Chapter Three - Stolen Away by the Alpha

Arianna kept her eyes locked onto him, and he mirrored her gaze. He had never realized that his mate would be a human, and such a stunning one at that. He immediately felt a connection to her; he had to make her his. Just then, Valentin showed up and disrupted the moment. 

"Loki, you finally made it," Valentin greeted with a big smile as he approached Loki, exchanging a firm handshake followed by a friendly hug. Upon seeing her fiancé, Arianna turned away, feeling embarrassed. Here she was, admiring another man at her own engagement party. 

Valentin noticed that Loki was staring at Arianna and grinned. "Looks like you've met my fiancée; this is Arianna, the girl I've been raving about. Isn't she absolutely beautiful?" Valentin inquired. 

"Absolutely," Loki replied succinctly, his gaze never leaving her. "Let me make the introductions. Arianna, this is my best friend, Loki, the mysterious guy from Canada. And , this is Arianna, my fiancée and soon-to-be wife." He wrapped his arm around Arianna's waist and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek, prompting her to giggle. 

Loki fought to contain himself and emitted a low growl. His wolf instincts were on high alert, ready to pounce at any moment, and he was doing his best to keep them in check. He felt a surge of possessiveness, unwilling to let anyone get close to his mate, let alone kiss or marry her. 

Just the thought sent his blood boiling and stirred his inner wolf. He clenched his fists tightly, turning his knuckles pale. "Valentin, please. Not in front of your guest; he came all this way to celebrate with us, and we can't just ignore him.

 He just arrived and deserves our attention," Arianna interjected, slipping out of Valentin's embrace. Valentin stood up straight.

All the rage and jealousy seemed to evaporate like mist the moment Arianna took his hand for a shake. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Loki. Valentin has shared so much about you. 

I hope we can become friends," she said, striving for politeness, and he returned her with his warmest smile. "Oh, we'll be more than just friends," he whispered softly, savoring the feel of her delicate hand in his. Arianna thought she had caught something in his words. 

"Did you say something?" she inquired. "No, I just wanted to congratulate you on your engagement," he replied, forcing the smile onto his face.

"Thanks," she said with a grin, trying to pull her hand away, but he held on. It started to feel odd and a bit unsettling. She exerted a bit more pressure and managed to free her hand from his grip. Valentin appeared oblivious to the exchange. 

Deciding that some distance would be wise, Arianna noted how much he seemed to admire her, given the intensity of his stare and his refusal to let her hand go after their handshake. 

She found his behavior unsettling, especially since she was his best friend's fiancée. "I'll be taking the stage to propose…”

shortly, are you ready, sweetheart?" Valentin asked her. Surely, I am. I'll just go use the bathroom pretty quickly; the crowd is making me feel a bit congested." 

She said and turned to avoid Loki's inquisitive eyes as soon as she could but she was unaware that her wish would not come true. It would be rather far from it instead.

His looks were beginning to truly make her uncomfortable. "Great. I'll wait”, Vincent said and left. Wanting to go to the bathroom and maybe breathe a little. 

She walked to her private bathroom from her upper bedroom. She had no awareness of being watched.

She corrected her makeup and finished her business; then she adjusted her dress correctly and left the bathroom. She then realized of a big hand over her lips and noise; she tried to scream but was unable, just garbled sounds came out. 

She tried to fight but couldn't since she felt a strong hold around her body.

She pondered; does this individual possess superhuman strength? More startling was why someone would treat her this way and on the day of her engagement she knew of no adversaries. 

She has always aimed to be a peace loving person all her life.

She felt someone strike her from the side.

She felt a minor ache and gently turned her head. 

Came a sluggish black cloud following the agony and knew she was losing consciousness. "I'm sorry Arianna but I have to do this, I'm compelled to." She knew she had heard that voice, but where?

Her brain was thinking slowly as she was gradually losing consciousness. She was too weak to speak when he took his hand off her mouth.

She knew right away who it was when that tingling and mocking smell returned. Loki!!!

She fainted out as the realization sank in her and felt her consciousness totally go.