Chapter 0003

Amalie

I barely make it home, when my phone starts ringing. I sigh when I look at the caller I.D. Easton.

If I don’t answer within seconds, he gets angry. “Hello?” I ask.

We tried to establish a mind link, but because of what I am, we couldn’t manage it. He gave me the phone as a gift a few weeks ago. “You need to come back,” he says curtly. “Jericho’s on his way.”

Alpha Jericho? The Alpha Jericho? What the hell is he doing here?

I don’t ask Easton though. It would give him yet another excuse to punish me. “Okay,” I say in my sweetest, most obedient voice. “What do you need me to do?”

“We have to welcome him. I’m sending a car to pick you up. For Goddess’ sake wear something appropriate.”

I may live in my jeans and t-shirts, and I have not had any Luna training, but I’m not so clueless that I’d show up in my casual wear to meet an Alpha like Jericho.

“I’ll be ready,” I agree.

Easton ends the call without another word.

I’m not great at girly things like make-up and dresses, and Easton uses it against me just as he uses every other flaw he can find.

A week after we met, he showed up at my house with a whole new wardrobe and a stylist who did my hair and nails.

At the time, I considered it thoughtful and sweet. I know better now.

“Hello Nugget.” My father looks up from his favourite armchair as I push the front door open.

I smile at my father’s almost forgotten pet name for me. He calls me Nugget because I’m so small, and when he pulled me out of my mother, I looked like an undercooked chicken nugget.

I lean over and kiss his bristly cheek. Something I haven’t done in a long time.

“I wish you’d go see the pack doctor.” He regards me with a worried little frown. “You look like you’re knocking on death’s door.”

“It’s just wedding stress, Daddy. I’m okay.”

My mother comes walking out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a rag. She’s useless in the home and hates being stuck indoors all day, but Landon didn’t give us a choice. Right after the vicious rogue attack that permanently scarred my father, the Alpha moved all of us in here. “Maggie told us what happened,” she says. “You’re lucky Easton was there.”

My dad’s eyes pierce through me. I wish I could tell them what’s really going on. I’ve started a few times, but then stopped. If they knew, they'd insist that I leave. They’d rather face banishment than watch me suffer.

I can’t do that to them. The rogue life is difficult. They live packless on the fringes of society, forever hunted, always on the run. My father won’t last a week.

“I need to change. Alpha Jericho is on his way here.”

“They invited that beast?” my mother asks. “Why?”

“I didn’t ask.”

My parents look lonely and forlorn as I leave them behind in the little living room. They are wolves, warriors - they belong with their pack, not practically exiled here on the outskirts of the territory.

I take a quick shower and pick a simple dark blue dress that I think is suitable for the occasion. I’m sure it’s not and that Easton will find something wrong with it.

This time, I remember the stupid necklace. I hate the damn thing. The Obsidian pendant is heavy and the gold itches.

Without Maggie here, I attempt to do my own make-up and hair. It doesn’t look too bad, and I even manage to hide the lingering bruises with concealer, but I can’t get rid of the big, dark circles under my eyes.

Just as I finish up, the car arrives. The driver doesn’t even bother to get out and knock on the door; he stays in the car and leans on the hooter. “Rude little snot,” my father complains as I walk through the living room to the door.

“Leave it be, Archie,” my mother says.

My heart spills over with love for my family. In the dark days to come, and they will come, I’ll cling to that love. “Don’t wait up,” I say on my way out.

**

Easton looks up as I enter the reception room. It’s just the two of us. “What took so long?” he hisses at me.

“What do you mean?” I ask softly. “The driver only showed up fifteen minutes ago.”

His long fingers clamp around my elbow. “I thought we discussed your issues with…the truth.”

I dig in my purse and hand him my phone. “Check the GPS if you don’t believe me.”

He starts to reach for my phone, but the beautiful and statuesque Luna Gayle and the impressive Alpha Landon come strolling into the reception room followed by Beta Tyler and Gamma Piers. “Good evening, Amalie,” Landon says. “How’s your family?”

“They’re well, thank you for asking, Alpha.”

He grins and nods. “Looking forward to moving here?”

“No-” I catch Easton’s frown -“I mean, yes, Alpha, of course. I’m just sad about leaving my home.”

“That is quite natural, dear,” Luna Gayle says. “At least you don’t have to leave your pack like I had to.”

I smile at her. She’s a bit of a snob, but not that bad. I think if I can get to know her, I’d like her.

“Alpha Jericho just pulled up,” the butler announces.

The tension in the room is palpable.

“Who invited the fucker anyway?” Landon asks.

“I thought you did,” Easton answers.

“You didn’t invite him?” Luna Gayle asks, her usually measured tone panicked.

I quickly hide a giggle behind my fist, but Easton notices. His eyes darken and he shakes his head at me.

The door swings open. A giant of a man enters the reception room. His Beta and Gamma are a step behind him, taking up position by the door and never taking their eyes off their Alpha.

He’s taller than Easton by a head, and much broader in the shoulders. Silky, silvery hair floats down to his shoulders and black stubble decorates his angular chin.

I go a little weak in the knees at the sight.

Jericho is much younger than I thought he’d be. Maybe thirty, if that, but it’s difficult to tell with werewolves sometimes. I grew up hearing tales about the fearsome Alpha Jericho, the conqueror.

Maybe it was his father. This Jericho doesn’t look old enough to be that renowned.

“Ah, the future Luna,” Jericho says in a delicious, velvety smooth voice. “It’s my utmost pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Amalie!” Easton hisses.

“Huh?” I jerk and look up. I stare into a pair of light green, almost translucent, eyes. I must have zoned out for a second. I did not see him walk up to me. “S- Sorry, Alpha Jericho,” I stammer. I have to crane my neck all the way back to look at him. “I- it’s lovely to meet you.” I hold my hand out to greet the visitor, and right away realise I’ve committed another faux pas.

Next to me, Easton stiffens and stares straight past Jericho at the door where the Beta and Gamma waits for their Alpha.

I look back at Jericho and see something the rest of the family doesn’t. Jericho’s eyes darken slightly and his nostrils flare as if he’s sniffing the air. My heart flips over and butterflies explode in my stomach.

“Forgive her, Jericho,” Landon says. “She…hasn’t had Luna training yet.”

Jericho doesn’t even look in Landon’s direction. He hasn’t looked at any of them since he walked in here. “Not at all,” Jericho says and takes my hand in his. He lowers his head to plant a soft, warm kiss on my knuckles. I’m a little disappointed when he lets me go. “What an enchanting mate The Fates gifted you, Easton. You must be pleased.”

My mate comes alive and possessively puts his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer to him. “Yes. I am a lucky wolf.”

“Indeed.”

“Is your mate attending the wedding, Alpha?” I ask without thinking.

Easton lightly kicks me and the hand on my shoulder tightens. Jericho’s eyes flicker to our feet and back up. “My mate is dead.”

Oh for fuck’s sake. Could this get any worse? “I’m very sorry to hear that,” I mumble.

“It was a long time ago.” His eyes travel over my face and come to rest on my neck.

Easton growls and steps forward, putting himself between the imposing Alpha and me.

“Calm down,” Jericho says. “I am just admiring her necklace. I gave my mate a similar token.” The Alpha turns from me and finally looks at Landon. “I know our territories border on each other,” he says, “but we’ve actually come the long way around. If you don’t mind terribly, we’d like to get some rest.”

“Of course, of course, Alpha.” Luna Gayle slips right into her hostess role and stands back, sweeping her arm in the direction of the door. “I’ll send the Omegas to your rooms with refreshments.”

“No need. We’ll help ourselves, just point us in the right direction,” he says and looks over his shoulder at his two advisors. “My Beta and Gamma will stay here. A few of my warriors will camp in your woods. The rest will go home in the morning.”

How many did he bring?

“Let’s go for a walk,” Easton says. “It’s a lovely evening.”

My stomach starts to cramp up and bile pushes its way into my throat. Twice in one day? I don’t think I can do it.

The corner of Jericho’s mouth lifts into a snarl, and he opens his mouth as if he wants to say something to me, but then he turns his back on us, and follows Gayle out of the reception room.

I can’t explain the profound sense of loss I feel as Jericho disappears into the pack house.