Playing The Alphas

Chapter 82: The Visitors

SAMANTHA

I was going to lose my mind.

The penthouse walls were closing in on me. I had been trapped in here for two days. Two days since Finnian’s beast had grabbed me in the corridor. Two days since his teeth had grazed my neck. Two days since his father had escorted me back to my room and told me to stay put.

I was going insane.

Joanne fluffed my pillows for the fifth time that morning. She adjusted the curtains. She straightened the vase of flowers on the table.

"You need to sit still," she said.

"I have been sitting still for two days."

"Then sit still for two more."

I groaned. "I cannot. I need to move. I need to breathe. I need to see something other than these four walls."

"You need to stay alive. The king said—"

"The king said I should rest. Not that I should be a prisoner."

Joanne sighed. "Miss Samuels, you almost died. Prince Finnian almost killed you. You are lucky to be alive."

"I know I am lucky. I just want to be lucky somewhere else."

She shook her head. She walked to the window. She looked out at the gardens below.

"I heard the Cunningham sisters are arriving today," she said.

I perked up. "Who?"

"The Cunningham sisters. The king’s nieces. Serena and Kylie. They are the daughters of the king’s brother."

"Tell me about them."

Joanne turned. Her face was serious. "They are wild. Beautiful. And absolutely terrifying."

"Terrifying how?"

"Serena is the older one. She is sharp-tongued. She says whatever she wants. She does whatever she wants. And no one stops her."

"What about the younger one?"

"Kylie. She is quieter. But she watches. She sees everything. They say she knows things she should not know."

"Sounds like a fun pair."

Joanne shook her head. "Do not get too close to them, Miss Samuels. They are not to be trusted."

I opened my mouth to ask more questions. But before I could, the doorbell rang.

Joanne and I exchanged a look.

"Who could that be?" I asked.

Joanne shrugged. She walked to the door. She opened it.

Two women stood in the doorway.

The first was tall. Sharp features. Dark hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. Her eyes were cold. Calculating. She wore a dress that was too expensive for a casual visit.

The second was shorter. Softer. Curves. Long brown hair that fell over her shoulders. Her eyes were warm. But there was something behind them. Something sharp.

"Hello," the tall one said. "We are here to see Samantha."

Joanne blinked. "I am sorry. Who are you?"

"Serena Cunningham. And this is my sister, Kylie. We are the king’s nieces. We heard there was a fascinating new slave in the palace. We wanted to meet her."

Joanne looked back at me. Her face was pale.

I walked to the door. "I am Samantha."

Serena smiled. It was not a kind smile. "We know."

She stepped inside without waiting for an invitation. Kylie followed. Her eyes moved across the room. Taking in everything.

"Nice penthouse," Serena said. "The king must like you."

"He gave it to me," I said.

"How generous of him."

Kylie walked toward me. Her hand reached out. Her fingers touched my neck. The spot where Finnian had bitten me.

I flinched.

"Does it hurt?" Kylie asked.

"Not anymore."

"It must have been terrifying. Being attacked by a beast like that."

"It was."

Kylie pulled her hand back. "You are brave. Most people would have run."

"I could not run. I was frozen."

Serena laughed. "Honest. I like that."

She walked to the window. She looked out at the gardens.

"You have a lovely view," she said. "The king keeps you comfortable. That is interesting."

"He keeps me locked up. There is a difference."

Serena turned. "Locked up? Why?"

"The king said I need to rest. After what happened."

"The beast."

"Yes."

Serena’s eyes glittered. "You know, we heard about that. Everyone in the palace is talking about it. The beast. The blood. The way he calmed down."

I said nothing.

Kylie stepped closer. "Is it true? Did he really taste your blood?"

I hesitated. "I do not know. It happened so fast."

"It is true," Joanne said. Her voice was sharp. "I saw it with my own eyes. He had her in his grip. His claws were at her throat. Then he tasted her blood and everything changed."

Serena’s smile widened. "Fascinating."

She walked toward me. Her eyes moved across my face. My neck. My hands.

"You are a mystery, Samantha. Everyone is talking about you. The lizards sold you. The princes fight over you. The beast calmed for you." She tilted her head. "What makes you so special?" freewebnoveℓ.com

I shrugged. "I am just a slave."

"You are not just a slave. Slaves do not get penthouses. Slaves do not get princes fighting over them. Slaves do not calm beasts with their blood."

"Then what do you think I am?"

Serena’s smile faded. "That is what I am trying to figure out."

She stepped back. She looked at her sister.

"We should go," Serena said. "We have other guests to meet."

Kylie nodded. She walked toward the door. She paused. She looked back at me.

"We are going to have so much fun together," she said.

Then they walked out.

The door closed behind them.

I stood in the middle of the room. My heart was pounding. My hands were shaking.

"What was that?" I asked.

Joanne shook her head. "I told you. They are not to be trusted."

"But what do they want?"

"I do not know. But I do not like it."

She walked to the door. She locked it.

"Stay away from them," she said. "They will only bring you trouble."

I looked at the door. At the lock. At the walls that were closing in on me.

I did not know what Serena and Kylie wanted.

But I knew one thing.

They were not going to leave me alone.

And that terrified me more than the beast ever could.