Nikki stomped into her open room, her heels striking the floor in clipped, angry notes. Her eyes darted at the doorway and her lips curled. Those fools. They couldn't even close the door. With a sharp exhale, she moved toward her bed and collapsed face-first onto the thick satin spread, pouting like a child denied her favorite toy.
Eberhard came a moment later, calmer but heavy with weariness. He swung the door shut with a firm click and glanced at the jug abandoned by the dresser. His jaw tightened. He bent, scooped it up, and set it neatly on the small table beside the chaise before he let out a long, tired sigh.
"Nik…" he began.
"I cannot believe you let that Beta talk to us like that." Nikki cut him off, voice sharp and muffled against the sheets as she pushed herself up. She folded her legs beneath her, pout turning into a scowl. "How could you just stand there and let him treat us like we are nothing? Like I am nothing?"
