Chapter 38: Chapter 38

Alecia walked into the hotel room, dropping the few bags of books on the counter. She glanced at the clock. She had a few hours to curl up and read before Ryder came back to the hotel

– if he came back. Seattle wasn’t that exciting when there was no one around. She flipped on the TV and watched the news, hoping for more information about the case her husband was so immersed in.

The Hendrix' firm was fighting for a pharmaceutical company wanting the town council to give it land for a large plant that would bring many jobs to the area. It was a simple matter, except for the fact the land belonged to 20 families who had been living there their whole lives.

Alecia finally began to understand the reality of what Ryder meant when he talked about his father's plans, his father and council was slowly, gradually uprooting all the humans from their lands and forcing them into the suburbs

The case was making headlines because a top law firm from California, known for its pro bono work, had agreed to work for the families for free. The headlines read ‘Goliath versus Goliath’ over a few acres of land and the news talk shows, constantly talked about the influence that both firms had in the government.

Alecia perked up when the lead Hendrix attorney appeared on the screen, talking about how they had the interests of the whole town in mind.

She shut the TV off. She wanted the families to win. What a small victory that would be. Then she could go home and forget about the case that made Ryder come back to their room tense, constantly bickering with her.

A knock sounded at the door, which made her head snap up. Alecia stood, went to the door and looked through the peep hole. Chloe. She smiled.

She pulled open the door and hugged her friend. “What are you up to?” she asked pulling the girl into the room.

Chloe flashed her a smile and held up two tickets. “The Lover’s Dilemma at five.”

Alecia's smile widened. She had been wanting to see that movie, but couldn’t bear to go alone. She looked at the clock. It was four now, maybe she would make it back before Ryder came home. “Okay.”

She grabbed her coat and slipped out the door, a bounce in her step.

Alecia took a long sip of her drink, and popped a piece of popcorn in her mouth, the salty butter melting over her tongue. The hero ran his hand through the heroine’s hair, making sparks of energy flood through her. That was love. Her early days with Ryder had been like that. So full of excitement, thrill and mystery of what lay ahead. She leaned her head against the back of the chair. The hero would kiss her soon and everything would be happily ever after.

Her phone vibrated. She got it from her purse and read, “I’m home, come home.” She looked at the screen as the lovers’ lips finally met. She typed: after the movie. She was about to put her phone back in her pocket, when it vibrated. She looked down at the phone, and read “now.” Alecia typed emergency? She waited, and got, No, I want you here with me. She poked Chloe in the shoulder, and showed her the message.

Chloe whispered, “we’d better go back then.”

Alecia shook her head as the girls stood and walked out of the theater.

Once back at the hotel, she said bye to her friend and walked into their hotel room. In the middle of the living room stood the Alpha with his arms crossed - his brows furrowed.

Something was wrong. “Hey, Ryder,” she said, setting her purse down on a table.

He turned towards her with the strong glare in his eyes. “Why did I have to ask you several times to come back?”

“Ryder, I was….”

“I don’t care. When I want you home, I want you home.”

“Did you have a bad day?” She walked towards him. Every part of him looked tense, like he had been given the worst news. Maybe the families had gained ground in their case.

“No, when I want you home, I want you home.”

“I was….”

“I don’t care.”

She took a step back as every part of her tensed. Couldn’t she just finish a movie? A simple movie. But he thought he ruled her. “You controlling son of b….” Alecia hands flew to cover her mouth. Oh no!, she had done it now.

“What did you say?” A redness spread over his face.

Fear prickled the back of her neck as she stumbled backwards. “I didn’t say anything!”

“Yeah, you did.”

Alecia spun for the door, racing towards it. Feet pounded behind her. Her fingers grazed the nob, trying to latch on. But his firm hand grabbed her and yanked her back around, to face him. He threw her back against the door, her head banging hard. A hand filled her vision.

“Please,” she cried covering her face. “I’m sorry, Ryder!”

His hand smacked the door; it rattled under her - matching her shaking form. “Don’t you ever run from me again.”

“I’m so sorry.” Tears slipped down her face. He turned from her, and kicked over the coffee table, sending the beer bottle crashing onto the floor. He screamed a stream of curse words out. Shaking his head, he sat on the couch, crossing his arms.

“I’m so sorry.” She walked over and knelt at his feet. Burying her face into his lap, she let several tears fall. Alecia looked at him – his face was so taut. This case made him edgier by the minute. Taking a deep breath, she stroked the buttons on his shirt. She would do any sexual act he wanted, just as long as he let things go. He grabbed her hand, squeezing it - sending sharp stabs through her. “Ryder.”

“Get on my lap.” He spoke in a low tone, matching his father in pitch. Alecia crawled onto his lap.

“Who do you belong to?”

“You.”

He let go of her hand. “Stand up.”

She stood. With his hand, he motioned for her to take a couple steps back. She listened.

“Take everything off.”

Tears poured down her face. What could he possibly want? To let his eyes roam over her trembling naked body? But she was his possession. “Why?”

“Do it!”

She flinched and tore off her shirt and jeans, dropping them on the floor at his feet. Her

fingers shook as they stumbled over the clasps of her bra, but soon she undid it and let it slip down her body. As her underwear trailed down her legs, goose bumps spread over her skin. A warm tear fell down her cheek and landed on her chest, completely rolling down her body.

Ryder picked up the remote control off the floor, and flipped through the channels until he found a college basketball game. He stopped on it, recrossed his arms and watched the game.

What? Alecia looked at the screen. He was trying to humiliate her – to punish her for not following his orders. No wife, no Luna could possibly submit to this, not even a legal slave, and wasn't the whole deal of protection about real protection and not humiliation, how cruel for the system to expect her to obey this monster in front of her?

“Stare at me.”

Her head snapped back around, and she focused on the top of his head. His hair had skewed to the side. She crossed her arms over her breasts, trying to keep herself from crumbling to the floor.

“Hands to the side.”

“You’re treating me like a whore.”

“You are a whore.”

How could he call her something so vile? Wasn’t she the love of his life? “I’m your wife.”

“Wives listen.”

“Ryder.…”

“Be quiet, and watch the TV.”

Alecia closed her eyes and faced the television. The game was in the beginning of the second half. She stood there with her hands glued to her sides until the game was over. He then shut off the TV, and the couch creaked with his movements. Behind her the rustle of fabric broke the stillness. He walked up to her and took her shoulders, slowly turning her around. He stood before her, shirtless, the black hair on his skin sprinkled with sweat. She looked up at his face; the glare still filled his eyes. He caressed her sides with both of his hands as he kissed her, dragging her onto the floor.

Alecia kept her eyes on the ceiling, biting her bottom lip as Ryder moved on top of her.

Every part of her repulsed at his touch. He made her feel so used like a possession to dominate. When he was done, he stood and slipped on his pants. She sat up and pulled her knees close to her chest.

A smirk crossed his face as he grabbed his shirt. “You know, I always keep my whores on the floor.”

Alecia's mouth flew open as he turned for the bedroom, shutting the door - the lock clicking into place.

Whore. He had used her the same way he had so many women. Alecia buried her face into her knees as the sobs escaped. Her hair lay all around her, half hiding her. When her head began to pound, she looked up. His wallet lay on the table. She needed to get out of here and his wallet probably contained enough money. She crawled over to it, and picked it up, looking inside. There were at least 10 $100 bills. Taking out a hundred; she looked around the place. She wanted nothing, but clothes on her back.

The door to their bedroom opened. She froze - the money slipping from her fingers. Ryder strode towards her and took her hand, holding it as if it could break and helped her to stand.

The glare was gone from his eyes; they seemed soft. He placed a finger on her cheek and caressed it. “Come lie down with me, my love,” he said.

Now she was his love. She glanced back towards to the spot he had used her. He yanked her hand, making her follow him into the bedroom and handed her, her nightgown. She fingered the smooth fabric. What would he think if she told him whores didn’t wear white? He’d probably slap her. She quickly slipped the fabric over her head, the cool silk, sheltering her nakedness. She’d rather have him think of her as the innocent, he insisted she still was, instead of the jezebel. After lying on the bed, he held out a hand for her. She turned to look at the open door.

Every part of her wanted to make a run for it, but she wouldn’t get far.

“Alecia, my sweet wife,” he said.

She looked back at him and cringed at the pleasant look on his face. How could he just switch on and off like he was some kind of Jekyll and Hyde? She lay down next to him before Ryder pulled her as close to his body as he could, and kissed her cheek before he rested his on hers, trapping her. She would never be able to leave.