CARLA - PART THREE

"I said let go." Carla said

Krane's eyes never once left hers, his hand acting on it's own as it gripped her tighter on the arm, making her hiss. Like he had been burned, Krane released her. His chest became unnaturally stuffy, as if it had been squeezed, at the sound of her discomfort. He did not like it. He disliked her being hurt. He disliked being the reason she got hurt. He disliked how vulnerable she made him feel. No. He didn't dislike it. He hated it. He almost hated her for causing such conflict within him.

"You should be careful. My graciousness would not last forever. Whether you like it or not, this is your home. You'll be my luna and you'll litter my pups. The earlier you start accepting it and start acting like the queen you are, the better. I don't need one more headache on top of all my problems." Krane said.

Carla's eyes blazed with unimaginable anger, her body almost trembling, her eyes wet with unshed tears.

"A king would never act like a brute. You're nothing but a brute. And Canice? He was more of a man than you'll ever be."

It happened in a blink. With a whoosh, Carla found herself pinned to the wall by his massive paw. Her lungs screamed for air as his fingers pressed against her throat, fear flowing like the blood through her veins. Krane was gone and in his place was the beast. His blue eyes glowed with malice, a low rumble in his chest as he bared his fangs, snarling.

Carla fought against his strength, clawing– or trying to– at his flesh

"Stop it. You'll kill her!" Cried a voice just as black spots began to swim in her vision.

"Krane! Stop it. Get a hold of yourself." The voice felt so faraway now.

She was slowly slipping into unconsciousness when her body hit the ground, the cold floor jolting her awake as did the burn in her throat and the rapid cough that followed.

"Have you gone insane?!" The voice yelled this time. It took Carla a moment to recognize it belonged to a woman.

Heavy footsteps receded from the kitchen, leaving Carla and the woman who quickly rushed to help her up.

"Are you okay?" She asked

Carla let the woman help her up, nodding slowly.

"I'm fine." She replied, her voice gruff.

"I'm so sorry. He's never like that." The woman said.

Carla didn't believe her but she stayed mute.

"Here." The woman said, thrusting a glass of water into her hand.

Carla mumbled her thanks and gulped down the whole liquid. The pressure on her chest easing by much.

"I'm Cattleya but you can call me Cat."

Carla nodded in acknowledgement before saying, "I'm Carla."

"I know. We all know who you are."

Carla's eyes assessed the woman before her. Plus sized, red flaming hair, sensational curves and taller than she'll ever be. The aura around her was peculiar as well. Carla had a strong feeling this woman was respected. Still, she couldn't help but ask,

"So you know that your friend brought me here against my will?"

She said the word friend with so much venom it surprised Cattleya that she didn't have a lockjaw because of it. Cattleya averted her eyes at the question, not because she was afraid of the human but because she understood perfectly what the human was feeling.

"He hasn't been on his best behavior. Not since he found you." Cattleya said.

This raised a brow from Carla, "So it's my fault?" She asked

"It's no one's fault. Things just happen. I know you don't want to be here. Everyone does. But if you'd just give him the benefit of the doubt and –"

"Nothing." Carla cut her off. "He's so unreasonable."

Silence fell after her last words, the women quietly staring at each other.

"He can be unreasonable but he never lashes unless you provoke him." Cattleya said, her tone accusing.

Carla's facial expression remained passive but there was a slight prick to her emotions.

"I heard you." Cattleya continued, "Never try to goad an Alpha much less your mate. You tried to hurt him and that backfired."

"He has been hurtful. I was only serving him his own meal."

Cattleya shook her head, wondering if the moon goddess knew what she was doing when sealing the fate of two petty individuals.

"I know Krane." She began, "In this battle you've started, you're bound to loose. So my advice. Try drawing a line. While the pack understands your temporary resistance, they won't be able to put up with it for long. Krane's health– physical, mental and emotional– is critical to our survival. When he's disturbed, we all are. As such, we'll waste no effort to eliminate all threats to his safety..."

Cattleya trailed off, letting the words sink in for a minute before she continued.

"He is a passionate man, Carla. He might not be as readable as many of us, most especially humans, but when he loves, he loves with his all."

Carla found that very hard to believe. Their interaction has never been civil and she knows that's mostly because they've got too much pride to step down for the other.

"And how would you know?" She asked instead.

Cattleya laughed, genuinely amused by the obliviousness of this human.

"He never chose you. The moon goddess did for reasons best to her. You'll be doing us and yourself a favor if you'd tone down a bit."

Cattleya waltzed out of the kitchen, leaving Carla with too many contradictory feelings and an empty glass.

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_{Image 1 & Image 2 from pixabay and edited with canva}

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