It felt as if all of the air had been sucked out of the room. I’d never seen him before, but I didn’t need an introduction. I knew who he was. From the light scar at the corner of his brow and the green of his eyes, I knew instantly who he was. The man that had just entered the Meeting Hall was Ethan of the Crimson pack. His broad shoulders, muscular chest, brown tousled hair and piercing green eyes made it clear. My future King had arrived. Seeing him, I knew why we were called to the Meeting Hall. We were here to welcome Alpha Ethan.
He towered over his men by at least two feet. He wore a white dress shirt that hung loosely. His shirt did little to hide the muscles beneath it. He was tall, his long legs gave an impressive stance. He paired his ensemble with black shiny boots.
Ethan was mouthwatering and I knew every woman who sat in this hall today would agree. Just glancing around, I saw the jealous glares shoot all across the room. I knew any one of them would happily volunteer to spend the night in his bedchamber. If I hadn’t been forced by my father into giving him my hand, I would have admitted that it wouldn’t be so bad having him for a mate.
However, that wasn’t the case. I knew he wasn’t my mate. The Goddess wouldn’t have been cruel enough to force my own mate on me. She got to choose my mate, not Alpha Eduard. Ethan hadn’t seen me yet, and I had a few more moments to steal glances. His nose was sharp and his lips full.
Are you kind?
Are you cruel?
What kind of Alpha are you?
What kind of a man are you?
What do you get out of being here?
What do you get out of this betrothal?
He scanned the room, seeking out a target. His eyes stopped when he found me. His Beta and Gamma were on his heel as he confidently strode down the aisle where I was seated at the front. There was something in the way he regarded me that reminded me of the way my father looked at his women. I suppressed the urge to cower into my seat and dispelled the shiver that had already begun to run up my spine.
Ethan came to a stop before the elevated stage where we sat. His eyes never left me as he lifted a foot and stepped onto the platform. I held his eyes as he rose onto the stage. My heart was racing and my ears were pounding as he stood in front of me. I tried not to crane my neck to look up at him. He stared down at me hungrily as I made sure I kept my expression neutral. I would not let him see that I was bothered. I would not be swayed by his handsome looks.
“Greetings to Alpha Eduard of the Clear Mountain pack.”
Ethan didn’t look away from me as he spoke to my father. He kept me in his sights, never blinking. I felt naked, as if he’d undressed me with his eyes. He stared through me and I felt seen, but not in a good way. I felt exposed, if I weren’t careful he would find every fear I had and use it to control me if I didn’t obey him. His frame was intimidating and cast a shadow over me. My mouth went dry and fear pricked the corners of my mind.
“Greetings Alpha Ethan. Welcome to my home. Thank you for taking such a long journey. This is my daughter, Adealine Biscoff. Does she please you?” Father asked.
Ethan’s eyes swept over my face and trailed down over my chest and waist. A smile spread across his face as he turned to my father.
“I am extremely pleased,” Ethan said. “Your daughter is as beautiful as the rumors say.”
“Does she fit your expectations?” Father asked. Ethan mulled the question for a few seconds.
“She has birthing hips, I have no qualms of her giving me an heir,” Ethan answered.
My stomach churned and I tasted something bitter. My gaze jumped to the back of the room and locked on Shane. If looks could kill, Ethan and everyone else in this room would be on the ground. His obsidian eyes threw daggers into Ethan’s back.
My father and Ethan were talking about me like cattle. I was used to my father treating me like one, but to do it to my face in front of others, lit a fire low in my belly. Recognition flashed in Ethan’s eyes as he saw my anger. I clench my jaw and fail to hide the anger from my eyes. I set him with a look telling him exactly what I think about his words. I want nothing more than to stand to my feet and slap him across the face.
“Come,” Father calls, gesturing to the seat at his side. “Have a seat.”
Ethan ignores him. This man is dangerous, extremely dangerous. He’s at least six years older than me. The only thing I knew about him other than the fact that he was my intended, was that he had taken over his pack at a young age.
He offers me his hand and I stare at it. It’s the last thing I want to touch. I don’t want to accept him or anything from him for that matter. My father’s words echo through my mind, and I know that this will be my defining moment. My words, my actions will have repercussions. Whatever I do right now, will come back to haunt me. Taking a deep breath, I steel my resolve, and push off the armrests.
I have no other choice.
“Good afternoon, Alpha,” I greet.
I take his outstretched hand and his fingers wrap around mine. His touch felt wrong-clammy, his grip too tight, and I fought the urge to pull my hand away. His eyes darken and a chilling smile takes the corners of his lips. It felt as if he was testing me, and by biting my tongue, and playing nice, I’d passed. The urge to scream and slap him grew stronger as he pulled my hand up to his lips. It took everything I had not to pull my hand away as his lips pressed against it. His tongue darts out and licks my flesh. My body freezes but I keep the shock and disgust from my features as I stare at him.
“I finally get to meet the ever-elusive daughter of the Clear Mountain pack,” Ethan purred as he stared into my soul. He straightens his back, and I do my best to keep a neutral smile on my lips. His arrogance is still firmly in place on his face.
“Charmed,” I lied.
Two years laterShane“Shane!”My Princess’s voice cut through my concentration, demanding my focus. I internally groaned and jumped at the thought of her being here at this moment. I had been on the hunt all day before a prey willingly walked into my trap. I didn’t flinch as she called me again. I knew she was here, any moment now, she would walk through that door and see me, if she hadn’t already.Pretending I couldn’t hear her, I stuck my tongue down Evangeline’s throat and grabbed her breast. Her arms were wrapped around me, her mouth was open, wet, and inviting. I squeezed hard and she cried out as the pleasure mixed with pain. She didn’t tell me to stop, she never did. She was good at giving me what I wanted. No matter how dark, no matter how depraved, she always let me do whatever it was I wanted. She ground against me as she widened her legs. The door opened and the sound of her footsteps announced her arrival.“Shane!” Adea hissed through the darkness.Tonight was the masquer
Had I not been a wolf, I wouldn’t have heard her. I heard her loud and clear, and I didn’t have to ask who she was talking about. I was stuck between wanting to see him and wanting to take her far away from him. Why was he here? She wasn’t even of age yet. Why now? We were supposed to have time, she still had time. The bastard was being selfish, this was too quick and I wanted to rip him apart. The thought of him claiming her before her time made my blood boil. Over my cold, dead body would he take her.As if sending my inner turmoil, Adea stopped. She turned toward me and for the first time tonight, I saw the real fear in her eyes. Why hadn’t I heard it when she called me? Why hadn’t I been able to hear how scared she was? It wasn’t just worry, it was fear. I was such a dumbass. I had been too focused on making her jealous or angry. I had wanted her to say something,to demand that I stay away from everyone except her.I had wanted her to claim me but I’d been stupid, too focused on m
Everyone was intoxicated, dancing, or high on moony. It was a drug that gives you a warm sensation, heightens your senses, and euphoria for a limited time. Hands slid up my arms and across my chest but I brushed them off. The Alpha was sitting on the elevated throne and I knew he couldn’t see us. He was being entertained by two she-wolves but Adea kept her head down as we walked by just in case. We were almost there. As long as we could get out of the dance area, we were practically free.The smell of arousal was in the air, the lights dimmed, and sweaty bodies rubbed up against us. Adea didn’t say anything but I felt the way her hand tightened around mine. She trusted me. She knew I’d keep her safe and I wasn’t going to let her down. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding as we made it through the bodies and out of the ballroom. We walked under the high archway and were in the hallway. The one that would lead us outside, the one that would deliver us to freedom.There were a
My Princess threw her head back, her eyes closed tightly, her lips curved, and her mouth open as she laughed. The wind blew her hair back, and the moon shined down on her. It was ethereal and I was mesmerized. Adea was beautiful and I was under her spell. At this moment, carefree, happy, and mine. Right now, she was the most beautiful I’d ever seen her. The stars twinkled in the sky, and the moon smiled smugly down on us but I ignored it. Adea was mine, all mine.Tonight was a night of victory. I’d punched her intended in the face and I fucking reveled in it. His holier than thou self had gotten what he deserved. He deserved more than my fist but there was no time for that. The sound that echoed in the hall when my fist collided with his face was absolute perfection. My blood was pumping and I felt higher than I’ve ever been. I felt powerful. I don’t know how long we’d been running. I don’t think I even knew where we were headed.This wasn’t the time for thinking. We wouldn’t worry ab
“Adea,” I growled.“Oh,” she moaned as she continued to roll her hips.“Fuck,” I groaned as I dropped my head back against the dirt. “Don’t.”Fuck. Don’t what? Don’t do that? Don’t keep going? Don’t stop? What was I saying? What was I trying to say? My lips parted as I watched the Goddess on top of me. Her tongue darted out and licked her bottom lip and I was done for. Her eyes were glazed as her hands touched my chest. She put her weight on my chest, her nails digging in, even through the clothes and I only got harder. I wouldn’t move, I wouldn’t do anything because if I did anything, I would be crossing the line. I couldn’t find it in me to tell her to stop now. I wanted this as much as she did. Hell, I wanted it more than she did. I wouldn’t stop her now but I would lay back and take what she gave me.Tomorrow, she might regret this and I couldn’t do that to her, not when she trusted me, not when she trusted me to keep her safe. I swallowed. I would keep her safe for as long as I c
“Where does that leave me, Adea?” I asked.“I trust you. I care for you as you care for me. You’re more than just a friend to me. You’re Shane. Since we met, we’ve always been together. You’ve always been there. I hate to admit it but I hate that I walked in on you with that girl tonight,” Adea said.“You were jealous?” I asked. My wolfish ears perked up at that.“Yes, dammit. I was jealous. I don’t want you with someone else. Not now. Not while you’re with me.”“Am I with you?” I asked.“You’re mine,” she said.The words were like a blow. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to hear from her lips. All I’ve ever wanted was to be hers. I knew that I was but hearing it, hearing it was everything I’ve ever wanted. Yes.“Say it again,” I demanded.“You’re mine,” she repeated. “And I’m yours. So, please—”She couldn’t finish her sentence because I pulled her into me. She crashed against my chest and I laughed. She fought against me but I only held tighter.“I’m yours.”“Yes, you big bad wolf. Now l
I climbed over her but froze on top of her. Looking down at her I couldn’t help but want her, to need her. I calmed myself and the voice whispered that she was ours. There was no need to rush, no need to do everything tonight. I had her, she was safe for a few more years. We would be okay, for now, we were okay. I stepped over her and lay by her side. My face near her bosom, I lifted my chin to look up at her. My arm slung over her belly. This was it. I’d gotten it, I’d gotten her. I swallowed as I thought about me two years ago. I didn’t know what I wanted. I thought I was okay by myself. I thought that a life of solitude was what I wanted. How wrong I had been. Everything changed after I saw her. My life, my world gravitated toward her. She sighed and my gaze traveled over her features for pain or distress. I was met with a smile as it pulled at the corner of her lip. Her eyes fluttered closed and she turned towards my warmth. I was met with her breasts as they pushed against my fac
She was a thick woman, her breasts always peeked out over the top of her dress and her hips were wide, almost as wide as the door. I once thought of her as a parent, but I quickly learned she wasn’t my friend. She wasn’t to be trusted. She acted nice to me but I knew it was all a ploy, a joke. She reported everything to my father. While I couldn’t blame her for protecting herself and valuing her life, it hurt knowing she disregarded me so easily. It was easier to see her as fake. She was a spy for my father and I knew better than to trust her. I knew better than to be fooled by her smiles and cheap compliments.“What’s on my list today?” I asked as I made my way over to the vanity. Taking a seat, I sat straight up and grabbed my brush. I stared into the mirror and ignored her while I brushed out my hair. I may not be a woman yet but my schedule always consisted of something. It varied too, I could be having brunch with the surrounding pack’s heirs, or I could be walking through the pa