chapter 6

Kane's pov

That strong pull and strawberry scent was her, yet I chose to ignore and embarrass her, make her look like a fool, and make her seem like a liar.

What else could I do? Accept her and brew a storm? I couldn't take that chance, most definitely not at my engagement party.

“Alpha Kane, what is the meaning of this? Who was that lying dork? And why is she claiming you to be her mate?” Alpha Hudgens yelled, his voice booming aloud.

“Forget about it, Alpha Hudgens; it was nothing but an empty commotion,” I replied.

“Empty commotion? That was not an empty commotion. That lady claimed to be your mate, are we supposed to believe that?

“I don't even know who she is. She could be an actor from another pack, trying to put asunder in this alliance.” I tried to explain in the best way possible while still keeping my boiling anger at bay.

“It better be Alpha Kane, if you lie to me and my family, then this alliance is off.”

I gritted my teeth, my gaze scanning the room; I need to talk to that girl, to at least talk her out of trying to claim me, because I can never be her's.

“I have taken care of it; I believe the ruckus is over,” I said and turned to Selena, whose face was wet with tears.

Drama queen, so much for a future Luna; her lack of composure was starting to irritate me, and rather than yelling at the omega wolf, I would have yelled at her.

“Everything is fine now.” I said, and in a louder voice, “Carry on with the party.” I addressed the crowd and turned to leave.

“Wait, are you leaving?” Selena asked, and my jaws clenched. Wasn't it clear enough? “Yes,” I said and strode off not caring about the prying eyes.

I stepped outside the pack house, following her fragrance as it got stronger.

I found her close to the parking lot,

“Dylan!” she cried out. She was trying to get out of his grip.

“You’re not going anywhere, not until you fix everything you've destroyed! Do you even know the commotion you caused there?” Dylan argued, refusing to heed, he was mishandling her.

“I am not making any of this up! Please let go!” Tears glistened on her face.

“Leave her at once!!” I yelled, and he immediately let her go; they both turned to stare at me. The girl's eyes held what I recognized to be fear. She was afraid of me, Probably afraid I would reject her and watch her die heartlessly. I could not blame her; the rumors spreading about my ruthlessness instilled fear in her.

She went on her knees immediately, “Please, Alpha Kane, don't reject me; I would lose my life if you do.” She begged like the weakling she was.

“Shut up!” I yelled, causing her to jerk. “Who are you? And what was the reason for that ruckus you created.”

“I am sorry Alpha Kane, but I didn't mean to.” She stuttered out.

“I asked a question, didn't I?” She nodded, “I am Julia, Julia Thompson; my brother works for Gamma Wilson. He's…

“Alex Thompson.” I completed her sentence.

I turned to Dylan, “Find Alex and tell him to take her home.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Dylan replied and left.

I took her hand and helped her up, wiping her face. I grabbed her jaw, and she winced, her eyes glistening with more tears; all she ever does is tear up.

“Stay away from me, the next time I set my eyes on you, that would be the day you breathe your last.” I let her go and turned to leave when I heard her tiny voice.

“You felt it too.”

I didn't reply, I had nothing to say to her. Not until I think this through will I be sure my threat would keep her at bay; she doesn't seem like the lady who would use such a situation to her advantage.

**************

As I pushed open the door to my study, I instantly felt the weight of the night crash onto my shoulders. The dim lighting in the room cast long shadows against the walls, and the air was thick with the remnants of a storm that had rolled through earlier.

Harry, my Beta, sat in his usual spot by the window.

I made my way over to my chair and collapsed into it, the exhaustion creeping into my bones. I ran my hand through my hair, pushing it back from my forehead with a frustrated sigh. It had been a long night, and I wasn’t sure if stepping out of that party was a mistake or a mercy.

“How did the party go after I left?” I asked, reaching for the pack of cigarettes laid out on the table in front of me. I pulled one out, the familiar weight of it between my fingers somehow grounding me as I struck a match and brought the flame to its tip. The first drag was like a release, the smoke swirling in my lungs, momentarily numbing the edge of my nerves.

Harry shifted in his seat, his eyes tracking me as I leaned back. “Shaken at first,” he began, his voice low but steady. “People noticed when you left, of course. The tension was obvious. But after a while, the atmosphere lightened up again. Took some time, but it wasn’t completely ruined.”

I exhaled slowly, watching the smoke curl in the air before dissipating into the dim light.

“Anything else happen?” I asked, my tone deliberately casual.

Harry hesitated for a moment, and that caught my attention. I glanced over at him, noticing the slight tension in his jaw.

“Aside from that,” he said, eyes meeting mine, “Alpha Hudgens made a little announcement among his pairs.”

I felt something twist in my gut, but I kept my expression neutral. “What kind of announcement?” My voice was a bit sharper than I intended, but I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like whatever came next. Hudgens was always scheming, and nothing he said was ever casual.

Harry straightened in his seat, bracing himself before speaking. “He said that you will wed Selena in a month.”

The words hit me like a punch to the chest. I sat up straight, the cigarette forgotten between my fingers.

“What?” I growled the calm facade I’d been trying to maintain, cracking instantly. My mind raced. Hudgens had no right to make a declaration like that, not without my consent, not without discussing it with me first. This wasn’t just some casual arrangement—this was a fucking power play, and he thought he could pull it off without me knowing.

Harry didn’t flinch at my reaction, though his eyes were sharp, watching me closely.

I crushed the cigarette into the ashtray, not caring that it was only half-smoked. My chest tightened with the weight of it all.

“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath, standing up and pacing across the room.