Chapter 2

Tessa

Eva's cold gaze sent a chill down my spine. I ducked my head and scurried back to the laundry room. Her vicious grin haunted me as I tried to return to my studies.

I kept quiet about what I'd seen in Eva's room. I didn't dare make trouble during the preparations for her wedding. My mother's life depended on Eva's goodwill.

The next few days were so busy I barely had a chance to think about Eva's plans or her indiscretions. Eva might not have wanted to marry a blind, wolf-less Alpha, but she did love to be the center of attention.

The day of the wedding was pure chaos. I had spent the night before cooking, preparing little delicacies I wouldn't be allowed to eat. I wasn't a wedding guest; I was just a servant.

Leo Alpha and his pack arrived. Our father made a huge production out of welcoming them. Eva managed something like a smile as she greeted her groom. I rushed around, mostly trying to stay out of sight.

While I was carrying drinks from the kitchen into the dining hall, I stumbled and tripped into a stranger.

“Hey, watch where you're going!” the stranger growled.

I yelped and scrambled back. I knew this wolf. At least, I knew who he was. He was the man I'd found in bed with Eva!

His eyes narrowed. “I know you. The scarred servant. You interrupted us.”

“I... I...” I stammered, looking around for an escape.

Surprisingly, relief arrived in the person of my sister.

“Zane, my father wants the whole wedding party for photos, what are you doing?” Eva demanded.

Zane was Alpha Leo's brother. He was also Eva's illicit lover. If I exposed them, the wedding would be off. Eva would be shamed before both packs. Zane might well be banished, depending on how angry Leo was.

“She knows.” Zane gripped my arm tight enough to leave a bruise in the shape of his hand.

“Don't worry about it. Tessa here won't dare say a word.” Eva leaned closer to me. “Will you, Tessa?”

“N-no,” I was quick to answer. “I won't.”

“That's right. She doesn't dare.”

I wanted to, so badly. For the first time in our lives, I had something I could hold over her. I could ruin something for Eva. But she was right. I didn't dare.

Eva held my mother's life in her hands. I didn't even know which hospital my mother was in. I hadn't seen her since the attack. I had to trust Eva, her mother, and our father that she was even alive.

So instead of running right to the Alphas and exposing Eva for what she really was, I lowered my eyes to the floor.

“I won't say anything,” I promised.

“That's right. Now get these drinks to the tables. I want my wedding feast to be perfect,” Eva ordered.

I nodded and ran off as fast as I could go.

The wedding went off without any problems, as far as I know. I was too busy running around the dining hall refilling drinks and serving food.

After everything was over, I tried to go to my room to finally get some rest. It had been a very long day. But Eva had other ideas.

She grabbed me out of the hallway and dragged me into the bedroom she was supposed to share with Leo. She shoved me down into her bed and announced her plans. She refused to go to bed with Leo, even though she'd married him.

“Bear a pup for my husband,” Eva growled as she pressed me into the bed.

“No!” I protested, desperately trying to wriggle out of her grip.

“If you want your mother alive,” Eva said, “You'll do what I tell you, Tessa.”

“I can't!” I protested.

Eva grabbed my chin and made me look up. “Look at you, you're a perfect match for a blind man.”

“But, I can't. I've never...” I hadn't even kissed a man before!

“You should be thanking me, Tessa,” Eva taunted me, “If I didn't give you this chance, you'd die a virgin.”

I didn't want to do it, but if I refused, Eva would hurt my mother. Maybe even let her die.

“Please,” I whimpered. “Don't make me do this.”

“Don't you want to be useful for once in your life?” Eva taunted. “Don't you want to help your mother?”

I finally nodded. “All right.”

“Good girl.” Eva patted me on the head, patronizing even though I was the older one. “Now. I've got something here to help you.”

I looked at the little bottle in her hands, and recognized a powerful aphrodisiac from my studies in healing. I shuddered, but didn't resist when Eva poured the liquid down my throat.

Eva warned me not to do anything stupid, and left me alone. I shivered, and wondered when the aphrodisiac would hit, and how long I'd have to wait for Alpha Leo.

My heart pounded as the minutes passed. There was a knock on the door. I had to swallow twice before I could respond.

“Come in,” I called, trying to sound like Eva.

The door opened, and my mouth went dry. My heart pounded for an entirely different reason.

Leo was the most breathtaking man I had ever seen. He was tall, and broad shouldered with a glorious golden mane of slightly curly hair. I longed to run my hair through those gleaming strands.

His face was perfect, with a strong chin and full lips. The only flaw was the dimness in his eyes. They were clouded almost white, a sign of the injuries that had blinded him and taken his wolf.

“Hello,” I said, and immediately felt like an idiot. Was that the best I could do? Hello?

“Hello,” Leo said, turning his face towards my voice.

“Come sit down,” I suggested. We should probably both be on the bed. It seemed like an important part of the whole process.

He padded slowly across the room, and I felt my cheeks flush. He was so gorgeous.

He sat next to me, and reached towards me, and then stopped. I realized he was waiting. For what? What was I supposed to say? Should I say anything?

“Eva,” he said, because of course he thought I was her, “I need an heir.”

“Yes,” I said.

“I need an heir, but I can hear it in your voice. You don't want this. Do you?”

“I... I'm just nervous. That's all.”

He shook his head. “Nervous. Right.” Leo sighed. “I understand. This is a political marriage. I know you weren't given a choice, and that's wrong. I won't force you.” He folded his hands in his lap, nodding respectfully towards me. “If you don't want this, we can divorce. I'll find another mate.”

I swallowed hard as heat rushed to my face. I was a half-blood. No one had ever spoken to me like that. Like I mattered.

And yes, he thought he was talking to Eva but it wasn't her in here with this beautiful man. It was me.

And I wanted him. Most of that was probably the aphrodisiac. It was burning through my veins and making parts of me warm and tingly that I usually tried to ignore. But I didn't want to ignore this.

I leaned forward, and kissed him. This once, I was going to take something I wanted.

Leo melted into the kiss and I lost track of time, until his hands started stroking my hair and the warmth in my veins became a fire.

I pulled his hand to the ribbon holding my nightgown closed.

“I want this,” I told him as I ended the kiss. “Because I'm your wife, now.”

Leo smiled, and tugged the little bow free.