Three

Nova's POV

I held my breath when he stopped just a few inches away, incredibly aware of every single part of him. His eyes, I could feel them burn holes into my skin, searchingly.

He didn't know who I was.

If I wasn't so stunned I could have laughed. Hayden Storm did not remember me. I had spent seven years hating a man who couldn't even remember me.

Perhaps it was the change in hair color. The last time he had set eyes on me, it used to be a light brown color.

But that wasn't enough. My heart twinged in pain at the thought of him not recognizing me. But it didn't matter. That would make my mission easier.

"Forgive me, Alpha," I murmured, bowing my head. "I wanted to clear my head. I didn't know there would be anyone here."

The man frowned, brown eyes narrowing in suspicion. "The castle has to be at least a mile away. Did you come this far to clear your head? Think again wench!"

As he stepped closer, I tried to breathe evenly. I tried to ignore how smooth his muscles bounced and rippled with each movement. How his scent made my wolf yip with delight. And that cock... Good heavens, he had to get dressed or I'd be slobbering all over him like flies on candy.

"Is it so unbelievable?" I asked with a sly smile. "I could ask you what you're doing here too."

"And why would I answer to the Snowcap doxy?" He grumbled, arching a brow.

And there it was.

The hunger in his eyes.

He knew I was with Snowcap pack. He must have seen the ruckus Marcel caused earlier and noticed me. Heat radiated off him, pulling me closer, and causing my thighs to grow wet.

I stepped away from him, pretending to be walking towards the lake. Being close to him was making it harder to suppress my wolf. I didn't want anyone to realize I was Alpha until I was done with my mission.

Glancing over my shoulder, I noticed his eyes were still on me. Taking hold of my cloak, I shrugged it off my shoulders while speaking. "Perhaps I came for a swim in the legendary lake. I have only heard stories about it."

"Have you now?" He rushed in a breath when the cloak dropped to the ground. I had a flimsy silk dress on. It ended above my knees and draped softly over my curves. Turning around to face him, my body warmed at the lust in his eyes.

"Will you swim with me?"

"Do you know who I am?" He rumbled, watching me draw closer to him.

Yes, Hayden, I wanted to say. Yes, I know you. You're the monster who killed my father.

Instead, I reached between us, rubbing my fingers over his chest lightly. He growled and the vibrations traveled up my fingers, through my body. My nipples tightened, poking through the dress.

"Does it matter?" I whispered, wetting my lower lip in anticipation.

For the mission, I tried to pace myself. I was doing this all for the mission.

"You have no idea what you're playing with, kitten," He murmured and placed his rough large palm over my wandering hands. He pulled me closer until my aching breasts pressed against his chest and cupped my face.

His jutting member slapped against my stomach, hot and pulsing. My breath caught but I forced a smirk on my face as I replied.

"I assure you, Commander, that I am in no way as delicate as a kitten," I cupped my hand around him and swiped my thumb at the bulbous head.

Hayden let out a curse, hissing as he watched me stroke him with my hands. He felt so hard, so solid, so incredibly hot. Seducing him was all part of my plans, but I hadn't expected to be affected by him either.

A part of me had hoped that he had aged into a wrinkly old man. Instead, he looked as gorgeous as ever.

He moaned when my hands slid down his shaft, then up again. Brown eyes shifted to gold and back. Precum spilled from the pink head, gushing down his throbbing shaft. Instinctively I coated my fingers with his essence and slipped it between my lips.

My wolf howled in delight. He tasted good. So good. More precum seeped and just when I considered dropping on my knees, he spoke.

"Not a kitten," He growled, grabbing my jaw. "How about that swim?"

Good, I had him where I wanted him. "I hope your Luna wouldn't object?"

Hayden's eyes widened and he stepped away from me, the lust dissipating from his eyes. I cocked my head to the side, mimicking a confused look. "Alpha?"

His eyes darkened, and a sinister scowl, one that I knew too well, took over his face. I had seen that look the night my father died.

The night I had been foolish enough to give myself to him and had gotten brutally torn to bits.

"You should run," He said in a cold stark voice that made me shiver before walking away.

Had he figured out who I was?

I watched him disappear then, heaving a breath of relief when he was gone before turning to face the lake. My reflection caught my gaze and for a minute, I saw my eighteen-year-old self, staring back at me. Scared and tormented.

"How dare you remain the same, commander of death?"

An owl cooed, landing on my shoulder and its beak was a rolled-up message from one of my spies. Now what have we here?

"The commander has no caravan and arrives alone."