Chapter 4

Chapter Four: Pledging Her Mate to a Stranger

Victoria didn’t think. She acted.

The liquor was coursing through her veins, dulling the fury, the betrayal, the heartbreak.

She wanted an escape.

And she found it—him.

He was tall and muscular, dangerous in a way that made her heart race. His penetrating blue gaze bored into hers, inscrutable, predatory. He was flanked by a half dozen men, all equally foreboding.

She didn’t care.

She walked directly to him, only just preventing her feet from tripping.

“I want you.”

The men they were with fell quiet. The air shifted.

The stranger lifted an eyebrow, but his face remained as cold, as calculating.

“I want to communicate,” she clarified.

A man who looked familiar among his friends laughed. “Kenz, talk to her.”

Another man pushed him ahead. He barely moved. His posture was unwavering, unyielding — like rock.

Then without saying a word, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her from the group.

Victoria’s heart hammered. His touch was warm, a bolt of heat racing from her skin.

She was staring at him now, really staring — chiseled jawline, wickedly tousled dark hair, and those haunting, ice-blue eyes.

She licked her lips.

“I’m drunk,” she admitted.

His lips tugged down in a smile. “I noticed.”

“Good,” she exhaled. “Then you won’t think I’m crazy for saying this.”

His gaze darkened. “Say what?”

“Be my mate.”

A pause. Dead silence.

The man blinked once. Slowly.

Then, he laughed.

A low deep sound that made her spine tremble.

“Little wolf,” he whispered, moving her hair gently out of her eyes. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I do.”

“No, you don’t.”

She held her chin up, disregarding the heat building in her belly. But why the hell was his voice so hypnotic?

“I need a mate,” she said, her voice stronger. "And you’ll do.”

The stranger snorted through his nose. “And what makes you think I’d go along with it?”

“Because I asked.”

His lips quirked. “That’s not how this works.”

Victoria scowled. “Are you mated?”

His jaw ticked. “No.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

He let out a short, huffy laugh and stepped closer. Too close. His heat enveloped her, drowning her like a second skin.

“You’re reckless.” His voice was velvet and sin. “Do you even know my name?”

“…No.”

He leaned in, and her breath hitched when his lips kissed her ear.

“Kenzo.”

She shivered.

“Victoria,” she whispered.

He smirked. “Now we’re not strangers.”

Before she could answer, another voice rang in the air.

“Seems like you two are warming up to each other.”

She turned. Caleb.

“You know him?” she asked suspiciously.

Caleb grinned. “Kenzo’s a good man. “I swear to you, cross my heart.”

She turned to Kenzo, who appeared mildly irritated.

“I trust you, Caleb.” She faced Kenzo again, holding onto his shirt. “And I trust you. So say yes.”

Kenzo examined her, inscrutable. Then, he sighed.

“Come on, little wolf. Let’s get you home.”

The First Test

Victoria was holding his hand so they walked the street.

She was still buzzing, but a sharp chill filled the evening, and it sobered.

Kenzo suddenly halted to a stop.

“What?” she asked.

He turned to her, gaze sharp. “You’re fleeing from something.”

Her throat tightened.

“My mate—ex-mate—cheated. With my sister.”

Kenzo’s face didn’t change. But something in the air did.

She felt it.

A shift. A profound, unspeakable understanding.

"And your family?" he asked.

“They’ll come down on her side,” she said bitterly.

Kenzo was silent for a long beat. Then, he sighed.

“So, you selected the first wolf you encountered and figured he’d suffice.”

“I didn’t choose just any wolf,” she said. “I picked you.”

He smirked. “And why’s that?”

Her lips curved. “You look like trouble.”

He chuckled. “I am.”

She didn’t hesitate. “Good. I could use some trouble.”

Kenzo let out a sharp breath, dragging a hand down his face. “You’re gonna regret this.”

She grinned. “Then let me.”

The Bite of the Moon

They pulled in at a convenience store.

Kenzo purchased water, snacks, and … condoms.

Victoria smirked. “Prepared, I see.”

He shot her a flat look. “You’re the one who asked me to be your mate.

She took the condoms out of the bag and threw them away.

Kenzo raised an eyebrow. “What are you doing?”

“If you’re going to be my mate,” she said, moving closer, pressing him against the shelf, “we do it right.”

Kenzo’s eyes flashed silver. His wolf was awake, watching her now.

Dangerous. Tempted.

“You are playing a dangerous game, little wolf,” he said.

“I like dangerous,” she said.

He growled low and deep, sending a shiver through her spine.

Then he took her by the wrist and slammed her against the wall.

Victoria gasped, though she was not afraid.

Kenzo approached, nose on her neck. His breath was warm, teasing.

“You smell like trouble,” he said, in a low murmur.

Her pulse raced.

“And you smell like my next mistake.”

He let out a laugh that rumbled in his chest. “You’re insane.”

She smirked. “That’s why you like me.”

Kenzo groaned. “F**k.”

She giggled. “Is that a yes?”

He didn’t answer.

He bit her neck.

A not-so-gentle nip — so hard that she squeaked in surprise.

His tongue grazed the spot, comforting. Possessive. A silent claim.

Victoria gasped, her fingers clenching his shoulders. A heat blazed through her blood, stinging and wild. “Kenzo…” Her voice was almost a whisper, half a plea and half a caution.

He pulled back enough to let her see the wicked smirk that danced on his lips. His canines glinted. “Oops.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You’re evil.”

Kenzo laughed, a low, taunting sound. “Not yet.” His eyes smoldered, searing into hers with a ferocity that sent a tremor through her that pleased and terrified her in equal measure. “But if you’re serious about this mate thing…

A pause.

A heartbeat stretched between them, taut with expectancy.

Then—

“I’m yours.”

Victoria’s heart stuttered.

Holy sh*t.

Her mind blanked. Did he—did he really just—?

She stared at him, searching his face for the slightest hint of hesitation, the faintest sign of teasing. But all she could see was certainty. Unshaken. Unmovable.

She opened her mouth, but no sounds cam

e out.

Kenzo arched a brow. “What? Nothing to say now?”

Heat raced to her face as she smacked his arm. “Shut up.”

His grin widened.

But underneath all the teasing, underneath all the banter—

She did indeed get him to say yes.