Chapter 23

After getting a few things set up at the gallery, I headed home with a heavy heart. I had admitted to myself that my feelings for Arthur were real and that they had developed into full blown love. I also knew that I was eventually going to get my heart broken…again.

Then there were the feelings that were just starting to surface for Noah. He was charming, confident and we had so much in common. He was the artist that I most admired. And he was currently one of my bosses. Even if I weren’t with Arthur, that would be a recipe for disaster.

If it makes you feel better, I will honor your choice. Arthur and Noah are both fine men. Both would make good mates, Lily said and I groaned inwardly. She would not let up.

I won’t have a choice. Either Sofia will come back and that’s the end or I’ll get pregnant, have the baby and that’s the end. Arthur will never by my choice to make, I tell her for what feels the millionth time.

Arthur may not be in love with you, but he likes you. And that will lead to love, Lily said and then she put her own mental shields up before I could argue with her. I guess we were done with that conversation.

I dragged a hand down my face as I opened the door to the house. One of Arthur’s maids let out a cry of alarm and I jumped, startled by the sound.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Almara, and forgive me saying, but you look awful. Did you have a rough day?” she asked and I gave her a small smile. I’m sure I did look awful. I felt awful. Like I was being ripped in two.

“Yes, it was. Thank you for your concern.” I went to move past her so that I could shower and pretend to wash away today, but she caught my arm.

“It’s a wonder that no one has told you about this. But there is a spa on the premises. Would you like me to take you there?” she asked and I could have kissed her. I had never been to a spa. And I was way past due.

“That would be wonderful! Thank you!” I said enthusiastically and followed her through a few hallways and down a set of stairs. I tried to keep track of where we were going so I could get there on my own later, but I gave up after the fifth or sixth turn. Who needs a house this big?

Finally we appeared before pale blue french doors, the words Hurricane Spa in gold foil stickers across them. I guess this wasn’t just a spa for Arthur, but for the whole pack.

“In you go, Ms. Almara. The workers know who you are. They’ll treat you right,” the maid said before leaving me alone. I quickly went in, excited for my first spa experience.

“Hello! Welcome to Hurricane Spa! Oh, Ms. Almara! How can we help you?” the receptionist greeted, springing out of her chair as if she’d just sat on a pin. I walked over to the front desk, looking for info sheets or a pamphlet, but there was nothing.

“Um, do you have a…” I trailed off, trying to search for the right word. I couldn’t think of it. “...menu?”

“A menu?”

“Um, do you have any pamphlets or something? Like a set? Like a massage plus facial or anything like that? I’m sorry. I’ve never been to a spa before,” I told her and I could feel my face heating up.

“Oh! No, Ms. Almara. We don’t have anything like that. Anyone who comes here gets every treatment we have to offer. Being a werewolf can be tough,” she giggled and I had to smile with her.

“Um, how much will it cost?” All those treatments probably cost a pretty penny. Even though I was working now, I probably wouldn’t be able to afford it. My spirits fell as I realized I might not get a spa visit after all.

“Not a thing. You’re the alpha’s fiance. You get all the perks that Alpha Arthur does,” the receptionist said cheerfully and I breathed a sigh of relief. “If you’ll just follow me…”

She led me through another set of french doors that opened into a hallway lined with rooms. She took me into one of the closer ones. It was a simple room with dimmed lighting. Calming music played in the background. A single massage bed was in the center.

“Strip down to your underwear, panties only, and lay down on your stomach. Your masseuse will be with you shortly,” she said before closing the door and I was once again by myself.

I did what she said and for the next couple of hours, my muscles were reduced to liquid, my skin was glowing, my skin was smooth and now I was basically jelly in one of the wet saunas. I couldn’t remember the last time I was so relaxed. I could finally understand why people paid so much money for these services. It was well worth the price.

The jets were hitting my back when a lazy thought entered my mind. Everyone at the spa had made me feel so good that maybe I could make myself feel good too. There was no one else here and at this time of night, I didn’t think anybody would be coming either.

I spun myself around, positioning myself until the jets were flowing over my center. I moaned, but the pressure wasn’t enough. I gripped the edge and pulled myself closer. I groaned as the pressure increased. I rocked my hips and the pressure began to build.

But it still wasn’t enough. I reached a hand under me and circled my entrance. Water wasn’t a good lubricant, but it would have to do. I pushed a finger inside and I clenched around it.

I pictured Arthur’s green eyes as I slid a second finger in. I cried out, wishing it were Arthur instead. We still hadn’t had sex yet, but I could imagine it. I added a third finger and that was it.

My orgasm hit me like a punch to the gut. I kept myself against the jets as I rode the waves of pleasure. When I came down, I turned back around, putting my back to the jets again.

I leaned my head against the edge of the sauna, my eyes closed when I heard voices filtering through from the attached bathroom. I would have ignored them, but I heard my name.

“...ever since Ms. Almara came.”

“Yeah. The beta is being a total bitch.”

The beta? They must be talking about Dana. But what did that have to do with me?

“We all know she has a thing for Alpha Arthur. It’s a miracle that Ms. Almara has been unscathed at this point.”

“Uh-huh. Especially since the whole estate can hear her and Alpha Arthur every single night.”

They broke off into giggles and I swallowed, hard. Everyone could hear us? I hadn’t thought I was being that loud. Damn our wolf hearing!

“If I were Ms. Almara, I would watch my back. Beta Dana can be extremely dangerous when she wants something.”

“Yeah. And that something is Alpha Arthur’s big -”

I forced myself to stop listening. I had known that Dana was jealous of me. But I hadn’t thought she would be a danger. But I didn’t really know her. The staff here obviously did.

You should heed their warning, Almara. We need to be careful around the beta, Lily said, speaking up for the first time since she’d thrown up the shield.

I nodded my head, my body suddenly tense despite all the treatments I’d just received. I slipped lower into the water as if I could just disappear. Because once I left this spa, reality would set in and I had a feeling that I wouldn’t get to relax again for a while.