Chapter 303: Chapter 303 - Putting CEOs, Assistants, And Betas In Their Place
One side of my bust is pressing down over hers... but nothing about this moment is playful or sexy. I know she’s weak. That she isn’t ’submitting’ to it with some kind of self-restraint, but with little ability to resist.
> She’s as dangerous as a kit right now. Maybe less. Some sort of insect? <
I’m not really a fan of being in control of things I can squash. Not when there is zero chance of being squashed right back. I know that I have a problem with trust and danger.
Which is also part of why I do not wish to build up her hopes by doing things like this. That look of expectation for something grows with some sort of focus in her eyes. Yet...
"I did not order you to ask for forgiveness from me, Kyrie Voss. Do not be so presumptuous about my reactions to what you have done, silly wolf."
Even I realize that my voice has lost some of its pompous edge, so my wolf’s shared impressions of me in my soul were unnecessary. Like little clips of myself being haughty in this form, followed by its apparent confusion at the difference.
> It just came out that way. It was just a little softer. Just stop... bugging me. <
Part of me would have thought that Vrika would be more insistent about the closed proximity, but I guess the usual pheromones she is currently not putting... have far more to do with its past frisky decision making than mine.
My finger presses gently over her lip before she could try and say she is sorry - and so she will not speak back against my vain monologue.
"You are only part of what is forcing me to steal away with you. It makes me a choiceless Princess meant to use her wit to snatch and help the ruler of a distant kingdom. Believe it or not, this is not an unfamiliar... if a bit unpopular element of plays in my society."
They were usually satire of incompetent leaders rather than some empowering of the marginalized. Barely anyone that would attend and allow such art displays would like to acknowledge the possibility...
> Of such a capable chess piece deciding to play off the board instead of on it. <
"Now, rest. Close your eyes."
My finger pulls back after my orders, along with my body. And I am very careful as I raise it towards myself.
To hold only the side of the digit that had not pressed against that part of her mouth in front of my own. Because I want there to be no implications of that thing humans call ’indirect kiss’.
Whether from what I said or just her body’s existing exhaustion, she only complied and wiggled her neck side to side for a second, as if to settle against the pillow. Without another word to what I’d said... as I seemed to want.
Though it’s not like I would have *punished* her if she felt the need... but maybe it’s good that she said nothing? It’s already taking me too long to move on from where I stood up facing away from her on the floor.
Like I’m thinking she is going to reach out and ask me to not to go. Even though it will just be into the living room. Even though all my words suggested I was *not* going to just wash my hands of all this.
> I won’t. Not at this time. But... I would be much more... calm... if she knew that I might just disappear if I get overwhelmed, without me telling her so. <
Blue eyes blink then roll at me as the spirit scratches itself. Does it just assume a forest must have itchy fleas and other biting things... or is it just having a reaction to my thought patterns again...
Recognizing that I am being one of those ’high maintenance’ women that wants the other party to read their mind doesn’t make the conversation any easier to have with the Alpha. Besides, it would be much more demanding if I openly made what she is going through about me... right?
Pulling out my phone - and ignoring that I was doing exactly that sort of self-first in parts of that conversation I just had with Kyrie Voss - I finally sent that message to Claire. Then re-read the chain.
C: [May need help soon. Something wrong at apartment.]
BK: [What’s up?]
BK: [Hey, you can’t just leave me hanging like that. Is it an emergency?]
BK: [No police reports. Security and traffic footage shows you getting up there from the studio no problem...]
BK: [You better not have sent that then fallen asleep.]
C: [Not asleep. Home maintenance to be performed to fix a few sensitive issues. Using non-pack related workers, preferably. Give me a call.]
It was the best I could think of. Acknowledging that I still need help - two of my doors are kind of broken - and it was not a total false alarm. The rest, I could always fill in with talking.
If anyone could handle what I expect needed done quietly, it would be her. Only a minute later, the phone rang and I answered on the second repetition of sound.
"Claire?"
"Well well, if it isn’t the elusive panic-me Princess. What can I do for you this evening?"
"Are you alone right now?"
"I... uh, why are you asking?"
The slight hesitation in her voice would have told me everything, even if I couldn’t hear a television program in the background. As well as sudden masculine laughter.
"Get alone. I was not kidding about sensitive and keeping werewolves out of this."
I hung up immediately after I finished speaking. Considering how she always talks about him and considering Luca is Kyrie’s Beta - if that is indeed who it was I heard - I do feel bad. The few times I’ve met him he does not feel like someone that would be responsible for this kind of event.
But he really does seem like someone whose reaction to hearing about all of it would worsen things, politically. Openly loyal retainers are great, but subtlety is one thing they often lack in sufficient quantities for your hidden plans.
Moving to the front door, as I waited... I decided I could at least push a piece of heavy furniture against it. Not perfect security, but it would make extra noise if someone tried to enter.
When Claire called back, I answered on the first ring. Perhaps revealing too much of my impatience.
"Okay, I’m alone. What’s going on? You sound... different. Stressed."
"I need your help with something that involves your boss, and I need you to promise me something before I explain."
"...Okay, that definitely sounds more serious than quiet handyman help. What kind of promise?"
"That you won’t tell Luca about any single piece of this until I say it’s okay. Even if you think he should know. Even if you think it would help."
There was a pause long enough that I started to worry she’d hung up. I checked the phone screen, but the call timer was still counting up.
"Citra, you’re kind of scaring me here. Is Kyrie okay? I knew that e-mail about a trip was fake as fuck, but I just thought she was... I dunno, skipping out on work to go do something with you?"
"She’s... promise me first. Like I asked."
"Alright, I swear. I can definitely keep her and your secrets from Luca."
"Silver exposure. She’s here with me now. And she’s going to be fine."
I can only hope the clipped explanations I rush out don’t make me sound uncertain. But I am, as I only have her word for what happened - and I do not, in fact, know that she is doing okay enough to promise it.
"Oh, shit. How bad? Do you need me to call a private medic who can-"
"No. No medics, no pack members, no one else knowing. That’s why she used that flimsy excuse. Which will need you to bolster in credibility. She can’t let the pack know she’s compromised right now."
A loud, long sigh escapes me. Why does it feel like I’m the one under all the pressure of staying hidden? I mean, I have been trying to stay at least a *little* low-profile these weeks.
> No, the modeling doesn’t count. No, neither does confronting Victoria whenever she shows her face. Can you just stop and let me focus? <
"That’s why I needed your promise first. Someone may have done this deliberately. At least, that would be my first thought if I was in the same position. What about you, if you think critically?"
"...You think someone tried to hurt her. I’ll look back at the footage surrounding her and see what I can find."
"Carefully. Delete proof of her inhaling or reacting to the silver that others can access, if possible. But don’t poke obviously at any potential responsible par-"
"I know what I’m doing, Citra. But... I appreciate the concern. Now, what else do you need?"
At least the easy part was likely over with - getting her on my side. Or at least, keeping her on Kyrie’s. But the rest of my plan is a little... unfinished.
"We need a car or a way to get out of the city. But she can’t drive. I can’t drive. And I’m not exactly in the most trustworthy and trail leaving mood right now."