Needing Discipline

I hated my life.

Maybe Damien was mad at me for walking away, for leaving him hanging on the balcony after that kiss.

Maybe he thought I was toying with him. But now… now, I just hoped he saw how messy my life really was and how much worse his presence here could make it. He could be mad all he wants; I was a married woman, and it was the right thing to do.

I couldn’t eat. I didn’t even try. I just sat there, my hands curled into my lap, my body stiff, my mind numb.

Shallow, ever the master of masks, turned to Damien with an easy, practiced apology.

Shallow let out a long sigh, shaking his head like a disappointed father addressing a troublesome child. “Forgive her, Alpha Damien,” he said smoothly, forcing a chuckle. “She’s always been like this—ungrateful, thoughtless. A burden, really.”

I stiffened.

“She lacks discipline,” he continued, gesturing toward me like I was some defective thing he had to explain away. “I’ve done my best to mold her, but you see how she repays me? Embarrassing me in front of an esteemed guest like yourself.”

I kept my gaze lowered, my fists curling in my lap.

“But of course,” Shallow added, his voice dipping into something smug, something vile, “her body makes up for all of that. A good woman should know her place, shouldn’t she? And I assure you, son, she’s very good at pleasing when she behaves.”

I sucked in a sharp breath, my nails digging into my palms.

Silence.

Cold. Heavy. Unforgiving.

Damien didn’t speak. He didn’t acknowledge Shallow’s words. He only stared at me, his expression unreadable, his icy gaze burning into me like fire against frost.

Shallow cleared his throat, forcing another laugh. “Of course, I only mean that she, ”

“Enough.”

Damien’s voice cut through the air, low and sharp, like a blade pressing against skin.

“Enough about her,” Damien’s voice sliced through the air, cold and final.

A shiver ran down my spine.

Shallow hesitated, his lips pressing together, but Damien was already moving on. He leaned back in his chair, completely unfazed, and picked up his glass. “Let’s have a drink.”

Shallow took the cue immediately, forcing a grin. “Oh, of course! Let’s go somewhere private and celebrate your return, Alpha Damien.”

Damien didn’t even glance his way. His eyes, sharp and calculating, stayed locked on me. “No. Here is fine. Let’s all be merry.”

I swallowed, my fingers tightening around my fork.

Shallow, trying to keep the mood light, waved a hand toward the servers. “Bring us something strong!” His voice boomed with authority, dripping with arrogance. I wouldn’t be surprised if he expected the servants to pour their spit into his drink just to cope with his attitude.

The staff moved quickly, setting down cups and pouring dark amber liquid into glasses. But just as one of them reached to pour mine,

“No.”

The word was sharp. Unyielding.

Damien hadn’t raised his voice, but it carried. It commanded.

The server froze, eyes darting between Damien and Shallow.

“Don’t serve her. She won’t be drinking.”

I blinked.

What?

Heat rushed to my face, but not from embarrassment, annoyance, confusion, or frustration. What was this now? Was he just another person here to control me? To dictate what I could and couldn’t do?

I wasn’t even a fan of alcohol, but suddenly, I wanted that drink just to show him I wasn’t a kid, if that’s what he thinks of me.

He probably thinks I was easy for him because I’m a child and know nothing.

I’m twenty-one, and yeah, I don’t know why I simply let him have his way with me earlier.

I exhaled slowly, dropping my gaze back to my plate, pretending to focus on the untouched food in front of me.

If this was some new way of showing disdain toward me, then fine. Game on.

I flicked my eyes toward Shallow. His jaw twitched, and for a moment, I thought he’d lash out.

He didn’t like being undermined, especially not in his own home. But Damien turned to him smoothly, eyes unreadable.

“Your drink, Shallow.”

It was an order, not a suggestion.

And just like that, Shallow let it go.

The tension hung heavy, but I knew one thing for certain: Damien Lacroix wasn’t like the others.

And that terrified me.

Because I think he hates me now, and I really can’t stand bullies anymore.

I’ll just break.

Someone like Damien adding me to his blacklist would be horrible; I should probably leave this table.