, closing my book, I cover it with a tea towel. 

What was he doing here?

 His busted lip, his arms, neck, and sides sliced, bitten and bruised. Blood streams from various wounds, coating the glimpses of tanned skin. Panting, those eyes lock on me as I swallow the rest of my pour and walk over to the bed in a casual saunter. I sit down, cocking my head to the side, waiting patiently for his measure. 

Alpha's completely naked as he walks over and sits beside the bed with his back pressed against it. "I've had.. a little too much... to drink." He admits and closes his eyes as he tilts his head back.

I wonder if he's passed out.

"So.. you haven't had any of your wounds looked at?" I ask, sliding off the bed to stand before him.

"I came here to forget, not to be questioned." He slurs, slipping onto his knees, his hands wrap around the backs of my thighs as he nuzzles my groin with his nose. Quickly, my fingers wrap in his hair, attempting to put some distance between us.

 At least I shouldn't feel so bad for using him now. He's using me too. 

"Oh.. but...Where's Tonic? I must- I must speak with him. Prompt-tily. I know you're friends, where are you hiding him? With your wizardry and.. I dunno.. whatever it is you use to hide people." Alpha tilts his head back, capturing the band of my pants in his teeth as his hand slides up to grope my ass. 

Oh god. He is drunk. But I can't help the giggle that bubbles to my lips.

"Alpha, you need to stand up. You're covered in blood, and.. this was quite possibly the worst time for you to turn to the drink." I sigh as I take him in, gasping as he stands quicker than I can comprehend. Those full lips graze my cheekbone, his hands sliding up my back, and yet his battered body leaves much to be desired. 

While I find it incredibly hot the way he practically wishes to devour me, I couldn't succumb to the wicked temptation of a man who stood up for someone weaker than him.

Nobody had ever stood up for me; as a teenager, I'd always wished for a hero. To see him save Tonic had earned him a reprieve from my malicious thoughts, and my body was infatuated with the thought of him covered in the blood of the corrupt. 

 "You've messed up your pretty face," I mumbled, reaching up to heal his lip and sliced cheek. Ever the adulterer, he kisses my palm, dragging his nose over my wrist as his fingers thread into mine. Alpha drags his canines lightly over my skin; my heart pounds in my chest, and my lips part as I inhale sharply at the sensation.

 "You are drunk," I mumble. 

"You smell incredible.." Alpha growls low in his throat, "You think I'm pretty?"

Snapping out of my stupor, I clear my throat, shaking my head. "Excuse me.. um- Can you sit here while I go and fetch some water to get this off of you? You're going to stain my robes, and.. I can't.. do this with you if you're covered in blood." I push him back toward one of the plush chairs, gritting my teeth with restraint as he dips to kiss my neck. My eyes threaten to roll back into my head as I curse my two swallows of whiskey.

"This..." His hand slides down to grip my manhood through my pants, "Tells me you like me exactly how I am."

I grip his wrist, forcing him to release me as I slip from his grasp in an attempt to catch my breath. "I draw the line at gore. Hard limit.. just sit down. I worked way too hard to get these robes for you to ruin them, and if you so much as stain them, I'll be forced to inflict mass amounts of violence on you."

Alpha gives me almost a goofy grin, dimpling his cheek, "I like it when you talk dirty to me." He teases, leaning down to kiss me, only I'm ready for him, quickly putting my hand up to cover his mouth.

"Down boy... You can't convince me to partake in a bloody, half-conscious warlord." My cheeks flush as he parts his lips and takes two of my fingers into his mouth to suck on them. My body erupts into flames, wishing to partake in every piece of this sinful man. 

He's caught me completely off guard, and he knows it. "Might you be convinced?"

"Ok, maybe a little. But not like this. I need to rinse you off." His hands pull me closer, and I retract my fingers from his mouth to slip out of his grasp. "Stay," I command him strictly.

Alpha gives me a wary look before sighing and sitting down in the chair I'd been trying to guide him to. 

 "I'll be right back."

When I return, I half expect him not to be there, but I am pleased to see that he still is. Only he's found a way to occupy his time, and it involves touching himself. He gives me a wicked smile, and I swallow before gesturing for him to follow me into the bathroom. I don't allow myself to steal a glance. One of us has to be in control, and it would seem that today, it would be me. 

"Be still," I command him as I get to work scrubbing him. 

"So bossy." Alpha grumbles. Struggling not to focus on the impressive erection before me, I go over his cuts and heal the deeper ones while I make quick work of scrubbing him; it's something I'm getting used to doing.

 The plains of his body are becoming familiar to me, each coil of muscle, each beautiful piece of sculpted flesh under my twitching fingers. I bite my lower lip as my cloth goes over his stomach and towards the object of my desire. I try not to dwell too long on any spot, feeling him watching me with the intent of taking me the moment I permitted him.

I've never felt in control, never had a man gaze at me so longingly, and know that I held the ability to grant his desire. 

"Let's get you to bed." I take his hand and lead him towards the bedroom, sighing as I feel his arms wrap around me from behind. He pulls me into his grasp, wrapping his palm around my throat, he tilts my chin up to kiss me over my shoulder. I melt against him with a groan of desire, cursing under my breath as his tongue invades my mouth.

How can I be attracted to someone like this? 

Maybe the fact that it's forbidden is what keeps me coming back, what keeps me interested. I can't think clearly with the way he's pressing his body against me, grinding his erection against my ass. 

"This isn't the bed." I try to regain some control; he grins against my lips and kisses me once more. I yield, taking in his scent, dragging my tongue over his lower lip.

"Fucking hell..." He murmurs, catching my lower lip with his teeth.

 I force myself to put my hands against his chest and put some distance between us as I turn in his arms; my mind rages with the desire to surrender to this battered man.

"I think you know I'm putting you to bed, not taking you to bed." I attempt, panting, drunk on the presence of this man, wanting to prolong this feeling.

"I need you..." Alpha pushes me back towards the wall and pins me against it as he fumbles with my pants, attacking my neck with a groan of desire. My fingertips rake against his chest as my body writhes and betrays me.

 This is what I was missing: the domination. 

The animalistic nature, the way he attacks my body. 

"I want you to beg me for the trouble, for teasing me... beg me to fuck you." Alpha growls against my ear.

 I'm ready and willing, but he starts to slide down my body before I can respond. Yanking my pants down, he takes me in his hand, and I inhale sharply. "No, no, don't do that." I plead, knotting my hands in his hair. "You don't have to, you can just-"

His fist slides up and down my cock, a wicked grin curling onto his lips before he takes me into his mouth, and I moan as I fist my hands in his hair. 

No one had ever serviced me; no one had ever taken my pleasure into their own hands. I had always been the pawn; I'd always been the one to yield and please. He rolls his tongue against me, and I curse under my breath; my legs threaten to buckle as I press my free hand into his shoulder. 

Alpha chuckles against me, bringing a heated gasp from my lips.

Sucking hard, he glances up at me. I meet the startling light eyes; it's almost my undoing to see him gaze at me as if I mattered, to see him revel in my pleasure.

"Gods Alpha, please!" My body shakes at his slow, torturous tongue teases me. His gaze holds mine; he hums in appreciation for my ragged breath as I bite my lower lip to stay in control.  "I want you to take me. I need you to take me." 

But he is merciless, and as he applies his teeth, I come undone and explode in his mouth. I'm out of breath, incoherent, and dazed as I ride out the waves. I hardly have time to remember my name as his lips find mine, and his tongue commands the entrance to my mouth.

 I taste myself, throwing myself at him as I cling to any part of him that'll have me.

"That's more I like it." He purrs as I shove him back towards the bed. My hands are messy and shaky as I fight to get my pants off, and in my rush, I rip both my shirt and my tank top off.

He throws me to the bed, and I pull him in, wrapping my legs around his waist. I dig my heels in to encourage him, and he grazes my neck with his teeth, thrusting into my depths as I cry out.

 Any sense of volume control is lost as he loses himself in me, his breath hot against my ear as I take in his glistening body. He braces on his elbows, my arms wrap around his neck, and my legs wrap around his waist. For a moment, we make eye contact, and he leans down to kiss me, his lips grazing mine, yet it's not enough. 

I crush our lips together as I climb, dangerously close to another hurried release as he chases his own. 

"What're you doing to me..." Alpha murmurs, "Gods, you're so beautiful..."

Beautiful? 

I plead for him, begging him, calling for him; as I meet his lips, we find our release together. My fingers knot in the hair at the base of his neck; this man seemed to unravel everything I'd learned about myself. I have never enjoyed sex, not like this. It was physical currency for me; if this were what it could be, I have never tasted something quite so extraordinary.

In all our passion, I had slipped. I'd called him by his real name, which I'd learned not hours ago.

We are both out of breath as we lay tangled on one another. He lies on his back, and I cuddle up to his side. I watch his scars as he breathes,  watching them expand and contract with his chest as I run my fingers over them absently. 

"I like drunken Alpha," I tell him.

 I wonder if he's asleep since he's been so quiet.

"So I'm Alpha again?" he asks, his tone careful, and I freeze. I think back to our moments together and frown.

"For now," I respond, just as cautious. "I don't mind calling you Alpha when you're not being horrible."

"Well, that's good to know." He's guarding his tone; it would seem release had sobered him.

Sighing, I prop myself on my elbow and look down at him. His eyes shift towards me, and he seems conflicted. "Look. I didn't mean to call you that; I heard Sota say it... It just stuck with me. I like it; it's an interesting name." 

I bite my lower lip. Why am I shy all of a sudden?  This man has been over every inch of me, but we aren't on a first-name basis. 

We don't trust each other.

Alpha looks back up at the ceiling. "I... liked.. hearing you say it." 

This catches me off guard, but I feel the smile spread over my face. "Maybe I'll keep calling you by it?" I offer.

He scoffs. "Only when you're good. I can't have you thinking that I've gone soft. You know, my friends used to call me Randy."

This brings a giggle from me that I didn't know I possessed. "Randy?" I ask, somehow I can't see it.

Shrugging, Alpha offers me a boyish smile in return, dimpling his cheek. "Randy." He repeats back, and I snuggle back up to him.

"Nic..."  I tell him, "My.. mother called me Nic. I've never had many friends, but if I did, I would like them to call me that, too."  
____________________________________________

It isn't long before he's asleep. He's exhausted; I knew he would be out like a light. But now, I'm conflicted about leaving. In his arms, I'm the happiest I've been in months. But I know I must go.

Slipping out of his grasp is easy enough; he had more to drink than I thought because he sleeps like he's dead. I carefully walk over to pull on one of his shirts and a pair of shorts, sliding out of the room. 

Tonic is impatient when I get to the statue. 

"Where were you? I've been here for almost an hour! The sun will be up soon." He looks confused at my outfit, and I instantly regret my choices. I must reek of Alpha.

"A meeting," I tell him in a guarded tone and he doesn't question me as he straightens his body.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get this door open and steal a book." I try and sound optimistic but I suddenly feel as if getting out of bed was a horrible idea.