Chapter 5
đShannonđ
"Who areâ?" My voice trembled as a wave of cold air rushed in through the open door. The hallway beyond was dark, the dim light from my room unable to reach the shadowed figure standing there. The longer the person stood there, the heavier the dread in my chest grew. "âYou?" I finally whisper.
But all I got was silence.
The figure neither spoke nor moved. My pulse quickened, the fear creeping in deeper. I donât usually get scared. But after what happened today, my nerves were shattered, scattered like shards of glass.
"What do you want?!" I demanded, stepping forward despite the panic clawing at my chest. And thatâs when it hit meâ
A scent. Strong and overwhelming.
Candy and roses, laced with something deeper, something rich and sweet, like raspberries. It flooded my senses, intoxicating and almost⌠familiar.
Then, finally, the answer came.
"You."
A single word. Rough. Low. A baritone voice that sent a shiver down my spine.
The figure moved at last, stepping into the light.
I took a sharp step back, my body reacting before my mind catches up. And then, I saw him.
The same man. The same nonchalant man who had bought me off moments ago.
I guess I hadnât paid enough attention to him earlier. I never realized he was this tall until now. He strode forwardâstraight towards me, his incredibly tall frame towering over me.
Iâve always been proud of my 5 '7 frameâtaller than most girls I knewâbut next to him, I felt so, so small. What is he? Six-three? Six-four?
His silver hair, wet and sleek, draped over his face like he had just stepped out of the shower. Or maybe he just always looked effortlessly, sinfully attractive.
God. What am I even thinking?
But I canât help it. The more I took in his sight, the more captivated I became.
His chest was bare, muscles flexing as he moved. His arms, strong and muscular, swung with every little shift.
The sheer size of him, the dominance radiating off of himâitâs suffocating. My breath caught in my throat as my gaze dropped lower, andâ
Oh.
His shorts. Loose. But not loose enough.
The thick erection beneath them was impossible to ignore. And heâs also making no effort to hide it.
Heat flooded my cheeks as I pulled my eyes away, suddenly conscious of my own bodyâof the way my nightgown clinged to me, how exposed I felt next to him.
"At some point, you're gonna have to look me in the eyes." His voice was smoother now, deeper and teasing.
Shame washed through me and I forced myself to meet his gaze.
His hazel eyes were dark and unreadable. The intensity of his gaze sent another wave of heat through me, dragging low in my stomach.
Who really is this man? And why is he making me feel this way so fast even when I tried so hard to resist him?
Iâve met men before. Iâve been flirted with, seduced even. But I've never encountered anyone like this man.
"If you keep staring at me like that, I guess weâre gonna be here all night," he drawled. "And I sure as hell didnât plan on that."
I swallowed hard. "I-I wasnâtâ I mean, I didnât mean to stare."
"Oh, you can stare all you want. Thatâs not a problem." His smirk deepened, making my heart race. "But I like to look too."
My brows furrowed. "I donât understandâ"
"Youâll understand soon enough." He stepped closer, his presence swallowing the air between us. "Listen carefully. I won't repeat myself, Shannon."
My name on his lipsâ
It sounded like a curse. Like something dirty.
I stiffened. Thereâs no warmth in the way he says it. Only cold disdain. Like Iâm nothing more than a pawn in whatever game heâs playing.
"As we both know, your master has given me authority over you," he said, gently holding my chin as he moved closer, a sly smile on his lips. "So now, you are my breeder.â
My breath hitched, my body going rigid.
What?! No!
I thought this was all a joke all along. Did he really mean it when he said I was going to be his breeder?
I shook my head, waving that thought away. It's never going to happen, no matter how hard he tries.
âI don't want to be your breeder," I said in almost a whisper, as tears rolled down my eyes. "I will accept any other task but not this.â
He stepped in, closing the last of the space between us. My knees hit the bed, and I falled back slightly, hands gripping the sheets.
He towered over me, his body so close, too close. My heart slammed against my ribs as his eyes dragged over me, slow and calculating.
Then he leaned down, and his next words made my stomach drop.
"I'm not here to negotiate with you. I don't negotiate with anyone, especially females. You all are just too weak to behold.â He hissed. âYou are my breeder, and the earlier you realize that, the better for you."
I froze. I felt like I had just been pricked on my skin.
But he wasn't done yet.
"Iâll fuck you, put my pups in you, and youâll give birth to them." He said it so casually, like heâs discussing the weather. "As many times as I want. Do you understand?"
A strangled breath escaped from my lips. My whole body trembled.
This can't be real.
I slipped backward slowly, struggling to crawl my way to the bed when I felt his firm grip on my legs.
He jerked me back towards himself, his hands grabbing my waistline in a violent manner.
Then he stopped, his gaze suddenly calm. He stood up and lowered his head to meet my gaze.
âI've decided not to be violent. Since you belong to me, there shouldnât be a need to force you, right?" he asked, his voice cold but oddly gentle.
I lifted my head to look him dead in the eyes. He had a murder instinct like he would be pouncing on me soon. Still, I repeated the words as boldly as I could.
"Do to me whatever you want, King Evan. But I will never be your breeder. I'd rather die!â
He turned slowly, his eyes scanning me with a nauseating dominance and fury.
âDonât dare me.â
CHAPTER 6đEvanđSince my history of ruling as a king, I have never seen anyone disrespect me the way this lady just did. Worse still, there was something about her that drew my attention, and I didn't even see myself hitting her. I couldn't.I gripped her jaw and made sure she saw the anger brewing in my eyes. âYou're trying to prove stubborn huh?â I hissed, trailing my hands down to her neck and pinning her harshly to the wall that I could see her veins pop out. âYou will eventually plead for my mercy, and when that happens, I will make sure I make you pay for every single way you disrespected me.â I loosened my hold on her neck, running a finger through her already messy hair. Then I leaned forward and gripped a handful, sniffing her hair in my nose.âYou smell like shit.â I cussed and flung my hand away, like her hair would contaminate me if I didn't act fast. Despite my growing urge to make her suffer dearly, there was something about her that made her irresistible. I have nev
CHAPTER 7đ EvanđI shoved past her without a second glance. As soon as I arrived in Shannon's room, I crashed in beside her, gripping her hands slowly.She looked so fragile, her pale skin marred with fresh scars from the guards' whips. My jaw clenched. Guilt burned through meâI had done this to her.Her body lay still, her eyes shut, and for the first time, a shiver of fear coursed through my veins. What if she never wakes up?Just then, the door burst open and I turned around eagerly, hoping to see the healer walk in. It was him. Finally!Relief washed over me instantly and I scrambled to my feet, giving way for him to pass.âKing Evan, you sent for me.â He said as soon as his gaze met mine. âWhat seems to be troubling you?âI didn't hesitate. I pointed towards Shannon's direction, my heart racing. âYou need to save her. She snapped out during a period of intense training.â I lied. I didn't want to let him know how badly I had tortured Shannon. I couldn't. My reputation would
CHAPTER 8đEvanđâWeâre not here to challenge your authority as Grand Alpha,â Logan said, his voice steady, unshaken. âBut weâthe Alphasâhave reached a decision.â He paused, meeting my gaze without flinching. âYou must have a mate before the new moon ceremony which is coming up in a few days. You will introduce her to the council. If you fail to do soâŚâ He smirked. âYour position will be at risk.â My blood burned hot. The audacity. The sheer nerve to stand before me and spew such nonsense. I leaned forward, my voice low and edged with fury. âAnd what does my inability to find a mate have to do with the new moon ceremony?â Before Logan could respond, Alpha Sebastian rose, slamming his foot against the ground. âEverything, Alpha! We cannot present a King to our people without a Luna. Not again.ââExactly!â Logan snapped, his voice sharp and unwavering. âWeâve given you enough time to do the right thing. Now, you have four days. Four days, and if you fail⌠we will make our decisi
Chapter 1đShannonđToday is the day I officially get to be mated to my boyfriend. I had waited for this day all my life, and now that it's finally here, I can't contain my excitement. The thought of it alone sends a shiver down my spine.My sister, Karen, was my rock through it all. She had supported me with the best dress for the event. I was never one for fashion; my introverted nature had kept me in the comfort of plain, modest dresses. But Karen? She knew exactly what would make me look good.And as I stood there in front of her, the silky fabric hugging my figure just right, I silently thank her.As we made our way through the crowd, I could feel the energy of the room building up inside me. The sound of loud music buzzed through every corner, with people clapping and cheering happily, all moving to the beat of the music. But amidst the large crowd, my eyes were only searching for one person.Damien. My mate.I stood there, scanning the room carefully when suddenly I heard a
Chapter 2đShannonđI gathered the broken pieces of myself and rushed out of the hall, Damienâs words still repeating in my head like an endless echo. I had had enough for today. I thought this would be one of those rare days when I wouldnât have to feel bad about not awakening my wolf strength for the past two years. But things turned out even worse. As if that wasnât enough, Damien had just rejected me. The pain was unbearable. I got into a cab, heading homeâthe only place where I could find some peace when things like this happened. I had no one else. No friend. No mate. Nothing. My life was a complete mess. As I reached the packhouse, my gaze fell on father. But he wasnât alone. He stood with a group of men, all of them deep in conversation. Their expressions were serious, their voices low. Something felt⌠off. Curious, I moved closer, wanting to know what was going on. âHey, Pops. Whatââ Before I could finish, strong hands grabbed me. A rough palm covered my m
Chapter 3đShannonđI stood frozen at the gate, my breath hitching as I took in the scene before me. I was both dumbfounded and embarrassed as my eyes stayed glued to the spot.Before I could react, strong hands clamped down on my shoulders, pushing me forward. A startled gasp escaped my lips as I stumbled, barely catching my balance. They didnât care. Not one bit. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of fear and frustration burning inside me. Just then, someone else joined us. I felt it before I saw himâthe shift in the air, the way the men around me straightened, lowering their heads in respect. And when I finally looked up, I understood why. The man standing before me was clearly in charge. His gaze was sharp, unreadable, and he carried himself with a quiet authority that made my stomach twist. He let out a smirk which sent my mind spinning in thoughts. I was almost getting lost in his calm hazel eyes when I felt his rough grip on my shoulder.His grip was firm but not painfu
Chapter 4đShannonđI stared at the boss, my heart pounding in my chest. Every nerve in my body screamed for him to say no. To refuse this deal. To keep me hereâanywhere but not with this man.The strangerâs offer hung in the air like a heavy storm. A breeder. He wanted me to be his breeder. My stomach twisted at the word.Minutes ago, I had fought like hell against the guards dragging me into this building. But now, I would rather stay here, in this hellhole, than go with him. Because I knewâdeep in my bonesâI wouldnât survive him.The man standing before me was powerful, dangerous. His presence alone sucked the air from the building. His sharp gaze pinned me down like a prey. There was something in his stance, in his voiceâpossessive, ruthless. Going with him meant writing my death wish with my own hands.âSo, what do you say, Mr. Manager?â The manâs voice was calm, but beneath it, there was something darker. A warning. A demand.The boss hesitated, his lips pressing together. The
CHAPTER 8đEvanđâWeâre not here to challenge your authority as Grand Alpha,â Logan said, his voice steady, unshaken. âBut weâthe Alphasâhave reached a decision.â He paused, meeting my gaze without flinching. âYou must have a mate before the new moon ceremony which is coming up in a few days. You will introduce her to the council. If you fail to do soâŚâ He smirked. âYour position will be at risk.â My blood burned hot. The audacity. The sheer nerve to stand before me and spew such nonsense. I leaned forward, my voice low and edged with fury. âAnd what does my inability to find a mate have to do with the new moon ceremony?â Before Logan could respond, Alpha Sebastian rose, slamming his foot against the ground. âEverything, Alpha! We cannot present a King to our people without a Luna. Not again.ââExactly!â Logan snapped, his voice sharp and unwavering. âWeâve given you enough time to do the right thing. Now, you have four days. Four days, and if you fail⌠we will make our decisi
CHAPTER 7đ EvanđI shoved past her without a second glance. As soon as I arrived in Shannon's room, I crashed in beside her, gripping her hands slowly.She looked so fragile, her pale skin marred with fresh scars from the guards' whips. My jaw clenched. Guilt burned through meâI had done this to her.Her body lay still, her eyes shut, and for the first time, a shiver of fear coursed through my veins. What if she never wakes up?Just then, the door burst open and I turned around eagerly, hoping to see the healer walk in. It was him. Finally!Relief washed over me instantly and I scrambled to my feet, giving way for him to pass.âKing Evan, you sent for me.â He said as soon as his gaze met mine. âWhat seems to be troubling you?âI didn't hesitate. I pointed towards Shannon's direction, my heart racing. âYou need to save her. She snapped out during a period of intense training.â I lied. I didn't want to let him know how badly I had tortured Shannon. I couldn't. My reputation would
CHAPTER 6đEvanđSince my history of ruling as a king, I have never seen anyone disrespect me the way this lady just did. Worse still, there was something about her that drew my attention, and I didn't even see myself hitting her. I couldn't.I gripped her jaw and made sure she saw the anger brewing in my eyes. âYou're trying to prove stubborn huh?â I hissed, trailing my hands down to her neck and pinning her harshly to the wall that I could see her veins pop out. âYou will eventually plead for my mercy, and when that happens, I will make sure I make you pay for every single way you disrespected me.â I loosened my hold on her neck, running a finger through her already messy hair. Then I leaned forward and gripped a handful, sniffing her hair in my nose.âYou smell like shit.â I cussed and flung my hand away, like her hair would contaminate me if I didn't act fast. Despite my growing urge to make her suffer dearly, there was something about her that made her irresistible. I have nev
Chapter 5đShannonđ"Who areâ?" My voice trembled as a wave of cold air rushed in through the open door. The hallway beyond was dark, the dim light from my room unable to reach the shadowed figure standing there. The longer the person stood there, the heavier the dread in my chest grew. "âYou?" I finally whisper.But all I got was silence.The figure neither spoke nor moved. My pulse quickened, the fear creeping in deeper. I donât usually get scared. But after what happened today, my nerves were shattered, scattered like shards of glass."What do you want?!" I demanded, stepping forward despite the panic clawing at my chest. And thatâs when it hit meâA scent. Strong and overwhelming.Candy and roses, laced with something deeper, something rich and sweet, like raspberries. It flooded my senses, intoxicating and almost⌠familiar.Then, finally, the answer came."You."A single word. Rough. Low. A baritone voice that sent a shiver down my spine.The figure moved at last, stepping into
Chapter 4đShannonđI stared at the boss, my heart pounding in my chest. Every nerve in my body screamed for him to say no. To refuse this deal. To keep me hereâanywhere but not with this man.The strangerâs offer hung in the air like a heavy storm. A breeder. He wanted me to be his breeder. My stomach twisted at the word.Minutes ago, I had fought like hell against the guards dragging me into this building. But now, I would rather stay here, in this hellhole, than go with him. Because I knewâdeep in my bonesâI wouldnât survive him.The man standing before me was powerful, dangerous. His presence alone sucked the air from the building. His sharp gaze pinned me down like a prey. There was something in his stance, in his voiceâpossessive, ruthless. Going with him meant writing my death wish with my own hands.âSo, what do you say, Mr. Manager?â The manâs voice was calm, but beneath it, there was something darker. A warning. A demand.The boss hesitated, his lips pressing together. The
Chapter 3đShannonđI stood frozen at the gate, my breath hitching as I took in the scene before me. I was both dumbfounded and embarrassed as my eyes stayed glued to the spot.Before I could react, strong hands clamped down on my shoulders, pushing me forward. A startled gasp escaped my lips as I stumbled, barely catching my balance. They didnât care. Not one bit. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of fear and frustration burning inside me. Just then, someone else joined us. I felt it before I saw himâthe shift in the air, the way the men around me straightened, lowering their heads in respect. And when I finally looked up, I understood why. The man standing before me was clearly in charge. His gaze was sharp, unreadable, and he carried himself with a quiet authority that made my stomach twist. He let out a smirk which sent my mind spinning in thoughts. I was almost getting lost in his calm hazel eyes when I felt his rough grip on my shoulder.His grip was firm but not painfu
Chapter 2đShannonđI gathered the broken pieces of myself and rushed out of the hall, Damienâs words still repeating in my head like an endless echo. I had had enough for today. I thought this would be one of those rare days when I wouldnât have to feel bad about not awakening my wolf strength for the past two years. But things turned out even worse. As if that wasnât enough, Damien had just rejected me. The pain was unbearable. I got into a cab, heading homeâthe only place where I could find some peace when things like this happened. I had no one else. No friend. No mate. Nothing. My life was a complete mess. As I reached the packhouse, my gaze fell on father. But he wasnât alone. He stood with a group of men, all of them deep in conversation. Their expressions were serious, their voices low. Something felt⌠off. Curious, I moved closer, wanting to know what was going on. âHey, Pops. Whatââ Before I could finish, strong hands grabbed me. A rough palm covered my m
Chapter 1đShannonđToday is the day I officially get to be mated to my boyfriend. I had waited for this day all my life, and now that it's finally here, I can't contain my excitement. The thought of it alone sends a shiver down my spine.My sister, Karen, was my rock through it all. She had supported me with the best dress for the event. I was never one for fashion; my introverted nature had kept me in the comfort of plain, modest dresses. But Karen? She knew exactly what would make me look good.And as I stood there in front of her, the silky fabric hugging my figure just right, I silently thank her.As we made our way through the crowd, I could feel the energy of the room building up inside me. The sound of loud music buzzed through every corner, with people clapping and cheering happily, all moving to the beat of the music. But amidst the large crowd, my eyes were only searching for one person.Damien. My mate.I stood there, scanning the room carefully when suddenly I heard a