Word Count: 2427
~Onyx
I stare down at the face of a man who I've spent far too much time around these past few days.
"I don't understand why this is so hard," I growl.
He stands near the open front door, rain pouring down outside behind him. He has a hood over his head an exhausted look in his eyes. He can have a break when he completes his assignment.
"I assure you, Alpha, my team and I are trying out hardest," he stays, wincing as a crack of thunder booms behind him. "Unfortunately, there were no witnesses, no reports-"
I hold my hand up, sighing. "Yes, I know."
Here I am, dealing with this private investigator when I should be with Sienna. Even though it's late, she won't be asleep. She doesn't sleep on nights where it's storming.
"There has been little cooperation from other Alpha's. Alpha Zion and Alpha Imogen are being specifically conservative about the information they are sharing," he states, adjusting his rain speckled glasses.
I sigh roughly. Naturally.
"Of course they are. Zion probably sent an assassin," I mutter.
Ascertaining who attempted to kill Sienna has been my top priority since the meeting. No one so much as lays a finger on her without being held personally accountable by me.
It's why I've hired investigators. They will reveal who the assailant is, whose fate will then be in my hands.
"I'm recruiting more team members. We will find who did this," the man assures me. "We have been comparing her medical records to other victims in the area to determine whether this person has a motive."
"They aren't a serial killer. They were targeting Sienna because she is my friend," I growl. "Focus on political motive."
He bows his head. "Yes Sir."
"Thank you."
I close the door behind him, sealing out the vicious sound of rain hitting pavement. I can feel exhaustion tugging me toward the room, but I veer toward the kitchen, hoping Diane has something in the fridge that I can bring to Sienna to comfort her.
Instead, I find Sienna in there herself, drinking milk from a glass while she stares off into the shadows vacantly.
She startles as I walk in, noticing despite my silent footsteps in the darkness.
"Warm milk?" I ask her, nodding down to her glass. Considering her fingertips leave marks on the frosted surface, I already know the answer.
"No..." She drifts off.
She sounds tense, distracted. Considering the storm raging out the window and the rain lashing against the glass, I'm surprised she can focus on me at all.
"Bad girl," I scold with a soft laugh. "How are you doing with the storm?"
"I'm trying to be calm...I'm hoping the milk helps." She lifts the glass, her gaze still trained into the shadows.
A flash of lightening cuts across the sky, painting the dark grey clouds with light for a brief second before vanishing. The entire kitchen flickers with light, Sienna squeezing her eyes shut until it's gone.
"Just remember to breathe. I'm here if you want to go to the room and hide under the covers the rest of the night," I offer, leaning back against the counter.
"As tempting as that is, I'm trying to distract myself."
I nod. "That's a good idea too."
We stand for a moment in silence. Sienna stares off into the darkness, seized by fear. I'm waiting patiently for decide her method of comfort. Sometimes she doesn't want anyone touching her while she thinks through her fear, while other days she wants me to hold her.
"Why are you still up?" She asks me. "Don't tell me you're still speaking to investigators?"
"I need to find who did this to you," I murmur.
The worst of the wound on her neck has healed, but I still see faint red lines and a scar from where the rope cut into her skin. The kind of anger I feel seeing her like this is different from her injury from Kayn.
This time I'm not eased by the certainty of revenge.
"It won't happen again," Sienna muses, rinsing her empty cup in the sink. "It was some opportunist killer who knew I was alone and decided to strike. I'm untouchable here."
I shake my head. We were in the most secure location possible. No one was out there accept people with a purpose. Yet, I keep the information to myself, not wanting to worry her.
"Once I have secured this person, I will relax." I roll my shoulders, trying to ease the tension my body is holding onto.
Sienna wipes her hands before turning to me. "I'm fine, Onyx...I promise."
"Is your neck feeling better?" My eyes drop to the offensive mark.
"Every part of me is feeling better." She bites down in her lower lip, her fingers tracing where the rope once cut into her skin. "Except my mind, sometimes."
I edge closer, so I'm leaning against the kitchen island directly opposite her. Her back is to the window, so she can't see the lightening flashing across the sky.
"Talk to me. Tell me what you're feeling," I prompt softly.
"The rational part of me knows it's unlikely the happen again. Yet I see an open window and I...I can't..." She breaks off, pressing her palms to her face.
It's well timed considering the violently bright flash of lightning the forks across the clouds.
"It's okay." I step forward, holding her wrists so I can pry her hands from her face, letting me see the beautiful, watery eyes as they gaze up at me. "We will work on that together."
Raising my hands, I cup either side of her face tenderly. She melts into the touch, releasing the softest sigh.
"Some part of me thinks I'm being punished for something."
"Why would you possibly need punishing?" I murmur, shaking my head at the absurdity.
She shrugs, looking anxious as she finds everywhere else to look that isn't my eyes. "I don't know. My past, secrets...something I don't know."
Tucking my fingers beneath her chin, I force her head up so she meets my eyes.
"You're not being punished for your own sins. This is because of your connection to me," I insist.
I've known Sienna for many years. I'm aware of all her secrets, of all her mistakes and regrets. This is nothing in her past she should be ashamed of, that she could expect to be punished for.
She leans forward, resting her head against my chest in a gesture that has my heart aching. It's more than just affection. She is resting on me like I'm her rock, trusting that I can harbour the emotional weight of what she is going through.
"I thought being your mistress was supposed to protect me," she mumbles into my shirt.
"I imagine it has from everyone except for Zion. He has no such boundaries." I suppress my anger with a slow exhale. I refuse to think about him right now.
Sienna slips from my arms, putting a step of space between us. She wipes a tear off her face before straightening.
"Is there any point to me being your mistress then?"
I study her face. "I like to think so."
