Chapter 3

Camellia's POV

The door clicked shut behind me. Cedarwood and iron tang hit my nostrils.

What kind of body wash was that?

I sniffed deeper, craving more of his scent.

Then it hit me – that aggressive, intoxicating musk only a prime Alpha could emit.

The rock-hard muscles under my fingertips tensed.

A calloused hand clamped around my wrist, yanking me away from the warmth I desperately wanted to explore.

My blood roared when that velvet baritone rumbled, "Hold up. Who the hell are you?"

He stubbed out his cigarette.

Moonlight caught the glint of his eyes as he spread my arms, scanning me head to toe.

His gaze lingered on my curves.

A low whistle made me shiver.

"Damn, you're easy on the eyes. Wrong room?"

I wriggled, trying to break free from his grip. I sidestepped and tripped him with my leg, sending him sprawling onto the floor.

He landed with a thud, looking up at me in surprise.

In the faint moonlight, I could just make out a vague smile on his face.

I gasped and covered my mouth. "S-sorry! Didn't mean to—"

My words slurred. I blinked a few times.

I was drunk.

I giggled, then hummed and shook my head.

My hairpins loosened, and my hair cascaded down my back.

Propped on one elbow, he laughed.

"Most entertaining crash landing I've ever seen." His palm slid up my thigh.

My neck gland throbbed. Lyra howled in my skull – it was the signal of a true mate.

But this silhouette was human. Moonlight haloed his disheveled head.

What the actual hell?

My true mate was some random human rent boy?

Whiskey fogged my brain. Lyra growled, pushing my trembling fingers to yank down my lace strap.

Since the temporary marking, Esmond never made me burn like this.

The full moon turned my wolf's hunger into molten need.

His golden eyes narrowed to slits as my bra clasp snapped – predator's gaze. Those were not human eyes.

Then it hit me – the pleasant cedar scent might not be from body wash.

"Wait—" My protest drowned in his pine storm.

When he pinned me against the wall, Alpha dominance crushed my lungs.

Lyra howled approval. My knees hit granite thighs as his rough palm slid under my red minidress.

The roughness of his palm made my heart skip a beat, my pulse racing wildly.

I ran my fingers through my hair and licked my lips.

Lyra was just beneath the surface, urging me to act, to feel everything.

"You're shaking," he purred against my ear, fangs grazing skin.

The temporary bond mark flared white-hot.

His fiery touch lingered on my skin, leaving trails of heat wherever he touched, making my body grow weaker.

I tried to push him away, but he easily sensed my movement and pinned my hands above my head.

"Let... go..."

His laugh vibrated through me. "Cut the act, gorgeous."

In the dark, sensations exploded.

Pain-pleasure waves crested as something warm dripped onto my collarbone.

Moonlight revealed emerald wolf eyes.

Lyra went feral – damn full moon madness.

"Mark me!" I clawed his back.

He tossed me onto the mattress.

The mattress was soft. I didn't feel any pain, but the fall made my head even dizzier.

A tall figure loomed over me.

My clothes were quickly stripped away. We were both almost naked.

His hot skin met mine.

If Esmond could cheat, why couldn't I claim my true mate?

At least this burning body was proving its desire in the most primal way.

His fingers closed around my throat, forcing my gaze up.

Moonlight showed our tangled reflection – my scarlet dress around his hips, his golden strands smeared with my lipstick.

Then I saw his face.

"Lionel." The name tore from me.

He was not some escort. He was Esmond's uncle, the youngest son of Alpha Drogo and Luna Chelsea.