Corrupted (Alpha's Claim Book 5) by Addison Cain (read more books txt) 📕

was panting with exhaustion at the pace. While she could hardly breathe for the stiffness of the fabric at her neck and the added weight of a diamond collar that dripped like starlight over her shoulders and chest.

She needed to catch her breath, already snapped at for wiping sweat from her forehead and mussing the twisted configuration of her hair.

“You don’t have time to be lazy, Commodorina. Curl up and complain later.”

The statement was so far off base that it was almost impossible for Brenya not to tear at the style of her hair and set her stinging roots free, or yank off the diamonds dripping from her neck.

She’d had enough!

If Jacques wanted to punish her for doing what was best for the Dome, then he could come do so right there in the hall. What was coming for her didn’t require such fuss or pretension.

Let those who feed off her people see her as she was.

Brenya dug in her heels, the entire party surrounding her stopping so abruptly Lucia almost ran into the guard running point.

A new side of the aggressive Omega appeared. Lucia went from exacerbated to nervous. “What are you doing? I told you there is no time.”

Sucking in a deep breath to answer, Brenya froze.

Was that ozone?

Smoke?

The very quintessential signs of an electrical fire. And why were there so many guards and workers shuffling around the hall to her right?

There had been a fire, not a meter away from where she stood, Brenya having been so self-possessed that she had not noticed the char marks.

That was unacceptable. Her basic duty was to notice the minutia so unseen issues could be attended to before they became dangerous problems.

Lucia took her arm, urging her forward. “There is no time for you to stop and look at the scenery.”

Brushing away the woman’s touch, Brenya grabbed a handful of skirt, hefting it high so she could actually move in the ugly dress, and went straight to the char marks on the far wall.

Whispering to herself, she said, “This shouldn’t be here.”

She had not even come this way. Furthermore, sorting through the memories of the night, Brenya could recall no action that would have triggered a voltage surge. She had purposefully avoided all electrical conduits so as not to trigger any alarms.

Behind her, Lucia demanded of the silent guards, “Why is she staring at the wall like that?”

Having been intimate with several of the palace’s maintenance shafts, Brenya was certain that the well-maintained circuitry did not experience random surges of this nature. Even the shafts themselves were spotless—worthy of Palo Corps’s mark of excellence.

An impatient hand came to Brenya’s arm, Lucia barking, “What part of ‘men of such status do not wait’ did you not understand, Commodorina?”

Still studying the pattern of the char marks on the wallpaper about the light fixture before her, Brenya said, “Commodorina is not a word in our language. I understand that you are attempting to give me a designation, but I do not have one anymore.”

“You need a title. What else would I call you? Brenya? That is too familiar for the mate of a king. Next, you’d expect me to allow servants to call me Lucia.”

Distracted, calculating the why of what was before her, Brenya muttered to the distraction, “He’s not a king.”

Speaking of the not king…

“Brenya!” The name was shouted with a bite, sailing down the halls as if Jacques had cracked a whip toward the entire party for insolence.

Raging as he rushed, physically puffed up and eyes threatening murder, the Commodore roared, “You were ordered to escort my mate immediately to me, under the highest level of security. And I find you loitering in the halls!”

Standing at attention, the guard standing point said, “Sir, our orders expressly state that we may not touch or speak to Brenya Perin unless her life is in imminent peril.”

“It is!” Viciously, Jacques Bernard shoved the armed Alpha aside. As the guard careened off the wall, the Commodore made a rough grab at Brenya’s arm.

She had witnessed Jacques in various terrifying states, but she had never seen him like this.

The physical effect was inescapable. Eyes wide, she backed away.

Or tried to. He had her so tightly there was nothing to do but swallow her racing heart and try to keep up as he outpaced the party.

When her feet caught on her skirts, he dragged her, practically ripping her arm from the socket.

Behind them, the guards and a suddenly silent Lucia trailed.

Once the racing party reached a door flanked by further security, Jacques pulled Brenya around so he might take account of the panting, startled woman in his grip.

It was only then it seemed to occur to him that he was hurting her and that she could hardly breathe.

His grip on her arm altered from cruel to gently kneading. As if he might chase away what smarted. As if he wanted to offer her comfort.

Drinking down her wide-eyed expression, he quickly smoothed her hair back into place with an expertise that outweighed that of Lucia.

Accent heavy, the Omega interjected, “Great Commodore, she refused cosmetics.”

Snarling at the interruption, the Commodore turned his attention from Brenya to the supplicating Omega. He measured the woman with her eyes demurely turned to the floor, her head at a subtle bow. “You have done well enough, I suppose, Lucia.” Addressing the guard at Lucia’s side, Jacques barked an order. “Escort this woman to the security chief’s residence. Lock her in.”

If there was any disappointment having her short-lived freedom stripped away, Lucia did not betray it. She curtseyed, and she obeyed.

In a much softer tone, Jacques blended a purr into his words. “Brenya, I need you to catch your breath for me. When you walk into this room, you will walk in as a queen. Remember that you represent every life under this Dome. That you have made an oath to them. I caution you to choose your words well, and think of how much you love…” It seemed as if he was going to