Carnage Island (Reject Island)(59)

“It’s not nice to lie, C,” Volt calls after him.

“But that’s the moral of the punishment, isn’t it?” he returns. “Try not to make her bleed.”

“No promises,” Volt replies as he pulls up the ramp.

He’s put on a pair of jeans.

I have nothing. Just my skin.

And I suddenly find myself very naked.

“Follow me, Clove,” he demands, leading the way as the engines start to rumble all around us. “The Captain would like a word.”





23





TIERAN





Something is bothering Clove. It started shortly after her shift, or perhaps was deepened by her shift, and led to her telling me she was fine when that clearly wasn’t the case.

I don’t appreciate lies.

I appreciate truths.

Details are not required. I won’t push her to talk to me. But I do need her to tell me when something is wrong, even if she doesn’t elaborate.

Honesty is imperative in a clan.

As Alphas, we’ll push her boundaries and reach limits that she may not be comfortable exploring, and if she doesn’t voice her concerns, we may not know we’ve gone too far until it’s too late.

And that’s unacceptable.

Tonight’s offense is obviously mild, and her punishment won’t be harsh. However, I intend to use her little lie as a teaching moment.

Because we can’t afford larger lies in the future.

“Are you all right to helm the yacht on your own?” I ask Beta Lock and Alpha Mackin. They are two of the wolves we typically take with us when sailing into the mainland.

Beta Lock is an expert yachtsman with a nautical engineering background and Alpha Mackin is an enforcer in training. He’s a lone wolf without a clan because he prefers his solitude. Which is likely why he didn’t attack us during Clove’s heat last week.

“Yep,” Beta Lock says, taking control of the steering.

I often use the time at sea to relax and take a break from work, which means I usually captain the yacht for fun. But tonight I have an Omega who requires my guidance.

So I nod my thanks and exit the bridge to head down to the cabin below.

There are five rooms built to sleep up to ten passengers. It’s not a large yacht, but it’s sizable enough to help transport several wolves at once.

It’s not what we would use for an island evacuation—we have speed boats for that purpose. Just in case.

The yacht is more about comfort and style.

It also adds to our overall grandeur, which is important for our public image—something our clients appreciate. After all, I am the expected heir to my father’s global enterprise.

And humans love stalking the rich and famous.

However, my current status with the Elders forces me to maintain a low profile. Hence, we use gimmicks—such as the yacht—to maintain a presence without being seen.

Volt and Clove are waiting for me in the largest cabin, which happens to be the one I typically sleep in when we do an overnight trip somewhere.

“I brought the cargo to the room, just like you requested, Captain,” Volt announces, making me roll my eyes.

Yes, I’m technically the Yacht Captain, but I don’t use the title. It’s pompous and ridiculous, something Volt definitely knows. Hence why he loves using it.

“Can I at least have a shirt?” Clove demands, taking in my boots, jeans, and navy sweater before looking pointedly at Volt’s pants.

I consider her a moment before glancing at Volt. “Do liars deserve clothes, V?”

“No, T. I don’t think they do,” he drawls, smiling as he takes in her hardening nipples.

She blushes, the color going all the way to her breasts. But it’s not a flush of embarrassment, it’s one founded in a fiery energy that has my wolf standing up and taking notice.

“I didn’t lie. I’m fine and I meant it,” she snaps.

“You don’t sound fine,” I point out, irritated by her continued lie. “Something’s bothering you. I can smell it, Clove. Your distress disturbs my wolf. And lying about it pisses me off.”

“Maybe I’m distressed because I’m now trapped on a yacht with two angry Alphas that apparently want to punish me for truthfully saying I’m fine,” she bites back.

“I’m talking about your distress after you shifted, not the furious energy coming off you right now,” I clarify as I shut the door and lock it. “I’m talking about you clearly lying to me when I asked if you were all right. And now I’m going to talk about why this is a problem and what we’re going to do abo—”

“It wasn’t a lie,” she interrupts, speaking through gritted teeth. “I am fine. I just had a few unwanted thoughts. But they don’t matter. I’m safe. I’m protected. I’m fine.”

I narrow my gaze.

“And I want clothes,” she adds. “I didn’t do anything wrong. I even won Volt’s challenges. But now I’m not in the mood for my reward because you both are being Alpha assholes.”

I arch a brow at Volt. “Reward?”

“I said I would pleasure her until it was time to go, but only if she shifted without my help and went on a run with me.”